25 great Pearl Jam deep cuts

Those fans of "Bee Girl," a Riot Act outtake and certainly a song that tends to grow on one's ears, know the entire running time also includes a hidden track. "Bee Girl," with an almost spoken-word approach from singer Eddie Vedder, is less than two minutes in length. However, nearly 4 1/2 minutes after "Bee Girl," is "4/20/02, Vedder's tribute to late Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley can be heard. The title of the mysterious song refers to the date Vedder learned of Staley's death.

A rather funky little number from the band's second album, Vs. (1993). Though never released as a single and more of a cult favorite among die-hard Pearl Jam fans, "Rats" is one of several examples on the record of the group's musical maturity and incorporates various influences, from the smash debut Ten (1991). The song offers a unique viewpoint of these often pesky and vile rodents as normal humans trying to live the simplest of lives.

From Pearl Jam's fourth studio album No Code (1996), "Smile" is known for its harmonica work from frontman Eddie Vedder. It's a churning song, with a folksy fuel while distorted to appease those fans of the band's heavier music. Like plenty of the songs on this list, "Smile" tends to bring massive cheers when played live — which isn't necessarily often, but a special live moment nonetheless. According to Vedder, who stated during a summer 2006 show in Milwaukee, the lyrics were inspired, and in part taken, from a note he received from Dennis Flemion, the late member of Wisconsin-based indie band the Frogs, who opened for Pearl Jam in the past.

More from No Code, "In My Tree" is perhaps the most notable Pearl Jam track co-written by former drummer Jack Irons, who also played with Red Hot Chili Peppers. From the start, Irons' presence is felt on the song. There's a certain tribal, jazz feel to Irons' drumming on this particular track, but, overall, but it's more than a one-man show. "In My Tree" is a highly underrated piece of music. Not just on the No Code album, but within the entire Pearl Jam catalog.  

Pearl Jam's 2006 self-titled eighth studio album might be the most underrated release by the band, noted for its return to the harder, more raw sound that made the band famous in the early and mid-1990s. "Severed Hand" was not released as a single, but has become a concert favorite and a true gem of a deep cut that has more than held its own with other underappreciated tracks. Give it a listen, and even the most casual of Pearl Jam fans might place it alongside the likes of "Even Flow" or "Go." 

Recorded during the Ten and Vs. eras of the band and another gem from Lost Dogs, "Hold On" has a distinct Mother Love Bone feel. Former MLB member and Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard penned the music, as he's done throughout this band's tenure. There is plenty of raw emotion to "Hold On," which heats up as it progresses. Like others on this list, the song has rarely been played live since the mid-1990s; under 20 times according to the Pearl Jam website.

Put out as a single for members of the Ten Club, the band's massive and highly devoted fan club, "Last Soldier" — written by lead guitarist Mike McCready — has a special place in the hearts and ears of those truly dedicated Pearl Jam fans. The song was written amid the production of 2002's Riot Act, but never had a home on an album, compilation or even as a wide-release single or B-side. According to the band's official website, Pearl Jam has played the song just twice in concert — both times in October 2021.

To those serious Pearl Jam fans, "Brain of J" had long been an underappreciated song. The opener to 1998's Yield spins a tale about the brain of President John F. Kennedy that goes missing after his assassination. It was never released as a single and had no mainstream fanfare, but the song's imaginative subject matter, coupled with the occasional live performance, have allowed it to be considered a treat any time it comes over the airwaves or is played in concert.

A quicker, almost even danceable tune that was the "Given to Fly" B-side, "Leatherman" is another Pearl Jam number that's enjoyed something of a cult status since coming out in the late 1990s. The song's title refers to the mid-to-late 19th century vagabond who traveled the northeastern portion of the United States wearing several pounds of homemade leather. It's one of the more under-the-radar biographical songs produced by the band. 

If we happened back into a musical time machine to 1992 and listened to "Dirty Frank," we might have thought that Eddie Vedder was sitting in with Red Hot Chili Peppers, which makes sense since the tune was written while Pearl Jam was touring with the Chili Peppers in 1991. It's one of the band's most innovative and unique tracks in its history. Alternative funk rock to the hilt, "Dirty Frank," which reportedly chronicles the story of a creepy bus driver, is a joyously chaotic time while offering nods to RHCP and the theme to Shaft. The B-side to "Even Flow," the song also appeared on the European version of Ten. 

The closing number from 2009's Backspacer, "The End" is essentially an Eddie Vedder solo piece. Or poignant ballad, to be more specific. In fact, Vedder told Billboard about the emotion he felt as a father of two children dealing with being a rock star during the production and recording of the track, notably the string arrangements, which accompany Vedder's vocals and acoustic work. Like another Backspacer gem, "Just Breathe," "The End" is one of Vedder's most personal songs.

Ten Club members and other die-hard Pearl Jam fans are well aware of the impact "Release" continues to have on the band's live experience, even though it was never a single and didn't enjoy much radio play. The final track off the sensational Ten debut, the nine-minute, melodic and somewhat haunting tune often opens up Pearl Jam shows. Because, as the band has stated, it's long enough to play while fans get in the gates and grab their seats before the night kicks into gear.

Some of Pearl Jam's better songs were introduced as B-sides to bigger hits. "Footsteps," which partners on the "Jeremy" single and is also part of the Lost Dogs compilation, is one of them. The song is part of a longer conceptual story arc found on Ten, but parts of the music have roots going back to guitarist Stone Gossard's days in the popular Seattle outfit Mother Love Bone, which also included Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament. Though it did not make the final song list for Ten, "Footsteps" remains a cut that longtime fans of the group hold in high regard.

