Cover of 1991 promotional single “Black” by Pearl Jam
Any member of the Jamily (Pearl Jam Devotees) must consider “Black” to be in their list of top PJ songs. It’s like having a favorite Bible verse for Christians. It is essential PJ listening. Anyone in the Jamily knows the song is about lead singer’s, Eddie Vedder’s, lost relationship with an ex-girlfriend. I thought it was about Beth, but in a video I’m including, it names a high school sweetheart. Listening to Eddie sing this while watching my favorite early YouTube video of him doing it still brings tears to my eyes. Years ago it was because the wound was still fresh then and he was bleeding it out for us and for himself. Now it is because years have gone by and Eddie sings it as a scar.
It’s difficult to believe anyone doesn’t know about “Black” but that’s a Jamily P.O.V.
from wikipedia:
“Black” is a song by American rock band Pearl Jam. The song is the fifth track on their 1991 debut album, Ten, and features lyrics written by vocalist Eddie Vedder and music written by guitarist Stone Gossard. After Ten experienced major success in 1992, Pearl Jam’s record label Epic Records urged the group to release the song as a single. The band refused, citing the song’s personal nature. Despite the lack of a single release, the song managed to reach No. 3 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Remixed versions of the song were included on Pearl Jam’s 2004 greatest hits album, Rearviewmirror, and the 2009 Ten reissue. “Black” remains one of the band’s most popular songs, as well as a fan favorite.
PJ keeps stats of all songs they perform at their website.
The stats for Black:
first time released: 8/27/91
first time played live: 10/22/90
last time played live: 9/29/24
Times played live: 608
Only Corduroy (612), Porch (631), Alive (838), and Even Flow (903) have been played more times live. Now are you a believer on how important this song is to fans? To Eddie?
While writing this up, I came across a very interesting video about the song, about how the band didn’t want it to be a big hit:
The lyrics are poetry that never fades. I daresay anyone who has been deeply in love can relate to them.
Black
Hey-hey-hey
Yeah-ah
Sheets of empty canvas, untouched sheets of clay
Were laid spread out before me, as her body once did
All five horizons revolved around her soul as the Earth to the Sun
Now, the air I tasted and breathe has taken a turn
Mmm, and all I taught her was everything
Mmm-hmm, I know she gave me all that she wore
And now my bitter hands chafe beneath the clouds
Of what was everything
All the pictures had all been washed in black
Tattooed everything
I take a walk outside
I’m surrounded by some kids at play
I can feel their laughter
So, why do I sear?
Mmm, and twisted thoughts that spin ’round my head
I’m spinning, oh-oh, I’m spinning
How quick the Sun can drop away?
And now my bitter hands cradle broken glass
Of what was everything
All the pictures have all been washed in black
Tattooed everything
All the love gone bad turned my world to black
Tattooed all I see, all that I am
All I’ll be, yeah-yeah
Oh-oh, oh-oh, ooh
I know someday, you’ll have a beautiful life
I know you’ll be a star in somebody else’s sky
But why, why, why can’t it be
Oh, can’t it be mine?
Ooh
Ah, yeah
Ah, ooh-ooh
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo (oh, oh-yeah)
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo doo doo, doo, doo-doo-doo (ah-ah)
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo (ah-ah)
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo (yeah)
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo (ah-ah, yeah)
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo (yeah, ah)
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo (yeah-yeah-yeah)
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo (oh-oh)
Oh-oh, oh-oh
Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-hoo
Written by: Stone C. Gossard, Eddie Jerome Vedder
Album: Ten
Released: 1991
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. Jim says:
This week the theme is to find a song with black in the title.
Tao Talk 
Thank you for including that first video where it talks about the backstory of the song. That was something I had never seen before.
I also love the way you describe the delivery of the second video as a scar. I think any of us of a significant age know that feeling all too well.
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Violet you are most welcome. I appreciate your kind words.
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Great group I found both videos great especially the first one … thank you for that. Top choice 💜💜
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So happy you did, Willow :) Thank you.
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A pleasure 💜
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Eddie. Yeah, baby. 😎
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:)
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I know you love Pearl Jam.❤️
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Love and Beyond, forever and ever. I’ve had dreams with Eddie in them. I see him as a spiritual leader.
