I actually love Johnny Guitar. It has that very 70's sounding riff similar to the way Unemployable does. It's very Ace Frehley I think and although it's not a classic it's great fun to hear live and gets you jumping around. I prefer it to the singles from the album along with The End and Force Of Nature. I don't think the album has enough quality to rate anything as a classic but JG is really underrated for me.
I would agree with this but we can't forget unthought known.. That will be a live show staple from now on..
Then again so is just breathe so what do I know? :oops:
I'll say I agree about Johnny Guitar. I always skip it or don't pick it for a setlist - but if it comes up at random i don't skip it.
I can say its tough on bass. Took me quite a few tries but once I got it I destroyed it on rock band 3 expert bass and am ranked in the top ten for that song.
Fun song to play on bass.
Can we also say its the same feeling for most of backspacer? The post earlier speaking about how Amongst The Waves feels forced I couldn't agree on more. Unthought Known is a good song - but I'll never go bananas for Gonna see my Friend, the fixer, got some, Johnny guitar, Amongst The Waves, Just Breathe, Supersonic, Speed of sound, force of nature or the end.
I'll say I do like most songs and speed of sound w Ed solo is great...
This is from someone who saw 6 shows on the backspacer tour as well as owning the cd, vinyl and full cd for rock band 3. It just, for me, doesn't touch their other albums. I'm actually excited for the shows I'm heading to because I know I'll hear less backspacer than usual and I'm not forced to hear 4-8 songs I don't know.
johnny guitar is a horrid song. one of pearl jam's worst songs they've ever written... IMO (now I've said IMO I can't get flamed... clever).
ok the intro maybe promises something.. then ed just jumps in ranting in that first line..
then it gets to "Now Johnny he be having lots of women.. oh the reason he'd be smiling known to him".. that line.. ok all the lines.. there's no melody anywhere, it's rushed, it's disjointed. there isn't even a decent mike solo that can try and redeem it.
and what's with that crap rap interlude at the 1:03 mark?.. into that shit bridge about the light on.
"I'll hide my disappointment cause for years I have been hoping"
interesting line in the context of the discussion of pearl jam's recent works, although i haven't hidden my disappointment in this song.
pretty much agree 100% with you here. i expect way more from Ed than these lyrics.
On a mostly pretty boring album, I think this one sticks out in a positive way. Think PJ brought something fresh and cool compared to their usual forays into punkier territory.
Thank you. Its so different than any pj song. This is one of the few songs that strays from regular pj territory. Also the time signature is unique and not 4/4. Its more interesting to play than other songs. And the vocals and lyrics are GREAT. Do you guys see how eddie had to write vocals that intertwined with the odd time signature? And one my favorite Eddie tactics when write lyrics is his ability to create new words like foriginalsin. He has done this in many other songs too and its awesome.
I swear sometimes I think a lot of pj fans just want them to write Jeremy and even flow 12 times on an album. You guys are boring.
I find it to be a breath of fresh air on an album that mostly bores me. Pearl Jam has usually had a knack for tossing in some surprises. Sometimes they didn't work (see stupid mop), but Johnny Guitar is a nice little surprise that I think works just fine.
I think it does point out a problem that Backspacer has as an album though. It's not an album that works very well as a whole or that has great flow.
On a mostly pretty boring album, I think this one sticks out in a positive way. Think PJ brought something fresh and cool compared to their usual forays into punkier territory.
Thank you. Its so different than any pj song. This is one of the few songs that strays from regular pj territory. Also the time signature is unique and not 4/4. Its more interesting to play than other songs. And the vocals and lyrics are GREAT. Do you guys see how eddie had to write vocals that intertwined with the odd time signature? And one my favorite Eddie tactics when write lyrics is his ability to create new words like foriginalsin. He has done this in many other songs too and its awesome.
I swear sometimes I think a lot of pj fans just want them to write Jeremy and even flow 12 times on an album. You guys are boring.
