Save You is a song by Pearl Jam, released on February 11, 2002, as the second single from the band’s seventh studio album, Riot Act (2002). Although credited to all members of Pearl Jam, it features lyrics written by vocalist Eddie Vedder and music primarily written by guitarist Mike McCready. The song peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The song was included on Pearl Jam‘s 2004 greatest hits album, rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003). Save You was released as a single in 2003 with a previously unreleased B side titled Other Side, which can also be found on the compilation album, Lost Dogs (2003). The song peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 29 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Outside the United States, the single was released commercially in Canada. In Canada, the song reached the top 20 on the Canadian Singles Chart.
Eddie Vedder about the song:
“One thing I’ve learned about addiction in the last few years is that having seen other folk go through it, and really not having done that, with heroin which can grip you that intensely. I didn’t have a complete understanding and a lot of times it was easy to come to the conclusion that you place blame on the person or accuse them of weakness or ask, “Why couldn’t Kurt (Cobain) keep it together?” There was always that in the back of your mind. So with all the sympathy and empathy you could muster you still felt like, “Wow, there was so much to live for.” What I’ve learned is there really isn’t any blame. It has happened to some folks I cared about so much and had it so together, so it really isn’t blame thing. I think the song is expressing how badly you want to help”.
Tracklist:
- Save You
- Other Side
The music video for Save You was directed by James Frost. The video was filmed at Seattle, Washington’s Chop Suey club in September 2002. The video consists of a filmed live performance of the band rather than a conceptual video. It was one of five videos shot at the club to promote Riot Act (including I Am Mine, Love Boat Captain, Thumbing My Way and ½ Full). Up to that point the band had not made any music videos since 1998’s Do the Evolution. The video was released in late 2002.
Pearl Jam
Jeff Ament: bass guitar
Matt Cameron: drums, percussion
Stone Gossard: guitar
Mike McCready: guitar
Eddie Vedder: guitar, vocals
