Ranking all 11 songs from Pearl Jam’s brilliant debut ‘Ten’ album

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As a child of the ’90s, Pearl Jam’s “Ten” album was more than just music to me; it was a soundtrack to my formative years. The raw emotion and powerful lyrics resonated deeply with my own experiences, making this album an emotional rollercoaster that I still find myself revisiting today.

By the end of the 1980s, the extravagance of that era was starting to feel a bit overbearing, particularly within the music industry. Rock ‘n’ roll, in particular, had experienced tremendous success, but as more imitators and less gifted groups emerged, the quality of the music began to diminish.

Regardless of the immense popularity of acts such as Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, Poison, and many more, the era of extravagant makeup, voluminous hair, flashy attire, and music centered around sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll had essentially come to an end.

In the early ’90s, both audiences and musicians yearned for a change in the music scene, and Pearl Jam and Nirvana were key bands that spearheaded this transformation. They moved rock and roll away from the glamorous, heavy metal sound of the ’80s towards an authentic, alternative vibe.

Pearl Jam’s inaugural album, Ten, was not just critically acclaimed, but it also achieved commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard record charts. This accomplishment was remarkable given Eddie Vedder’s unique vocal style, which sometimes lacks clarity when he sings, particularly on this album. However, this quirkiness became part of the allure for some of the songs, adding to their mystique as to what exactly Eddie sang.

Ranking all 11 songs on the Pearl Jam Ten album

No. 11 – “Oceans”

This brief tune stands out from the other tracks in the album, as it deviates slightly from the usual structure. While Eddie’s lyrics may be open to interpretation, there seems to be no repeating chorus or catchy hook that traditionally ties a song together. Instead, it drifts gently without a clear objective when compared to the rest of the album.

Musically, the tune has a clear flow, yet the lyrics are somewhat unclear or difficult to discern. Moreover, without a catchy chorus or repeatable section, it’s challenging for listeners to join in and sing along. As a result, this piece doesn’t quite align with the overall theme of the album.

No. 10 – “Porch”

“This song is among a few that showcase the impact of classic rock and roll bands on Pearl Jam. However, it doesn’t appear to reflect any influence from the loud, heavy metal groups popular in the 1980s. In certain parts, ‘Porch’ has a similar feel to Led Zeppelin.

Personally speaking, this track on the record ranks up there with the best for me. However, it showcases Eddie Vedder’s most unconventionally delivered vocals from the album. His performance feels a bit erratic, yet at certain moments, he manages to evoke memories of Robert Plant. Unfortunately, compared to Plant’s smooth and effortless delivery, this song seems slightly less polished.

The tune itself doesn’t seem to have a traditional chorus, yet if the vocals were stronger, it could potentially place a bit higher on some charts.

Ranking all 11 songs on the Pearl Jam Ten album (9-7)

No. 9 – “Deep”

As I delve deeper into this game, another tune catches my ear – a melody that subtly echoes some of my favorite bands. You’ll notice traces of The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix in this track, but it’s not just about them. “Deep” is a song that, the more I listen to it, the more it feels like an old friend. It grows on me, and I can’t help but feel its rhythm resonating within me.

Its rocking melody masks incredibly depressing lyrics, but it is another song in which you almost have to be reading the lyrics to decipher what Vedder is singing. While this isn’t any kind of commercial song, it’s a great fit for this album in general.

No. 8 – “Once”

The opening song on “Ten” clocks in at number eight, yet it could easily be the standout track for many other bands. Its catchy melody and swift, aggressive, intense verses are noteworthy. As an introduction to the album and the band, it sets a powerful first impression, signaling to listeners that Pearl Jam is far from being a typical hair band.

Anger pours from the verses, and the chorus gives the illusion of someone still trying to hang on, but in the end, he’s probably not going to succeed. The whole song is a raw nerve, but it works well, and a terrific rock song emerges.

No. 7 – “Why Go”

This song, much like others from the band, carries a raw, rock-infused commentary on society. The lyrics follow the story of a young woman who finds herself institutionalized, seemingly out of place. Some listeners might see her confinement as a result of a misdiagnosed behavioral issue, with medication serving as her unjust imprisonment. Alternatively, it could suggest that she willingly surrenders to these constraints due to the lack of opportunities or purpose in her life.

In contrast to the preceding era of rock and roll, heavy metal bands from the 80s typically steered clear of addressing societal matters (with a few exceptions). However, Pearl Jam doesn’t flinch from tackling such topics in this song, and indeed throughout their album as a whole.

Musically speaking, there’s a hint of tribute to classic rock and roll groups in this track. You might catch echoes of Led Zeppelin and The Doors in “Why Go,” which is perfectly fitting.

Ranking all 11 songs on the Pearl Jam Ten album (6-4)

No. 6 – “Even Flow”

This fantastic song from the album stands out with its strong chorus, while its verses seem to depict a condition of being homeless. It can be interpreted in two ways: either the literal sense of homelessness or a symbolic interpretation representing Vedder’s feelings towards his childhood.

