"Once" Is A Song By The American Rock Band Pearl Jam. Featuring Lyrics Written By Vocalist Eddie Vedder And Music Written By Guitarist Stone Gossard "Once" Is The First Track On The Band's Debut Album Ten 1991 . On Ten It Is Preceded By A Brief Interlude Of The Album's Closing Hidden Track "Master/Slave". Besides Ten The Song Was Also Featured As A B-Side On The Single For "Alive". A Remixed Version Of The Song Was Included On Pearl Jam's 2004 Greatest Hits Album Rearviewmirror Greatest Hits 1991–2003 .