Target Teams With iTunes For Pearl Jam's "Backspacer" Digital Release

In June, news broke that Target stores had secured the exclusive big-box retail rights for Pearl Jam's upcoming album Backspacer. But while Walmart has its own digital music store and Best Buy owns Napster, Target doesn't have a notable digital music presence. To level the playing field, Target and iTunes announced yesterday that the two vendors will team up for a new Target-exclusive section on the iTunes Music Store, Billboard.biz reports. Fittingly, the first album that will be offered up in this new pact will be Pearl Jam's Backspacer, due out September 20th.

By pre-ordering Backspacer now, fans will immediately be able to download first single "The Fixer" and its brand new music video for free. The 10-minute Making Of Backspacer promo video will also be available as a free download with pre-orders until September 8th. While Target secured the big-box retailer exclusive on Pearl Jam's latestâ€"some Targets even have "The Fixer" 7'' single in stock now, perhaps marking the first time vinyl has ever been in stock there — Backspacer will also be available through independent record stores and Pearl Jam's own Ten Club store.

Related Stories:
• Cameron Crowe's Video for Pearl Jam's "The Fixer" Premieres
• Pearl Jam Tell Story Behind "Backspacer" in Making-Of Video
• Pearl Jam Break Out New Songs, Rarities, Ronnie Wood in London

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Song Stories

“Oh Sherrie”

Steve Perry | 1984

Steve Perry's girlfriend Sherrie Swafford was actually in the studio when Perry began writing this song--his lone Top Ten hit as a solo act--with two co-writers. The trio began at midnight one night with just "Oh, Sherrie!" and "hold on, hold on." Three hours later, they had a complete song. Swafford, however, had to wait until the next day to hear it. "Sherrie actually got tired and went to bed," Perry said. She also appeared in the video, but their relationship did not hold on for long.

More Song Stories entries »

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