Eddie Vedder Rewriting Pearl Jam Classic?

Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder recently talked about “Better Man” as a unique choice for a first dance at a wedding.

Eddie Vedder talks about his friend

During Pearl Jam’s Chicago concert, Vedder recalled when he was asked to play ‘Better Man’ so that a couple could dance at their wedding. He then joked about possibly rewriting it. He said:

“So yesterday I’m with this friend, and they had a friend that when they got married they wanted their first dance. It was the wife’s decision. So it’s gonna be her decision. And she wanted the first dance to be ‘Better Man’. I said ‘you know that’s a song about an abusive relationship’. But she was just going with the line. ‘Her man she couldn’t find a better man’ and I respect that. So I’m gonna rewrite another version for their wedding.”

Pearl Jam returned to Wrigley Field on Thursday, August 29th for the fourth time. The group opened its two-night stand on Thursday with a 145-minute show packed with emotion, controlled focus, and clear undercurrents of resistance.

The Seattle-based group always feels something special when they perform at the ballpark, and vocalist Eddie Vedder is well aware of it. Sporting a fedora and a Walter Payton jersey with the number “34,” Vedder also spoke about the significance of playing at the venue for him and the band. Vedder confessed during the encore that he found it difficult to sing because he was overwhelmed by the experience.

Vedder also nearly broke down in tears as he introduced a feisty solo cover of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” and said the late icon phoned him from Wrigley Field at what became his final local outing in 2017. Phil Donahue, a recently deceased celebrity with deep Chicago ties, also received a song tribute (“Down”) and humorous anecdote.

Other than flubbing a few lyrics on early number “Of The Girl” (blamed on his “out of body experience” taking in the momentousness), Vedder did just fine singing over two-and-a-half hours in an engrossing, career-spanning set. A

Always a uniquely curated affair, this night featured Pearl Jam’s “Ten”-era songs, their “Singles” soundtrack staple “State of Love and Trust” and even some covers of Tom Petty and Neil Young, along with the latest existential pinings heard on new album “Dark Matter.” Released in April, the record is some of the strongest material from the band in years, recalling the angsty days.