This song had become my anthem to a relationship that I ruined. The later realization that "she was the one and only" had made her loss unbearable for years.
Twenty years we have reconciled as friends. Something I thought impossible.
We were out with friends for dinner, listening to a great local band. A band that was friends with my band. During a break they asked me to come up a sing a set. We sang Black and I noticed "she" left in a hurry during the song. I closed the set early and hit the streets looking for her. She was across the street, sitting on the kerb, smoking her first cigarette in twenty years. She had always thought of us when she had heard this song and used to fantasize about me "growing up' and realizing what I had thrown away.
We spent that night in a long list of unremarkable settings, saying very little to each other.
We have literally never been apart since that night. She runs her business out of my office, we split time between her house in the city and my ranch in the foothills of the rocky mountains. We will continue this until her youngest finishes school.
Her laugh and her smile are the same. She still sees the man in me I never thought I could be. The world has shifted on it's axis and turns only for us and her boys now. The confidence we have found within each other has benefited everyone around us.
Many songs have clear, intended meanings. Sometimes they also have meanings, equally valid, that only resonate with one or two people. Who is to say they are wrong. I live in a different universe with the only person I was ever meant to be with, in large part because of an impromptu performance of this song.
How can my interpretation be wrong, even if only one other person knows what that is?
Listen to this one, although it's not quite as profound: Nearly 20 years ago I dated a woman who was one of the great loves of my life. I ruined that and came to understand this song in a new light and began to associate it with her. 2 years ago we miraculously reunited again out of the blue after becoming fiends again and then began discussing marriage.Well... I ruined it this time too.
Listen to this one, although it's not quite as profound: Nearly 20 years ago I dated a woman who was one of the great loves of my life. I ruined that and came to understand this song in a new light and began to associate it with her. 2 years ago we miraculously reunited again out of the blue after becoming fiends again and then began discussing marriage.Well... I ruined it this time too.
I am with wilhelm--had to start an account so I could post on this haunting story. Only I was the stupid one. It's 30 years, and it's too effing late to change anything. I wish I could go back to where he was bent over moaning, and take him in my arms and say OK, I'll stay. He was just the best guy ever, and I threw it away.
I am with wilhelm--had to start an account so I could post on this haunting story. Only I was the stupid one. It's 30 years, and it's too effing late to change anything. I wish I could go back to where he was bent over moaning, and take him in my arms and say OK, I'll stay. He was just the best guy ever, and I threw it away.
Loved your story...I signed up just to post. My story didnt end as well.This song reminded me of a h.s.
Boyfriend (he played this cd alot)who was sweet but I didn't have real feelings for back then. We reconnected a few years ago thru a social site,became friends and more..but the timing was wrong and we had too many obstacles between us.
He walked away almost 2 years ago, and for the first time I actually understood the song. How ironic it would be years later, that it was how I felt about him. I hope he is happy and shining wherever...
Loved your story...I signed up just to post. My story didnt end as well.This song reminded me of a h.s.
Boyfriend (he played this cd alot)who was sweet but I didn't have real feelings for back then. We reconnected a few years ago thru a social site,became friends and more..but the timing was wrong and we had too many obstacles between us.
He walked away almost 2 years ago, and for the first time I actually understood the song. How ironic it would be years later, that it was how I felt about him. I hope he is happy and shining wherever he is.....
Amazing Song,
I can really connect to your story. It made ma cry and showed me how I failed. 20 years ago I left her crying and never managed to be reunited with her again. I kept dreaming of her for several years but had also a few relationships that didn´t work well, because of my thoughts.
I still remember her.
Amazing Song,
I can really connect to your story. It made ma cry and showed me how I failed. 20 years ago I left her crying and never managed to be reunited with her again. I kept dreaming of her for several years but had also a few relationships that didn´t work well, because of my thoughts.
I still remember her.
@thecrossbone That is a great story!. I can't help but think of the song by Boston--"A Man I'll Never Be" based on one of your comments. How long have you been back together?
