Once (song)

Infobox Song
Name = Once


Artist = Pearl Jam
Album = Ten
Background = lightsteelblue
Released = August 27, 1991
track_no = Track 1
Recorded = March 27, 1991 – April 26, 1991 at London Bridge Studios, Seattle, Washington
Genre = Grunge
Length = 3:51
Label = Epic
Producer = Pearl Jam, Rick Parashar
Writer = Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard
prev =
prev_no =
next = "Even Flow"
next_no = Track 2"Once" is a song by the American rock band Pearl Jam. The song is the first track on the band's debut album, "Ten" (1991). On "Ten", it is preceded by a brief interlude of the album's closing hidden track, "Master/Slave". Besides "Ten", the song was also featured as a B-side on the single for "Alive". A remixed version of the song was featured on the band's greatest hits album, "".

Origin and recording

The song features lyrics written by frontman Eddie Vedder and music written by guitarist Stone Gossard. The song originated as an instrumental demo titled "Agytian Crave" that was written by Gossard in 1990. The instrumental was one of five songs compiled onto a tape called "Stone Gossard Demos '91" that was circulated in the hopes of finding a singer and drummer for the group.Pearlman, Nina. "Black Days". "Guitar World". December 2002.]

The tape made its way into the hands of Vedder, who was working as a San Diego gas station attendant at the time. He listened to the tape shortly before going surfing, where lyrics came to him.Crowe, Cameron. [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10560431/five_against_the_world "Five Against the World"] . "Rolling Stone". October 28, 1993.] Vedder recorded vocals for three of the songs on the demo tape, one of which was "Once", and mailed the tape back to Seattle. Upon hearing the tape, the band invited Vedder to come to Seattle and he was asked to join the band.

Lyrics

The song is the middle chapter of a trilogy of songs unofficially called "Mamasan", with it being preceded by "Alive" and followed by "Footsteps". "Once" tells the tale of a man's descent into madness which leads him into becoming a serial killer.

During the bridge of the song, Vedder can be heard muttering. He is actually saying "You think I got my eyes closed/But I'm lookin' at you the whole fuckin' time..."

Reception

"Once" has received considerable radio airplay as Pearl Jam's popularity has endured.

Live performances

The song was premiered live at the band's October 22, 1990 concert in Seattle, Washington. [ [http://pearljam.com/songs/song.php?song=Once "Pearl Jam Songs: "Once""] . pearljam.com.] Live performances of "Once" can be found on the "Dissident"/"Live in Atlanta" box set and on the "Live at the Gorge 05/06" box set.

References

External links

* [http://pearljam.com/songs/song.php?song=Once Lyrics]