Yellow Leadbetter

[Yngwie 4String]

Yeah so recently Ive gotten into Pearl Jam, a lot. Loving Eddie Veder's vocals and the generall feel of the band. Considerably more mellow than what I typically listen to, but I think they are fabulous. I was just wandering what the story behind this song is. I understand that has soem kind fo deep meaning, and the Veder usually does diferent lyrics for it for each performance. I think thats a cool concept for a song. So what is the story behind this song what does it mean to the band?

[fenderhutz]

From Wiki:

The song's name is derived from the actual name of an old friend of lead singer Eddie Vedder from Chicago, named Tim Ledbetter.[1] The lyrics of "Yellow Ledbetter" have proven undecipherable when heard live and even on the early recorded version, as Eddie Vedder mumbles through much of the song with only certain parts being heard prominently, such as the famous line "I said, I don’t know whether I was the boxer or the bag", with these parts of the song heard on almost every live rendition of the song. There are many unofficial lyrics on various websites. It is because of the freeform nature of this song that allows Pearl Jam to easily improvise the song and change it around as they see fit when performing it live. During performances, McCready often lengthens the outro and the guitar solo and Vedder almost always changes the lyrics around, sticking with the same rhythm as the original recording.

Many fans have argued about the meaning of this song contained in the lyrics and have even questioned the existence of a central theme (although, one common theory is about someone receiving a letter and finding his brother had died overseas in war,[5] cited from the lyrics in the Live at the Garden version "I don't know whether my brother will be coming home in a box or a bag"). This makes the song unique as it has managed to become a staple favorite among fans of one of the most important bands of the 90s, and yet has no real lyrics or meaning that can be attached to the song.

[Jared Lash]

Interesting. I always thought it was a Leadbelly (Huddie Ledbetter) reference.

I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan of Pearl Jam, but I dig them a fair amount, especially their first two albums and Binaural. But Yellow Ledbetter always seemed like they indulged Mike McCready's Hendrix obsession a bit too much.

[Jiggybass]

I've often wondered this too, as this is one of my favorite songs, cool to know that I don't know much less than the average dude does about it.

[James Hill]

I read an article that said this tune came about from a instrumental Kenny Wayne Shepherd wrote. It was "While We Cry" on the Ledbetter Heights album.

[antiseptic]

Funny. I just downloaded this song to my player an hour ago, along with Given to Fly.

[msquared]

I read in a biography (Five Against One maybe?) that the recorded version is mostly phonetically appealing nonsense and that Vedder never wrote down the lyrics because of that.

I remember when YL was first released and how huge that song was among the serious fans and songwriters who studied the band's output. I had a roommate in college who had the supposed lyrics hanging on the wall of his room and was around for more than one party in the '90s where someone would put it on and a hush would come over the entire room. It was a classic case of giving the audience just a little less than they wanted and whether that was by design or not, it's worked out very well. I have to imagine that at this point the band is just taking advantage of that idea.

I suppose that only the band knows for sure.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by antiseptic

Funny. I just downloaded this song to my player an hour ago, along with Given to Fly.

Yellow Ledbetter = strong Jimi Hendrix vibe

Given to Fly = very close to Led Zep's Going to California

Check out the verses of both songs. IIRC Pearl Jam has admitted admitted that they got the inspiration from that song and have even performed both songs with Robert Plant.

[Yngwie 4String]

All I know is that I overlooked this band in there heyday. I was listening to megadeth and testiment, and any other 80's thrash I could find. But these guys are write beautiful music, and Eddie Veder might be my new favorite vocalist.

[MakiSupaStar]

Why is this not in the Recordings Forum?