60 Days of Pearl Jam; Part Deux

Wobbie

I BrisK I wrote:

Why on this god dam earth would you bother doing this?

It's not MY list.... it's just something I remembered seeing on the internets. I'm copying and pasting... (and I'm not doing it to piss anyone off)

Brisk.

imalive wrote:

It's not MY list.... it's just something I remembered seeing on the internets. I'm copying and pasting... (and I'm not doing it to piss anyone off)

Never said it was you?

Oh shit, i meant to write someone' not you ;p

Wobbie

I BrisK I wrote:

Why on this god dam earth would someone bother doing this?

At the request of I Brisk I, here's the next tier :

98-85. The Great Great Music Tier - pt. 1

It's this tier why Pearl Jam is my favorite band perhaps. It just shows how deep they are to have songs of this caliber so high up on such a list. These songs are great great. Problem is that this is Pearl Jam so there are a crapload of songs better than them.

98 - Oceans (Ten)

If you are in a city that is anywhere remotely close to water save New York perhaps, you know that you are getting this as your opener. The video for this song is as cheesy as they come with mullet infested guys tearing it up at the beach. I love Jeff's bassline. It's such a simple song basically, but it actually captures that surf/ocean feel without itself being a surf song. Wonderful.

97 - You (Lost Dogs)

The song just makes you smile. As simple a song as they come. I can really see some crappy emo band covering this song and bringing it to the top of the charts. Perhaps the best boy band pop song that Pearl Jam has ever done. Unfortunately (or fortunately) Pearl Jam isn't a boy band so this song gets lost in the massive confusion that is Lost Dogs and the band in general.

96 - Animal (Vs.)

One of the perfect Mike solos appears in this song and it has one of my favorite intros. 1-2-3-4-5 against 1. I heard it live and the mic cut out so they did it again. Lucky me. I don't like the riff though. They've done it so many times better elsewhere. This song is just simple aggression. If you want to kick someone's ass, listened to this song. You may still get your ass kicked but it'll get you pumped.

95 - Sometimes (No Code)

Ed ****ed up the lyrics last year in San Francisco marking it the first time he's messed up the concert opener. It was the first song of the new era Pearl Jam and it was so vastly different than what the band has previously done. Ed sings the song in a high register and the song is really the only album opener that doesn't literally rock. It's so mellow. Sets the tone for perhaps their best effort.

94 - Bee Girl (Lost Dogs)

The lyrics are so ridiculous, Ed laughs halfway through the official recording. That's how awesome this song is.

93 - MFC (Yield)

Stands for Mini Fast Cars inspired by those little Italian things. Brilliant guitar work by McCready, as he has a a kick ass lead in and guitar solo in a roughly two and half minute song. One of the many Pearl Jam car inspired songs, and is a strong addition to the great ones that they have.

92 - Comatose (Pearl Jam)

One of those punk influenced Ed songs. Live they absolutely nail it. Mike and Stone's guitar harmony interludes are so nice and fitting. One can make the argument Ed struggles with these type of vocals in his old age, but still nothing so much as to detract from the song.

91 - Brother (Lost Dogs)

To this day, I have not heard the version with lyrics so the one that appears in this ranking is Lost Dog. Badass instrumental. It's pretty much as grunge as it gets with Mike just wailing throughout most of the song.

90 - Parting Ways (Binaural)

I really have nothing to say about this song, other than the fact that's a great tune. Weak as far as album closers go considering this band has some of the best, but the song is fantastic on its own. I don't know why.

89 - All Those Yesterdays (Yield)

Two closers back to back!? Baw Gawd! Bleeds with Beatles influence (and no not just having the word Yesterday in your song constitutes as Beatles influence). The Mansfield Experiment version is absolutely wonderful and kinda makes me look less at the album version. Would have been higher if they used that version on the album, but then again, that probably wouldn't fit on Yield.

88 - Last Kiss (Lost Dogs)

Casual fans might think I'm nuts for placing this high. Hardcore fans may think I'm nuts for placing it this low. I guess I fall somewhere in the middle. It's one of two songs on my list that Pearl Jam didn't write. (I think...) I'm including Crazy Mary here even though I technically shouldn't but whatever. Also, if you listen to enough Pearl Jam boots, you'll come to abhor the fact that this song gets one of the strongest crowd reactions from the casual fan. I swear if I hear another jackass scream Last Kiss! (or Jeremy for that matter) at a show again... I won't do anything, but it's still upsetting. The song itself is interesting because it is such a morbid story put to pretty poppy/happy music. Can't help but shout those last "oooo"s and "ohh"s with the track whenever I hear it.

87 - Insignificance (Binaural)

I've tried really hard to get insanely into this song, but I only think it's great and nothing more. Only think I love love love hear is the chorus, which is mindblowing. The rest of the song is very good, but the chorus springs it this low on the list, that's how good it is.

86 - Thumbing My Way (Riot Act)

Some of the most beautiful lyrics Eddie has written. Nice version on Live at the Garden. One of those acoustic folky tunes written by Ed's wanna be Bob Dylan side.

85 - Ghost (Riot Act)

*is anything really written here*

Brisk.

imalive wrote:

I BrisK I wrote:

Why on this god dam earth would someone bother doing this?

At the request of I Brisk I, here's the next tier :

98-85. The Great Great Music Tier - pt. 1

It's this tier why Pearl Jam is my favorite band perhaps. It just shows how deep they are to have songs of this caliber so high up on such a list. These songs are great great. Problem is that this is Pearl Jam so there are a crapload of songs better than them.

98 - Oceans (Ten)

If you are in a city that is anywhere remotely close to water save New York perhaps, you know that you are getting this as your opener. The video for this song is as cheesy as they come with mullet infested guys tearing it up at the beach. I love Jeff's bassline. It's such a simple song basically, but it actually captures that surf/ocean feel without itself being a surf song. Wonderful.

97 - You (Lost Dogs)

The song just makes you smile. As simple a song as they come. I can really see some crappy emo band covering this song and bringing it to the top of the charts. Perhaps the best boy band pop song that Pearl Jam has ever done. Unfortunately (or fortunately) Pearl Jam isn't a boy band so this song gets lost in the massive confusion that is Lost Dogs and the band in general.

96 - Animal (Vs.)

One of the perfect Mike solos appears in this song and it has one of my favorite intros. 1-2-3-4-5 against 1. I heard it live and the mic cut out so they did it again. Lucky me. I don't like the riff though. They've done it so many times better elsewhere. This song is just simple aggression. If you want to kick someone's ass, listened to this song. You may still get your ass kicked but it'll get you pumped.

95 - Sometimes (No Code)

Ed ****ed up the lyrics last year in San Francisco marking it the first time he's messed up the concert opener. It was the first song of the new era Pearl Jam and it was so vastly different than what the band has previously done. Ed sings the song in a high register and the song is really the only album opener that doesn't literally rock. It's so mellow. Sets the tone for perhaps their best effort.

94 - Bee Girl (Lost Dogs)

The lyrics are so ridiculous, Ed laughs halfway through the official recording. That's how awesome this song is.

93 - MFC (Yield)

Stands for Mini Fast Cars inspired by those little Italian things. Brilliant guitar work by McCready, as he has a a kick ass lead in and guitar solo in a roughly two and half minute song. One of the many Pearl Jam car inspired songs, and is a strong addition to the great ones that they have.

92 - Comatose (Pearl Jam)

One of those punk influenced Ed songs. Live they absolutely nail it. Mike and Stone's guitar harmony interludes are so nice and fitting. One can make the argument Ed struggles with these type of vocals in his old age, but still nothing so much as to detract from the song.

91 - Brother (Lost Dogs)

To this day, I have not heard the version with lyrics so the one that appears in this ranking is Lost Dog. Badass instrumental. It's pretty much as grunge as it gets with Mike just wailing throughout most of the song.

