Wishlist

I wish I was a neutron bomb, for once I could go off
I wish I was a sacrifice but somehow still lived on
I wish I was a sentimental ornament you hung on the Christmas tree
I wish I was the star that went on top

I wish I was the evidence, I wish I was the grounds
For 50 million hands upraised and open toward the sky

I wish I was a sailor with someone who waited for me
I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me
I wish I was a messenger and all the news was good
I wish I was the full moon shining off a camaros hood

I wish I was an alien at home behind the sun
I wish I was the souvenir you kept your house key on
I wish I was the pedal brake that you depended on
I wish I was the verb to trust and never let you down
I wish I was a radio song, the one that you turned up

I wish...
I wish...

- Pearl Jam (1998)

Pearl Jam was one of the few things about the 90's alternative scene that managed to stand the test of time. Eddie Vedder's smooth voice lent a great counterpoint to the distortion of the guitars. The music was soulful and deep. I don't know if any of our readers out there caught the 1993 MTV Music Awards performance of Pearl Jam and Neil Young, but that was definitely one for the ages. I had the good fortune of seeing Pearl Jam in 2000... that remains one of the best concerts I ever attended.

While my favorite song from the album Yield is "Given to Fly", this one rates a very close second. Without sounding like a stalker, the singer is telling his love that he wants to be her all. It's that feeling of love for someone so deep that there is nothing he won't do for her. Anyone, man or woman, who has ever been in love knows this feeling. Although we can't tell if he's looking in from the outside or is trying to find a way to express his love, he certainly lets us feel it.

There really isn't much more to say about this song. It's simple, short and to the point. Anyone who has been in love knows the feeling of wanting to surrender. What do you think, Mardi?