Pearl Jam. The name itself conjures images of flannel shirts, roaring crowds, and anthems that defined a generation. With a career spanning decades and a discography as deep as the Puget Sound, pinpointing the best Pearl Jam songs is no easy feat. As they release their new album, Dark Matter, it’s the perfect time to revisit their incredible catalog and highlight some truly indispensable tracks.
Recently, a Reddit thread posed a compelling question: if you could only save two songs from each Pearl Jam album, which would you choose? While a fun thought experiment, limiting Pearl Jam’s brilliance to just a couple of tracks per album feels almost criminal. So, instead of sticking to a strict two-song limit, let’s explore a more expansive selection of essential Pearl Jam songs, album by album, celebrating the depth and breadth of their musical journey.
Pearl Jam Ten Album Cover
Ten (1991) – The Album That Started It All
Best Song: Black – A timeless ballad of heartbreak and raw emotion, Black is not just a Pearl Jam song; it’s a rock anthem for the ages.
Indispensable Songs: Black, Jeremy, Alive, Release – Ten is practically a greatest hits album in itself. These four tracks are cornerstones, each showcasing a different facet of the band’s early power and songwriting prowess. Trying to cut any of these feels like an impossible task. Perhaps Oceans could be considered for removal, but even then, it feels like losing a vital piece of the Ten experience.
Best Song I Can Never Remember The Name Of: Surprisingly, for such an iconic album, every track on Ten is instantly recognizable.
Ten is a masterpiece. It’s raw, it’s powerful, and it’s packed with songs that resonated deeply with a generation. To imagine a world without these songs is to imagine a very different musical landscape.
Pearl Jam Vs Album Cover
Vs. (1993) – A Bold and Dynamic Sophomore Effort
Best Song: Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town – A beautiful and evocative song, showcasing Pearl Jam’s ability to craft poignant narratives.
Indispensable Songs: Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town, Animal, Daughter, W.M.A. – Vs. cemented Pearl Jam’s place at the top. From the ferocious energy of Animal to the anthemic Daughter and the socially conscious W.M.A., this album is a powerhouse. While Glorified G or Leash might be considered for trimming, the album’s overall impact remains undeniable.
Best Song I Can Never Remember The Name Of: Go – Possibly confused with Why Go, showcasing Pearl Jam’s knack for impactful song titles.
Vs. is another album that demands to be heard in its entirety. It’s a dynamic and diverse collection that demonstrates Pearl Jam’s growth and willingness to experiment while staying true to their core sound.
Pearl Jam Vitalogy Album Cover
Vitalogy (1994) – Experimental and Introspective
Best Song: Better Man – A radio-friendly hit that belies the album’s overall experimental nature, Better Man is a testament to strong songwriting.
Indispensable Songs: Better Man, Nothingman, Whipping, Corduroy, Bugs – Vitalogy is arguably Pearl Jam’s most diverse and experimental album. From the punk energy of Whipping and Corduroy to the tender Nothingman and the bizarre Bugs, it’s a journey. Vitalogy marks a turning point, showcasing the band’s artistic ambition.
Best Song I Can Never Remember The Name Of: Stupid Mop (officially Hey Foxymophandlemama, That’s Me) – A quirky instrumental track, often overlooked but a unique part of the Vitalogy experience.
Vitalogy is a fan favorite for a reason. It’s an album that rewards repeated listens, revealing new layers and nuances with each play. Its willingness to push boundaries makes it a standout in their discography.
Pearl Jam No Code Album Cover
No Code (1996) – A Departure and a Grower
Best Song: In My Tree – An atmospheric and introspective track, In My Tree is a hidden gem in Pearl Jam’s catalog.
Indispensable Songs: In My Tree, Red Mosquito, Off He Goes – No Code initially divided fans with its stylistic shift, but it has aged incredibly well. Red Mosquito and Off He Goes are classic examples of Pearl Jam’s mid-career songwriting, showcasing a more nuanced and mature sound.
Best Song I Can Never Remember The Name Of: Red Mosquito – Despite its memorable first line, the title can sometimes be elusive.
No Code is an album that demands patience. It’s not as immediate as their earlier work, but its depth and complexity make it a rewarding listen for those willing to delve deeper.
Pearl Jam Yield Album Cover
Yield (1998) – Re-energized and Melodic
Best Song: Wishlist – A fan-favorite ballad, Wishlist is a singalong anthem perfect for live performances.
Indispensable Songs: Wishlist, Given to Fly, Low Light, All Those Yesterdays, Faithful – Yield marked a return to a more streamlined and melodic sound. Given to Fly is an uplifting stadium rocker, while Low Light and All Those Yesterdays showcase their songwriting maturity.
Best Song I Can Never Remember The Name Of: Brain of J. – A high-energy rocker that sometimes gets lost in the shuffle.
Yield is an album that balances Pearl Jam’s raw energy with a newfound melodic sensibility. It’s a crowd-pleasing record with plenty of depth for longtime fans.
Pearl Jam Binaural Album Cover
Binaural (2000) – Atmospheric and Live-Oriented
Best Song: Nothing As It Seems – A haunting and atmospheric track, Nothing As It Seems is a standout on Binaural.
