"Alive" is a song by the rock band Pearl Jam. It appeared on their debut album Ten, and it was released as a the band's first single in 1991, charting at number 16 in the UK (the single was available only through import in the US).
The song's music was written in 1990 by Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard, who called the piece "Dollar Short", when he was still a member of Mother Love Bone. According to Gossard in an interview for Pearl Jam's VH1 Storytellers special, Mother Love Bone frontman Andrew Wood had even sang on it. The instrumental demo was compiled onto a tape called Stone Gossard Demos '91 that was circulated in the hopes of finding a singer and drummer for Pearl Jam. Pearlman, Nina. "Black Days". Guitar World. December 2002.
The tape made its way into the hands of vocalist Eddie Vedder, who was working as a San Diego gas station attendant at the time. He listened to the tape shortly before going surfing, where lyrics came to him. Crowe, Cameron. against_the_world" target="_blank">"Five Against the World". _Rolling Stone. October 28, 1993. Vedder recorded vocals for three of the songs on the demo tape, one of which was "Alive", and mailed the tape back to Seattle. Upon hearing the tape, the band invited Vedder to come to Seattle and he was asked to join the band.
Although it was not a huge hit upon its release (peaking at number 16 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart), it has endured as a fan favorite and a staple of rock radio since then, as well as one of the most requested songs at the band's concerts. The song was performed on Saturday Night Live in April 1992 in support of Ten. It was also included on Pearl Jam's greatest hits album, Rearviewmirror: Greatest Hits 1991-2003.
Prior to being commercially released, "Alive" was released as a promotional CD and cassette featuring different artwork and b-sides. While "Wash" was also a b-side to the commercial singles, "I've Got a Feeling" was only on this version of the single. The guitar solo at the end of "Alive" was also different from the Ten version, and there are a few other noticeable differences between the two. The B-side "Wash" can also be found on Lost Dogs.
Live performances of "Alive" can be found on the "Oceans" single, the "Dissident"/Live in Atlanta box set, and the Live at the Gorge 05/06 box set. A performance of the song is also included on the DVD Immagine In Cornice.
"Alive" is featured in the video game SingStar Amped for PlayStation 2.
"Alive" is the other part of the double A-side along with "I'm Gonna Be Alright" (Track Masters Remix), the second and final single from Jennifer Lopez's remix album, J to tha L-O!: The Remixes, even though the original version is a slow ballad. Released in 2002, the single failed to chart in the U.S., becoming Lopez's second single to do so after "No Me Ames" (1999). However, it peaked at number one on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart and became another Hot Dance Club Play hit for her. The music video was directed by Jim Gable.
"Alive" is a pop song performed by Canadian Idol season three winner Melissa O'Neil. It was written for the final two contestants—O'Neil and Rex Goudie—of the third season of Canadian Idol, and both performed a different version of the song. When O'Neil won the competition, Sony BMG released "Alive" as her debut single in October 2005 (see 2005 in music).
In "Alive", the narrator promises to live her life more fully. "Even if I crash down and burn out", she proclaims in the refrain, "at least I'm gonna know what it's like / to feel alive".
The song debuted at number one on the Canadian Singles Chart. It remained at the top for seven weeks and was eventually certified platinum for sales of more than 40,000 copies. "Alive" reached the BDS Airplay Chart top five.
No music video was filmed for "Alive"; its success was solely off O'Neil's win on Canadian Idol.
On the season 4 finale of Canadian Idol, Melissa was presented with a 4 times multi-platinum record for "Alive" by Craig Sharpe the runner-up of that season.
The song was later covered by Becki Ryan for the film Flicka.
"Alive" is a single by DJ/singer, Sonique released in September 2003. The track reached number 70 in the UK, spending one week in the Top 75 Singles Chart.
"Alive" was a single released by UK pop group, S Club on November 18, 2002. Called a "power-packed dancefloor thriller" in the Best inlay booklet, the track features strong disco beats and samples. Alive was the first single to be released under the S Club name rather than S Club 7, and it was also the first single to be released without Paul Cattermole. "Alive" was the penultimate S Club single and apart from the Double A-Side "Say Goodbye/Love Ain't Gonna Wait for You", was the only track to be released from the fourth album, Seeing Double. The B-Side, 'Discotek' was led and co-written by Tina Barrett.
"Alive" is a single from Christian pop and rock artist Rebecca St. James. It was released on October 4, 2005.
"Alive", is the second official single from Alive, the third album from Belgian artist Kate Ryan, released August 14 2006. It was recently featured amongst the music on the website for Abercrombie & Fitch.
"Alive" is a song and single by Gibraltarian Flamenco Metal band Breed 77. It was released in CD single, limited red colour 7" vinyl and limited yellow colour 7" vinyl formats.
It reached a number 91 position in the general UK singles charts but achieved a New Rock Chart Entry at number 6 and a New Indie Singles Entry at number 11.