90 - Parting Ways (Binaural)

I really have nothing to say about this song, other than the fact that's a great tune. Weak as far as album closers go considering this band has some of the best, but the song is fantastic on its own. I don't know why.

89 - All Those Yesterdays (Yield)

Two closers back to back!? Baw Gawd! Bleeds with Beatles influence (and no not just having the word Yesterday in your song constitutes as Beatles influence). The Mansfield Experiment version is absolutely wonderful and kinda makes me look less at the album version. Would have been higher if they used that version on the album, but then again, that probably wouldn't fit on Yield.

88 - Last Kiss (Lost Dogs)

Casual fans might think I'm nuts for placing this high. Hardcore fans may think I'm nuts for placing it this low. I guess I fall somewhere in the middle. It's one of two songs on my list that Pearl Jam didn't write. (I think...) I'm including Crazy Mary here even though I technically shouldn't but whatever. Also, if you listen to enough Pearl Jam boots, you'll come to abhor the fact that this song gets one of the strongest crowd reactions from the casual fan. I swear if I hear another jackass scream Last Kiss! (or Jeremy for that matter) at a show again... I won't do anything, but it's still upsetting. The song itself is interesting because it is such a morbid story put to pretty poppy/happy music. Can't help but shout those last "oooo"s and "ohh"s with the track whenever I hear it.

87 - Insignificance (Binaural)

I've tried really hard to get insanely into this song, but I only think it's great and nothing more. Only think I love love love hear is the chorus, which is mindblowing. The rest of the song is very good, but the chorus springs it this low on the list, that's how good it is.

86 - Thumbing My Way (Riot Act)

Some of the most beautiful lyrics Eddie has written. Nice version on Live at the Garden. One of those acoustic folky tunes written by Ed's wanna be Bob Dylan side.

85 - Ghost (Riot Act)

*is anything really written here*

bwaahahaaha

Wobbie

84-74. The Great Great Music Tier - pt. 2

84 - Not For You (Vitalogy)

As simple a guitar song as it gets. A ton of punk influence and it's just a fun angst-ridden tune. It's beauty lies in its simplicity though its songs like these to always make me wonder who Ed is talking about. What kind of assclown do you seriously have to be to have a song like this written about you? Ehh... it's probably about everyone who's messed with him in his live. Awesome.

83 - Other Side (Lost Dogs)

I consider the first seven tracks of the 2nd disc of Lost Dogs to perhaps be the strongest straight seven that the band has ever put out. This is the first to appear. It's a really beautiful song. Nice harmonies but there's something about Ed's vocals that make you believe that this song could have been just a tad more had he put more into it at parts. Nice usage of the acoustic.

82 - God's Dice (Binaural)

Another of the punk influenced songs. I really enjoy this one's verses for some reason. (In fact, I think all it has is versus on second thought) Mike's got a wicked guitar slide at one point and the subsequent verse that follows mannerism is perfect for the song.

81 - Parachutes (Pearl Jam)

Some hate this song. Others love it. It's heavily Beatles influenced and you would have no idea that this was Pearl Jam had someone played this for you without prior knowledge of the song. Catchy pop song that works because it's such a rare type of song for this band to do. Awesome rendition performed at the Vic this year. Oh crap, it's been this long and I have yet to mention the Vic show? Oh wow, that's surprising. Actually, maybe I mentioned it with I'm Open but maybe not. Stone's acoustic is the maker of this song, imo. I think it's a love song, but I'd have to sit down and read the lyrics to be absolutely sure. You never know with this band...

80 - Grievance (Binaural)

'Have a drink I'm buying' is one of my favorite opening lines. But once the song gets past that (until the chorus) I don't really like it. The chorus brings it back to the greatness it started. I always love Jeff bass in here. Great line. Matt too shines on the drums.

79 - Unemployable (Pearl Jam)

Something about this song seems ssoooooo familiar. Like ripped off familiar. But until I can figure it out, I can only credit it to Pearl Jam and give it this good a ranking because it really is a fine tune.

78 - Cropduster (Riot Act)

I thought the world
Turns out the world thought me
It's all the other way round
We're upside down

Probably top 10 choruses for me. And a nice solo. But the rest of the song keeps it down. Choruses aren't everything and so the rest needs to pick it up!

77 - Nothing As It Seems (Binaural)

I kept trying to put this one off because I really love it. However, just looking at the list I created, there is nothing else that this should probably go over. *listens to wailing opening solo over acoustic backing* You know what scratch this... NAIS lives on...

77 - Low Light (Yield)

This one always catches me by surprise as my ear wants to hear one less chord than is actually played which is one of this tracks great features. It forces you to pay attention even though by nature, it isn't supposed. I am not too fond of it lyrically but the melody clouds over this.

76 - I Am Mine (Riot Act)

I think there is someone here that has this as their favorite so this will **** with them. Like most of Riot Act, Ed sounds as if he just woke up from a long nap right before recorded this. Maybe if I can figure the north is to south what the clock is to time is means I'll put this higher. Actually I guess it means you can only tell what is north if you know what is south, just as you can only know time if you look at a clock to tell you what it is... ? Maybe that’s it, but I lied, it doesn't go higher. We're safe tonight!!

75 - Lukin (No Code)

One minute of bliss. Listen to the Benaroya version or the IIC street version for more bliss. Loses points for not being longer dammit!

74 - Even Flow (Ten)

Ok, here's a rant. My teacher had this on his stereo before class last week. The two girls behind me said "Oh wow, the Guitar Hero song!" I cringed. I wanted to turn around and explain to them how it's not the guitar hero song. How it is one of the most popular songs by one of the most important American bands and has been long before Guitar Hero came out last week. I don't care if it looks like I'm docking it points because of this, because clearly I am. And why the **** do they feel the need to play this to EVERY show!? Why!? Which once again brings me back to the awesomeness that was the Vic show. No Even Flow! Yay! Finally! And why this tour did they need to extend it to about 11 minutes why, and still manage to speed it up by nearly double the speed!? SLOW THE **** DOWN! And why add like three more Mike solos to a song driven by Mike solos! And why add a freaking drum solo? Sorry, Matt, you're a great rhythm guy but you can't solo if you're life depended upon it? It's the quintessential song that people use to show Ed's EERRRRRR voice and that he sounds nonsensical at the same time. But, if I can show so much disdain for a song, why did I even put it this high? Because it's Even Flow. And the song is awesome.

i shit and i stink

ChadsStillAlive wrote:

I'm the Examiner author (Charles) and I was trying to stay away from posting on here in response to my list. Something about it seemed self-indulgent or intrusive on people's experiences with the countdown, buuut...I have to comment here that this guy who did the previous list may like Pearl Jam, but he doesn't seem to have much respect for the band, nor does he seem to be much of a writer - two things I deem important when creating my list. Yes, I listed "Bugs," "Stupid Mop," etc. low, but this guy called them "joke songs" and a waste of time. That's wholly inaccurate and just plain sad to me. I humbly hope my list is more thorough, insightful and descriptive than his.

You are miles ahead, no need to worry. This list is just a rant and a badly written one at that. More importantly, I think the author doesn't understand the origin, meaning or deeper significance of a lot of the songs, he is just rating the noises he hears. Eg: Habit just sucks for him, I don't think he has any idea what it is about...

Wobbie

i shit and i stink wrote:

ChadsStillAlive wrote:

I'm the Examiner author (Charles) and I was trying to stay away from posting on here in response to my list. Something about it seemed self-indulgent or intrusive on people's experiences with the countdown, buuut...I have to comment here that this guy who did the previous list may like Pearl Jam, but he doesn't seem to have much respect for the band, nor does he seem to be much of a writer - two things I deem important when creating my list. Yes, I listed "Bugs," "Stupid Mop," etc. low, but this guy called them "joke songs" and a waste of time. That's wholly inaccurate and just plain sad to me. I humbly hope my list is more thorough, insightful and descriptive than his.

