One of my new favorite songs by Pearl Jam is Something Special from their latest album Dark Matter. All of the songs on this album make manifest their evolution from the angst of their youth to their cognizance of beautiful moments amidst the darkness of this imperfect world. No, nothing has changed. People are still people. But some people make someone else’s life meaningful.

Something Special was written for Eddie Vedder’s two daughters, too young women on the cusp of adulthood. If I were a song writer, this is the song I would write for my girls. The strong, abiding openness to the universe that arrives with a daughter and then again with a daughter’s  daughter is overwhelming and so grand that words are an insufficient tool to express it. But not so to the songwriters. There is something truly special when words meld so flawlessly with music. Alas, I am but a mere novelist, an intermittent blogger, and a reluctant poet. So, I will share with you someone else’s words and music to describe the girls who have enriched my life.

Something Special

If you could see what I see now,
You’ve got to know I’m looking up so proud.
The one I used to hold is, oh, so special.
And every setback now is but a chance to grow.
If further proof that you’re phenomenal –
You better believe it that you are something special.

Afraid to fail is the same as afraid to try.
These are the days to accept all the invites
beause you’re so cool and on the level.

Refrain: Someday you may find yourself in the place that I now do.
And someway you’re going to have to let it go.
And I got proof because my heart, it aches and breaks but I believe in you.
It’s the truth.

And it’s okay, should this life knock you down.
The twisted wheel, you know it keeps on spinning around.
Bet on yourself, your number’s so special.
And when it gets [messed] up,
You need a helping hand – do it yourself.
You’re not the type to need a man,
But if you find one, he better know you’re [so] special.

Refrain

Remind yourself and find what makes you free.
It’s goal to go and time to find out what you seek.
And in between, avoid the devil, and if the night grows long, you’re not feeling loved,
I will be there and not because it’s my job.
I work for free because you’re both so special.

Oh, ain’t it, ain’t it the truth?
We believe, believe, believe in you.
We all got something –
We all got something to prove.
Out of everyone,you’re not just anyone,
You’re the one and only you.
We’ve done all we can do.