Formed after the demise of Gossard and Ament's previous band, Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam broke into the mainstream with their debut album, Ten, in 1991. Ten stayed on the Billboard 200 chart for nearly five years, and has gone on to become one of the highest-selling rock records ever, going 13× platinum in the United States. Released in 1993, Pearl Jam's second album, Vs., sold over 950,000 copies in its first week of release, setting the record for most copies of an album sold in its first week of release at the time. Their third album, Vitalogy (1994), became the second-fastest-selling CD in history at the time, with more than 877,000 units sold in its first week.
One of the key bands in the grunge movement of the early 1990s, Pearl Jam's members often shunned popular music industry practices such as making music videos or participating in interviews. The band also sued Ticketmaster, claiming it had monopolized the concert-ticket market. In 2006, Rolling Stone described the band as having "spent much of the past decade deliberately tearing apart their own fame."
Pearl Jam had sold more than 85 million albums worldwide by 2018, including nearly 32 million albums in the United States by 2012, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. Pearl Jam was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 in its first year of eligibility. They were ranked eighth in a readers' poll by Rolling Stone magazine in its "Top Ten Live Acts of All Time" issue. Throughout its career, the band has also promoted wider social and political issues, from pro-abortion rights sentiments to opposition to George W. Bush's presidency. Vedder acts as the band's spokesman on these issues.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Jam
Studio albums
Ten (1991)
Vs. (1993)
Vitalogy (1994)
No Code (1996)
Yield (1998)
Binaural (2000)
Riot Act (2002)
Pearl Jam (2006)
Backspacer (2009)
Lightning Bolt (2013)
Gigaton (2020)
Baba O Riley
Pearl Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I get my back into my living
I don't need to fight, to prove I'm right
I don't need to be forgiven
Don't cry, don't raise your eye
It's only teenage wasteland
Well travel south, 'cross land
Put out the fire and don't look past my shoulder
The exodus is here
The happy ones are near
Let's get together before we get much older
Teenage wasteland
It's only teenage wasteland
Teenage wasteland
(it's only) teenage wasteland
They're all wasted!
Pearl Jam’s cover version of The Who’s classic “Baba O’Riley” takes on a new life with subtle variations in the lyrics that evolve the song into a different, yet equally thought-provoking, interpretation. The song begins with the singer finding value and purpose in their hard-working lifestyle, despite the physical or emotional cost. They do not need external validation to prove their worth, they are content with their survival. The intersection of these lyrics with the famous opening chords sets the scene for a message that will ring true across generations - a message of resignation to the power dynamics of society and of feeling lost in the endless sea of time that is teenagehood.
As the song progresses, we are introduced to a mysterious Sally, who is invited to join the singer on a journey. The lyrics change tone as the chorus reminds Sally and listeners alike that these struggles are not unique but are in fact, emblematic of the shared struggles that are inherent to teenagehood. The final verse affirms the presence of a collective, the happy ones, in the face of adversity, making the singer desire a sense of community and togetherness.
Ultimately, the message of the song may remain open to interpretation but it evokes a sense of courage in the face of adversity and a desire to create community amidst the chaos. This speaks to the power of music to embody complex emotions while still remaining accessible and relatable to a diverse audience.
Line by Line Meaning
Out here in the fields, I fight for my meals
Living in a tough environment, I work hard for my basic needs
I get my back into my living
I put all my effort into earning a living
I don't need to fight, to prove I'm right
I don't require conflict to prove my correctness
I don't need to be forgiven
I have no regrets for the things I have done
Don't cry, don't raise your eye
Do not worry or be sad about the situation
It's only teenage wasteland
The turmoil and chaos are temporary and not worth worrying about
Sally, take my hand
I am seeking a companion for my journey
Well travel south, 'cross land
We will explore the unknown areas together, no matter how far
Put out the fire and don't look past my shoulder
Forget the troubles of the past and keep moving forward
The exodus is here
The final mass departure is underway
The happy ones are near
The people seeking happiness are close by
Let's get together before we get much older
We must unite now, while we still have time
Teenage wasteland
A reflection of the chaos and uncertainty of youth
It's only teenage wasteland
The turmoil of youth is only temporary
Teenage wasteland
A repeat of the previous line
(it's only) teenage wasteland
Reiterating that the chaos of youth is temporary and not worth worrying about
They're all wasted!
The people are all lost and confused, seeking direction and meaning
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Peter Dennis Blandford Townshend
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sim Deck
Eddie Vedder even in a dad t-shirt and short hair still oozes rock star class.
The throwaway that stayed
Came to check someone had made this comment.
Sim Deck
@The throwaway that stayed hahah cheers!!
77Avadon77
Even looking like Paul Reiser he still nails it. Lol 😅👍
Jeycode
ahah how did he choose this cloth ? he slept in the wrong house ? he looks like fresh outta the church
Clifford Eriksson
Eddie was almost 40 at this time, he looks like a dad with class lmao
FF
Best “Baba O’Riley” cover I’ve ever listened to. It’s got the pure spirit of the original, but it’s great in its own way.
Frank Bond
The crowd singing, chills.
Peter Parker
Spot on. Best part of the performance for me as well.
Rizwan Ebad
One of the best Baba O Riley covers, Pearl Jam kept the heart and soul of this classic - Great tribute to The Who.