Wishlist (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Wishlist


Artist = Pearl Jam
from Album = Yield
B-side = "U" / "Brain of J." (live)
Released = May 5, 1998
Format = CD single, Vinyl
Recorded = February 1997 – September 1997
Genre = Alternative rock
Length = 3:26
Label = Epic
Producer = Brendan O'Brien, Pearl Jam
Writer = Eddie Vedder
Chart position =
Last single = "Given to Fly" (1998)
This single = "Wishlist" (1998)
Next single = "Last Kiss" (1999)Extra tracklisting
Album = Yield
Type = studio
prev_track = "Given to Fly"
prev_no = Track 4
this_track = "Wishlist"
track_no = Track 5
next_track = "Pilate"
next_no = Track 6Audiosample
Upper caption = Audio sample
Audio file = Wishlist.ogg"Wishlist" is a song by the American rock band Pearl Jam, released on May 5, 1998 as the second single from the band's fifth studio album, "Yield" (1998). "Wishlist" peaked at number six on both the Mainstream and Modern Rock "Billboard" charts. The song was included on Pearl Jam's greatest hits album, "".

Origin and recording

"Wishlist" was written by frontman Eddie Vedder. Vedder used an EBow for his guitar solo on the song. Vedder about the song:

It was a stream-of-consciousness exercise. [Mike] McCready booked studio time in a tiny studio here with our friend Stu behind the board and another friend playing drums. We don't have the discipline to sit down and teach each other parts, so you're writing simple chord changes that someone else can follow without having to take breaks to learn them. It was probably eight minutes long originally. I listened to the tape and picked out the better wishes. [ [http://www.twofeetthick.com/tft/readArticle.action?id=62 Interview with Eddie Vedder] . Microsoft MusicCentral. February 1998.]

Lyrics

The song is about Vedder seeking fulfillment of wishes desired, but he resolves his wishlist with the line "I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me." When asked about the song, Vedder stated, "I thought I'd lighten up." [Macdonald, Patrick. [http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=2732054&date=19980202&query=%60Yield%27+Signals+Pearl+Jam%27s+Return+To+Rock+Of+Old "Yield" Signals Pearl Jam's Return To Rock Of Old"] . "The Seattle Times". February 2, 1998.] The line "I wish I was the full moon shining off your Camaro's hood" references the car that belonged to Beth Liebling, Vedder's wife at the time. [Marsh, Dave. [http://web.archive.org/web/20000301045735/www.addict.com/issues/4.02/html/lofi/Cover_Story/Pearl_Jam/page_12.html "Pearl Jam's New Day Rising"] . Addicted to Noise. February 1998.]

Release and reception

It was released as a single with a B-side titled "U", which can also be found on the compilation "Lost Dogs" (2003). The song peaked at number 47 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 and number six on the "Billboard" Mainstream Rock Tracks and "Billboard" Modern Rock Tracks charts.

Outside of the United States, the single was released in Australia, Austria, Japan, and the Netherlands. "Wishlist" reached the top 30 in the UK and peaked at number 48 on the Australian Singles Chart.

In his review of "Yield", Rob Sheffield of "Rolling Stone" magazine said, "The gentle power-pop nugget "Wishlist", a silly love song that Vedder composed solo, might be the simplest song Pearl Jam have ever done. But it's also the most moving." [Sheffield, Rob. [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/pearljam/albums/album/205925/review/5945260/yield "Pearl Jam: "Yield"] . "Rolling Stone". March 11, 1998.]

Live performances

The song was premiered live at the band's November 12, 1997 concert in Santa Cruz, California. [ [http://pearljam.com/songs/song.php?song=Wishlist "Pearl Jam Songs: "Wishlist""] . pearljam.com.] The band played this song when it appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman" in May 1998 in support of "Yield". In concert, the song is often extended with an extended, softly played, thoughtful outro jam, sometimes segueing into another song such as the Buzzcocks' "Why Can't I Touch It". Performances of "Wishlist" can be found on the DVDs "Single Video Theory", "Touring Band 2000", and "Live at the Garden".

Track listing

;Compact Disc Single (US, Austria, Japan, and Australia) and 7" Vinyl Single (US and The Netherlands)
#"Wishlist" (Eddie Vedder) – 3:26
#"U" (Vedder) – 2:48
#*Previously Unreleased
#"Brain of J." (live) (Mike McCready, Vedder) – 2:57
#*Recorded live from Triple J's broadcast, Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, March 5, 1998.

;Compact Disc Single (Austria)
#"Wishlist" (Vedder) – 3:26
#"U" (Vedder) – 2:48
#*Previously Unreleased

Chart positions

References

External links

* [http://www.pearljam.com/songs/song.php?song=Wishlist Lyrics]