@thecrossbone That is a great story!. I can't help but think of the song by Boston--"A Man I'll Never Be" based on one of your comments. How long have you been back together?
@thecrossbone wow man powerful story I been with my highschool sweetheart for 20yrs off and on with 2 kids a 16yr old and now a 2 yr old but we broke up when our 1st daughter bryanna Nicole was 2 and this song was my life my daughter and her mother was a star in someone elses sky and my sun disappeared in my sky my life was so black without them man but were together today with gianna marie our 2nd daughter who is 2 now yeah im crazy but me and my kids mother always seemed to...
@thecrossbone wow man powerful story I been with my highschool sweetheart for 20yrs off and on with 2 kids a 16yr old and now a 2 yr old but we broke up when our 1st daughter bryanna Nicole was 2 and this song was my life my daughter and her mother was a star in someone elses sky and my sun disappeared in my sky my life was so black without them man but were together today with gianna marie our 2nd daughter who is 2 now yeah im crazy but me and my kids mother always seemed to fall back together again awesome story you provided hope you and others can relate to me eddie vedder is thee best singer and his band is #1 whats crazy is I sing identical to his voice and carry every tune he can love covering his songs
@thecrossbone I too created an account just to reply to your post. Jesus man, I have the upmost respect for you. I never thought someone could go through so much pain such as the pain I felt when I had to let this girl go ... but you've beaten me haha!
@thecrossbone I too created an account just to reply to your post. Jesus man, I have the upmost respect for you. I never thought someone could go through so much pain such as the pain I felt when I had to let this girl go ... but you've beaten me haha!
A lot of people would constantly tell me this girl I was smitten for was a waste of time, that what I was feeling wasn't love, but lust, and that I was "beta" or whatever ... but I'm glad some people still know what true love is :)
A lot of people would constantly tell me this girl I was smitten for was a waste of time, that what I was feeling wasn't love, but lust, and that I was "beta" or whatever ... but I'm glad some people still know what true love is :)
@thecrossbone much like the others, I've created an account just to respond to this. I'm inspired. Even if it was a fake story, I'd still be inspired by the tale itself. I've gotta tell her that we're so Black now; I feel like she'd pick up on that immediately. She's a big Pearl Jam fan.
@thecrossbone much like the others, I've created an account just to respond to this. I'm inspired. Even if it was a fake story, I'd still be inspired by the tale itself. I've gotta tell her that we're so Black now; I feel like she'd pick up on that immediately. She's a big Pearl Jam fan.
@thecrossbone I lived the real life version of your story and we had a happy ending too! I was on the other end of the one being an idiot and walking away. Luckily we never gave up and we are back together 12 years strong! I comma too comma made an account just post to you! For all the naysayers out there you can have a second chance!
@thecrossbone I lived the real life version of your story and we had a happy ending too! I was on the other end of the one being an idiot and walking away. Luckily we never gave up and we are back together 12 years strong! I comma too comma made an account just post to you! For all the naysayers out there you can have a second chance!
@thecrossbone better late than never but this has to be the greatest true love story. Cheers to true love and being with the one you love. I have to say I hope it wouldn't take that long for me if there ever was a true love I actually had
@thecrossbone better late than never but this has to be the greatest true love story. Cheers to true love and being with the one you love. I have to say I hope it wouldn't take that long for me if there ever was a true love I actually had
@thecrossbone
I can't believe this. Over and over things like this happen to me. And for some time I've wanted it to stop, but it follows me everywhere I go. I had the "be all to end all" (his terminology) and that is literally what happened. I lost a relationship years ago because it was the wrong timing and the wrong logistics. I have a very instinctual feeling about him and it won't leave me. I've remarried twice. Failed. Moved around the country, nothing changed. Remodeled seven homes, couldn't wear myself out...