I agree here..
Originally, Iwasnt into the song, and could take it or leave it. But I grew to appreciate how different it is. I dont ever go out of my way to listen to it. I like the delivery of the vocals..someone else here said it was rushed and disjointed -- thats exactly what I like about it, and never realized the 4/4 thing.
I also like how its a weird story.
Threads like this are great too, because I think all the people on the boards are very vaired in their opinions of Backspacer...I would guess more so than other albums.
not saying it's bad but I ranked it #11 out of 11 songs on Backspacer, it's all right but nothing special just an okay song in my estimation, all opinions wanted
my opinion too, nowadays I don't program CD songs, but in the old times I used to do it, a lot, johnny guittar would have been one of those I skipped in those days...
... I am not in the business of being liked anymore ...
to me, definitely the weakest track on Backspacer. Doesn't even really 'fit' the record to me, which is one reason I always skip it. I bet they had some B-side lying around that would have been way way better.
"All I Ever Knew" available now in print and digital formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks.
Osaka, Japan (2/21/95), San Diego (7/10/98), Las Vegas (10/22/00), San Diego (10/25/00), Las Vegas (6/6/03), Las Vegas (7/6/06), Los Angeles (7/9/06), VH1 Rock Honors (7/12/08), Ed Solo (7/8/11), Ed Solo (11/1/12), Los Angeles (11/23/13)
Not I said the fly. Love this song. Aside from the more sobering tracks like Just Breathe & The End, Johnny Guitar is a track that really stands out on Backspacer. Awesome back beat and stacatto lyrics. Just Breathe and The End are unique but fall more into the category of familiar ground and a continuation of what Ed delved into on the Into the Wild soundtrack. Johnny G, however, is something entirely new. A beast of its own. An experimental PJ song that, I think, were it released outside the context of Backspacer, say as a b-side or on a Long Dogs-like compilation, it would have commanded a whole lot more fan-love. Force of Nature on the other hand...speaking of a not very good song
I'm always astonished by the hate directed at Johnny Guitar.
It's always fun hearing/watching the song being performed live - the band clearly enjoys playing it.
To quote the 10C from Newsletter #8: "Please understand we have a lot of members and it is very hard to please everybody. If you are one of those unhappy people...please call 1-900-IDN-TCAR."
"Me knowing the truth, I can not concur."
1996: Toronto - 1998: Chicago, Montreal, Barrie - 2000: Montreal, Toronto - 2002: Seattle X2 (Key Arena) - 2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal, Seattle (Benaroya Hall) - 2004: Reading, Toledo, Grand Rapids - 2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City - 2006: Toronto X2, Albany, Hartford, Grand Rapids, Cleveland - 2007: Chicago (Vic Theatre) - 2008: NYC X2, Hartford, Mansfield X2 - 2009: Toronto, Chicago X2, Seattle X2, Philadelphia X4 - 2010: Columbus, Noblesville, Cleveland, Buffalo, Hartford - 2011: Montreal, Toronto X2, Ottawa, Hamilton - 2012: Missoula - 2013: London, Chicago, Buffalo, Hartford - 2014: Detroit, Moline - 2015: NYC (Global Citizen Festival) - 2016: Greenville, Toronto X2, Chicago 1 - 2017: Brooklyn (RRHOF Induction) - 2018: Chicago 1, Boston 1 - 2022: Fresno, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, NYC, Camden - 2023: St. Paul X2, Austin X2 - 2024: Vancouver X2, Portland, Sacramento, Missoula, Noblesville, Philadelphia X2, Baltimore - 2025: Hollywood X2, Atlanta 2, Nashville X2, Pittsburgh X2
On a mostly pretty boring album, I think this one sticks out in a positive way. Think PJ brought something fresh and cool compared to their usual forays into punkier territory.
