Pearl Jam - Just Breathe [KARAOKE]

Just Breathe is a song by the American rock band Pearl Jam, released in 2009 as the second single from their ninth studio album, Backspacer. The song is a heartfelt exploration of love, mortality, and gratitude, inspired by personal experiences and the fragility of life.

The song was triggered by a chord from Tuolumne, an instrumental from Eddie Vedder’s soundtrack for the 2007 film Into the Wild. Vedder said that he picked up the guitar and played that chord, and then wrote a bridge that became the chorus. He described the song as “as close to a love song as we’ve ever gotten”, and said that it was about appreciating the finite nature of life and the people we cherish.

The lyrics convey a profound sense of both vulnerability and strength, capturing the human experience in its rawest form. The song features a simple acoustic guitar accompaniment, and a guest appearance by the Walcotts, a string quartet.

Just Breathe received critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching number five on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2011.

Pearl Jam were originally named after professional basketball player Mookie Blaylock, and their debut album Ten was named after his jersey number. The band changed their name to Pearl Jam for legal reasons, and chose it because they liked the weight behind it. They also saw Neil Young perform at the Nassau Coliseum when they were in New York to sign their record deal, and were inspired by his long jam sessions. Pearl Jam is one of the best-selling bands of all time, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.