@thecrossbone
I can't believe this. Over and over things like this happen to me. And for some time I've wanted it to stop, but it follows me everywhere I go. I had the "be all to end all" (his terminology) and that is literally what happened. I lost a relationship years ago because it was the wrong timing and the wrong logistics. I have a very instinctual feeling about him and it won't leave me. I've remarried twice. Failed. Moved around the country, nothing changed. Remodeled seven homes, couldn't wear myself out enough to forget... and every time I turn on the radio it's his song... Or I go somewhere and on a sign it's his name or I see 11:11 every day and all the time... The last three nights I've left work at different times and all three nights when I've got in the car, Black was on the radio. I had never listened to the lyrics but I knew tonight that I needed to because something was telling me to listen closely. I turned it up loud and listened and didn't really understand it. So I knew when I got home I needed to look it up and it brought me to this site... to this post that is four years old. My story is just like all of yours and it was exactly 20 years ago that I saw him. I've done everything imaginable to make peace with it, and I have. I love him still, and I am happy to just be happy to have known him. I have a good life that I've made, I'm a happy person. But it follows me... and I get on here and many of you are saying twenty years... crazy...
And oh how I love Eddie Vedder. And oh yeah, I started an account too just to reply. Crossbone, I'm completely taken by your story and I know it's the truth.. I hope all is well with you and yours to this moment. Best to you and all the others that have posted.
@thecrossbone that's such a wonderful story to apply to BLACK. And yet my cynical mind wonders if it can be real - not that I don't trust that it is, but when battered by love's cruel outcomes as the song's writers have, you can become dismissive.
@thecrossbone that's such a wonderful story to apply to BLACK. And yet my cynical mind wonders if it can be real - not that I don't trust that it is, but when battered by love's cruel outcomes as the song's writers have, you can become dismissive.
Why does love always spring eternal? I think that's what the song is really about. It will spring eternal - but sadly sometimes in somebody else's sky...
Why does love always spring eternal? I think that's what the song is really about. It will spring eternal - but sadly sometimes in somebody else's sky...
@thecrossbone * Wow. That was a beautiful piece of literature. I created an account simply to reply to you to say that what you wrote was incredible, beautifully written and absolutely inspiring. I was in high school when Pearl Jam released Ten and while many of my friends were backing the more popular tracks, this song, like many of the other people on here, holds a significant meaning to me and events that happened at that time in my life... So much so that I still think of it today, I think of her and all of the things that...
@thecrossbone * Wow. That was a beautiful piece of literature. I created an account simply to reply to you to say that what you wrote was incredible, beautifully written and absolutely inspiring. I was in high school when Pearl Jam released Ten and while many of my friends were backing the more popular tracks, this song, like many of the other people on here, holds a significant meaning to me and events that happened at that time in my life... So much so that I still think of it today, I think of her and all of the things that I should have done to keep her and didn't. It makes me happy to read something like this though, to know that every story surrounding this song wasn't tragic. I am genuinely happy for you. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful piece of writing with us.
@thecrossbone I have shed countless tears to this song. It reminds me of when I was younger and being in love was so much more intense! Who knows, maybe I’m dead inside lol. At any rate thank you for sharing. Brought back some memories of love lost… if we couldn’t lose it it wouldn’t be so valuable…
@thecrossbone I have shed countless tears to this song. It reminds me of when I was younger and being in love was so much more intense! Who knows, maybe I’m dead inside lol. At any rate thank you for sharing. Brought back some memories of love lost… if we couldn’t lose it it wouldn’t be so valuable…
@thecrossbone We, the readers of your comment, need an update, please... you shared your true love story. Please tell us all that happily ever after was the ending.
@thecrossbone We, the readers of your comment, need an update, please... you shared your true love story. Please tell us all that happily ever after was the ending.
This song had become my anthem to a relationship that I ruined. The later realization that "she was the one and only" had made her loss unbearable for years.
Twenty years we have reconciled as friends. Something I thought impossible.
We were out with friends for dinner, listening to a great local band. A band that was friends with my band. During a break they asked me to come up a sing a set. We sang Black and I noticed "she" left in a hurry during the song. I closed the set early and hit the streets looking for her. She was across the street, sitting on the kerb, smoking her first cigarette in twenty years. She had always thought of us when she had heard this song and used to fantasize about me "growing up' and realizing what I had thrown away.
