Pearl Jam LIVE on MTV Unplugged - Reaction and Vocal Analysis featuring the song "Alive"

[@keithmaurer1864]

Probably the greatest thing to come out of MTV was unplugged. Eddie's voice was on point for this entire performance, even for him. Some channel should be doing these unplugged concerts again. It gave us some of the most memorable music from that time period.

[@ypaisley]

NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts are always top notch. All too brief, however.

[@hewhodies]

100%. The Unplugged series from the 90s was so powerful. We eve had late 90s/00s artists doing full orchestral concerts which were phenomenal as well. Good times. @ypaisley you're right about tiny desk, they're solid too for how they do it.

[@Bunke09]

I was a bigger fan of the 120 Minutes program. It was responsible for putting tons of great alternative bands on my radar. I first saw Alive and Oceans there and picked up my copy of Ten shortly after.

[@robbob5302]

Yes! UnPlugged was the best idea MTV ever had.

[@timb1319]

He had a cold this night too

[@SPOOKSTR]

I seen Pearl Jam back in the 90's. The one memory that remains with me to this day (I'm 58 now) was me standing there looking at Eddie thinking, 'Man, this guys voice is phenomenal'. I'm taking my son to see them in November in Sydney.

[@bo_wright]

I went to a Pearl Jam concert in 2023, and the thing that struck me the most is that in no way did they mail it in. They gave that 110% you're talking about, 31 years after this MTV Unplugged performance. I don't think they know any other way.

[@loucastillo5680]

The way Eddie gets into each song, each lyric and each tone is so remarkable. But to see your facial expressions as you listen to the words and watching their intensity is why I watch you videos. Enjoy every single one 👏👏

[@davidbordonaro1631]

Very well said !

[@revunuetnb]

“Elderly Women Behind The Counter In a Small Town” is one of his best hidden gems!

[@raetootle-cramer2576]

It's Corduroy for me

[@kennyn1992]

Whipping.

[@shortbusdriver83]

Or, as I once heard Eddie put it, "longest title in the Pearl Jam catalog"

[@Jack_10]

@@kennyn1992 We all got scars, they should have them too.

[@madsquishy3410]

My favorite of all time!!!!!

[@asills]

"The way he makes sound is just mesmerizing" I love the inability to immediately, accurately describe this performance. I watched it when it first aired and it floored me then, too. It's so good.

[@PowderedToastMan420]

Their track RELEASE will move your soul. 🤞✌️

[@azja6666]

Yes, black and white version from 1990

[@petereyndhoven104]

​Live in Holland I believe.

[@azja6666]

@@petereyndhoven104 yes, that one! Amazing

[@revunuetnb]

RELEASE🔥

[@kellysargent1116]

Yes- Release is even more emotionally intense than this one. I've listened to Pearl Jam so much that I know how Eddie BREATHES. 💙

[@PowderedToastMan420]

These guys are still rocking and touring and putting out new stuff for more than 30 years. ✌️

[@jamesbatcho]

I had just turned 23 when me and my buddies fired this up on MTV to watch with everyone else in America. All we had of them was the album and a couple of music videos. Seeing this performance somehow cemented the zeitgeist for me. Eddie sang our joys and anger. I was very aware that I was young and alive and anything was possible. What a moment.

[@scottykingdavid]

Eddie can bring tears to this mans heart. 54 years old. I saw them live during this period

[@ShooterMcGottem]

What a special and timeless era in music. So happy to have grown up during it.

[@kylekerwin4993]

This particular performance was a jam fest of surreal natural abilities. Eddie has a definite distinct voice that is signature all to his own. Truly a master of pitches, tones, growls, gravel and beautiful harmonies. He still amazes me even nowadays.

[@fumes1541]

Stop and start all you want! I love to see the appreciation for what we knew was amazing!

[@babybiird8285]

There’s a piece of genius in this song that I feel people miss. When he sings daddy, and makes it lilting, almost as though the mother is mocking her child’s voice. It reeks of mocking and bitterness. He is phenomenal at storytelling with inflection.

[@beza511]

So well said.

[@reppent]

Unplugged :black: is one of the best performance ever

[@minners71]

The live version from Live on two legs is also amazing great guitar solos at the end.

[@sukramb65]

This song literaly saved my life 13 jears ago ❤

[@Im_Old_Gregg]

Eddie's emotional connection to the music is incredible and it's what translates that emotion to the listener. That being the purpose or music in my opinion makes him one of the best of my generation

[@PowderedToastMan420]

Eddie is ICONIC. Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament and Mike McCready are amazing guitarists! ✌️

[@nickahrens5869]

I know you’re a vocalist, but Mike Mccready is sooooo underrated as a guitarist. It’s criminal.

