Pearl Jam is a rock band that started in the early 1990s. Well-known for their powerful songs and strong live shows, they became one of the biggest bands of the grunge era.
The group has won many awards, including several MTV Video Music Awards and American Music Awards. Their albums frequently reach the top of music charts, and their music remains popular worldwide.
About the Song
Yellow Ledbetter is a slow, emotional song about loss and confusion. It tells the story of a man receiving a letter about his brother’s death in the war.
The lyrics are vague but express feelings of grief, loneliness, and misunderstanding. The song’s soulful guitar and haunting mood show the pain of loss and the struggle to find peace.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Released Date | August 1992 |
| Album | Rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003) (2004) |
| Writer | Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready & Jeff Ament |
| Producer | Rick Parashar |
Funny Misheard Lyrics from Yellow Ledbetter
Yellow Ledbetter is famous for its hard-to-understand lyrics, leading to many funny and creative misheard versions over the years.
However, Eddie Vedder’s mumbling and improvisational singing style make it a favorite for fans to guess or joke about what’s actually being sung.
So, here are some of the most popular and amusing misheard lyrics from “Yellow Ledbetter”:
| What They Really Say | What Fans Hear |
|---|---|
| “I don’t know whether I was the boxer or the bag.” | “I don’t know whether I was the pasta or the pan.” |
| “On a weekend, I wanna wish it all away” | “Wanna weed whack all of Wrigley Field today?” |
| “Make me cry on the porch.” | “Make me fries on the porch.” |
| “I said, I don’t know whether I was the boxer or the bag.” | “I said Idaho, where they buy all the socks in a bag.” |
Yellow Ledbetter Lyrics by Pearl Jam
Verse
Unsealed on a porch a letter sat
Then you said I wanna leave it again
Once I saw her on a beach of weathered sand
And on the sand I wanna leave it again, yeah
On a weekend, wanna wish it all away, yeah
And they called and I said that I want what I said
And then I call out again
And the reason oughta leave her calm, I know
I said, I don’t know whether I’m the boxer or the bag
Chorus
Oh yeah, can you see them out on the porch?
Yeah, but they don’t wave
I see them ’round the front way, yeah
And I know and I know, I don’t wanna stay
Post-Chorus
Make me cry
Guitar Solo
Bridge
I see
I don’t know, why, there’s something else
I wanna drum it all away, oh, I said I
I don’t, I don’t know whether there’s the boxer or the bag
Chorus
Oh yeah, can you see them out on the porch?
Yeah, but they don’t wave
I see them ’round the front way, yeah
And I know and I know, I don’t wanna stay, oh no
Post-Chorus
I don’t wanna stay
I don’t wanna stay
I don’t wanna stay, I don’t, no
Yeah
Outro
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
Instrumental Outro
Live Performances of Yellow Ledbetter
1. Live Performance from Copenhagen (2012)
2. Live Performance At The Showbox
Similar Songs Like Yellow Ledbetter
Here are more Pearl Jam songs that give rise to deep emotions and showcase rich guitar work.
- Black: This song starts slow and emotional with gentle guitar notes. It tells a story of lost love and deep sadness and regret.
- Even Flow: kicks off with loud, fast guitar and powerful drums. The song is about a man who struggles with life on the streets.
- Just Breathe: Soft and calm from the start, this acoustic song is about love, life, and being thankful for every moment we get.
- Do the Evolution: With a heavy, sharp start, this track sounds angry. It looks at human history and the dark side of power and progress.
Similar Artists Like Pearl Jam
If you like Pearl Jam’s style, here are artists you might also enjoy. They all play rock music with strong voices and guitars:
- Soundgarden
Genre: Grunge / Hard Rock
Top Albums: Superunknown (1994), Badmotorfinger (1991) - Alice in Chains
Genre: Grunge / Alternative Rock
Top Albums: Dirt (1992), Jar of Flies (1994) - Stone Temple Pilots
Genre: Grunge / Post-Grunge
Top Albums: Core (1992), Purple (1994) - Temple of the Dog
Genre: Alternative Rock
Top Albums: Temple of the Dog (1991) - Smashing Pumpkins
Genre: Alternative Rock / Dream Pop
Top Albums: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995), Siamese Dream (1993)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yellow Ledbetter on a Pearl Jam Studio Album?
No, it originally appeared as a B-side and later on compilations.
Why are the Lyrics of Yellow Ledbetter So Hard to Understand?
Eddie Vedder intentionally sings softly and unclearly, adding to the song’s emotional and mysterious atmosphere.
Why is the Song Title Called Yellow Ledbetter?
The title refers to a childhood friend of Vedder’s, Tim Ledbetter, and its meaning is left open to interpretation, adding to the song’s mystique.