We spent that night in a long list of unremarkable settings, saying very little to each other.
We have literally never been apart since that night. She runs her business out of my office, we split time between her house in the city and my ranch in the foothills of the rocky mountains. We will continue this until her youngest finishes school.
Her laugh and her smile are the same. She still sees the man in me I never thought I could be. The world has shifted on it's axis and turns only for us and her boys now. The confidence we have found within each other has benefited everyone around us.
Many songs have clear, intended meanings. Sometimes they also have meanings, equally valid, that only resonate with one or two people. Who is to say they are wrong. I live in a different universe with the only person I was ever meant to be with, in large part because of an impromptu performance of this song.
How can my interpretation be wrong, even if only one other person knows what that is?
simply amazing.... I admire and love your strength to follow your true heart.
simply amazing.... I admire and love your strength to follow your true heart.
Wow, great post and great story. Inspiring. I started an account with this site just to reply to your post, it moved me so much. Good luck to you.
Wow, great post and great story. Inspiring. I started an account with this site just to reply to your post, it moved me so much. Good luck to you.
Listen to this one, although it's not quite as profound: Nearly 20 years ago I dated a woman who was one of the great loves of my life. I ruined that and came to understand this song in a new light and began to associate it with her. 2 years ago we miraculously reunited again out of the blue after becoming fiends again and then began discussing marriage.Well... I ruined it this time too.
Listen to this one, although it's not quite as profound: Nearly 20 years ago I dated a woman who was one of the great loves of my life. I ruined that and came to understand this song in a new light and began to associate it with her. 2 years ago we miraculously reunited again out of the blue after becoming fiends again and then began discussing marriage.Well... I ruined it this time too.
I am with wilhelm--had to start an account so I could post on this haunting story. Only I was the stupid one. It's 30 years, and it's too effing late to change anything. I wish I could go back to where he was bent over moaning, and take him in my arms and say OK, I'll stay. He was just the best guy ever, and I threw it away.
I am with wilhelm--had to start an account so I could post on this haunting story. Only I was the stupid one. It's 30 years, and it's too effing late to change anything. I wish I could go back to where he was bent over moaning, and take him in my arms and say OK, I'll stay. He was just the best guy ever, and I threw it away.
Loved your story...I signed up just to post. My story didnt end as well.This song reminded me of a h.s. Boyfriend (he played this cd alot)who was sweet but I didn't have real feelings for back then. We reconnected a few years ago thru a social site,became friends and more..but the timing was wrong and we had too many obstacles between us. He walked away almost 2 years ago, and for the first time I actually understood the song. How ironic it would be years later, that it was how I felt about him. I hope he is happy and shining wherever...
Loved your story...I signed up just to post. My story didnt end as well.This song reminded me of a h.s. Boyfriend (he played this cd alot)who was sweet but I didn't have real feelings for back then. We reconnected a few years ago thru a social site,became friends and more..but the timing was wrong and we had too many obstacles between us. He walked away almost 2 years ago, and for the first time I actually understood the song. How ironic it would be years later, that it was how I felt about him. I hope he is happy and shining wherever he is.....
Nice story, bro. I think I've seen the many movies your post is stealing from, too.
Nice story, bro. I think I've seen the many movies your post is stealing from, too.
Amazing Song, I can really connect to your story. It made ma cry and showed me how I failed. 20 years ago I left her crying and never managed to be reunited with her again. I kept dreaming of her for several years but had also a few relationships that didn´t work well, because of my thoughts. I still remember her.
Amazing Song, I can really connect to your story. It made ma cry and showed me how I failed. 20 years ago I left her crying and never managed to be reunited with her again. I kept dreaming of her for several years but had also a few relationships that didn´t work well, because of my thoughts. I still remember her.
@thecrossbone That is a great story!. I can't help but think of the song by Boston--"A Man I'll Never Be" based on one of your comments. How long have you been back together?
@thecrossbone That is a great story!. I can't help but think of the song by Boston--"A Man I'll Never Be" based on one of your comments. How long have you been back together?