[@inktrooper.]

Fun fact: Eddie was a nightshift clerk at a gas station when some friend give him a demo from a new band from another state and then after one of his night shifts helistened to it and went surfing (as he did every morning) and there all the lyrics to a three song "mini opera" came to him. The first song in that demo was Alive.

[@felsig11]

What has always amazed me about Eddie's vocal performances is that he gets so much from so little. When I say "so little' there I mean his mouth and lower face are very locked in with almost no movement, but he gets and does so much within that structure. He's such a great singer!

[@ronaldriis1023]

There’s a reason the Doors asked this guy to sing with them at their Hall of Fame ceremony.

[@8cylinderstolife737]

I watched every unplugged performance on MTV and have many of the Vinyls, but this was the best unplugged performance of all. It set them apart from everyone else in the most amazing way. My favorite song of theirs is Release (and yes I know ALL of their songs and followed them on yours for many years) but this was pure perfection of capturing the time/moment/energy/and passion

[@michaell1425]

Yes, Release is the best! Featured powerfully in the movie Out of the Furnace.

[@OhhhCaptain]

I've seen this band 6 times over the last 30+ years. The first time in 1992. They give 110% in every show. Now, imagine all of this emotion and energy coming from the stage, and then there's thousands of people connected by the music and amplifying all of it. It's one of the most amazing experiences a music fan could ever feel. Hopefully you check out the rest of their catalog and maybe, check out a show. Oh, but at the show, don't think about it, just let your mind enjoy the beauty.

[@russellgarrity865]

Amazing performance matched with a fantastic reaction. Love your insights but I your pure enjoyment impresses me even more! Be well Betthany.

[@FeelItRising]

Eddie is the sh!t, but Mike McCready is a phenomenal guitar player.

[@eggstu]

I don't care what other people say but Mike is a legend on guitar

[@smitty0375]

Hell yeah he is!

[@lorrieholsten2521]

They are my fav band. Just his presence is captivating. The sound of his grunts and growls so raw they just touch your soul. The emotion in his body. It's almost sensual. Yet such sadness and depth and love. I've always been in awe of his vocals. I've never got to see them perform in concert. I'd love to! Bucket list!

[@shortbusdriver83]

Pretty amazing that Ed had laryngitis the day before this and they almost canceled the performance. He's a champ, powered through, and the growl added to what they did. Phenomenal.

[@hvirdberg8532]

the 90s grunge singers were something else.

[@SARAHCRITCHLEY-ci1kd]

A voice that touches your soul ❤

[@PowderedToastMan420]

It must have been extremely hard for all of the band members to sit down during a performance. Eddie is usually climbing up Truss and stage diving, and the guitarists are basically in a mosh pit on stage.

[@jgreen2015]

Maybe the drummer should've been standing cos him being in his usual seated position seems to have made him miss the assignment and go the usual full-on 😂

[@jkvinsland]

One of the stipulations MTV had for Unplugged was for everyone to be seated, to keep the venue more intimate along with the acoustical instruments. Porch is famous for having that jam session in the middle that they play different every time, all while Eddie climbs or hangs or jumps off camera rigging. Credit to Eddie for technically staying in his chair for it during Unplugged while simultaneously breaking the rule by standing on it, and Jeff by standing on the kick drum (the floor is lava!)

[@juliewhetstine9631]

Favorite band since the 90’s and my all time favorite song!

[@Eyore82]

I'm so glad you revisited pearl jam unplugged! I still get chills listening to it

[@kamehousekz87]

I've always felt that Eddie uses every muscle in his body as a storyteller. Unbelievably talented and charismatic front man.

[@dylanhayes8888]

I was under the impression that the shift you keep hearing is when there's a character change. When the mother is talking, it's lighter and more melodic. Amazing band all together.

[@ruidos38]

The most powerful is Porch MTV unplugged.. For me the best.. Regards from Chile..🎉🎉

[@mariwiniarski1835]

God I love his ballady heartfelt voice!!!

[@jgameruk]

MTV Unplugged gave us one of the best concerts from that era and most amazing accoustic sound of those bands but Pearl Jam was just a cherry on top of that cake.

[@billfleming9232]

I said it then and I will say it now Pearl Jam would not be Pearl Jam without Eddie Vedder and his passionate vocals. The man is a master of expression and passion through his voice.

