Blogocentric Formulations

Last Kiss

** Image ID #2009874 Unavailable **

Song: "Last Kiss"
Original: Wayne Cochran
Cover: Pearl Jam


For me, this is one of Pearl Jam's best songs. I'm not a huge fan of the band overall, but they did a fantastic job with this cover. It was originally recorded by Wayne Cochran in 1961... and then again by Wayne Cochran in 1963 after the record failed to perform and he switched labels. But he could never find the success with it that other later bands would, including J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers, and Pearl Jam. The latter recorded it for the 1999 charity album No Boundaries: A Benefit for Kosovar Refugees and it was such a hit that the recording alone raised over $10 million for the refugee effort, and eventually appeared in their 2003 album Lost Dogs which featured a collection of rare songs.

I love songs that have a story to them, especially when they're emotionally charged like this one.