@thecrossbone Since late summer 2009.
@thecrossbone Since late summer 2009.
@thecrossbone wow man powerful story I been with my highschool sweetheart for 20yrs off and on with 2 kids a 16yr old and now a 2 yr old but we broke up when our 1st daughter bryanna Nicole was 2 and this song was my life my daughter and her mother was a star in someone elses sky and my sun disappeared in my sky my life was so black without them man but were together today with gianna marie our 2nd daughter who is 2 now yeah im crazy but me and my kids mother always seemed to...
@thecrossbone wow man powerful story I been with my highschool sweetheart for 20yrs off and on with 2 kids a 16yr old and now a 2 yr old but we broke up when our 1st daughter bryanna Nicole was 2 and this song was my life my daughter and her mother was a star in someone elses sky and my sun disappeared in my sky my life was so black without them man but were together today with gianna marie our 2nd daughter who is 2 now yeah im crazy but me and my kids mother always seemed to fall back together again awesome story you provided hope you and others can relate to me eddie vedder is thee best singer and his band is #1 whats crazy is I sing identical to his voice and carry every tune he can love covering his songs
@thecrossbone I too created an account just to reply to your post. Jesus man, I have the upmost respect for you. I never thought someone could go through so much pain such as the pain I felt when I had to let this girl go ... but you've beaten me haha!
@thecrossbone I too created an account just to reply to your post. Jesus man, I have the upmost respect for you. I never thought someone could go through so much pain such as the pain I felt when I had to let this girl go ... but you've beaten me haha!
A lot of people would constantly tell me this girl I was smitten for was a waste of time, that what I was feeling wasn't love, but lust, and that I was "beta" or whatever ... but I'm glad some people still know what true love is :)
A lot of people would constantly tell me this girl I was smitten for was a waste of time, that what I was feeling wasn't love, but lust, and that I was "beta" or whatever ... but I'm glad some people still know what true love is :)
@thecrossbone
@thecrossbone
F to the uckin' A
F to the uckin' A
Your story made me happy for you and pine for "the lost one" even though I don't. Good on ya, bro.
Your story made me happy for you and pine for "the lost one" even though I don't. Good on ya, bro.
@thecrossbone real as!! To the core!! "Hail Hail to the lucky ones"
@thecrossbone real as!! To the core!! "Hail Hail to the lucky ones"
@thecrossbone much like the others, I've created an account just to respond to this. I'm inspired. Even if it was a fake story, I'd still be inspired by the tale itself. I've gotta tell her that we're so Black now; I feel like she'd pick up on that immediately. She's a big Pearl Jam fan.
@thecrossbone much like the others, I've created an account just to respond to this. I'm inspired. Even if it was a fake story, I'd still be inspired by the tale itself. I've gotta tell her that we're so Black now; I feel like she'd pick up on that immediately. She's a big Pearl Jam fan.
@thecrossbone I lived the real life version of your story and we had a happy ending too! I was on the other end of the one being an idiot and walking away. Luckily we never gave up and we are back together 12 years strong! I comma too comma made an account just post to you! For all the naysayers out there you can have a second chance!
@thecrossbone I lived the real life version of your story and we had a happy ending too! I was on the other end of the one being an idiot and walking away. Luckily we never gave up and we are back together 12 years strong! I comma too comma made an account just post to you! For all the naysayers out there you can have a second chance!
@thecrossbone better late than never but this has to be the greatest true love story. Cheers to true love and being with the one you love. I have to say I hope it wouldn't take that long for me if there ever was a true love I actually had
@thecrossbone better late than never but this has to be the greatest true love story. Cheers to true love and being with the one you love. I have to say I hope it wouldn't take that long for me if there ever was a true love I actually had
@thecrossbone I can't believe this. Over and over things like this happen to me. And for some time I've wanted it to stop, but it follows me everywhere I go. I had the "be all to end all" (his terminology) and that is literally what happened. I lost a relationship years ago because it was the wrong timing and the wrong logistics. I have a very instinctual feeling about him and it won't leave me. I've remarried twice. Failed. Moved around the country, nothing changed. Remodeled seven homes, couldn't wear myself out...
