Present Tense (song)
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| “Present Tense” | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song by Pearl Jam | |||||
| Album | No Code | ||||
| Released | August 27, 1996 | ||||
| Recorded | July 12, 1995–May 1996 | ||||
| Genre | Alternative rock | ||||
| Length | 5:46 | ||||
| Label | Epic | ||||
| Writer | Mike McCready, Eddie Vedder | ||||
| Producer | Brendan O'Brien, Pearl Jam | ||||
| No Code track listing | |||||
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"Present Tense" is a song by Pearl Jam that appears on the band's 1996 album, No Code. It is the tenth track on the album.
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[edit] Origin and recording
The song features lyrics written by lead singer Eddie Vedder and music written by guitarist Mike McCready.
According to Vedder, the song's title was inspired by Pete Townshend's initials. Before a performance of the song at Pearl Jam's October 5, 1996 concert in Charleston, South Carolina, Vedder stated:
So anyways, Mike has this great music and I...he asked if I wanted to put words to it and I just needed anything...anything to make me think...just anything to make me think of anything...just a starting point, where to begin so I thought of Pete Townshend, I took his initials and this one is called "Present Tense".[1]
[edit] Reception
In Allmusic's review of No Code, "Present Tense" was cited as one song on the album that is "equal [to] the group's earlier masterpieces."[2] In Rolling Stone magazine's review of No Code, "Present Tense" was called "compelling emotional interrogation."[3]
[edit] Lyrical meaning
The lyrics for "Present Tense" are about coming to terms with the past,[4] and how one should live for the present. When asked about the introspective nature of the song's lyrics at the time of No Code's release, Vedder stated, "I think there's a little self-examination in those songs, something that a lot of my friends are going through too, as they approach 30."[5]
[edit] Live performances
The song was premiered live at the band's September 14, 1996 concert in Seattle, Washington.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ October Song X: "Present Tense". fivehorizons.com. October 1997.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "No Code Review". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2007-06-22.
- ^ Fricke, David. "Pearl Jam: No Code". Rolling Stone. December 2, 1996.
- ^ Browne, David. "Northwest Passage". Entertainment Weekly. August 23, 1996.
- ^ Hilburn, Robert. "Working Their Way Out of a Jam". Los Angeles Times. December 22, 1996.
- ^ "Pearl Jam Songs: "Present Tense"". pearljam.com.
[edit] External links
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