Vedder is known for his powerful baritone vocals. He was ranked number 7 on a list of "Best Lead Singers of All Time", based on a readers' poll compiled by Rolling Stone.
In 2007, Vedder released his first solo album as a soundtrack for the film Into the Wild (2007). His second album, Ukulele Songs, and a live DVD titled Water on the Road were released in 2011. His third solo album Earthling was released in 2022.
In 2017, Vedder was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Pearl Jam.
Early life
Vedder was born Edward Louis Severson III in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, on December 23, 1964, to Karen Lee Vedder and Edward Louis Severson, Jr. His parents divorced in 1965, when Vedder was an infant. His mother soon remarried, to a man named Peter Mueller. Vedder was raised believing that Mueller was his biological father, and he went by the name Edward Mueller for a time. Vedder's ancestry includes Norway (Severson) and Dutch, German and Danish (Vedder).
While living in Evanston, Vedder's family fostered seven younger children in a group home. In the mid-1970s, the family, including Vedder's three younger half-brothers, moved to San Diego County, California. It was at this point that Vedder, who had received a guitar from his mother on his twelfth birthday, began turning to music (as well as surfing) as a source of comfort. He particularly found solace in The Who's 1973 album, Quadrophenia. He said, "When I was around 15 or 16... I was all alone—except for music." His mother and Mueller divorced when Vedder was in his late teens. His mother and brothers moved back to the Chicago area, but Vedder remained with his stepfather in California so he would not have to change schools.
After the divorce, Vedder learned the truth about his parentage: Mueller was really his stepfather. Vedder had met his biological father briefly as a child, but had believed that Severson was merely an old friend of his parents. By the time Vedder learned the truth, Severson had died of multiple sclerosis. During his senior year at San Dieguito High School, Vedder moved out to live on his own in an apartment, supporting himself with a nightly job at a drug store in Encinitas. Because of the pressure of work and school, Vedder dropped out of high school. He joined the rest of his family in Chicago, and it was at this time that he changed his name to Vedder, his mother's maiden name.
In the early 1980s, while working as a waiter, Eddie earned his high school GED, and briefly attended a community college near Chicago. In 1984, Vedder returned to San Diego, with his girlfriend Beth Liebling and his friend Frank. He kept busy recording demo tapes at his home and working various jobs, including a position as a contracted security guard at the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla. Vedder had several stints in San Diego area bands, including Surf and Destroy and the Butts. One of those bands, called Indian Style, included future Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave drummer Brad Wilk. In 1988, Vedder became the vocalist for the San Diego progressive funk rock band Bad Radio. The music of the original incarnation of the band was influenced by Duran Duran; however, after Vedder joined Bad Radio, the band moved on to a more alternative rock sound influenced by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Musical style and influences
Critic Jim DeRogatis describes Vedder's vocals as a "Jim Morrison-like vocal growl". Greg Prato of AllMusic said, "With his hard-hitting and often confessional lyrical style and Jim Morrison-esque baritone, Vedder also became one of the most copied lead singers in all of rock." Vedder has inducted the Doors, Neil Young, the Ramones, and R.E.M. into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in his induction speeches he has cited them all as influences. Other influences that Vedder has cited include The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, U2, the Who, Pink Floyd, the Jackson 5, Frank Zappa, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello, Talking Heads, Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Tom Waits, Huey Lewis, Bob Dylan, and the Pixies.
Vedder was heavily inspired by the early Jethro Tull sound, stating that: "I'm a big fan of Jethro Tull, and I listen to this record [Stand Up] every night before I go on stage!"
Vedder's lyrical topics range from personal ("Alive", from Ten; "Better Man", from Vitalogy) to social and political concerns ("Even Flow", from Ten; "World Wide Suicide", from Pearl Jam). His lyrics have often invoked the use of storytelling and have included themes of freedom, individualism, and sympathy for troubled individuals. Other recurring themes include the use of water metaphors, as well as the idea of leaving everything behind to start again (featured in such songs as "Rearviewmirror", from Vs.; "MFC", from Yield; "Evacuation", from Binaural; and "Gone", from Pearl Jam).
Although best known as a vocalist, Vedder also plays guitar on many Pearl Jam songs, beginning with the Vs. songs "Rearviewmirror" and "Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town". When the band started, Gossard and McCready were clearly designated as rhythm and lead guitarists, respectively. The dynamic began to change when Vedder started to play more rhythm guitar during the Vitalogy era. McCready said in 2006, "Even though there are three guitars, I think there's maybe more room now. Stone will pull back and play a two-note line and Ed will do a power chord thing, and I fit into all that." Vedder's guitar playing helped the band's sound progress toward a more stripped-down style; the songs "Rearviewmirror" and "Corduroy" (from Vitalogy) feature Vedder's raw, punk-influenced guitar playing. As he had more influence on the band's sound, Vedder sought to make the band's musical output less catchy.