You are miles ahead, no need to worry. This list is just a rant and a badly written one at that. More importantly, I think the author doesn't understand the origin, meaning or deeper significance of a lot of the songs, he is just rating the noises he hears. Eg: Habit just sucks for him, I don't think he has any idea what it is about...

Yep, the Examiner dude is miles ahead. That said, I don't think this guy is totally clueless. Here and there, you might find a good observation.

Ledbetterman10

Whoever is making these lists make me want to rip the hair out of my head.

Wobbie

because this thread has generated so much positive response..... :roll: :roll:

74-63. The "This song would be among my favorites from a band had they not been done by Pearl Jam who has too many amazing songs to compete with" Tier, pt. 1

74 - Undone (Riot Act)

"I don't know how the **** this didn't make the record." - Eddie Vedder

73 - Life Wasted (Pearl Jam)

A great rocker. The video is ****ed up and would have scared the crap out of me had I seen it if I was a child. Nice opener setting the tone for the Pearl Jam (mainstream) come back of 06. One of my favorite bridges.

72 - Dead Man (Lost Dogs)

Written for the movie Dead Man Walking but got passed up for a Bruce song. One of the few times Ed's "I just woke up" voice fits the song as this guy is facing the realization that he is about to die. Wonderful. Made a nice Vic pre-set showing (baw gawd did I do it again?). Part of the straight seven I was referring to early.

71 - Nothing As It Seems (Binaural)

Sorry, you can't get out of it this time. I love how the music matches the theme as you get the impression that nothing really is as it seems. It's so trippy. I was walking around Manhattan once and this song came up on my shuffle and the whole demeanor of the scenery changed. Powerful track.

70 - Dissident (Vs.)

This song got me into Pearl Jam, and was my favorite for the first few weeks haha. So that version of myself may kick my ass for this placement. A catchy riff and great vocals makes for a superb song. I remember I was so pissed off they didn't play this at my first show haha.

69 - Go (Vs.)

I used to hate this song. But attending a show in Germany and hearing this as your opener tends to change your mind. Please PLEASE please pleeasse... On an album of conflicts this is the first and sets the tone of just raw aggression. It amazes me how they can have a song this hard but not sacrifice melodic content. *stares at Blood... shakes head*

68 - World Wide Suicide (Pearl Jam)

It's as catchy as hell, and I played the crap out of it when it was first leaked. Over... and over... and over. I love Ed's guitar part with that slide thingy (sorry I'm not a guitarist). Perhaps just as blatant attack on GWB as Bushleaguer but this song doesn't sacrifice the quality to attack it. Just like Even Flow or Jeremy, its a socially relevant song in today's society, proving that the band still cares 16 years later. Really nice medolic changes and Matt Cameron harmony is always great.

67 - Wash (Lost Dogs)

The third appearance of the straight seven of Lost Dogs part 2. This may be the easiest to overlook but it's a really powerful song. Please let it rain today. They opened with this at the Gorge last year because it was freaking hot!! I don't particularly care for the music of it, especially during the chorus (Mike's solo notwithstanding) but I guess that's part of its power. Confusing song but it's one of those to just lay back and listen and not give a crap about why it's confusing.

66 - Brain of J (Yield)

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4! I took me so long to figure out the first spoken words of Yield were actually just a count in. Part of the same family that uses this type of riff, but perhaps does it the best. Let me now focus my attention on the bridge. It's so flipping short, but seriously they should have focused an entire song around it. Brilliant. Jeff's bass work during it is among my favorite from him ever. Plus, being the fanatic I am I needed to read Ishmael (the book Yield was based on) and so this and a lot of Yield songs took on new, better meaning.

65 - Marker in the Sand (Pearl Jam)

This is when it hit me fully how deep the band rolls. This song is so good yet cracks top 65? Geez. This song brings up the funk and has one of the great outros in Pearl Jam history. I've yet to hear them do an extended jam with it though which is a shame.

64 - Crazy Mary (Sweet Relief)

Cover song originally by Victoria Williams and it's hilarious how much they completely blew her out of the water with their version. If I was including how this song was played live, it may very well be top 10-15, because Boom (usually) tears it up on the keys and Ed actually sings it normally. On this studio version, he sounds very weird for most of the song, so that’s why it dropped a few spots. Take a bottle drink it down pass it around is such a fun, singable chorus. Female backing vocals by... somebody... maybe Williams?

63 - Tremor Christ (Vitalogy)

Some of the band's most haunting lyrics. What is it that makes you tremor? This one tells an amazing story, which Pearl Jam doesn't really tend to do for the most part. Of course you'll find a handful, but it's always great to see them do it.

i shit and i stink

Hey, any chance of the rest of this countdown? I've been following the other one and it's interesting to compare the two. shame tremor christ is so low here :(

Wobbie

i shit and i stink wrote:

Hey, any chance of the rest of this countdown? I've been following the other one and it's interesting to compare the two. shame tremor christ is so low here :(

Glady!! The response has been overwhelming. :roll: :roll:

64-52. The "This song would be among my favorites from a band had they not been done by Pearl Jam who has too many amazing songs to compete with" Tier, pt. 2

64 - Crazy Mary (Sweet Relief)

Cover song originally by Victoria Williams and it's hilarious how much they completely blew her out of the water with their version. If I was including how this song was played live, it may very well be top 10-15, because Boom (usually) tears it up on the keys and Ed actually sings it normally. On this studio version, he sounds very weird for most of the song, so that’s why it dropped a few spots. Take a bottle drink it down pass it around is such a fun, singable chorus. Female backing vocals by... somebody... maybe Williams?

63 - Tremor Christ (Vitalogy)

Some of the band's most haunting lyrics. What is it that makes you tremor? This one tells an amazing story, which Pearl Jam doesn't really tend to do for the most part. Of course you'll find a handful, but it's always great to see them do it.

62 - Satan's Bed (Vitalogy)

I've always associated Tremor Christ and Satan's Bed together, and so they had to appear back to back. Who set's the standard...born to be rich? paris hilton! Catchy catchy riff and a catchy catchy chorus. I'm not too big a fan of the overrated, "I'll never suck satan's ****" line because it's pretty pretentious. I mean seriously, the way they cut out the music when he says that, it's like they were trying too hard with it. But yea, it's a surf song... ? Fun to crack that whip too.

61 - Around the Bend (No Code)

Terrific closer to perhaps my favorite album. Sounds like something you'd here on K-DST back in San Andreas with a really great piano track laid down. It's the only Pearl Jam song I'd consider being my wedding song just for the beauty of the music. It's a shame it doesn't get much live treatment but when it does, they drop it the right way.

60 - Footsteps (Lost Dogs)

Beautiful. Favorite line is "I've got scratches all over my arms, one for each day since I fell apart." Lyrically it's much better than its brother "Times of Trouble" by Temple of the Dog, but Cornell's vocals in that are rather divine. And it uses a piano as compared to the harmonica in Footsteps. Each of those instruments fit the mood of their respective songs to a tee, but I don't know. I'm thinking Times of Trouble is keeping me from putting Footsteps higher. It is the conclusion to the Alive/Once/Footsteps trilogy and keeping that in mind the song because even more powerful. McCready liked the riff so much when he used it in Times of Trouble he just decided, hey why not! Let's just do something else with it. It's a much simpler song than ToT sporting no percussion whatsoever adding to the isolation present within the man in the song who happens to be in prison. It fits content-wise with dead man and does a better job of it.

59 - Why Go (Ten)

Edge of psychotic meltdown. At least that's what they tell this girl. It's a great premise and one of my all-time favorite line is used "She's been diagnosed by some stupid **** and mommy agrees." A lot of agression in this one. A very singable chorus where anyone can pick up on the first time listening, which is always fun to have. Mike just ****ing wails it.