@thecrossbone I can't believe this. Over and over things like this happen to me. And for some time I've wanted it to stop, but it follows me everywhere I go. I had the "be all to end all" (his terminology) and that is literally what happened. I lost a relationship years ago because it was the wrong timing and the wrong logistics. I have a very instinctual feeling about him and it won't leave me. I've remarried twice. Failed. Moved around the country, nothing changed. Remodeled seven homes, couldn't wear myself out enough to forget... and every time I turn on the radio it's his song... Or I go somewhere and on a sign it's his name or I see 11:11 every day and all the time... The last three nights I've left work at different times and all three nights when I've got in the car, Black was on the radio. I had never listened to the lyrics but I knew tonight that I needed to because something was telling me to listen closely. I turned it up loud and listened and didn't really understand it. So I knew when I got home I needed to look it up and it brought me to this site... to this post that is four years old. My story is just like all of yours and it was exactly 20 years ago that I saw him. I've done everything imaginable to make peace with it, and I have. I love him still, and I am happy to just be happy to have known him. I have a good life that I've made, I'm a happy person. But it follows me... and I get on here and many of you are saying twenty years... crazy...
And oh how I love Eddie Vedder. And oh yeah, I started an account too just to reply. Crossbone, I'm completely taken by your story and I know it's the truth.. I hope all is well with you and yours to this moment. Best to you and all the others that have posted.
@thecrossbone that's such a wonderful story to apply to BLACK. And yet my cynical mind wonders if it can be real - not that I don't trust that it is, but when battered by love's cruel outcomes as the song's writers have, you can become dismissive.
@thecrossbone that's such a wonderful story to apply to BLACK. And yet my cynical mind wonders if it can be real - not that I don't trust that it is, but when battered by love's cruel outcomes as the song's writers have, you can become dismissive.
Why does love always spring eternal? I think that's what the song is really about. It will spring eternal - but sadly sometimes in somebody else's sky...
Why does love always spring eternal? I think that's what the song is really about. It will spring eternal - but sadly sometimes in somebody else's sky...
@thecrossbone * Wow. That was a beautiful piece of literature. I created an account simply to reply to you to say that what you wrote was incredible, beautifully written and absolutely inspiring. I was in high school when Pearl Jam released Ten and while many of my friends were backing the more popular tracks, this song, like many of the other people on here, holds a significant meaning to me and events that happened at that time in my life... So much so that I still think of it today, I think of her and all of the things that...
@thecrossbone * Wow. That was a beautiful piece of literature. I created an account simply to reply to you to say that what you wrote was incredible, beautifully written and absolutely inspiring. I was in high school when Pearl Jam released Ten and while many of my friends were backing the more popular tracks, this song, like many of the other people on here, holds a significant meaning to me and events that happened at that time in my life... So much so that I still think of it today, I think of her and all of the things that I should have done to keep her and didn't. It makes me happy to read something like this though, to know that every story surrounding this song wasn't tragic. I am genuinely happy for you. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful piece of writing with us.
@thecrossbone Beautiful!!!!
@thecrossbone Beautiful!!!!
@thecrossbone I have shed countless tears to this song. It reminds me of when I was younger and being in love was so much more intense! Who knows, maybe I’m dead inside lol. At any rate thank you for sharing. Brought back some memories of love lost… if we couldn’t lose it it wouldn’t be so valuable…
@thecrossbone I have shed countless tears to this song. It reminds me of when I was younger and being in love was so much more intense! Who knows, maybe I’m dead inside lol. At any rate thank you for sharing. Brought back some memories of love lost… if we couldn’t lose it it wouldn’t be so valuable…
@thecrossbone love this story! Powerful love
@thecrossbone love this story! Powerful love
@thecrossbone We, the readers of your comment, need an update, please... you shared your true love story. Please tell us all that happily ever after was the ending.
@thecrossbone We, the readers of your comment, need an update, please... you shared your true love story. Please tell us all that happily ever after was the ending.