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I will have to listen to more of them. I haven’t listened to much.
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They’ve got a lot of live albums out there. Hearing Eddie talk between the songs is where the magic happens. Live at Benaroya is a good one.
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I had the chance to see Pearl Jam and I passed on it, big mistake. I liked the first video because I learned a lot about the group and also about Eddie Vedder. This was my first time hearing Black and it is a heartfelt song, thanks for selecting it, Lisa.
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Jim this is your first time hearing it?? Oh my. I saw PJ once, back in 2004, I think, in Grand Rapids, when they were touring with Rock The Vote. On my bucket list: front row seats and a back stage pass.
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A girl that I was dating said that her friends in Aspen, CO had four tickets and that they would pay for us to fly out there and we could stay with them, but I had a job, and I couldn’t miss that much work.
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Dangit!
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Hey Lisa, Thanks for doing this one. I learned a lot about Pearl Jam!
Nice job!
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Susan, thanks so much. Glad you learned something about them :)
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While I’m certainly not a Pearl Jam expert and haven’t explored their catalog in greater depth yet, I’m happy to report I knew “Black” – great song! I previously covered two other great tracks from “Ten”: “Even Flow” and “Jeremy”.
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Happy you’ve covered some of their other songs. I find most of their songs great tracks :)
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Their debut album ‘Ten’ is great. All killers, no fillers.
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Glyn, I came to them at the sheep gnawing at the fence album and pretty much only know the cuts that got radioplay from Ten. Everything after sheep album except last 2 and Yield are engraved on my soul. I’m working on those also :)
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I think that was their second album called ‘VS’ ? I did have their first four albums on vinyl but had to sell them…..reluctantly
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Sounds right on the name. Can’t imagine what those albums would be worth today. Sorry you had to sell them :(
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Yay Li ☺️ You’re back with SLS! I remember PJ being one of your favorite bands. I love the video story lead up to Black. It’s such a great song. 💕☺️
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:) I’m back today at least. Thank you for your Yay <3 PJ is still one of my favorites and may be at the top of the heap. "Alive" is another one with a deep story for Eddie.
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FA-BU-LOUS post! Thank you for this. And that additional video. Excellent sleuthing on your part. Love, LOVE Eddy Vedder’s voice.
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Dale, Thank You! I just saw that video in the margin at YouTube yesterday when looking for the unplugged Black and watched it. I also LOOF it much. This version of this song sends me into orbit:
When he mentions friends being lost 2 years ago today, it was some concertgoers at Roskilde that got crushed and killed up against the stage. The band almost fell apart because of it. Papa Neil Young stepped in and they made an album together with him, and he worked his magic and helped them grieve and heal.
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So glad you fell on it and shared it.
He is one of those singers that I recognise by voice (obviously). Seeing that video with the short hair, I was like, who dat? ;-)
And what a beautiful thing from Neil Young!
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LOL on Eddie with short hair. Yes, on Neil. He’s brought a lot of good into the world with his music and his actions.
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Haha! Why did I write Eddy when I know full well it is Eddie? SMH.
His hair needs to this length
https://www.alamy.com/eddie-vedder-of-pearl-jam-performing-live-at-manchester-evening-news-image65960421.html
Neil is a good egg. Makes me proud of him.
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Actually he prefers Ed these days :( That hair length works for me. So danged handsome.
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There ya go. Ed. Let your hair grow just a bit, please. Lisa and I prefer it ;-)
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What a voice he has. (K)
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<3
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Excellent choice! I’ve been a fan of PJ since first hearing them way back when. Got to see them in concert here a few years ago, and it was one of the best I’ve ever seen. Nothing pretentious at all – just the band, a couch, and a lava lamp on stage. :)
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Barbara, how fabulous you got to see them live. Love how you describe the stage and the concert. These guys are about the music and saving the planet by extension. I have to ask… did they play Black??
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It was great! It’s been so many years ago I don’t remember if they played that one. I do remember they played a Buddy Holly song, because we here are the home of Buddy Holly. The audience really appreciated that. :)
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Awesome on them playing a Buddy Holly song <3
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I was never a PJ fan, but this is a good song, and I did enjoy listening to it!
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Carol Anne, it’s one of their best. Thanks for giving it a chance.
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