58 - No Way (Yield)

The song virtually disappeared on the 06 tour which is disappointing. It's irony lies (intentionally or unintentionally) in the indifferent/passionate lyrical content. I stopped trying to make a difference/I just need someone to be here for me. The song wants results but is willing to do nothing about it. Let's call on an angel as a quick fix. Like a lot of Yield I feel like its a satire. Here it's wanting the difference but without willing to do anything tangible about it. Musical the song rocks, but for reasons mentioned before is why I love it.

57 - Can't Keep (Riot Act)

You need to hear the Benaroya version. Ed... solo... on a ukelele... amazing. It was dedicated to Elliott Smith who had just died and it blew the roof off the place. Now, I know I'm being hypocritical here by placing this higher because of a live performance while stating before that had I counted live performances others would have been higher, but whatever this is my list. You can't keep me here. To gain some credibility, I guess I'll need to boast the full band/album version. I love how everything fits like a glove. The guitar to the drums are nearly in-sync. The vocals attaching itself to that, pushing forward every chance it gets, while always reverting back when you think it's going to finally spring forward. This matches the lyrics in that the narrator is trying to get out "you can't keep me here" yet something always does, bringing it right back to the beginning. For some reason, he just can't let loose and break completely free. He "wants to break free" and "wind out" but never really does. It's a fantastic opener to Riot Act, and one of the few openers that doesn't really set the tone but overshadow some of its tracks. Testament to the quality of the song more than the quality of the rest of the album though. It's that good.

56 - W.M.A. - (Vs.) dedicated for the Moth

A special place in my heart as its the one and only song that I am able to play on the bass. The song stands for White Male American, and I think it's appropriate if I left you the story of it's meaning.

I think I'd probably stayed at the rehearsal studio the night before and it had been a couple of days since I had a shower and I've got my old shoes on and I don't look too great, a little grunge on my teeth or whatever. And I'm sitting there with this guy who's of a darker color than me, and along come these cops, they run around with their bikes trying to look cool. So here they come, they're heading straight for us. And they just ignored me and [started] hassling him. Compared to me, this guy looks as respectable as ****. But they started hassling him, and that just blew me the **** away. So I started hassling them...And one thing led to another...I was just really wound up by it...I had all this ****ing energy rushing through me. I was mad. Really ****ing angry. I got back to the studio and the guys had been working on this thing and I just went straight in and did the vocals, and that was the song. - Eddie Vedder

It's a really messed up story but it happens every day probably. He won the lottery when he was born. The drum track is ridiculous on this one and Jeff seriously brings the funk in a completely badass way. Catchiest Pearl Jam bassline (if not, it's right up there with Rats), but here's my problem. PLAY THE ****ING SONG LIVE! I'm guessing Matt can't handle it as the only reason (that is the reason the put Leash on hiatus, no?) they don't play it because they use it often as a Daughter tag (often bashing the president as the WMA). 1994, Fox Theater Atlanta, an amazingly clear, full band is performed. One of my favorite performances to listen to. Shake your hips to this one.

55 - Come Back (Pearl Jam)

I'm kind of being hypocritical with this selection since I must admit the lyrics are pretty cheesy, which is the reason I put Thin Air so high up on the list. But hey, this song is awesome. Mike's guitar is the best he's done on the past three albums perhaps and I've said it before and I'll say it again but him and Stone mesh together like no other Rhythm/Lead I've likely heard in my lifetime. The lyrics can strike at anyone since probably 99% of us have someone we want to come back into our lives. Eddie struggles with the "reallll posssibilityyy" part but hey, who cares? I kinda of do since that part always irks me. But the "its ok" ending is masterful. The last half of the song (when the lyrics take a back seat and the music kicks in) is where the song really lifts off. Ed just wails come back and you feel it.

Apparently the song is "Two Months Later" and was written as a sequel to Man of the Hour. This is one of the great things about this band. Song interconnectivity! It's a masterful art and they've got it. They don't only rely on the individual strength of the song but use others to build upon that strength. That's part of the reason why they are so effective. It's like a mystery and for you to figure out, and once you do, you can go... "AHHH!" It makes you feel nice.


54 - Porch (Ten)

MTV Unplugged is far and away the greatest performance of this one. I'm probably doing this an injustice in the rankings but this is getting difficult. The studio version isn't as great comparatively to when it's played live. This has been an issue I've been struggling with my list since I don't know if that's a negative or a positive. It's a jam song that's only three and a half minutes so that always strikes me as odd, but the song is awesome in itself. They switched the arrangement in '06 to a slower beginning. The song is synergy at its finest as no one really shines on the track so you are not thinking in terms of "hey Mike did awesome" or "Jeff nailed it!" but "The guys really brought it for this one."

53 - Down (Lost Dogs)

Just like Undone it should have made Riot Act. I know some say it wouldn't mesh but I think had it been on the original tracking, you'd believe that it would fit. The only reason it doesn't fit is because we've gotten used to the way it was actually done. I sense heavy Zeppelin influence musically, but I may be completely off. They played this two years back and Jeff completely destroyed it (in the bad way) haha, but that's just funny. When they break it down in the end, that's when you know this song is special. Simply fantastic done outro. And I loooove a good outro when I hear one!

52 - Glorified G (Vs.)

Howard Stern's favorite Pearl Jam song and I've come only recently to love it. It's quickly climbing the charts and if I made this in a few months it'd probably be higher. Dave brought his gun to practice one day triggering a heated argument in the band. Hence, the satirical "Got a gun... in fact I've got two (to?) but that's ok man cause I love God." The chorus sounds like "Glorified Virgins and a Pelican" which is hilariously awesome. A pretty funky song, with nice drum work from Dave (Guess he was inspired, no!?) The kindred to be an american part is sooo flipping awesome. Gets me every time. It may actually be the only song I listened to 10 straight times on loop without ever wanting to stop.

Wobbie

i shit and i stink wrote:

Hey, any chance of the rest of this countdown? I've been following the other one and it's interesting to compare the two. shame tremor christ is so low here :(

The "the dude didn't name this tier" tier; 51-41

51 - Hail, Hail (No Code)

The best rocker on No Code no doubt (depends on what you consider a rocker I guess). I kind of think of it is a better done Animal because for some reason I confuse the riff of the two no matter how many times I here either. This one is written in the perspective of a woman "are you woman enough to be my man?" (or gay guy I suppose), and Ed's always been great at writing in the person of his opposite gender. It's one of his "gifts" I guess. Hail, Hail flows perfectly out of Sometimes and is one of the great followups the band has to offer. A completely explosive kick your ass tune. Perhaps the reason it is more effective than Animal is my eyes is because it's on an album not filled with rockers. Hail, Hail really stands out on an album such as No Code, while Animal can get lost for me on Vs.

50 - Once (Ten)

The sequel to Alive apparently and the prequel to Footsteps apparently features a serial killer doing his thing. It's the first song of the first album ;_;. and right after it's short opener, Master/Slave, it's the first song Pearl Jam fans back in 91 experienced. Not me though, as I'm kind of a late bloomer. I was in kidnergarten when this came out haha, but I guess that's no excuse. This opener sets the tone for Ten as the anthem rock album. I don't know what Ed whispers toward the end but "I got a backseat lover on the side of the road. I've got a bomb in my temple and it's gonna explode. I got a fifteen gauge buried under my coat as I prey." is one of the great lines to just randomally shout out in everyday life. The oepenering riff bleeds distortion and its awesome. The chorus takes a fairy-tale saying (once upon a time) and makes it completely badass. I think Ed put the lyrics to this music as he was surfing if I remember the story correctly.

