Daughter - Pearl Jam

Artist: Pearl Jam
Song: Daughter
Year: 1993
Album: Vs.

This is the first song in a series of songs that would test the true fans of Pearl Jam. I know many people who stopped listening to Pearl Jam because of "Daughter". Each album would alienate more of the fan base until only the diehards were left.

The music is as solid as ever, but most fans want the same music repackaged a thousand times. Pearl Jam refused to pander to the masses and made music on their own terms. Dealing with social issues since their first album, Pearl Jam became less and less obtuse about it.

Ten dealt with the extreme punishments of children ("Why Go") and the effect that abuse has on them ("Jeremy"). When presented with a more straightforward storyline, and no video, "Daughter" went too far in some fans' opinions. Little did they know that Pearl Jam would be on a path to expose other dark underbellies of society in their following albums.

I can listen to Vs. all the way through much more than Ten. I think that these songs were not played as much as the ones on Ten. No videos helped this album in the long run. While it was very frustrating not having this album all over MTV in 1993, it was the best decision the band could have ever made. The songs have a strong interpretation made stronger by your own imagination.

Lyrics:
alone..
listless..
breakfast table in an otherwise empty room.
a young girl..
violens..
center of her own attention.
mother reads aloud, child
tries to understand it
tries to make her proud.

the shades go down
its in her head
painted room
can't deny theres something wrong.

don't call me daughter
not fit to
the picture kept will remind me
don't call me daughter
not fit to
the picture kept will remind me

don't call me

she holds the hand.. that holds her down
she will... rise above

don't call me daughter
not fit to
the picture kept will remind me
don't call me daughter
not fit to be
the picture kept will remind me

don't call me daughter
not fit to
the picture kept will remind me
don't call me daughter
not fit to be
the picture kept will remind me

don't call me