Many tracks on this album mirror Eddie Vedder’s childhood experiences and emotions from that period, making the idea that these songs are about his past particularly plausible. On this record, Vedder delivers a powerful, unrefined vocal performance, yet it is raw, passionate, emotional, and soulful. The listener can sense these feelings deeply within this song.

No. 5 – “Garden”

The melancholy, eerie tune might not explicitly convey its narrative, but it evokes a sense of spirituality and seems to depict scenes reminiscent of Christ’s crucifixion on Calvary in the chorus. Whether this is the composer’s intent or not, such an interpretation is plausible.

The song subtly incorporates imagery related to death, such as the garden made of stone symbolizing a cemetery. It seems that Vedder is not fearful of confronting mortality, yet he cherishes his personal beliefs and resists others trying to impose their faith upon him.

Musically speaking, this track is both enigmatic and puzzling. Yet, it’s the captivating tune and catchy chorus that pulls you under its spell and leaves you adoring it.

No. 4 – “Release”

This tune stands out as the most intimately crafted piece in the entire album, with Genius suggesting that Vedder spontaneously came up with the lyrics during their initial performance, and he’s never formally penned them down since then.

The tune revolves around Vedder and his assumed biological father, who was actually his stepfather. It’s deeply emotional and spiritually moving, and might just be the most harmonious among the eleven tracks. This song is one that captures your attention instantly, making you eager to hear it repeatedly.

Similar to many of Ten’s compositions, the song “Release” doesn’t typically include a traditional chorus, yet this aspect is inconsequential in this instance. The main criticism for this tune is an extended outro that feels disproportionate and seems discordant with the rest of the piece. It’s worth noting that this lengthy finale could potentially be unrelated to the song itself, as it appears to be a prolonged version of the brief introduction to “Once”, albeit significantly elongated.

Ranking all 11 songs on the Pearl Jam Ten album (3-1)

No. 3 – “Jeremy”

Among all songs on the album Ten, “Jeremy” stands out as the clearest and most visually evocative. As stated by Richard Milner at Grunge, this song is grounded in a real-life person and incident. The lyrics are strikingly vivid and raw. In this song, Vedder narrates from a personal perspective, yet he represents society as a whole, expressing how the youth portrayed in the song was mistreated.

The music video for “Jeremy” enhances the song’s vivid imagery, or perhaps it stirred up those visuals. This video is intense and in your face. It’s as powerful and thought-provoking as any video this side of Metallica’s “One.” The band seems to be accusing society and the system for what happened to “Jeremy.” (Paraphrased)

This song carries a strong impact, backed by striking visuals. It’s likely that these elements helped the band reach a broad audience quickly, establishing them as early alternative music sensations with a commercial edge.

No. 2 – “Alive”

Following “Release,” this track might be the most intimately revealing. Undeniably, it recounts the moment he learned about his biological father from his mother. The emotional turmoil of the deceit and the missed opportunity to know his real father are palpable in the lyrics.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that the song’s verses are heart-rending and painful, yet the chorus, with its catchy melody and fluid rhythm, brings a ray of optimism and hope. The artist seems to be conveying a message of resilience, suggesting he can endure and overcome the challenging aspects of his childhood. Despite the emotionally charged narrative, the underlying message is as uplifting as any other track on the album.

As a music enthusiast, I can’t get enough of this tune! It boasts an irresistible hook that had it climbing all the way up to number 16 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.

No. 1 – “Black”

Among all the tracks on this fantastic album, “Black” resonates most deeply with many listeners because, although it tells a personal tale, it expresses a universal sentiment – the pain of a broken heart. Over time, heartache has become a widespread theme in songwriting, and Pearl Jam skillfully conveys this theme with moving authenticity.

It’s no wonder that the first three tracks on this list are among the clearest when it comes to understanding lyrics without assistance. Eddie Vedder’s vocals are notably more distinct on these songs compared to others, although some of the words might differ from what you’ve been singing along to for so long.

Once more, the group manages an unconventional feat for the music business, especially for rock and roll bands. This song, despite not having a typical catchy chorus, has become quite popular (reaching number 3 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart). The reason could be that it’s a lengthy, emotional verse that resonates deeply with listeners because many can relate to the emotions expressed by Vedder in his lyrics: “All the love gone bad turned my world to black.” Indeed, isn’t this feeling something we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives?

As the years pass, this particular song has proven to be timeless, likely due to its relatable universal theme of pain and sorrow. It stands out as the finest track on a groundbreaking, era-defining, legendary album known as “Ten“. The album is characterized by its raw power, personal touch, unconventional approach, and barely contained emotion, and it delivers intense lyrics. This song contributed significantly to the evolution of rock music.

Sadly, there isn’t an official music video for the song “Black.” However, you’ll find a fantastic unplugged version of it instead. Enjoy!

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2024-09-08 13:01