.

Song Stories

“Last Kiss”

Pearl Jam | 1999

Teen tragedy songs were popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s. After Eddie Vedder heard this musical tale of a fatal wreck, written in 1961 and later recorded by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers, he introduced the song to the band, who recorded it for $1,000 and offered it to fan club members as a Christmas gift. Later, the ballad--featuring Vedder's mournful vocals--became one of their biggest hits. "It just reaffirmed the fact that you don't have to think about it, and that a sound check record can do well," Vedder said.

prev
“I Don't Want to Wait”
Paula Cole | 1998
Song Stories Main Next
“Mr. Peterson”
Perfume Genius | 2010

blog comments powered by Disqus

Photos & Videos

Go To Content

Random Notes: Hottest Rock Pictures

Go To Content Play Video

Video: Dave Grohl Sits in With the Rolling Stones

Go To Content

Gallery: Ray Manzarek Through the Years

Best Ever Lists
500 Greatest Songs of All Time

Other Lists

Song Stories

“Is It True”

Brenda Lee | 1964

As the British Invasion reached its peak in 1964, Brenda Lee went from Nashville to London to record one of her hardest-rocking hits, her perky vocal backed by a stuttering, squalling guitar. That guitar was played by session musician Jimmy Page, yet to skyrocket to fame with first the Yardbirds and then Led Zeppelin. "She said to me, 'I've come here to make a record with the British sound,'" remembered producer Mickie Most. "She felt she wouldn't get the same sound in Nashville because they're only just catching up on the British beat group sound of about six months ago."

More Song Stories entries »