Pearl Jam Reels In 'Exclusive' Fish

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As tipped here last month, the Sony Classical soundtrack for Tim Burton's upcoming film "Big Fish" will feature a new Pearl Jam song, "Man of the Hour." And while the album won't be released until Dec. 23, Billboard.com has learned Pearl Jam's official Web site will be the exclusive source for the track's commercial single.

Beginning Monday (Nov. 10), fans can pre-order the self-released single, which will include a full-band studio version as well as frontman Eddie Vedder's home demo. It will begin shipping Nov. 26 and sell for $5.

"Big Fish" stars Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup and Jessica Lange in a multi-generational tale of a father's relationship with his estranged son. The film opens Dec. 10 in New York in Los Angeles and Jan. 16 in wider release.

Burton has attended a number of Pearl Jam shows over the years, and the two entities seem to share a love for trying new approaches in their respective mediums. Burton's representatives recently screened the film for Pearl Jam's members, and the director asked if the group would be up for contributing an original song.

"Man of the Hour" was quickly written by Vedder (words and music), recorded at Studio X in Seattle and debuted live during an Oct. 22 acoustic benefit concert at the city's Benaroya Hall.

The acoustic-tinged track is accented by wistful slide guitar work, with lyrics reflecting how the father/son bond can be rocked by what seem like insurmountable obstacles: "tidal waves don't beg forgiveness / crash, then on their way / father, he enjoyed collisions / others walked away."

Tapped to run over the end title credits of the film, "Man of the Hour" is expected to go on-sale via digital download sites later this month. According to a spokesperson, the Pearl Jam site will sell "Man of the Hour" until mid-January. The track will most likely be available for streaming from as-yet-unannounced sites beginning next week.

The opportunity for Pearl Jam to sell the single (its first soundtrack contribution since 1998's "Chicago Cab") on its own stems from the band having recently fulfilled its long-term contract with Sony's Epic Records. No decision has yet been made about a new record deal, but sources indicate this may be a preview of how Pearl Jam plans to make new music available in the future.

The "Big Fish" soundtrack will be rounded out with Danny Elfman's score, plus songs from Bing Crosby, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, the Vogues, the Allman Brothers Band and Canned Heat. The cut "Twice the Love" is sung by actors Ada and Arlene Tai, who portray the characters Ping and Jing in the film.

Here is the "Big Fish" track list (order TBA):

"Man of the Hour," Pearl Jam

"Dinah," Bing Crosby

"Everyday," Buddy Holly

"All Shook Up," Elvis Presley

"Five O'Clock World," the Vogues

"Ramblin' Man," the Allman Brothers Band

"Let's Work Together," Canned Heat

"Twice the Love," Ping and Jing