49 - Alone (Lost Dogs)

Some of my favorite lyrics roll in this one. I saw them last year in East Rutherford and they completely ****ed it up, hilariously. They had to stop and do it over. That's the thing about not playing the same setlist and breaking out songs you haven't played in years. That's also why I love Pearl Jam shows. Everything's a complete surprise and unpredictable unlike other concerts where every last thing is planned out to a tee. As far the song, it's pretty flipping amazing. Ed uses a high register until the final moments, with great harmonies. "She's standing naked, he's apologizing." A lot of stop and starts in this song, which is probably why they messed up when I saw them. And I've heard this Mike solo before somewhere dammit. Probably not, though.

48 - Rats (Vs.)

Far and away the greatest Jeff bassline. It's so funky! He's only the driving rhythm in a few song so it's cool to hear it when it happens. I love it. Who thought the band can make an awesome song about rats? It's just a fun song to listen to. A great sing along chorus. Michael's solo fits the funky mood. Not much more to say about this one other than to comment on just how fun it is. It's good to have songs like these in your arsenal.

47- Army Reserve (Pearl Jam)

The opening guitar riff gets me going. The song could do nothing more than that and it is top 75 easily. The verses are the things that make sure it stays up this low on the list though. The chorus on the other hand is what keeps it from obtaining total greatness. I saw a really heartfelt version down in ER zwei when Ed introduced one of the wives from the West Memphis Three, a murder case that Ed has really been active in over the years. So that was cool. Save yourself. The lyrics I can never seem to remember no matter how many times I hear this one, so that's more and more reason to keep listening... as if it needed it in the first place!

46 - Better Man (Vitalogy)

I really hope I didn't give this the Even Flow treatment and place it lower than it might have deserved because of its public perception. People ("hardcore" fans) hate it because of this I think but it really is a good song. Technically, it's a Bad Radio (Ed's crappy band before Pearl Jam) cover song, but it's all Ed so I guess it's not. Perhaps the band's biggest hit (Last Kiss?) and provokes the biggest sing-a-long in concert over the years. Recently Ed won't sing until the 2nd verse and let's the crowd do the opening. "Dedicated to the bastard that married my mama" it's one of those songs where you need to hear the chorus to understand the meaning as girls everywhere hear "can't find a better man" and automatically assume "Oh my gawsh! A love song!" It's about anguish, in a broken marriage. I can't get enough of the Save It For Later tag as that's such a badass song by the English Beat. Listen to the San Diego of 06 boot for the best version of both that cover and this song. "****ing beautiful."

45 - Nothingman (Vitalogy)

An amazing ballad with amazing lyrics. The leatherman/better man/nothingman concert trio is one helluva good time. Oh crap, I forgot leatherman on this list. Oh well, putting it in now would just mess with everything. Hey, well just use this spot for both... ahhh maybe not. Suspiciously left off a lot of 06 concerts (immortality too to a lesser extent wtf!). I guess they wanted to rock in '06. My dad's favorite song. I guess I was spawned from a Nothingman, making me a ... leatherman? Probably not. She once believed in every story he had to tell. I don't know if anyone's noticed but I sometimes just throw in random lyrics throughout my write-ups. I always though he who forgets will be destined to remember was a pretty nonsensical/pretentious line, but whatever. It's all good.

44 - Elderly Woman Behind a Counter in a Small Town (Vs.)

1, 2, 3, 4, 2, 3... This was Ed's practice routine transformed into an amazing song. Remember when I was talking about the perspective of the female? Here's where it shines. Some girl I know still to this day thinks it's called "Hearts and Thoughts" and I am tempted to beat her, but she is a woman so I don't do that. It's one of the conflicts in Vs. depicting the conflict against change and getting old. Never dreamed you'd return. At a PJ show, it's one of the songs everyone knows the words to. And I may sounds like I am beating a dead horse at this point but the acoustic Stone meshing with the electric Mike is masterful once again.

43 - Education (Lost Dogs)

*awesome drum beat* *awesome drum beat* .... YAAAAA!!!!/10

This is why I love Pearl Jam. They can take a social commentary on the questioning the relevance of a formal education and what it means within society and turn into an awesome song. AAAHHHHHHAAAAAHHHHH. Very deep lyrically, and Mike caps off the two and half plus song with a classic classic rock solo. The solo melts if that makes any sense whatsoever. Every time I heard this on a boot I thought it was Grievance and was in for pleasant surprise. Is my own equation relevant somehow?

42 - Garden (Ten)

Perhaps the most underrated song on Ten that's got pretty much everything. This is a Gossard track where he really shows how great a writer he is. I'm not sure whether or not he or Ed write the best songs (musically definitely Stone, lyrically definitely Ed) but overall is where I have the issue. Captivating chorus. Musically driven rather than lyrically. I was sleeping once through a shuffle and I remember the greatest version possibly of any song I've ever heard came on and I have yet to figure out where it was from. ;_; Danger.

41 - Jeremy (Ten)

Again with the Better Man/Even Flow syndrome because it's tricky to try and make your list your own and not someone else. Also, you want to be pretty bias between great songs and not just rank others over this just to be more obscure. It's the story of Jeremy, a boy who shot himself in his class and has the greatest video I have ever seen. Truly unbelievable. Emotional. Ed oozes with emotion, and the Jeff 12 string opener kicks all kinds of ass. That's black ass, white ass, asian ass, all ass. Big ass, small ass... ok that was weird. It has relevance to our society here today. I thought it was "Jeremy spoke endlessly for the first few listens." The Whoaoaaaaa ending is so flipping climactic and emotionally. Great. The recess lady's breast lol. =0 The little detetetetetete dede etetetete guitar part during the chorus is far and away the best part about the song though. And "spoken" harmonies are awesome. In an affluent suburb... 3:30...

i shit and i stink

Interesting that this guy and the other list both have nothingman above betterman. Of the 'man' tunes I had always assumed betterman was king. Certainly not leatherman anyway....

Wobbie

i shit and i stink wrote:

Interesting that this guy and the other list both have nothingman above betterman. Of the 'man' tunes I had always assumed betterman was king. Certainly not leatherman anyway....

I love Leatherman!! Hope to hear it in Seattle.

Wobbie

The "What happened to # 40 and 39?" Tier. I don't know - either I deleted them or the author did... :roll:

38 - Last Exit (Vitalogy)

The first twenty seconds are badass (the crazy jam.) Then the riff kicks in and Vitalogy is completely under way. I love it when the chorus kicks out and he speaks over some funky guitar work. Shed my skin at last. Pulsing drum beat... pulsing drum beat. I don't have much to say about this song other than I love to listen to it. It's one of those songs you forget about and then hidden away you're caught by surprise whenever you hear it. It's like a cute little present. This is This IS!!! .....my last exit. >_> about suicide perhaps?

37 - Severed Hand (Pearl Jam)

Filled with insightful jargon, but it's all the result of a road trip with the purpose of getting high. Which is brilliant. Porch riff anyone? >_> Mike's solo gets in does the job and gets out. Works nicely as a concert opener and would love to see it remain a staple. It has sort of a Corduroy feel to it as well. One of the songs from the new album that will stand the test of time in the Pearl Jam concert staples I think (or hope.) Just listen to those harmonies. <Got some kicks wanna take a ride? I said YEEAAAA!> It's so simple dare I say juvenile, yet it's so flipping brilliant. </You'll see dragons after three or four I said Yeaaa!!!!> One of the all-time great bridges as well. The guy asks himself life's toughest issues that are pretty out there and just goes **** it. "I'll answer this when I get home." They like to **** with you with the outro and intro for that matter live. You'll never know when it's beginning/ending! Whatever it takes to prolong the song, no?

