Alive

About Alive

"Alive" is the debut single by American rock band Pearl Jam. "Alive" also appears on the band's debut album, Ten (1991). Written by guitarist Stone Gossard, "Alive" originated as an instrumental titled "Dollar Short" and was included on a demo tape circulated in hopes of finding a singer for the group. Vocalist Eddie Vedder obtained a copy of the tape and wrote lyrics that describe a somewhat fictionalized account of the time when he was told that the man he thought was his father was not actually his biological parent. "Alive" charted at number 16 in the United Kingdom and number nine in Australia. To date, it is the only Pearl Jam song to receive a certification from the British Phonographic Industry, going Silver for sales greater than 200,000. It also reached the top 20 in Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The single was available only through import in the United States, so it was not able to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. However, the song did peak at number 16 on the Album Rock Tracks chart and number 18 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. more »