[@michellemiles9966]

I've been a fan of Pearl Jam and Eddie's voice since they first came out, but I recently saw Eddie doing some covers of The Who and I was gobsmacked. I didn't know he had THAT in his vocal tool kit. He's just amazing.

[@shirazzza]

The love reign oer me gets me every time

[@redbeki]

He truly is fascinating to watch .

[@jamescarroll4945]

I like your video. i like your expression when you hear him sing. it's genuine. He's just an amazing singer. i mean, really, he does this to everybody that listens to him, and it's a great song. Like i said, he's master at his craft plain and simple

[@IgorBzovski]

Pearl Jam are still more than "alive"!!! They latest "Dark Matter" album is MUST to hear!!! For me, PJ is all about storytelling. I was teenager when they first "Ten" album rock my world!!! Anyway, i am from Serbia 🇷🇸, and i love your reaction!❤❤❤

[@AndrewDean777]

7:35 That moment where Eddie’s right arm wanders and he grabs it. Also may be part of his grabbing onto the microphone. Some singers have this involuntary arm movement when they are fully committed to a song. Really interesting. He is amazing. Thank-you so much, Bethany.

[@laurawatters914]

I LOVE PEARL JAM!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR REACTIONS TO PEARL JAM AND ESPECIALLY EDDIE ❤️ INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE BY EVERYONE, THE WHOLE SET IS AMAZING!! OCEANS, STATE LOVE AND TRUST, PORCH AND JEREMY, YOU CHECK THOSE OUT TOO!! I LOVE YOUR REACTION BETHANY!! HE IS STILL AMAZING IN 2024! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS AWESOME VIDEO. YOU DID AN EXCELLENT JOB! 😊💓🤘✌️

[@AnissAlhassi]

Pearl jam is amazing band

[@JBjopa8]

You cannot go wrong with any performance from this unplugged concert!! Would love to see your reaction for "Porch" from this same unplugged concert

[@SmokedTails]

I don't think humans have ever rocked out harder with acoustic instruments than that performance of 'Porch.' great call.

[@cbus4126]

While the lyrics paint a picture. A masterpiece really. Eddie's voice is more like another instrument within the band. Soul, Blues, Rock.

[@garylagstrom3864]

I’ve got a cool story about Eddie Vedder. First I worked for an insurance company back in the day in the special lines field and remember actually speaking to Eddie about his boat policy! He said enjoyed calling instead of his agent! Very down to Earth and later we were able to meet at a Seattle Pearl Jam show so he was able to put a face to the voice on the phone 📱. ILL NEVER FORGET IT! RIP CHRIS CORNELL. The Seattle scene in the early 1990’s is unsurpassed by anything going on today!

[@Veronica-go9xy]

I am so glad to have found your channel. The way you go over some of my favorite bands and song. Pearl Jam was one of my favorites, if not my most favorite in the 90s. Eddie's voice is uncomparable then and still is. They're still one of my favorites, Black is by far my most favorite song from them. I'm hoping to hear your reaction to Avengened Sevenfold, Tonight the World Dies or I won't See you tonight.

[@mattsnow2376]

I so enjoy your heartfelt reactions to peoples signing and the lyrics. Very fun

[@mattmalmsteen3112]

Now I can't see.. I just stare.... Is one of the greatest lines in any song. Absolutely love Eddie and Pearl Jam. Black always makes me cry

[@patrickwilder6492]

It’s impossible to tell if Eddie is showcasing his talent due to the talent of his band or if the band is playing extraordinarily well to match his intensity. Every band should strive to do this every performance. The greats always do. ❤❤

[@MegaSargent1]

This is my favorite song from Pearl Jam the more I listen to Eddie Vedder the more I realize he's the best singer out of all the grunge singers but I still love Chris Cornell too the grit in Eddie's voice is insane plus all the other sounds he makes is crazy Black is still my all time favorite song from them it's probably Eddie's best vocal performance

[@rarefind3d]

This unplugged and the Nirvana one are both masterclasses.

[@WayTooLateTV]

Ed just put out a new track today, a studio cover of Tom Petty's "Room at the Top" for a show called Bad Monkey that celebrates the music of Tom Petty -- Ed and Tom were dear friends, and obviously Ed misses him terribly, but always, always honors him deeply whenever covering his songs. I suggest giving it a listen to see how far Ed's come in the last 30+ years!

[@kenkonwick6660]

One of the most underrated vocalists in rock history. Dude can wail, dude can tone down softly, he puts his entire being into his voice. U cannot help but be drawn into the emotions he portrays in his voice and lyrics. Yes he muffles a lot of annunciation, but we all tend to muffle our emotions when we feel them. He just oozes depth in his performances.

