Rearviewmirror

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Rearviewmirror is a Pearl Jam song from their 1993 album Vs. It’s the eighth track on the record and was written mainly by Eddie Vedder, though the song is officially credited to all band members. It later appeared on Pearl Jam’s 2004 greatest-hits collection rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003). Quick facts: genre is grunge; length is 4:44; released October 18, 1993; label Epic; produced by Brendan O’Brien and Pearl Jam.

Origin and recording
- This song was one of the first Pearl Jam tracks Vedder played guitar on, and he wrote the lyrics.
- The band played it practically as Vedder wrote it.
- Mike McCready experimented with an EBow on the guitar.
- At the end of the studio take, drummer Dave Abbruzzese kicked the recording room’s energy up a notch by slamming his sticks in frustration after pressure from the producer. He even swung a snare drum and damaged it.
- Vedder finished the vocals on the last day of recording Vs., and he worried the song might be too catchy.

Lyrics and meaning
- Vedder has described the song as being driven by its music, giving a sense of being in a car and leaving a bad situation. It’s about the emotion of wanting to move on from something painful.

Reception
- Entertainment Weekly praised the song for its memorable guitar hook and Vedder’s tight delivery, calling it a strong track about leaving a hopeless relationship.
- Rolling Stone noted that Vedder’s chorus about seeing things clearly reflects not just personal sorrow but the weight of the past being shed.

Live performances
- The first live performance was on May 13, 1993, in San Francisco at Slim’s Café.
- It was performed on Saturday Night Live in April 1994 to support Vs.
- Live versions appear on various releases, including the Dissident single, Live at the Gorge 05/06, Live at Lollapalooza 2007, Touring Band 2000, Live at the Showbox, and Live at the Garden.

Personnel
- Eddie Vedder – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Stone Gossard – rhythm guitar
- Mike McCready – lead guitar, EBow
- Jeff Ament – bass
- Dave Abbruzzese – drums

External link
- Lyrics available at pearljam.com