Thank you. Its so different than any pj song. This is one of the few songs that strays from regular pj territory. Also the time signature is unique and not 4/4. Its more interesting to play than other songs. And the vocals and lyrics are GREAT. Do you guys see how eddie had to write vocals that intertwined with the odd time signature? And one my favorite Eddie tactics when write lyrics is his ability to create new words like foriginalsin. He has done this in many other songs too and its awesome.
I swear sometimes I think a lot of pj fans just want them to write Jeremy and even flow 12 times on an album. You guys are boring.
Different doesn't automatically equal good. It's subjective. If you like it, that's great. Personally, Johnny Guitar isn't for me. I see it as a weak song on a mediocre album. But I absolutely love Help Help, for instance, which isn't exactly Even Flow or Jeremy.
"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them." - Thoreau
No time to be void, or save up on life, you've got to spend it all
my song rankings for Backspacer rated on a scale of 1 to 10
1.Got Some 9
2.Supersonic 9
3.Just Breathe 8.5
4.The End 8
5.Amongst The Waves 7.5
6.Unthought Known 7.5
7.Force Of Nature 7.5
8.Speed Of Sound 7
9.The Fixer 7
10.Gonna See My Friend 5
11.Johnny Guitar 3.5
to me, definitely the weakest track on Backspacer. Doesn't even really 'fit' the record to me, which is one reason I always skip it. I bet they had some B-side lying around that would have been way way better.
I was surprised at Johnny Guitar when I first heard it...to my knowledge, it's the first song PJ has written that has strong sexual overtones. Or at least, that's the way it seemed to me.
Chicago 2000 : Chicago 2003 : Chicago 2006 : Summerfest 2006 : Lollapalooza 2007 : Chicago 2009 : Noblesville (Indy) 2010 : PJ20 (East Troy) 2011 : Wrigley Field 2013 : Milwaukee (Yield) 2014 : Wrigley Field 2016
Comments
Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
I would agree with this but we can't forget unthought known.. That will be a live show staple from now on..
Then again so is just breathe so what do I know? :oops:
+1
2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA
2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7
I hope the play Just Breath at every show I attend this year, cause then I know I'll always have time to go to the toilet...
I can say its tough on bass. Took me quite a few tries but once I got it I destroyed it on rock band 3 expert bass and am ranked in the top ten for that song.
Fun song to play on bass.
Can we also say its the same feeling for most of backspacer? The post earlier speaking about how Amongst The Waves feels forced I couldn't agree on more. Unthought Known is a good song - but I'll never go bananas for Gonna see my Friend, the fixer, got some, Johnny guitar, Amongst The Waves, Just Breathe, Supersonic, Speed of sound, force of nature or the end.
I'll say I do like most songs and speed of sound w Ed solo is great...
This is from someone who saw 6 shows on the backspacer tour as well as owning the cd, vinyl and full cd for rock band 3. It just, for me, doesn't touch their other albums. I'm actually excited for the shows I'm heading to because I know I'll hear less backspacer than usual and I'm not forced to hear 4-8 songs I don't know.
pretty much agree 100% with you here. i expect way more from Ed than these lyrics.
2010: Newark 5/18 MSG 5/20-21 2011: PJ20 9/3-4 2012: Made In America 9/2
2013: Brooklyn 10/18-19 Philly 10/21-22 Hartford 10/25 2014: ACL10/12
2015: NYC 9/23 2016: Tampa 4/11 Philly 4/28-29 MSG 5/1-2 Fenway 8/5+8/7
2017: RRHoF 4/7 2018: Fenway 9/2+9/4 2021: Sea Hear Now 9/18
2022: MSG 9/11 2024: MSG 9/3-4 Philly 9/7+9/9 Fenway 9/15+9/17
2025: Pittsburgh 5/16+5/18
Thank you. Its so different than any pj song. This is one of the few songs that strays from regular pj territory. Also the time signature is unique and not 4/4. Its more interesting to play than other songs. And the vocals and lyrics are GREAT. Do you guys see how eddie had to write vocals that intertwined with the odd time signature? And one my favorite Eddie tactics when write lyrics is his ability to create new words like foriginalsin
I swear sometimes I think a lot of pj fans just want them to write Jeremy and even flow 12 times on an album. You guys are boring.