[@RealityDysfunction85]

He ain't underrated bro. He is widely revered as the best rock vocalist to come out of the 90s. Ask anyone that was alive then and they will 9/10 cite Vedder as the pinnacle of rock/grunge in the 90s. Underrated my left bollock.

[@kenkonwick6660]

@RealityDysfunction85 completely under rated. The guy is never mentioned when people start rating their best vocalists. That ain't a bad thing. Just nears that a lot of people just dint understand the emotional talent he had. I myself don't think of Cobain as a good voice, he couldn't even stand in tge same room as Vedder. But most people will say Cobain was tge best if tge era, and that's just not true

[@accelement3499]

MTV UN plugged is a treasure trove of music history!!!

[@christophermckinney3924]

This is why he made the cover of Time Magazine.

[@bobymox]

Really the best unplugged performance.I remember,I saw it with my crew a dozens of time.🤠👍Can belive it was 30 years ago????😢

[@terrencekelly2508]

Sounds as good as the studio track.

[@barrypos55]

I had never seen Pearl Jam until this MTV Unplugged gig on TV a long time ago! But I knew I'd heard something special.

[@martinw2235]

Definitely their best song. The studio solo is incredible.

[@icfrac8481]

i was in bands for like 15 years, and i just can see girls falling in love with Eddie.. i totally understand his voice is awesome. but you could just see girls melt when we where having a night listening to music. lots of singer girls ( i was in music school) didnt know him and just instantly fell in love xD

[@icfrac8481]

only guy i can see close to this is Jeff Buckley

[@jameshw9751]

Like they have done for the late Jim Morrison since the late '60's. Eddie is a lot more emotionally expressive though.

[@ivanmolina3563]

Great reaction, unbelieveble song.

[@realityboost4405]

Hey Bethany… I LOVE your videos and every time I learn from your vocal expertise…Forgive me but I think you've missed two critical things with this song and performance: 1) acknowledging the powerful story and meaning of the lyrics and 2) please go again to 8m27s and watch Eddie's face for 10 seconds…He's not just singing a song, he's performing the emotions of the lyrics (you could call it the libretto!)…He is acting the emotion behind the lyrics with his face and body…It's not just incredible vocal execution…Just masterful.

[@breakdancinfool]

Love Eddie as a performer. Seems like about as much fun as a bag of dry concrete when hes off stage - hyper political and dead serious at all times, like Ive never seen anyone so humourless as EV - but hes an absolutely incredible artist

[@jameshw9751]

He's quite prone to moments of levity in his interviews. Takes serious political issues seriously. A lot of people don't think artists should voice their opinions, if those opinions differ from their own. Vedder is unlike most other popular artists in that he won't censor himself for fear of alienating fans. I don't know that I would do any different if given such a platform.

[@seanmurphy637]

Once again your reaction and analysis of this song was an absolute pleasure to watch. This entire MTV performance was an absolute masterpiece so it is so difficult to pick favorite tracks, or which to recommend for you to watch next. I think you're just going to have to do all of them eventually. 😀 But, maybe Porch next

[@jacobwilloughby9893]

The fact that the band pulled this off as an acoustic jam was amazing to me. The guitar and bass had more of a job than the vocalist. Music is literally lightning caught in a jar man. You can't replicate this shitv

[@kimberlyallen7096]

Eddie is such an intense, unique, primal voice that commands attention but he is also backed up by an awesome band. I sure do miss the music of this time period.

[@Andradewx15]

Essa Live da MTV é simplesmente uma das melhores performances de uma balda ao vivo. Sério, é incrível como todas as músicas poderia ser facilmente uma versão de estúdio. Sorte de quem viu isso ao vivo.

[@kirstenheidelberg1172]

Eddie Vedder once again gives me a credible and very emotional story set to music. The way he accentuates it makes the lyrics come alive

[@ivanmolina3563]

Una banda de las bandas mas importantes por decadas no solo como suenan sino lo que dicen,no son letras al aire, vienen con todo el mensaje para muchos para todos.

[@michaelmckinney1409]

This was when NTV actually played music. Unplugged was great. So many great bands did it.

[@rugujack]

Pearl Jam- Release live version (the old one kinda black and white) always gives me chills amazing performance there, so emotional.

[@JoeMeyer8998]

The 1st few lines sung by Eddie are so intense it still gives me goose bumps everytime I hear it

[@bambino100011]

I have always loved watching MTV unplugged with Pearl Jam. It was an awesome performance.

[@bdmention]

The most amazing thing is that he sounds like this while sitting on a barstool.

