Smile (Pearl Jam song)
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| “Smile” | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song by Pearl Jam | |||||
| Album | No Code | ||||
| Released | August 27, 1996 | ||||
| Recorded | July 12, 1995–May 1996 | ||||
| Genre | Alternative rock | ||||
| Length | 3:52 | ||||
| Label | Epic | ||||
| Writer | Jeff Ament, Eddie Vedder | ||||
| Producer | Brendan O'Brien, Pearl Jam | ||||
| No Code track listing | |||||
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"Smile" is a song by Pearl Jam that appears on the band's 1996 album, No Code. It is the fifth track on the album.
Contents |
[edit] Origin and recording
Bassist Jeff Ament wrote the song's music and plays guitar on the track. The track also features Eddie Vedder on harmonica.
[edit] Reception
Several reviewers identified an influence of Neil Young on the song. The New York Times described the song as starting "out as a straightforward [Neil] Young imitation, complete with harmonica, before shifting into an anthemlike Pearl Jam chorus."[1] David Fricke of Rolling Stone said that "'Smile' sounds so much like a Neil Young With Crazy Horse outtake that you'll initially think someone goofed at the pressing plant."[2] Christopher John Farley of Time said, "The countrified garage rocker 'Smile' sounds like a Neil Young tune, right down to the harmonica solo...it's pleasant enough, but it lacks the ornery soul of the genuine article."[3] The song was an album track pick at Allmusic, along with "Sometimes" and "Who You Are".[4]
A montage of outtakes of the band set to "Smile" can be found on the DVD Touring Band 2000.
[edit] Lyrical meaning
Although Eddie Vedder is credited with writing the song's lyrics, most of the lyrics were actually written by Dennis Flemion of The Frogs. Flemion is given credit in the "No Code" vinyl, but the credit is inexplicably absent from the CD version. Before a performance of the song at Pearl Jam's June 30, 2006 concert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Vedder discussed the song. He stated:
There's a band that hails from Milwaukee - they're an important band to myself, other guys in this group, guys in Queens of the Stone Age, Kurt (Cobain), Nirvana - everybody was really touched and moved by this little band. They were called The Frogs. I've got all their records, all 692 I believe. And they opened for us years ago and one night, after we had finished our little tour, I opened my notebook and there was a little note from one of the Frogs and it was beautifully written and the band was playing a song in the room that day in practice and I just started singing the note. These words are written by Dennis from the Frogs - he's here tonight. Dennis, this is for you, this song's called "Smile".[5]
[edit] Live performances
The song was premiered live at the band's October 28, 1996 concert in London, England.[6] When the song is performed live Ament plays guitar and guitarist Stone Gossard plays bass.
[edit] References
- ^ Pareles, Jon (1996-07-25). Pearl Jam Is Tired of the Pearl Jam Sound. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-06-27.
- ^ Fricke, David. "Pearl Jam: No Code". Rolling Stone. September 5, 1996.
- ^ Farley, Christopher John. "Identity Crisis". Time. September 2, 1996.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "No Code Review". All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-06-22.
- ^ "Pearl Jam Concert Chronology: 2006". TwoFeetThick.com.
- ^ "Pearl Jam Songs: "Smile"". pearljam.com.
[edit] External links
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