36 - Smile (No Code)

Best use of Eddie's harmonica in a Pearl Jam song bar none. Sorry Footsteps/Drifting. A lot of Neil Young influence which is only natural considering they just finish collaborating an album with him. It's a very simple, riff driven classic rock song. I don't know why but I consider Mike's little solo (if you can call it that) to be one of his greatest, even better than the very acclaimed Alive solo. It's probably because I'm more of a fan than creative song fitting solo's than wah-wah look at mah skills solos. It's pretty perfectly fitting to the song. I miss you already. If you hear this live you know the **** is going down! Get front row and center because someone is getting that Hohner G Harmonica Ed is sporting. Fades out with lyrics which is cool too. This is how I feel.

35 - Do the Evolution (Yield)

Perhaps the best screaming Ed's ever done. It's one of those awesome socially conscious songs the band likes to break out every now and then. Also, there's a wicked video done by Todd McFarlane. It's done really well. The song overall is one huge satire (ie I can kill because in God I trust... admire me, admire my home, admire my son, he's my clone... ignorant indians got nothing on me...) And Stone's solos have always fit my liking more than Mike for what I mention upstairs in Smile and he has a badass little short one. So fitting. Where's my church I sing in the choir! haaaalllleeeluajahh!! Awesome lower harmony done right there. Live At the Garden DVD is worth the purchase just to hear this version. "This stage is bouncing while I sing in the choir!" Ed does so many different variations on the lyrics live (even forgetting them often which is odd considering they play this at least every other show). I'm the first mammal to **** my pants... my corduroy pants... just an example there. The last line is odd, which is 2010 watch it go to fire. Is Ed a prophet or something? I hope not.

34 - Light Years (Binaural)

I love songs that begin with a drum beat as opposed to a drum fill. Lyrically this song is pretty deep. "I've come up with riddles and jokes about war... i've understood feelings and i've understood words, but how can you be taken away." I feel like it's a much better done Come Back, giving homage to the one who has left us as opposed to looking internally for the longing. It don't seem fair. You seem to like it hear. I gotta tell yas, my favorite part of this song is so subtle that it's ridiculous but it's that lyric change in the 2nd chorus. I'm a huge fanboy to a lyrical changing choruses and this one's got it. Emotion. This is one song I love throwing my own harmonies into (maybe because they don't use them in the song itself) but regardless solo Ed carries enough emotion to drive this song forward. And here's a comment that seems like it's becoming a redundancy... great Mike solo... From this point out, I think I may just say Mike solo, and everything should be understood. It's one of 5 songs that are higher than this that I've never experienced live which is disheartening. I'm light years away from this song apparently!

33 - Long Road (Merkin Ball)

D chord........D chord........D chord........D chord.... that goes on for a while with this one. If you didn't hear the San Diego 06 version here's the story that Ed told regarding this song that makes you appreciate it so much more. Ed had a very important teacher in his life and while he was recording Merkin Ball and eating some Japanese food, he got the call that he died. So he went into a dark studio and starting playing that D chord for about 10 minutes, and he described it like ringing the bell for his teacher. Neil Young and the guys came into the studio and just picked up their instruments without saying a word and Long Road was born. A beautiful song dedicated to the notion that death exists and everyone must deal with it.

There's an alternate version with an Indian musician who's name I can't remember that's pretty cool though the Merkin Ball version is my favorite. It's such a powerful song, and makes for a great concert opener and was the first song during the Mansfield experiment (though personally, I love it out of the encore break). Ed and Neil played this during a 9/11 telethon that was held a few days after the events, so that version hit me hard, and also it was used in a great episode of Scrubs, a show that usually sports great music. A very simple, progression with nothing crazy going on instrumentally but that's not what this song is about. It's a beautiful song though on the recording I really wanted Ed to scream the chorus out like he does live. But alas, I suppose it's already filled with enough emotion.

=( so much death and longing in this post. But the great thing about Pearl Jam is that so many different song topics will be coming up. But this post was dedicated to those who miss someone.

32 - Red Mosquito (No Code)

Mike's intro solo sounds like a flipping mosquito buzzing around. That alone makes this top 40, no? I can't even begin to describe how awesome a talent that is. On an album such as No Code, I kind of forget it exists, and don't really listen to it that much which is probably why I appreciate it as such a great song. It's a nice safety net to fall back on. If I had known then, what I know now outro is amazing in itself aswell. A lot of improve potential I see in this little guy. Allows for extending jams at concerts (if they feel like it). I would like to get high to this song, though never have. Perhaps, it's number on my list of Pearl Jam songs to get high to but I need to look over the list again. Ok, it's got one competitor but I'll leave that for when I talk about that one.

31- Who You Are (No Code)

Note: This is the 5th 31 I've had because I keep changing my mind. On its way to 6th maybe.

They just needed their own "Who You Are/Who Are You" type song didn't they? Music and Melody are pretty much a match and this song is just running up and down the E-scale I believe. An amazing scale, don't get me wrong, and simplicity is my friend. Crap, it's getting late again. Awesome harmonies in such a way that it doesn't sound like a typical song, but more of a choir chanting an anthem. Masterful. Now I better got out of here before I change my mind about this again.

30 - Strangest Tribe (Lost Dogs)

I will tell you why I like this song. I'll tell you why I love this song. When I put it on loop on my playlist while I'm trying to sleep, I will be out by the second go around. Without fail. Now, for a semi-insomniac as myself, this song pretty much saved me from going completely saved. There is something about whenever it gets played, it's like I am hypnotized, where I can perfectly envision every note and every instrument coming together. Thank you Strangest Tribe. They never played this live because by the song would be over the entire audience would be out cold. Jigglypuff anyone?

29 - Man of the Hour (Big Fish?)

Song was written for Tim Burton's Big Fish, a movie I sat through just because I knew this song was going to play at the end. Luckily for me, the movie itself was very good so it was a win win situation. Having watched the movie, this song obviously was placed into a different context, but still it's definitely a song that's just as powerful for those who have or haven't seen the film. "Tidal waves don't beg forgiveness" is one of the great Pearl Jam opening lines. I never realized how many Pearl Jam songs deal with death and loss until I made this list, and we even have a few coming up. According to Vedder, it can be viewed as the prequel to Come Back, but so can a lot of other things. I haven't decided what's to be played at my funeral though, this or Given to Fly. I guess it depends if I want people to cry or be lifted haha. This one's a slight tear jerker. "And the man of the hour has taken his final bow, goodbye for now." I guess Ed does believe in the afterlife then? Atleast he does within the context of this song haha.

Wobbie

let's continue with the watered down version of the other, good list. Hey, at least two people are interested.

28 - 20. The "Any one of these songs could have landed in the Top 10 but didn't" Tier; pt. 1

28 - Leash (Vs.)

Play Leash you *******! Haha... let's examine the David Letterman incident.

...

...

crap, I can't find it.

Well what happened was the entire crowd has signs saying Leash and Eddie had his own sign saying "Leash will not be played tonight." Pretty funny. I know it's around, but I can't seem to find it. Rumors were that Matt couldn't handle Dave's drumming which is probably BS since he's flipping Matt Cameron.

So here is some song inter-connectivity for you. There is a girl who lives with oppressive parents (Daughter) the girl is called mentally unstable and placed in a mental institution (Why Go). The girl finally fights back against the oppression she deals with from everyone in her life (Leash). Finally, the girl gets away from everything. (Rearviewmirror) There's more to this that I will get into as the other songs appear but for now let's focus on Leash.

There is debate within the Jamily I believe on whether she lashes out and then is deemed mentally unstable or if she is deemed mentally unstable and then lashes out. The way I see it is there is a lot of imagery dealing with rebellion, and forming a bond between those who are treated the same as you. Thus, her "trouble souls unite" line is calling from those she has seen dealt harshly within her home. There is also imagery of "home" and while some see it as her physical "home" it can be interpreted as the home she was sent to in Why Go. It's a very interesting set of songs to dissect and analyze.

Musically, the song kicks as much ass as the girl does in the song. Nuff said.

