“Leavin’ Here”
by Pearl Jam (originally by Eddie Holland)
from the album Lost Dogs
2003
Buy the album on Amazon
I first caught Pearl Jam’s cover of “Leavin’ Here” on the Home Alive compilation which contained tracks by (mostly) Seattle-based bands. Sales from the album benefited the Home Alive project which teaches self-defense on a sliding scale payment system and was started following the brutal rape and murder of Gits vocalist, Mia Zapata. To be honest, none of the tracks really did much for me at the time, but I always loved this PJ track. Short, fun, and everyone gets a little riff to play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUq23BtpsaI
I didn’t really know the history of the song until I came across the original on a Motown Singles boxed set. I have a soft spot for Motown, despite not being exposed to it very often in its original form. Check out Eddie Holland’s original take. Two great versions of one amazing tune.
Haven’t heard either of these, though I’ve got the same affinity for and low exposure to Motown. When you hear them both they are obviously similar, but by itself I wouldn’t have guessed the PJ version was a Motown song.