Pearl Jam Christmas Singles (it’s not the world that’s heavy, it’s just the things that you save)
There’s over a decade of collecting behind this post.
The plan was to hold off for a few more weeks to make this more of a Christmas present but, well, I failed to contain my joy. Today as we decorated our full and lovely Christmas tree that makes the whole house smell fabulous, I pulled out my entire complete collection of vinyl Pearl Jam Christmas singles from the inaugural year (1991) until the 2005 edition to listen to on the old record player. I am expecting the 15th vinyl single for 2006 to grace my mailbox — well, sometime between now and Valentine’s Day. Maybe Easter. Punctuality has never been on the list of reasons to appreciate this divine collection.
But turning these fine specimens over in my hands and reading the labels, looking at the album art, slowly lowering the needle and spinning the black circle gives me a deep happiness every time. The fact that Pearl Jam sends one of these (almost) every year to their fanclub is just awesome. From the earliest one, which started with Beatles-like Christmas greetings and some ramblings, through various live gems and little studio recordings just for the fan club, there is always a fantastic variety from year to year, a small and welcome surprise in the mailbox.
Every once in a while they’ll toss in an actual Christmas song (1991, 2002, 2004), and there are some wonderful covers (1992, 1998, and 2000 are favorites). If I had to pick just one song from this bunch for the rest of my life, it would probably be “Angel,” which is stunning in its wavering purity, and inspired by a poem called The Eloping Angels: A Caprice. I love it fiercely and thoroughly.
I was going to try and walk you through the rest of my favorites, but as I looked over each record, I realized there is no way I could. I’ve written this paragraph 4 times and keep deleting it because it’s getting too long. So just listen to them all — I know not of a better way to spread Christmas cheer (than singing these loud, for all to hear).
PEARL JAM CHRISTMAS SINGLES
1991
Let Me Sleep
Ramblings I
1992
Sonic Reducer (Dead Boys cover)
Ramblings II
1993
Angel
Ramblings III (live in Indio, CA 11/5/93)
1995
History Never Repeats (Split Enz cover, live in Auckland with Neil & Tim Finn)
Sonic Reducer (Dead Boys cover, live in New Orleans with Joey Ramone)
Swallow My Pride (Green River cover, live in Las Vegas)
My Way (Elvis cover with Elvis’ cousin Terry, live @ The Aladdin in Vegas)
1996
Olympic Platinum (Nick Didia)
Smile (live in Barcelona, 11/21/96)
1997 (joint effort with R.E.M.)
Happy When I’m Crying (written by Jack Irons)
Live For Today – R.E.M.
1998
Soldier of Love (originally recorded by Arthur Alexander, 1962)
Last Kiss (originally recorded by J. Frank Wilson, Ed found a 45 copy at the Fremont Antique Mall)
1999
Strangest Tribe (written by Stone Gossard)
Driftin
2000
Crown of Thorns (Mother Love Bone cover, live 8/22/00 in Vegas)
Can’t Help Falling In Love (written by Elvis Presley, live 8/22/00 in Vegas)
2001
Last Soldier (live @ Bridge School 10/21/2001)
Indifference (with Ben Harper, live @ Bridge School 10/21/2001)
Gimme Some Truth (Lennon cover, live @ Groundwork Benefit, Seattle 10/22/2001)
I Just Want To Have Something To Do (Ramones cover)
2002
Don’t Believe In Christmas (Sonics cover, soundcheck Seattle Showbox 12/6/02)
Sleepless Nights (Everly Brothers cover, live @ Wiltern Theatre 2/26/02 with Beck)
2003
Reach Down (with Chris Cornell, 10/28/2003 in Santa Barbara)
I Believe In Miracles (Ramones cover, 10/28/2003 in Santa Barbara)
2004
Someday At Christmas (Jackson 5ive cover)
Betterman (with the Walmer High School choir from South Africa)
2005
Little Sister (with Robert Plant, 10/5/05 House of Blues Chicago)
Gone (demo, recorded 9/30/05, Room #1152, Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City)
PEARL JAM CHRISTMAS SINGLES 1991-2005 ZIP
And yes, I actually do own a Pearl Jam stickman Christmas ornament, an internet purchase circa 1995. Rock on.
Name: Heather Browne
