10 Hidden Details In Hard Rock Tracks You Never Noticed

Pearl Jam's debut album Ten is one of the cultural touchstones of the grunge era. Each track boasted moody vocal performances and groovy riffs that came to define the alternative scene of the early 90's. While much of the album is celebrated, fans always keep the song "Alive" close to their hearts.

Though the song stands as a defining moment for the band, it's origins were a bit more involved. When Eddie Vedder first wrote the lyrics, he meant it to be the first part of a rock opera entitled MamaSon. The initial story behind the lyrics was about a boy who is told about the loss of his real father and his mother's subsequent seduction of him. Traumatized by his upbringing, the character goes on a killing spree throughout his town, ending with him awaiting his execution in prison.

After a lot of tweaking, the band decided to separate the songs but keep the initial lyrics. The seduction song became the basis for "Alive," while the rest of the story played out on the opening track "Once" as well as the B-side "Footsteps." The tune may sound absolutely triumphant, but "Alive" is song that possesses one of the most tortured souls of any grunge rager.