What is Pearl Jam's signature song?

[epilogue]

The answer is Yellow Ledbetter!

[lvc]

here is a question, Jorge. you say pearl jam is unusal in that the first album eclipsed everything that follows. Its certainly true of Ten. But is what makes Ten/pearl jam unusual is that it defined a band that went on to have a 30+ year career that was as prolific and successful as they were.

take ten out and look at the rest of pearl jam’s career and it is still impressive (ignore whether it would have happened without Ten). But Ten still looms over it all.

that feels more unusual. who else falls into this category?

I think you could make the argument for Dave Matthews Band, especially if you say the debut and the followup are all anyone knows as far as record releases, but they established themselves as a solid touring band so they didn't have to care about the studio outside of fodder for the setlist and making something they found interesting.

Of course you'll have non-casual fans who want to say, 'well but this and that album were great and well-received by the general public' but the general public will respond with 'do what now? didn't they do that one Ants song/even flow?'

[stip]

thats another good example

[Buby]

Evenflow is practically embedded in popular culture by now.

it's usually accompanied by a skateboarding jesus christ

This is the absolute best use of the song.

[warehouse]

DMB is a great comparison, especially considering they are probably the second greatest american band behind pearl jam.

[lvc]

DMB is a great comparison, especially considering they are probably the second greatest american band behind pearl jam.

It is oddly comforting that musical chops are still the pathway to longevity in a world of literally disposable music cobbled together from soundfonts. I may have meant to say figuratively disposable.

[guitar_davey]

It's Even Flow, Alive, or Jeremy. Take your pick

[dogbelly]

I have always thought Corduroy was the quintessential Pearl Jam song.

[Ms Harmless]

Corduroy

[Tj]

I think the answer depends on who you are.
Alive Evenflow Jeremy to music fans that are nothing more than fans of good rock music.

People that post about this band and see multiple shows a year
I think it is Corduroy, Rearviewmirror, and Given to Fly

Hard to think of a band that has had sustained popularity meaning they are always kind of in the conversation with out producing any hits post Ten. I live in the Seattle radio market, and you just don't ever hear Corduroy or Rvm or Given to Fly. It perplexed me as to why.

[Tj]

I think the answer depends on who you are.
Alive Evenflow Jeremy to music fans that are nothing more than fans of good rock music.

People that post about this band and see multiple shows a year
I think it is Corduroy, Rearviewmirror, and Given to Fly

Hard to think of a band that has had sustained popularity meaning they are always kind of in the conversation with out producing any hits post Ten. I live in the Seattle radio market, and you just don't ever hear Corduroy or Rvm or Given to Fly. It perplexed me as to why.

[mattmann81]

For many many years I would've said Corduroy but last 5-10 years that's changed to be Given to Fly.

[RockPusher]

Immortality is my submission. It's got everything that makes the band great, including prime Ed singing and lyrics, incredible guitar, buildup, solo, outro. It's just grand.

[lvc]

I would argue something from No Code because I think No Code was Pearl Jam's signature move (i.e. rejecting grabbing market share with a string of hits and staying "relevant" in exchange for longevity as a band).

I don't think "signature" in their case can be defined as "most associated with their name in the mass market". They weren't Third Eye Blind (semi-charmed life) or Coldplay (clocks) or Abba (dancing queen). They were trying to follow Neil Young's path. Their signature was throwing people off the scent.

So maybe it's Red Mosquito.

[Jorge]

I don't think the artist gets much of a say in what their signature song is. It's all about public perception

Most people who are aware of Pearl Jam have no idea No Code even exists

[Cairn_Away]

I Hate Being Famous And Swallowing Death-Bed Wave Seeds (I Fucked My Mom, So Now I Drive Fast Cars and Surf with Giant Hawaiians Who I Ask To Tour With My Band Even Though I Don’t Think There Was A General Consensus Among The Band Members That An Extra Touring Member Was Needed In The First Place)

[lvc]

I Hate Being Famous And Swallowing Death-Bed Wave Seeds (I Fucked My Mom, So Now I Drive Fast Cars and Surf with Giant Hawaiians Who I Ask To Tour With My Band Even Though I Don’t Think There Was A General Consensus Among The Band Members That An Extra Touring Member Was Needed In The First Place)

I forgot about that one. That's probably it. Unless it's the one where they also decline to fire a literal murderer from the touring ensemble.

[lvc]

I don't think the artist gets much of a say in what their signature song is. It's all about public perception

Most people who are aware of Pearl Jam have no idea No Code even exists

Well, it's your podcast so you can set the terms as you please. In that case I think their signature song is actually Adam Sandler's parody of Even Flow. Unless it's a Creed song.

[warehouse]

I would argue something from No Code because I think No Code was Pearl Jam's signature move (i.e. rejecting grabbing market share with a string of hits and staying "relevant" in exchange for longevity as a band).

I don't think "signature" in their case can be defined as "most associated with their name in the mass market". They weren't Third Eye Blind (semi-charmed life) or Coldplay (clocks) or Abba (dancing queen). They were trying to follow Neil Young's path. Their signature was throwing people off the scent.

So maybe it's Red Mosquito.

if you want to use this thinking, i'd go black or yellow ledbetter. they refused to release black as a single and make a video for it b/c they knew it would blow up bigger than jeremy. yellow ledbetter is one of their most popular songs, and it was a bside to jeremy. also ledbetter's popularity is partly based on it's live performances, which is also a huge part, if not the biggest, part of their career.

[Ryuhza]

Hey hey, we're Pearl Jam, people say we Pearl Jam around