Ten, by Pearl Jam, released in 1991, was pretty much their breakout album, or as some would call it, their debut album. A powerful group made of Eddie Vedder on vocals, Jeff Ament on bass, and Stone Gossard on rhythm guitar, using a Gibson Les Paul Standard. Then, for the main guitar, Mike McCready played a 1960 Fender Stratocaster, and finally, on drums, it was Dave Krusen. This album really set in stone the grunge movement this band was going for; it had strong, relatable lyrics, heavy vocals, and long guitar riffs. The lyrics emphasize survival, isolation, and identity. They seem to make every song so personal, yet also intense. That’s why it was one of the most impactful rock albums of the 1990s era.
“Once” is the first song of the album, and the energy it opens with is insane; it just directly throws you into a state of chaos and confusion. Eddie Vedder does this by using his crazy vocals to make himself sound emotional and unstable while the guitarists play low, heavy chords to create that dark theme. This song already introduces the listener to many things, such as mental struggle, violence, and isolation.
“Once upon a time, I could control myself”
“Once upon a time, I could lose myself”
“You think I got my eyes closed”
“But I’m looking at you the whole time”
The lyrics tell the story of someone losing their own self-control, both mentally and emotionally. Eddie Vedder sings from the perspective of that person losing their self-control and battling feelings of anger and identity, which helps keep that darker theme.
“Even Flow” is probably the most popular song of the album because its guitar riffs and vocals are just so recognizable. The song centers around the theme of homelessness and the realities of living on the streets. The band does a great job of combining both the vocals and instrumentals to keep it energetic but still emotional.
“Even Flow, thoughts arrive like butterflies”
“Oh, he don’t know, so he chases them away”
“Oh, someday yet, he’ll begin his life again, yeah”
“Whisperin, hand gently lead him away”
“Him away, him away”
This song shadows a person on the streets struggling to survive while they’re being ignored by everything. The lyrics show how being alone can completely consume you, while the band’s aggressive riffs reflect the frustration and pain behind the story.
“Alive” is another one of their most popular songs because of the amazing guitar solo and the emotional lyrics. The lyrics are telling a tragic story while the instrumentals are all uplifting, making it one of the strongest songs in the album. Eddie Vedder seemed to make the vocals sound more raw, and he tried to sing on a more personal note for this song.
“Son, she said, have I got a little story for you”
“What you thought was your daddy was nothing but”
“While you were sittin’ home alone at age 13”
“Your real daddy was dyin”
“Sorry you didn’t see him, but I’m glad we talked”
“Oh, I, oh, I’m still alive”
Eddie Vedder is singing about surviving difficult times in his life. The constant repetition of “I’m Alive” throughout the song shows his perseverance throughout life and moving on despite his emotional pain and trauma.
“Why Go” switches up the album’s tempo, transitioning into a more aggressive, faster-paced song. The lyrics are pretty much criticizing mental health patients and their treatment. There are a lot more drums and metal guitar to set the feeling of anger and annoyance throughout this track, with the vocals supporting that.
“Why go home?”
“Why go home?”
“She seems to be stronger.”
“But what they want her to be is weak.”
This song is setting the scene of a young girl in a mental hospital who went unwillingly. Pearl Jam uses this track to show how if people are struggling whether its emotionally or physically, they can sometimes be ignored or controlled instead of just being understood.
“Black” is most definitely the most emotional song on this whole album, or arguably, that Pearl Jam has ever released. The pace of this song is super slow, which lets the lyrics and vocals take center stage, creating a feeling of sadness and heartbreak. The song has a very long build-up with every verse leading up to its very powerful ending.
“I know someday you’ll have a beautiful life.”
“I know you’ll be a star.”
In somebody else’s sky.”
“But why, why, why can’t it be”
“Oh, can’t it be mine?”
This song expresses the sadness and the pain you feel after losing someone you deeply love and just not being able to move on. Vedder’s lyrics on this song are unbelievable, making everything so emotional.
“Jeremy” is a little bit of a different song because it’s all based on real-life events from a troubled student. The dark lyrics and very dramatic instrumental are bound together to create such a dark and intense feeling. Along with a banger music video, they released for this song, which was the most iconic rock video of the 1990s.
“Jeremy spoke in class today.”
“Clearly, I remember picking on the boy.”
“Seemed a harmless little.”
“But we unleashed a lion.”
This song centers itself around the theme of bullying and being neglected. Pearl Jam uses Jeremy’s Story to show that being neglected and being isolated can just brew inside of someone until it just becomes too much, and you can’t hide it anymore.
“Oceans” brings the pace of the album back down with slower and softer instrumentals and puts more emotion in the lyrics. They titled the song “Oceans” because the song has a very calm and dreamlike sensation that makes it stand out from all the other songs on the album. The ocean sensation sets the calm, peaceful scene, but keeps an emotional atmosphere
“Hold on to the thread.”
“The currents will shift.”
“Guide me towards you.”
“Know something’s left.”
This song is about the strong feelings of love from a distance while battling an emotional connection. The calming ocean feeling or sensation gives you a break from the loud, intense feelings. While keeping the song still emotional, because that’s what they’re known for.
“Porch” kind of switches the tone once again to faster beats and a more aggressive tone with the guitar and even the vocals. This song seems to be very rebellious and has many emotions, mainly all in the ending. During the dramatic ending, Vedder’s vocals have such a unique sound because it seems like he’s trying to sound desperate.
“Hear my name”
“Take a good look”
“This could be my day”
“Hold my hand”
These lyrics are unique because they reflect someone trying to find their identity and meaning in life. This song captures many emotions, such as frustration and hatred, but it also has an upbeat quality, making it one of the most energetic songs on the album.
“Garden” is a little bit different than the other songs on the album because it tries to portray a much darker and more mysterious atmosphere. The slower instrumentals combined with the slower vocals give the entire track a dreamlike feeling.
“I will walk with my hands bound”
“I will walk with my face blood”
“I will walk with my shadow flag”
“Into your garden”
This song talks a lot more about death, emotional surrender, and giving up; the slow haunting sounds make it one of the most atmospheric songs on the album.
“Deep” is probably the darkest soundtrack on the album, both musically and with the lyrics. The guitar playing in the background is unreal because it creates such a chaotic feeling, especially when it binds with the emotional lyrics. This song is about being drowned out and losing feeling or control. This song creates a very unique feeling of almost being claustrophobic.
“On the edge, a windowsill”
“Ponders his make”
“Ponders his will”
“To the street below”
The lyrics have a main focus point throughout the entire song on addiction, being depressed, and self-harm. Pearl Jam is super good at using heavy imagery in their songs because they are instrumentally insane; they can show through music a perfect picture of someone emotionally falling apart under pressure.
“Release” is the last song on the album with a slower, laid-back pace to build a more spiritual atmosphere. The slower feeling and slower and echoing instrumentals give you the sense of reflection and acceptance. Vedder’s vocals sound personal throughout the rest of the song, almost like he’s reflecting on himself.
“Release me”
“Can you see me”
“Can you hear me”
“Father”
This song is all about Eddie Vedder’s relationship with his dad, and the feeling of loss and separation that he has. Ending the album with a song like this gives the whole album an emotional conclusion.
