Pearl Jam - Around The Bend

I’m in a wedding this weekend, so Pearl Jam’s “Around The Bend” has been stuck in my head.

“Around The Bend” is the last track from Pearl Jam’s fantastic, yet somewhat forgotten 1996 album, No Code. It’s a catchy song, because it’s not very Pearl Jam like. It has kind of a tropical sound to it and is all too relaxing. The band usually saves this song for special shows, like at the Bridge School Benefit. I was lucky enough to see them do it in Philly back in 2005, and it sounded great. It’s probably one of my favorite Pearl Jam songs. 

Apparently, the song is a lullaby, mainly for former PJ drummer Jack Irons and his son. I always felt that it was a love song, which is why it makes me think of this upcoming wedding. At my sister’s wedding last year (which was also on my birthday), I was able to pick some songs for the dj to play, so Pearl Jam add to be on the playlist. “Around The Bend” was a perfect choice.

Fast forward to this year and “Around The Bend” popped up again for another wedding. My friends plan to give out cd’s as party favors and they wanted everyone in the party to pick a song, so Pearl Jam add to be my choice. I played them other PJ songs, like “Thin Air” and “Parachutes”, but both couldn’t agree, until “Around The Bend”. So, this song will always remind me of weddings.

“Around The Bend” (live at the 2006 Bridge School Benefit)