He said, "I felt that with more popularity, we were going to be crushed, our heads were going to pop like grapes." He has also contributed performances on the ukulele, harmonica, accordion, and electric sitar to various Pearl Jam recordings.
All along The Watchtower
Eddie Vedder Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief
Businessmen, they drink my wine
Plowmen dig my earth
None of them along the line
No reason to get excited
The thief, he kindly spoke
There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now
The hour is getting late
All along the watchtower
Princes kept the view
While all the women came and went
Barefoot servants, too
Outside in the distance
A wildcat did growl
Two riders were approaching
The wind began to howl
"All Along The Watchtower" is a song written by Bob Dylan, which has been covered by several artists. Eddie Vedder & The Million Dollar Bashers's version in particular is a captivating tune with strong lyrics that invoke significant emotions. The song starts with the Joker and the thief in search of a way out of the chaos they find themselves in. The Joker expresses his frustration over the confusion, which he cannot seem to get away from. He realizes that amidst all the tension, there is no relief for him.
The following verse about businessmen drinking the Joker's wine, and plowmen digging his earth is a reference to wealth and social status. Despite their difference in status, there is still confusion, and none of them seem to realize the worth of their endeavors. The next stanza emphasizes that life shouldn't be taken too seriously, but instead, enjoyed. The thief kindly tells the Joker that there are several people among them who believe life is like a joke.
The last verse introduces the watchtower and Princes keeping watch while women and servants come and go. It symbolizes a hierarchical society, where people at the top observe and oversee the activities of those lower down. The howling wind, and the approaching riders in the distance create an eerie atmosphere, which emphasizes the looming danger.
Line by Line Meaning
There must be some way out of here
The joker to the thief implies that they're in a bad situation and want to escape it.
Said the joker to the thief
The joker wants to communicate something to the thief.
There's too much confusion
There's a lot of chaos and disorder around them.
I can't get no relief
They can't find any peace or break from the chaos.
Businessmen, they drink my wine
People who don't own what they're consuming take what they have without asking.
Plowmen dig my earth
Even the earth that they own is being taken by others for their own use.
None of them along the line
None of these people understand the true value of what they're taking from the joker.
Know what any of it is worth
They don't recognize how significant the joker's possessions are to him.
No reason to get excited
There's no need to become agitated or stressed.
The thief, he kindly spoke
The thief spoke kindly to the joker in response to his anxiety.
There are many here among us
There are many people in the same situation as them.
Who feel that life is but a joke
These people feel that life is not to be taken seriously and is meaningless.
But you and I, we've been through that
The joker and the thief have lived through that meaningless stage of their lives.
And this is not our fate
They will not live like that anymore.
So let us not talk falsely now
They must speak the truth to each other.
The hour is getting late
Time is running out, and they must take action.
All along the watchtower
They are surveying their surroundings.
Princes kept the view
People in power observe those below them.
While all the women came and went
Women are seen as transient and replaceable.
Barefoot servants, too
Servants are seen as having no personal value.
Outside in the distance
Something is far away from them.
A wildcat did growl
There is danger lurking in the distance.
Two riders were approaching
Two people are coming toward them.
The wind began to howl
The situation is becoming more chaotic, and a storm may be coming.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
I'm Off The Hill, Ma
Best cover version of a cover version I've heard. Eddie was so chuffed to be playing with Brendan. Bloody brilliant!
pearl jamn
eddie has been singing to my heart & soul for 30 years ! goosebumps galore. thank u eddie 🎶🎸❤
Steven Haas
Canty is one the best drummers ever. The grove he set with Joe Lally was always super tight. They were Fugazi's secret weapon.
Spider RT
This is by far my favourite version.
Eddie as always amazing
chris
This could be my favourite cover of all time. Would love to hear it live
Vicky McElyea
The Lyrics man!! When Eddie Vedder shares his music with us, The emotions, and love that he projects while on stage, blows me away, The only thing that I understand is music. I was born with an ear for music.. my first memories were of music and there’s a story and a song
Kellen Seibert
🍷🍹
Hrvoje Cindric
You know, that is Bob Dylan song
Deir Sampaio
Um momento pra eternidade....🇧🇷❤🙌
Jenny Deering
Just put this on my play list. Best version of All Along the Watchtower I have ever heard.