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)
Intro/Not For You
Pearl Jam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like Muhammad hits the truth
Can't escape from the common rule
If you hate something, don't you do it, too
Small my table, sits just two
Got so crowded, I can't make room
Oh, where did they come from?
And you dare say it belongs to you, to you
This is not for you
This is not for you
This is not for you
Oh, not for you ah, you
Scream my friends don't call me
Friends, they don't scream
My friends don't call my friends don't
All that's sacred comes from youth
Dedications, naive and true
With no power, nothing to do
I still remember, why don't you?
Don't you
This is not for you
This is not for you
This is not for you
Oh, never was for you, fuck you
This is not for you
Oh, this is not for you yeah, you
This is not for you
Oh, not for you
Oh, you
The opening verses of Pearl Jam's song "Intro/Not For You" are a reflection on the fleeting nature of youth and the struggle against conforming to societal norms. The singer encourages the listener to embrace their restless soul and enjoy their youth among the chaos of the world. The line "Like Muhammad hits the truth" is a reference to Muhammad Ali's skilled boxing technique, which was said to be able to hit a target as accurately as speaking truth. The following verse warns against falling into the common rule and being a hypocrite, hating something yet still doing it.
The chorus, "This is not for you," is a powerful statement that suggests a refusal to conform to what others may want or expect from the listener. The ending verse speaks to the power of youth and its ability to inspire dedication and naivety. The singer contrasts this youthful idealism with their own feeling of powerlessness as an adult.
Overall, the song is about rejecting conformity and expectations from others, and embracing the individualism of youth. It is a call to action to not let the world make the listener jaded, and to maintain their youthful energy and determination.
Line by Line Meaning
Restless soul enjoy your youth
Advice to people to enjoy their youth and not be complacent.
Like Muhammad hits the truth
Simile of how someone can have a profound impact on others, like Muhammad.
Can't escape from the common rule
Acknowledgement that everyone is bound by the same societal rules.
If you hate something don't you do it too...too...
Chastisement for hypocritical behavior and doing things that one claims to hate.
Small my table a sets just two
Description of a small table that only seats two people.
Got so crowded I can't make room
Expression of feeling overwhelmed and unable to make space for more people.
Oh where did they come from? Stormed my room!
Statement of surprise and frustration at unexpected people invading one's personal space.
And you dare say it belongs to you...to you...
Indignation at someone claiming ownership of something that they did not create or earn.
This is not for you (3x)
Repetition of the song's title as an assertion that something is not meant for a particular person or group of people.
Oh not for you...ah you...
Emphasis on the fact that the thing in question is not intended for that specific person.
...scream...my friends...don't call me...
Expression of frustration at friends screaming and calling someone's name.
...friends, no they don't scream...
Correction to the previous line by stating that real friends do not scream at one another.
...my friends don't call...my friends don't...
Clarification that one's friends do not behave in a certain way.
All that's sacred comes from youth
Assertion that important aspects of life such as passion, dedication, and authenticity come from one's youth.
Dedication, naive and true
Further description of the qualities that come with youth, being dedicated, naive, and truthful.
With no power, nothing to do
Expression of feeling powerless and aimless.
I still remember, why don't you...don't you...
Question aimed at someone who is not remembering something that the artist is.
Oh, never was for you...fuck you...
Explicit rejection of someone who claimed that the thing in question was intended for them.
Oh, this is not for you...yeah, you...
Further emphasis that the thing is not meant for a specific person.
Oh, not for you...
Final repetition of the song's title as a closing statement.
Oh, you...
Final exclamation directed at the person who is being rejected from the thing in question.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID ABBRUZZESE, EDDIE VEDDER, JEFF AMENT, MIKE MCCREADY, STONE GOSSARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fapearljeremy
👏👏👏👏 obrigado excelente! É maravilhoso tocar o máximo possível de músicas do Pearl Jam ❤️🎸🔥
Leandro Souza
Seus vídeos são ótimos! Minha geração viveu o universo "Grunge"..... Pearl Jam é uma das bandas favorita. Sucesso amigo.
Let's Play All
dankie broer!
Adil CHEHABI
As always the tones are first class !!! I am seriously considering some Victory amps (if my wife allows it 😜)
Let's Play All
haha thanks man, just do it, always better to ask for forgiveness than permission :-)
Matt Klein
Awesome lesson! I know your busy touring with your great band. Thanks for taking some time to teach us these incredible songs.
Let's Play All
Matt Klein Thanks Martin you’re welcome, thanks for watching! The band does take up a bit of time but not as much as the day job and family commitments! I try and get one video up a week though 🤘😀
Big Ed
Beautiful work thank you !! SUBSCRIBED .
Let's Play All
Thanks for the kind words and sub Big Ed - much appreciated! :-)
Jonathan Kaskey
Just saw them play this song last night and just had to learn it. Thanks for the lesson!