Pearl Jam is an American rock band formed in 1990 in Seattle, Washington. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder (lead vocals), Mike McCready (lead guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), and Jeff Ament (bass). Since 1998, the band has also included drummer Matt Cameron (also of Soundgarden). Boom Gaspar (piano) has also been a session/touring member with the band since 2002.
Formed after the demise of Gossard and Ament's previous band
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A pretty straight forward rock song to play, it’s pretty much all power chords (Or 5th chords, to be technical...) As with most Pearl Jam stuff there is lots of harmonising going on between the different guitars and the Bass. During the intro Mike McCready is playing what sounds like a flatted 2nd over the B, but I couldn’t find a good way of replicating this with just one guitar, any suggestion welcome! Also, in the bridge section (A, G, F#, E “Wanna leave it all…”) Jeff Ament is holding down the chords that I have listed, while Stone seems to be playing more of an ascending riff, however, the bass is definitely the dominant chord and the one that sounds best (to me anyway) when played with one guitar. Again, any ideas are welcome. Also, what I have suggested in the chorus playing a E5/G is representative of a bass riff, but sounds good… If you listen carefully the bass also plays an A sometimes, so if you have flexible fingers you might be able to get your little finger onto the 5th fret (without muting the A string!) Do what you like!
On the intro I play a barred B and A chord, with index and little finger. I mute the bass string with the top of my index finger and the treble string with my little finger. I find that if I play the full chord (ie: add in the treble string) it doesn’t fit with the 5th chords later on in the riff.
BA e:--x---x--------------------------------------------| B:--4---2--------------------------------------------| G:--4---2--------------------------------------------| D:--4---2--------------------------------------------| A:--2---0--------------------------------------------| E:--x---x--------------------------------------------|
For the chorus I play E5 with my index finger only, and use my middle finger to hammer on to the G, 3rd fret sixth string.
E5 (E5/G) E5… e:--x----x-x----x-x-x--x-----------------------------| B:--x----x-x----x-x-x--x-----------------------------| G:--x----x-x----x-x-x--x-----------------------------| D:--2----2-2----2-2-2--2-----------------------------| A:--2----2-2----2-2-2--2-----------------------------| E:--0----0-0----3-0-3--0-----------------------------| I’m gonna see my friend…
Intro: B, A, B, A, A…
B5F#5 Do you want to hear something sad? B5F#5 we are but victims of desire B5F#5 I'm gonna shake this day B5F#5 I wanna shake this day before I retire
E5 (E5/G) I'm gonna see my friend (E5/G (E5/G) C5D5 I'm gonna see my friend, make it go away E5 (E5/G) I'm sick of everything (E5/G) (E5/G) C5D5 I'm gonna see my friend, make it go away
B5F#5B5F#5 Well I said I... I won't be long before we all walk off the wire B5F#5B5 F#5 Well I'm gonna see my friend, I'm gonna see my friend for what I require B5F#5 Well I said I will come in quick B5F#5 don't want my flame to get no higher
E5 (E5/G) I'm gonna see my friend (E5/G) (E5/G) C5D5 I'm gonna see my friend, make it go away E5 (E5/G) I'm sick of everything (E5/G) (E5/G) C5D5 I'm gonna see my friend, make it go away E5 (E5/G) I'm gonna see my friend (E5/G) (E5/G) C5D5 gonna see my friend, make it go away
A5, A5, G5, F#5, E5,
A5 Wanna leave it all G5 Wanna give it up F#5E5 Wanna see it gone once and for all
A5 Wanna feel withdrawl G5 Want an overhaul F#5 Wanna be there E5E5E5E5E5E5 Hard as a statue, black as a tattoo E5 Never to wash away
B5F#5 Gonna take me an astral plane B5F#5 I'm gonna tunnel through denial B5F#5 But I'm gonna shake this thing B5F#5 I wanna shake this thing before I retire
E5 (E5/G) I'm gonna see my friend (E5/G) (E5/G) C5D5 I'm gonna see my friend, make it go away E5 (E5/G) I'm sick of everything (E5/G) (E5/G) C5D5 I'm gonna see my friend, make it go away E5 (E5/G) I'm gonna see my friend (E5/G) (E5/G) C5D5 I'm gonna see my friend, make it go away
B, B, A, A, B, B, A, A…
Enjoy it! I'm working on the rest of the album, mail me if you want to get any of the songs quicker...