I think it does point out a problem that Backspacer has as an album though. It's not an album that works very well as a whole or that has great flow.
I agree here..
Originally, Iwasnt into the song, and could take it or leave it. But I grew to appreciate how different it is. I dont ever go out of my way to listen to it. I like the delivery of the vocals..someone else here said it was rushed and disjointed -- thats exactly what I like about it, and never realized the 4/4 thing.
I also like how its a weird story.
Threads like this are great too, because I think all the people on the boards are very vaired in their opinions of Backspacer...I would guess more so than other albums.
my opinion too, nowadays I don't program CD songs, but in the old times I used to do it, a lot, johnny guittar would have been one of those I skipped in those days...
especially when you are a few feet away
+1 - the higher octave bass line in that part kills.
+1 - my thoughts exactly.
It's always fun hearing/watching the song being performed live - the band clearly enjoys playing it.
"Me knowing the truth, I can not concur."
1996: Toronto - 1998: Chicago, Montreal, Barrie - 2000: Montreal, Toronto - 2002: Seattle X2 (Key Arena) - 2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal, Seattle (Benaroya Hall) - 2004: Reading, Toledo, Grand Rapids - 2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City - 2006: Toronto X2, Albany, Hartford, Grand Rapids, Cleveland - 2007: Chicago (Vic Theatre) - 2008: NYC X2, Hartford, Mansfield X2 - 2009: Toronto, Chicago X2, Seattle X2, Philadelphia X4 - 2010: Columbus, Noblesville, Cleveland, Buffalo, Hartford - 2011: Montreal, Toronto X2, Ottawa, Hamilton - 2012: Missoula - 2013: London, Chicago, Buffalo, Hartford - 2014: Detroit, Moline - 2015: NYC (Global Citizen Festival) - 2016: Greenville, Toronto X2, Chicago 1 - 2017: Brooklyn (RRHOF Induction) - 2018: Chicago 1, Boston 1 - 2022: Fresno, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, NYC, Camden - 2023: St. Paul X2, Austin X2 - 2024: Vancouver X2, Portland, Sacramento, Missoula, Noblesville, Philadelphia X2, Baltimore - 2025: Hollywood X2, Atlanta 2, Nashville X2, Pittsburgh X2
Different doesn't automatically equal good. It's subjective. If you like it, that's great. Personally, Johnny Guitar isn't for me. I see it as a weak song on a mediocre album. But I absolutely love Help Help, for instance, which isn't exactly Even Flow or Jeremy.
No time to be void, or save up on life, you've got to spend it all
1.Got Some 9
2.Supersonic 9
3.Just Breathe 8.5
4.The End 8
5.Amongst The Waves 7.5
6.Unthought Known 7.5
7.Force Of Nature 7.5
8.Speed Of Sound 7
9.The Fixer 7
10.Gonna See My Friend 5
11.Johnny Guitar 3.5
I would challenge you to find a worse one.
Stupid Mop.......
I really like Johnny Guitar but then again I just frickin' love Backspacer......It's really different sounding for them but in a good way.
Eddie Vedder- 7/16/11
Brad- 4/21/12 (RSD Performance), 4/27/12, 8/10/12
Flight To Mars- 5/23/12
RNDM- 11/27/12
PEARL JAM- 12/6/13 I have finally seen Pearl Jam live!
Gone and Thumbing My Way come to mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArslVcMLeQ8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAj-uUE_mmU
get right
big wave
PM me with any comments or suggestions for the app - or weigh in <a href="http://forums.pearljam.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=167611
">here</a>.
or
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pjstattracker">Join the discussion on facebook</a>