"Poorman’s Grave" is a song by the Philippine alternative rock band

Eraserheads Eraserheads (sometimes stylized as ƎRASERHEADS or ƎRASƎRHƎADS) are a Filipino rock band formed in Quezon City in 1989. The band consists of lead singer and primary songwriter Ely Buendia, guitarist Marcus Adoro, bassist Buddy Zabala, and dr ...

from their third album ''

Cutterpillow ''Cutterpillow'' is the third studio album by the Philippine alternative rock band Eraserheads, released on December 8, 1995 through BMG Records (Pilipinas), Inc. It became the band’s most commercially successful album in the Philippines. T ...

'' (1995).

Composition

The song was one of the first songs written by

Ely Buendia Ely Eleandre Basiño Buendia (born November 2, 1970) is a Filipino musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the alternative rock band Eraserheads, with whom he has released seven albums since their founding in 1 ...

before the ''Pop-U!'' demo tape. It was described as “dark, somber, and morbid” set to an “uppity beat” with

rockabilly Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music. It dates back to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the Southern United States, South. As a genre, it blends the sound of Western music (North America), Western musi ...

elements. The band was not able to record the song due to its dark subject matter prior to ''Cutterpillow''. “''Dehins siya bagay sa dalawang naunang albums'' in terms of sound and messages ''na gusto naming i-impart'' (It did not fit in our first two albums in terms of sound and messages that we wanted to impart),” said bassist

Buddy Zabala Hector "Buddy" Avanceña Zabala (born November 13, 1971) is a Filipino musician and producer. He is currently the bassist of Filipino pop band Moonstar88, and widely known as the bassist and backing vocalist of the alternative rock band the E ...

. Buendia wrote the song about his father. He later regarded it as a song he is proud of writing in a 2012 ''

Esquire Esquire (, ; abbreviated Esq.) is usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, ''esquire'' historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman ...

'' article: “It came out from a real desire to express something that I felt at that time—which was, to put it bluntly, father issues, and not having the freedom of doing what you want at that age.”"

Cover versions

* The Borrachos covered the song in 2020 as part of ''

Pop Machine the Album ''Pop Machine the Album: A Collective of Artists Turning Heads This 2020'' is the third tribute album to the Philippine alternative rock band Eraserheads. It was released on June 12, 2020 by Noisemakers. The album features covers of Eraserheads so ...

''. * Aviators covered the song in 2025 as part of '' Cutterpillow: Tribute Album''.

References

{{authority control Eraserheads songs 1995 songs 1995 singles Rock ballads Songs written by Ely Buendia Songs in Tagalog