Lukin

Album: No Code (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the Pearl Jam equivalent of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" - a song about a deranged female fan who stalks the singer and claims he fathered her child.

    Eddie Vedder told Rolling Stone it was "Someone who had severe mental problems and chemical imbalances ended up targeting me and thinking that all the songs were written about her, and that I was the father of her two children, and the kids were the product of rape, and that I was Jesus and Jesus rapes."
  • The song is named after Matt Lukin, the bass player for Mudhoney and Vedder's friend. When Eddie needed to escape his stalker problem, he and his wife would sometimes hang out at Lukin's place. Apparently, he kept his refrigerator well stocked:

    Open the fridge
    Now I know life is worth
  • The song runs just 1:02. Eddie Vedder kept it very short because Matt Lukin used to tease him about how long Pearl Jam songs were.
  • Vedder's stalker problem was so bad that it forced him to miss most of the recording sessions for Neil Young's album Mirrorball. The other members of Pearl Jam were involved in the project from start to finish.
  • Pearl Jam performed "Lukin" for the first time on February 5, 1995 at the Moore Theatre in Seattle at a show for fan club members, who were mailed tickets. They were billed as "Piss Bottle Men" to avoid suspicion. This was over a year before the song was released on the No Code album.

Comments: 1

  • Cenk Buker from IstanbulDog May be a not "Call Me A Dog", but a Lostdog? Hard indeed.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

The Girl in That Song

The Girl in That SongFact or Fiction

Billie Jean, Delilah, Sara, Laura and Sharona - do you know who the girls in the songs really are?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.