Indispensable Songs: Nothing As It Seems, Insignificance, Of the Girl, Parting Ways – Binaural is often considered one of Pearl Jam’s more underrated albums. While perhaps not as immediately grabbing as some of their earlier work, it contains gems like Insignificance and Of the Girl that truly shine, especially in live settings.
Best Song I Can Never Remember The Name Of: None come immediately to mind, suggesting a generally memorable tracklist.
Binaural is an album that reveals its strengths over time. Its atmospheric sound and focus on live performance translate into a unique and rewarding listening experience.
Pearl Jam Riot Act Album Cover
Riot Act (2002) – Emotional and Resilient
Best Song: Love Boat Captain – A deeply personal and moving song, Love Boat Captain is a highlight of Riot Act.
Indispensable Songs: Love Boat Captain, I am Mine, All or None, Cropduster – Riot Act is an emotionally charged album, reflecting personal and world events. Love Boat Captain, I am Mine, and All or None are powerful and resonant tracks.
Best Song I Can Never Remember The Name Of: Cropduster – A more unconventional track title that can be easily forgotten.
Riot Act is an album that showcases Pearl Jam’s resilience and emotional depth. It’s a powerful and moving collection of songs that resonates on multiple levels.
Pearl Jam Lost Dogs Album Cover
Lost Dogs (2003) – Rarities and Hidden Treasures
Best Song: Down – A powerful and emotive track, Down is a standout among the rarities on Lost Dogs.
Indispensable Songs: Down, Yellow Ledbetter, Hard to Imagine, Dead Man Walking, Last Kiss – Lost Dogs, while a collection of B-sides and rarities, is a treasure trove for Pearl Jam fans. Including iconic tracks like Yellow Ledbetter and covers like Last Kiss, it’s more than just leftovers.
Best Song I Can Never Remember The Name Of: Drifting – Potentially confused with Drifting Away, highlighting the band’s extensive catalog.
Lost Dogs is essential listening for any serious Pearl Jam fan. It offers a glimpse into the band’s creative process and showcases the quality of their unreleased material.
Pearl Jam Avocado Album Cover
Pearl Jam (2006) – Direct and Hard-Hitting
Best Song: World Wide Suicide – A politically charged and powerful anthem, World Wide Suicide is a defining track from this era.
Indispensable Songs: World Wide Suicide, Life Wasted, Gone, Come Back, Inside Job – Often referred to as the “Avocado” album, Pearl Jam is a return to a more direct and hard-hitting sound. World Wide Suicide, Life Wasted, and Come Back are all standouts.
Best Song I Can Never Remember The Name Of: The track names on this album are generally quite memorable.
Pearl Jam (Avocado) is a powerful and focused album that marked a strong return for the band in the mid-2000s.
Pearl Jam Backspacer Album Cover
Backspacer (2009) – Concise and Upbeat
Best Song: Just Breathe – A beautiful and tender ballad, Just Breathe is a fan favorite and a wedding song staple.
Indispensable Songs: Just Breathe, Unthought Known, Amongst the Waves – Backspacer is a shorter and more concise album, offering a collection of upbeat and melodic tracks. Just Breathe and Unthought Known are highlights.
Best Song I Can Never Remember The Name Of: Force of Nature – A solid track that can sometimes be overlooked on this concise album.
Backspacer is a refreshing and accessible album that showcases Pearl Jam’s ability to craft concise and impactful songs.
Pearl Jam Lightning Bolt Album Cover
Lightning Bolt (2013) – A Tale of Two Halves
Best Song: Sirens – An epic and soaring ballad, Sirens is a standout track on Lightning Bolt.
Indispensable Songs: Sirens, Swallowed Whole, Sleeping By Myself, Yellow Moon, Future Days – Lightning Bolt is an album that builds momentum, with its strongest tracks concentrated in the latter half. Sirens and Future Days are particularly powerful.
Best Song I Can Never Remember The Name Of: Swallowed Whole – Despite being a strong track, the title can be less immediately memorable.
Lightning Bolt is an album that rewards patience, with its latter half delivering some of Pearl Jam’s strongest material in recent years.
Pearl Jam Gigaton Album Cover
Gigaton (2020) – Experimentation and Relevance
Best Song: Dance of the Clairvoyants – An experimental and adventurous track, Dance of the Clairvoyants signaled a new direction for Pearl Jam.
Indispensable Songs: Dance of the Clairvoyants, Seven O’Clock, Comes Then Goes, River Cross – Gigaton is a more recent offering that continues to grow in appreciation. Dance of the Clairvoyants and Seven O’Clock showcase the band’s continued creativity and relevance.
Best Song I Can Never Remember The Name Of: Seven O’Clock – A slightly less immediate title compared to some of their other anthems.
Gigaton proves that Pearl Jam remains a vital and evolving band, constantly pushing their creative boundaries while staying true to their core sound.
As Pearl Jam embarks on a new chapter with Dark Matter, revisiting their extensive back catalog reminds us of the band’s enduring legacy. From the explosive energy of Ten to the experimental soundscapes of Gigaton, Pearl Jam has consistently delivered music that resonates deeply with fans worldwide. Exploring their best songs is a journey through rock history, personal emotions, and the enduring power of a truly great band.