27 - Hard to Imagine (Lost Dogs)

Paint a picture. Using only gray. One of my straight seven (no, I did not forget!). It was between this and Indifference for Vs.'s closer and I suppose they picked the right one, but still this song is a gem. A dream-like song, and pretty haunting, with a nice distinct change halfway through for the song's anthem closing. They rarely do that so it's awesome to see. Though Mike nor Stone see a solo here, they do display an amazing ability to drive the point of this song's meaning. IF THINGS WERE DIFFERENT THEN!! ALL IS DIFFERENT NOW! I TRY TO EXPLAIN!! SOMEHOW... They do that for a good two minutes, and I swear I could listen to that part for 10 more. Songs like this should never stop. It's a shame that an epic closer in hiding such as this one never got used. Hell, they just should have said **** it and busted it out for No Code... then again, I'm probably way over my head.

26 - Present Tense (No Code)

Words to live by no doubt, and one of Eddie's best vocal performances. It's actually quintessential Ed in that it showcases both his low, quiet voice and then his ability to belt it. Those first two notes gets me flipping excited, and to hear it as an opener in Atlantic City? Epic. Jeffy comes through here bringing the heat with rather simple yet powerful bass work. It's so haunting yet at the same time, has this contradictory feel good, positive message. Interesting approach. Very open-ended song and then they just bring it with the full band for an incredibly power pre-outro. Now, I would never call anything pre-outro but this is a special exception in that Present Tense has the (and I may come to take this back later) the greatest instrumental outro in Pearl Jam history. Seriously, they can do that simple little part for two and a half hours and call it a successful concert.

25 - Dirty Frank (No Code)

I love how this song is legitimately great musically, while still never takes itself seriously at all. To this day, I can never keep track of how many time the riff plays before the opening lines so it always catches my surprise during every listen (sometimes I'll get it right.) It's a song about the bus driver of Pearl Jam's bus... I think? Well, anyway I know it's a bus driver just not sure what he does. WHERE'S MIKE MCCREADY? MAH GAWD! HE'S BEEN ATE! My absolute favorite Jeff work is performed in this piece (<-- first person to refer to Dirty Frank as a piece ftw?). Seriously, who can get enough of that interlude. I understand why this was left off of Ten but it still should have made it. Glad to see it return to the live arsenal, but I never got to see it performed. =( One day perhaps. It's just so funky. I lied, it's more funky than Rats. At least I think I said Rats was the funkiest.

That Dirty Frank was a bad motha SHUT YOUR MOUTH. Hey man, I'm just talkin' bout Dirty Frank!

24 - Inside Job (Pearl Jam)

I made a mistake with this song. When Pearl Jam (s/t) was announced I heard a description of this song, and I started freaking out. I completely over-hyped it in my mind. When I got Avocado, I just had to hear it, so I skipped the entire album to play the closer first. This is a move I do not recommend doing. However, what I did come to realize was that my hyping was completely justified. This song is epic, and it was shock that it lived up to my expectations, a feat great in itself. Mike McCready wrote this one, lyrics and all, (his only song as such) and it did not disappoint. Masterful closer to the s/t. Now, I feel that had I listened to everything first, I would have appreciated Inside Job even more, but alas, that ship has sailed. What remains is a beautiful tune.

A lot of human elements in this song and it is perhaps Pearl Jam's greatest musical achievement. Acoustic guitar, piano, drums kicking in halfway through the song... in fact, you need to listen to it to perhaps understand what I am talking about, but the song sounds as if it is tearing itself apart the entire time. That may sound completely ridiculous, and probably is. The lyrics can be viewed as cheesy, justifiably so, but it certainly fits the song, which is the problem with a lot of cheesy lyrics. A lot of Christian elements, and Mike's gone through a lot of rough patches in his life, and so there is an authenticity found. You can tell the lyrics weren't emplaced to write a "meaningful song" but are actually a scope into Mike's mind. Brilliance.

So, let's give it up for Pearl Jam's s/t. You've gone as far as you can go here. Though you are the first out, you are definitely one of the more consistent albums the band has put out. It was flipping serious business.

23 - Rearviewmirror (Vs.)

One of the catchiest riff's Pearl Jam's ever put out. Also, there finest car/get away songs that they've done which is an accomplishment all in itself. This is the girl from Leash finally getting her **** together and getting away from it all. Interesting note her, is that in Daughter (also about the girl) the shades go down, but here "finally the shades are raised." Melody ascends in RVM while descends in Daughter. Also, the imagery of the plate. Just throwing that out there. Awesome. It's these nuances that make this band exceptional. The vocals clash with the music in an awesome way, in that if you take the same vocal track and put it to a slow acoustic track it still would work. Beautiful. There's no real guitar solo, but if you listen it's actually of going on over the lyrics, and while that technically does quantify as a guitar solo, it is a musical guitar lead... >_> Maybe I made that up. Saw things so much clearer once you were in my rear view mirror. It's so simple if you think about it, yet it works. Just listen to it. You'll then understand why it's one of their best.

22 - Of The Girl (Binaural)

Try listening to this without tapping something. For me, it's impossible. Nice high registered vocals once again, and amazing usage of the Binaural recording technique. You'll need a really great speaker system to fully appreciate the quality of Of The Girl. I don't even know how to describe this anymore. It kicked off the greatest show of all time (benaroya) with an amazing rendition. When I first heard the song, I thought it sounded weird and downright awkward but I think you need a few listens to know what's coming to hear it favorably. It's just like a crazy jam with Mike and Stone having no clue what the other is doing yet still manage to create something completely non-cohesive yet fluent at the same time. Odd. How he makes this get away... beautiful chorus... ?

21 - Fatal (Lost Dogs)

Here's a Gossard tune that convinces me he is the best overall writer of songs. Why didn't you make Binaural? Evacuation for crying out loud made Binaural, and you didn't? Awesome acoustic tune, but the background electric entrance 31 seconds in (oh and I didn't look just up that time, that's how deep me an Fatal roll, ya here?) may perhaps be the best part of the song. The opener of the straight seven that I've come to adore is the best. Unfortunately, we are all done with my seven. =( The reason I held these in such a high regard is because I guess its found in such a weird place from all different eras of the band, yet they are perfect together. If he's truly out of sight...

20 - Alive (Ten)

Anthem guitar rock at its finest. I think this is the first PJ song recorded and performed but don't quote me on that. Such a cool, pumping riff you got there. It tells the story of a boy who found out his father is not really his father and that his real father is dead. Sorry you didn't see him, but I'm glad we talked. This really happened to Ed, though the next part did not. (At least I hope not). The mother tries to sexually replace the dead father now with her son. The chorus has become an anthem with people shouting "I'm still alive!" as it's a good thing, but Ed is saying it as a curse. Storytellers coming up here now.... throughout the years seeing these people however chant it, has changed it's meaning and ergo the curse has been lifted.

It's the first part of the Alive/Once/Footsteps chronicles, so hopefully Ed does not become a murderer in his old age, if this is indeed a true story. Perhaps, he already is! Mike's solo....

Wobbie

I've gone this far....I'm not quitting until I reveal #1 (note: not my list)

19 - 11. The "Any one of these songs could have landed in the Top 10 but didn't" Tier

19 - Love Boat Captain (Riot Act)

I guess it has something to do with the TV show...? I think this is the only song Boom is credited for having a hand in writing, and if that's the case.... wtf!! Get to the drawing board Boom, because you contributed to a kickass track. True story coming up... I snuck into my nearest church to play this one on a B3 organ because Lord knows that playing it on those cheesy Rock organ presets wasn't going to cut. So I did, and the priest came rushing in and kicked my ass out. That story is enough to show how awesome this song is but I'll try to talk about it anyway.