[@peat_dont_repeat]

Great song. He could sing this song with no instruments. HIS VOICE IS AN INSTRUMENT. I LOVE IT!

[@RalfEngelmann]

Eddie Vedder - one of the greatest voices of our time. No taking credit away from the whole band, but his voice stands out, there's no denying.

[@Northern.Town.]

Eddie Vedder can move you with the simplicity of his voice.

[@innocentbystander1853]

Just for context in case you don’t already know this song is about Ed and his biological father who he grew up not knowing. Ed met his father on occasion but he was introduced to him as a “family friend” (He and Ed’s mother had divorced when Ed was very young). Ed grew up thinking his stepfather was his real father and only found out that his real father was his real father after he had passed away. Hope that makes sense. Another extremely emotional song Ed wrote about his father (also from the Ten album) is “Release”. Highly recommend you react to it.

[@gjptmpmnp]

It's an amazing song, but more about the grief turned into incest.

[@in_differ_ence]

I second this song pick “Release” 🙏🏻🔥

[@innocentbystander1853]

@@gjptmpmnp Have to disagree with you on that. Yes, there is a hint of what you’re talking about in a line or two in the second verse but this song is absolutely about his father and not knowing him while he was alive. Ed has done several interviews over the years where he confirms this to be the case.

[@gjptmpmnp]

@@innocentbystander1853 he has also done interviews absolutely confirming "the look"

[@innocentbystander1853]

@@gjptmpmnp I’m not saying the song doesn’t mention that but that is not what the song is about. The song is about his father.

[@ALESSANDRACARVALHO-r4j]

i love this music , i love this band

[@BohemianKitsch]

i am LOVING you for loving Eddie Vedder. 🥰

[@timb1319]

To think Eddie had a cold during this session.. just imagine what he would have been without it.. so powerful

[@mafes28]

Pearl Jam defined me in a way as a person I'm today. - I hope at least, it's true ;-) Listening to Pearl Jam while being with my girlfriend at that time back in the late 90's was something I will never forget. I do appreciate your "technical" or "pedagogical" analysis of the way he sings. I believe however that he is a prodigy that never thought how wide his vocal cords were open or how much air pressure he put through his cords while delivering these beautiful sounds...For me Eddie is THE MASTER in moving hearts, in touching the deepest areas of your soul and making you admire the MASTER...and cry sometime ;-)

[@PaulaU.]

El irresistible Eddie Vedder. Ella ya sonríe de solo verlo.

[@neonbible08]

That voice is unreal

[@Prsboy78]

Such a great concert. One of my early bands played a lot of the unplugged sets of Pearl jam, Stone temple pilots, Nirvana, Alice in chains and REM. They were all so good.

[@ryanr5319]

During about the 7th pause and take back, "We're about a minute in. Go us." Hah..loved the self-reflection.

[@GordonShumway-catlover]

Release is staggering. There's plenty of amazing live cuts as well.

[@henrykosky3919]

It's a GROWL.. LOUD... HARD.. JAW DROP... TONGUE BACK AND DOWN

[@FenderJay]

You should listen to Eddie Vedder singing live nowadays, he still has his voice theres maybe a few notes that he can’t hit anymore but he’s still well worth listening to

[@SkunkworksProps]

Honestly you could probably do the whole unplugged show for Pearl Jam, they're all superb, but Porch and Jeremy are two of my favourites.

[@revunuetnb]

Please react to, Silverchair “Tomorrow” Live 1995 MTV awards. The band is from australia and they made the song when they were like 15 years old and the singer can belt. Love the channel.

[@BrendenLee-dg]

I got to see them live in NY City at a night club. Totally unannounced and very few people knew they would be there. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life back then. I've been to a lot of concerts, but something about a private concert is just special and seeing Eddie Vedder up close, singing songs I was familiar with but had not really paid much attention to at the time, blew me away.

[@morrisbienvenu283]

I’d love to hear you analyze “Jeremy” Great song!👍🏻👍🏻

[@toddmichelfelder3417]

I love these guys and I have to say watching you react to this and other songs makes me enjoy them that much more!!👏👏👏👏

[@chueysmama2622]

As always, a great reaction! Thank you.

[@bobpetti4841]

MTV Unplugged was a treasure - so many amazing performances. If you've never seen it - look up KISS "I Still Love You" from their unplugged show - some pretty impressive vocals on display there.

[@Z-pizzle23]

I remember when these were comin out it was like a display that these guys are actually EXTREMELY talented musicians and not burnouts, my favorite being Alice in chains so gooood