Thursday, February 14, 2013

Pearl Jam Music Therapy

Trust me, if you're a Pearl Jam fan, you'll want to watch this video. They're better than ever, even after all these years. I'd have given my left NUT to see this show!!! This song has always been one of my absolute favorite PJ songs. It always gives me chills, but this version with the crowd singing nearly brought me to tears. 

PJ has been my favorite rock band since they came out with "Ten" when I was in my senior year of high-school. Eddie Veder's deep and powerful but emotionally vulnerable voice carried me through some dark nights when all I wanted to do was curl up and die. As an emotionally troubled kid I found a lot of solace and comfort in Pearl Jam's lyrics. Eddie Veder's life was trouble too but he kept going by using his art as therapy and I connected with it--in a profoundly personal way.

I have often wanted to personally thank him (and Radiohead) for writing songs that literally saved my life--maybe someday I'll get that chance. In the meantime, I hope they keep jammin' until they drop dead!! I'll be blaring my PJ in the nursing home being the rebel. The old man that swears and smokes pot in the day-room....HAHAHA!!!! Good times, good times....

-hbw-

3 comments:

KansasSunflower said...

Great video! Love that song, so many times I've thought, "Eddie Vedder, get out of my head!" They clicked immediately with me too when Ten came out. One of my all time favorite songs is Alive. And Radiohead? Wow...Creep is an awesome, awesome song! It doesn't get much better than that! Or should I say worse? Ha!

Handsome B. Wonderful said...

Oh, Sunflower!! I know what you mean about being in your head.

Radiohead??? Absolutely!! Their "Ok Computer" album is music for my soul.

PJ and Radhiohead are my two favorite bands. Along with Dave Matthews Band in third.

Handsome B. Wonderful said...

@Kansas...I often tell people that Radiohead is the official music for people with psychological diseases. The unique sounds in their songs really speak to the way my mind works. It's like auditory medication.

Someone, if not several people, in that band have either known someone with a psychological disorder, or they themselves live with one.