Let the show begin! is an awesome live lyric change and always gets a huge applause even if LBC is like the 7th song played. Also, the LBC hoodie is AWESOME! If you see someone rolling around in that, it very well may be me so say hello. Weird usage of C ----> Cm but hey, that's why it's awesome I guess. The wisdom that the old can't give away. Stupid human beings.

18 - In My Tree (No Code)

Just to start off. I am a fan of the '03 version. I am. Love Boom's jungle solo.

Anyway, what can you say about Jack's drumming. It's so transitive and smooth and fits the theme/music to a tee. The reason why this song is so good. The song is about getting high as an escape. A fine message. Ed's glove fitting vocals accentuates one of my all time favorite lines. "I'm holding on to my innocence." And he roars it in his old man voice, dirty as hell, and yet he's still got his innocence. That's right his innocence.

Just like most of No Code (I'm looking at you Red Mosquito) the music gives way to the image that the lyrics are painting. I wave to all my friends. They don't seem to notice me. Haha, I wish I wrote that.

17 - Sleight of Hand (Binaural)

I heard someone once say what this song was about. I myself have no clue, but when I heard this description it was brilliant and opened my eyes to the greatness that is Sleight of Hand. It's about a cop dealing with his first killing. It's so simple yet makes so much sense. Was he moved by sleight of hand? Routine was the theme (a line right out of my head personally) Images of uniforms, lost on a road he knew by heart (his route). I don't care if this is not what was intended, this is what the song is about. Drifting... drifting... There's a perfect version on Benaroya that I once listened to at 3:45 in the morning once and my head nearly exploded. Classy place.

This was the song I was referring to before when I said this may be the one song I want to get high to along with Red Mosquito. But hell, this one is good enough. It's so different than most of what Pearl Jam has showcased, but it's the same, only because of its brilliance.

He waves goodbye to himself. I'll see you on the other side.

Couldn't faced his killing, so ended up killing himself... ? Such a lucid piece of art. But anyway, now we wave goodbye to Binaural. You had a nice run there! I'll see you on the other side.


16 - Daughter (Vs.)

You guys ready!? Haha... gotta love Stone. This song proves that you don't need to sacrifice being a hard rock song by using an acoustic guitar as your driving force. Though it is acoustic, it never sacrifices ass-kicking ability. Are little girl makes her last appearance on the list, in her first song chronologically speaking. Ed shifts in and out of third person here. "A young girl..." verses with "Don't call me daughter" choruses. A great line is "She will rise above" and the great thing about it is that a lot of times this gets unresolved in the story. Songs will say she will rise above yet its only speculation. Here, as seen through Rearviewmirror, you can see it formulate. Even going through her rougher stages (Why Go), this line is placed into context only because of this song interconnectivity. I may be speaking about this arc too much haha, but it really is a fascinating aspect to Pearl Jam's music. Shades go down...

Really nice live tags placed on this song. Another Brick in the Wall II, Its OK, War, the my two hands with Ben Harper at Live at the Garden is my favorite probably. Boo at the WMA tag though. Play the damn song! Ed basically uses Daughter tags nowadays to bash Bush and was censored at Lollapalooza for it haha...

15 - Sad (Lost Dogs)

This was top 5 on my list at one point, that's how highly I regard this song. This one is all from Eddie's brain, with him righting the catchiest riff this side of Rearviewmirror. Ahhh... Jeff's bass... ah... The content is what makes this song so great. "There is no God with a plan. And his holiness is proof, that it's sad." That hits you! Great imagery over a better melody. I should just write out the lyrics as my right up, because it's greatness speaks for itself. He's searching for escayayayayape! I always like to believe this song is about the guy from that Cure song who said "I will always love you." who's lover dies, now written in the third person. This is only because of the line "He will always love you." But that's just personal speculation and has no base beyond that.

14 - Immortality (Vitalogy)

Artistic beauty at its finest. THE closer for Vitalogy (atleast how I listen to it). Ed's gruff vocals are perfect, and there is a wonderful instrumental/ed solo (not really instrumental I guess) on Immagine in Cornice (I have no clue how to spell it, ya know the new DVD). Apparently, it's "about" Kurt Cobain, but who knows for sure. Cigar box on the floor certainly references that specifically, but Ed has denied that it's about him. BOTH AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR SOLO AND ELECTRIC GUITAR SOLO... that's top 20 material right there. Some die just to live. Really great poetry going on here over a very cohesive melody. Musically perhaps, their best.


13 - State of Love and Trust (Singles Soundtrack)

*awesome riff* *kickass drum pounds* WOOOO!!!!

Long time ago this was my favorite Pearl Jam song. I don't know why that has changed, as I haven't stopped loving it nor have I found any flaws in it. Well, nothing is completely flawless but whatever. Ed is completely insane in this song. I listen for the voice inside my head. Nothing. I'll do this one myself. Mikkee Heeelppp!!! <--- He's says this live often right before his solo, and then Ed takes this eargasmic solo and decides to sing over it. Thank you Ed. Hey na na na na hey that's something! Such juvenile lyrics there but they are perfect. My favorite part of the song is "Won't you help me." It's so raw, so real. He sounds completely genuine in his request. The RVM version destroys this though adding some sort of bogus radio effect. But the version that landed 13th is this version so it's cool!

The song was written for that cheesy movie Singles that I didn't like all too much. Seriously, *****, get the breast implants! But regardless, Jeff was hilarious in the movie. Not because he did anything hilarious, but because he was Jeff Ament... in a movie. But Ed had the best line. "A compliment for us is a compliment for you." I have a feeling we'll be reprising this movie later though.

Listen to the Unplugged version... NOW!

12 - Corduroy (Vitalogy)

Tell me that opening 1st and 5ths trading off back and forth back and forth doesn't get you flipping excited to be alive. Your also excited this song is not Alive, it's Corduroy! The reason to this day that I wear corduroy pants, so that's something worth hanging on to. THE WAITING TROPHY MAN!! <--- tell me right now that you didn't think this was the opening line and I'll call you a liar. Very punky as a matter of fact. I think a lot of other Pearl Jam songs try to be Corduroy but just don't match up. (even though most of the songs were written well before Corduroy). Maybe one can say that it flushed out all of the errors the band made in previous songs of this type, combined all of the great aspects and BAM! Dished out Corduroy, the best song on Vitalogy. Second song I've ever heard live. That was exciting.

Goodbye Vitalogy. Another album completed. Woo.

11 - Yellow Ledbetter (Jeremy B-side)

A b-side. A ****ing b-side. What the hell kind of band is this? Their 11th best song (relatively speaking of course!) out of 140th made a B-side? Hopefully, this proves once and for all how deep this band rolls. The pride of Mike McCready and the ultimate concert closer. Also the quintessential song for non-coherent lyrics but hey, I've got it down. I don't wanna stay. Make me cry. Direct Hendrix influence here, a "homage" coughripoffcough to Little Wing haha, and if you've never heard them tag it on to the end of this, it's a must listen. It's so anthematic! I don't want to stay at all. His brother's coming home in a box or a bag. That's powerful. The intro/outro guitar solo's are brilliant and even made a top 20 guitar solos of all time list pretty recently (Mike also cracked it with Alive). They wrote this song, and Ed just improved over it thus getting inaudible lyrics. But something came out. Ed's fascination with porches is also prevalent here. They don't wave. Most people here know why this is a classic, and I know a lot would put or was expecting this number 1. My job is to convince you my reasoning for a different top 10.

HeavyHands

imalive,

I know it's not you who authored this, but...

"Hate the chorus, love the verses. Black Pilate I have you don't..."

Really?

i shit and i stink

SOLAT and Courdoruy outside the top ten. It hurts!

I was happy to see Love Boat Captian so high though, it's such an underrated song.

Thanks for continuing this, i know it hasn't got much response but I was wondering earlier what this guy has an his top ten.

Wobbie

Thank you HeavyHands and i shit and i stink for your continued support!

It's almost done.