The opening track from Lost Dogs, "All Night" was an outtake from the No Code sessions. It captures the spirit of those early, heavy Pearl Jam years, with an undisputed 1990s grunge vibe that made the band popular. However, it's understandable why it wasn't included on a studio record since it can get lost amid similar Pearl Jam rockers of the time. For consistent Pearl Jam concertgoers, the tune is also not played nearly enough in a live setting.

One of the more recent Pearl Jam tracks, "Seven O'Clock" can be found on 2020's Gigaton. Now, at this point in the band's career, even singles tend to be lost amid mainstream rock fans since everything is streamed and available at one time. However, the band chose to feature Gigaton tunes like "Dance of the Clairvoyants" and "Retrograde" in its live sets. Eventually, and rightfully so, this Pink Floyd-esque/Radiohead-in-its-heyday track from the same album is being played more. It's arguably the best song from that record. 

Lost amid Ten's overall greatness is "Garden," one of the more melodic, even haunting tracks on the record. A notable aspect of Ten is the ebb and flow of musical emotion, from the structure of the songs to the arrangement and even the order in which they are presented. It's an easy record to listen to and appreciate from start to finish. "Garden" isn't as rollicking and raw as some of Ten's most celebrated offerings, but it can more than hold its own.

The B-side to "Hail, Hail" from No Code. Pearl Jam have long celebrated their passion for sports, especially basketball. "Black, Red, Yellow," which can also be found on Lost Dogs in alternate form, is the band's tribute to former NBA star and enigmatic personality Dennis Rodman. Not only does Rodman make a vocal appearance on the track, but he's been known to join the band on stage to play the number, like when he crashed Pearl Jam's 2016 show at Chicago's Wrigley Field, sporting his own No. 91 Bulls jersey.

"Faithful" is truly everything that is good and right about Pearl Jam. It starts melodic, before building itself into a control frenzy that showcases the often-underappreciated guitar work of Mike McCready. Yield is an album with feeling, meaning it's a wide-ranging chasm of emotions that make up one's being. The record's second song is essentially an encapsulation of all that. It's always a highlight when played live, especially as tens of thousands shout "Faithful" in unison. 

Another unheralded track from the self-titled Pearl Jam album. A song about loneliness has has seemed to grow in popularity among dedicated fans of the band as it continues to find a way into live sets. In more recent years, when Pearl Jam has opened its shows with three-to-four acoustic, stripped-down versions of songs, "Come Back" has found a home. A ballad, if we can call it that, but another tune that showcases the band's ability to succeed at a slower, steadier pace.

According to Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge, the title refers to Matt Lukin, former band member of Mudhoney and the Melvins. His house became a sanctuary for Eddie Vedder when he was dealing with a stalker. This No Code number is 1 minute, 2 seconds of punk fury and offers one of the great backstories of any Pearl Jam song. Sure, it can be argued whether this qualifies as a deep cut due to its massive popularity within the Pearl Jam army. However, to casual fans of the band it's likely an unknown.

"Low Light" has essentially earned popularity among Ten Clubbers, and their ilk, thanks to its place during live shows. From Yield, "Low Light" is generally played early in Pearl Jam sets, and gets the crowd excited for the rest of the night, even though it's well off the mainstream radar of the band's more successful catalog. Bassist Jeff Ament wrote both the music and lyrics to this relatively melodic track about introspection and inner peace, marking the first time — along with fellow Yield track "Pilate" — that he contributed to a Pearl Jam album as a lyricist.

"I Got Id" is part of the two-song Merkın Ball EP from 1995, featuring rock legend Neil Young, who was a major influence on Eddie Vedder. The intended title of this song was "I Got S*@#," which is how Pearl Jam fans in the know usually refer to it. The tune has a Vitalogy feel, but offers a solid balance of melodic undertakings and that token Pearl Jam heaviness. While it would be considered a deep cut to the casual fan, it's celebrated and cherished by Ten Clubbers around the globe. 

More introspection from Backspacer, and one of Pearl Jam's most beautiful songs. It can be considered a ballad, sure, but its heavier moments conjure up a more modern-day Zeppelin vibe that lends to a perfect overall balance. Never released as a single, "Unthought Known" might not even get the credit it deserves amid the Ten Club community. It is genuinely a special moment when this track is played live, or simply comes on anywhere outside of the listener's own control. 

According to the official Pearl Jam website as of May 23, 2024, "Down" has been played just 97 times live since the song was released in November 2002. It featured as a double B-side with "Undone" on the "I Am Mine" single and as the flipside to "Bu$hleaguer"; the track can also be found on the Lost Dogs album. Because it's not on a studio record, and isn't played all that often in a concert setting, it's easy for even the most hardcore fans to remember just how tight and solid "Down" sounds. There's a certain nod to the band's love of classic rock — a hint of CCR, but in a more stripped-down sense.

Obviously this is completely subjective, especially when it comes to such an expansive catalog of songs for a band that changes up its setlist as frequently as Pearl Jam. "Leash" was never released as a single, which was a massive shame, and clocks in at just over three minutes. Yet, it's one of the heaviest songs Pearl Jam has recorded. Eddie Vedder's gritty vocals combined with a solid guitar presence by Mike McCready make it, perhaps, the most underappreciated cut on the Vs. album. It's always a treat when played live, which seems not nearly enough.