Released: December 25, 2020

Songwriter: Bruce Springsteen

Producer: Eddie Vedder

Name that tune

[Verse 1]
Well, I stood stone-like at midnight
Suspended in my masquerade
I combed my hair till it was just right
And commanded the night brigade

I was open to rain and crossed by the rain
Open to pain and crossed by the rain
I strolled all alone through a fallout zone
And came out with my soul untouched

[Chorus]
I hid in the crowded wrath of the crowd
But when they said, "Sit down," I stood up
Ooh, growin' up

[Verse 2]
Well, the flag of piracy flew from my mast
My sails were set wing to wing
I had a jukebox graduate for first mate
She couldn't sail but she sure could sing

And I pushed B-52 and bombed them with the blues
With my gear set stubborn on standing
I broke all the rules, strafed my old high school
Never once gave thought to landing

[Chorus]
I hid in the clouded warmth of the crowd
But when they said, "Come down," I threw up
Ooh, growin' up

[Verse 3]
I took month-long vacations in the stratosphere
And you know it's really hard to hold your breath
I swear I lost everything I ever loved or feared
I was the cosmic kid in full costume dress

Well, my feet they finally took root in the earth
And I got me a nice little place in the stars
I swear I found the key to the universe
In the engine of an old parked car

[Chorus]
I sat in the mother breast of the crowd
But when they said, "Pull down," I pulled up
Ooh, growin' up
Ooh, growin' up
Growin' up

Eddie Vedder

Edward Louis Severson III (better known as Eddie Vedder) was born December 23, 1964, in Evanston, Illinois.

He began getting into music at the age of 12 after being gifted a guitar from his mother. He joined various bands in his 20’s including Surf and Destroy, The Butts, Indian Style, and Bad Radio.

In 1990, Jack Irons from the Red Hot Chili Peppers handed Eddie a demo tape from a band in Seattle called Pearl Jam that was looking for a lead singer. Eddie wrote and recorded three songs which later became the bands “Alive”, “Once”, and “Footsteps”. He sent the tapes to Seattle and they immediately invited him for an audition.