What Pearl Jam Means To Me

[NYYIronHorse]

Let me start by saying that I'm 40 years old and while I enjoyed many of P.J.'s songs since I was in my 20's, I pretty much limited my listening to Black, Betterman, Jeremy.... I think you get the picture. Fast forward to this past October. I was almost killed in a car accident while driving to work. In fact, I consider it a miracle to be alive. Anyway, during this long, painful recovery, I began listening to all those Pearl Jam songs that for some idiotic reason, I never listened to all these years. Pearl Jam has been as much a part of my recovery as any Dr., Physical Therapist or Surgeon. People say that things like accidents happen for a reason. I don't think that reason has to be because I'm supposed to do something great with my life (I'm pretty happy with the life I've made). Anyway, if there's one positive out of all this, it's that I feel in love with Pearl Jam's music and from the bottom of my heart thank them for helping me get through the depression, pain and future uncertainty of what I went through. I'm proud to say that I'm now a Pearl Jam fan for life.

Patrick

[peacefrompaul]

Pearl Jam has changed their music so much, it's incredible... They are a true rock band, they do it all. That evolution (and the fact that they did it well) is one of the things that makes Pearl Jam such an incredible band.

[betterday52]

Yep, I busted my knee on the first day of vacay, and PJ helped me thru painful nites. They truley are good medicine!

[PJ_Soul]

Awesome - glad you're Alive!
I know how you feel. I've always been a fan - had all their CDs, called them one of my favorite bands since 1992 - but more recently Pearl Jam single handedly helped me recover from PTSD when nothing else worked. I would still be totally fucked up if it weren't for them, without a doubt. As it is, I'm literally COMPLETELY better, and it's been a while now. Magic cure! Such things definitely allow one to develop a connection to a band and their music that can't even really be explained to people who haven't been saved by music like that (I'm pretty sure some of my friends think it's a bit weird... I don't think so at all. I think they're just unlucky not to find the same passion from music! I'm glad there are also plenty of people out there who have found it). I'm so glad it was Pearl Jam who ended up being what I needed to recover, because this love affair will last a lifetime!

[LiLiNY81]

I was recently diagnosed with an anxiety/panic disorder. After watching PJ20, I decided (like NYYIronHorse) to listen to more than just "Jeremy" or "Better Man", etc.. Suffice it to say since really getting into their music, I haven't had the need to take my xanax (it's been about 2-3 months since I last took it). My panic attacks have subsided for the most part and I don't have much anxiety anymore. Can't really explain it and maybe it sounds a bit cooky, but Pearl Jam's music calms me down. Thanks PJ!

[GirlLovesPJ]

I am so sorry about your accident, but happy to hear that you are doing better.

I am glad that PJ still gets new fans. I am also a new fan, I got into PJ music about a year ago. Prior to that I only knew Alive and Jeremy. After reading your post I don't feel like an outcast among the long-time fans (although they are very welcoming and kind to me).

[NYYIronHorse]

:thumbup: Awesome - glad you're Alive!
I know how you feel - Pearl Jam single handedly helped me recover from PTSD when nothing else worked. I would still be totally fucked up if it weren't for them, without a doubt. Such things definitely allow one to develop a connection to a band and their music that can't even really be explained to people who haven't been saved by music like that (I'm pretty sure some of my friends think it's a bit weird... I don't think so at all. I think they're just unlucky not to find the same passion from music! I'm glad there are also plenty of people out there who have found it). I'm so glad it was Pearl Jam who ended up being what I needed to recover, because this love affair will last a lifetime!

Thanks. I've had a few people ask "How could you listen to that stuff?". Sad, but some people don't get it and never will. I'm grateful that I get it, and like you, this will last a lifetime.

[BinFrog]

I have so many memories intertwined w/ PJ over the past 20 years...it's nearly impossible to imagine life without their music. As corny as it sounds, they have been a significant % of my life's soundtrack going all the way back to when I first popped in Ten and listened to it on my bedroom floor at 15 years old in late '91. Every listen to a new album, every show, every serendipitous moment, every time I came across a rare song on the web, every time I played a song for someone and they seemed to "get" it....its been a constant stream of moments and memories.

[NYYIronHorse]

I was recently diagnosed with an anxiety/panic disorder. After watching PJ20, I decided (like NYYIronHorse) to listen to more than just "Jeremy" or "Better Man", etc.. Suffice it to say since really getting into their music, I haven't had the need to take my xanax (it's been about 2-3 months since I last took it). My panic attacks have subsided for the most part and I don't have much anxiety anymore. Can't really explain it and maybe it sounds a bit cooky, but Pearl Jam's music calms me down. Thanks PJ!

I was also diagnosed with PTSD and bad anxiety, It's not kooky. Pearl Jam does have medicinal qualities to them and you can always raise your dose as high as you want. Glad you're doing better.

[Meg8686]

Ditched Prosaic, Prescribed myself Pearl Jam instead , completely helped me deal with depression. I used to feel so lost in life but they helped me find my place in the world. I can relate to your story sir. They are the best medicine

[Meg8686]

I was recently diagnosed with an anxiety/panic disorder. After watching PJ20, I decided (like NYYIronHorse) to listen to more than just "Jeremy" or "Better Man", etc.. Suffice it to say since really getting into their music, I haven't had the need to take my xanax (it's been about 2-3 months since I last took it). My panic attacks have subsided for the most part and I don't have much anxiety anymore. Can't really explain it and maybe it sounds a bit cooky, but Pearl Jam's music calms me down. Thanks PJ!

I was also diagnosed with PTSD and bad anxiety, It's not kooky. Pearl Jam does have medicinal qualities to them and you can always raise your dose as high as you want. Glad you're doing better.

Me too, my anxiety was intense, I was a wreck and wasted most of my twenties, from 17-26 I did NOTHING other than be sad. Perscribed Drugs were not helping me, It was tough, nearly didn't make it out of my depression. Pearl jam lyrics made me confront my emotions and reflect, it hurt a lot, the lyrics are raw and truthful. I found a lot of messages I tried to apply to my own life. i think it was the thing that saved me, some examples that still help me to this day ...

Life wasted, Present Tense, Breakerfall, In hiding, Thumbing my way, Bee girl ... these all help me get through the bad times, and kick my ass into shape. I am on a totally different path in life now thanks to PJ.

Even last week, was getting nervous about making the final leap, Ive been 'handed down' a gardening business, the nerves are setting in about wether to accept or not ... my go to tune was
life wasted - 'why swim the channel just to get this far, halfway there why would you turn around?'
I don't ignore thier messages & i accepted. I went off to start studying Horticulture 2 years ago after PJ inspired me to do it.. They really have motivated me to live a better life

Sooo happy others are finding the same effect. Magic isn't it

[NYYIronHorse]

I was recently diagnosed with an anxiety/panic disorder. After watching PJ20, I decided (like NYYIronHorse) to listen to more than just "Jeremy" or "Better Man", etc.. Suffice it to say since really getting into their music, I haven't had the need to take my xanax (it's been about 2-3 months since I last took it). My panic attacks have subsided for the most part and I don't have much anxiety anymore. Can't really explain it and maybe it sounds a bit cooky, but Pearl Jam's music calms me down. Thanks PJ!

I was also diagnosed with PTSD and bad anxiety, It's not kooky. Pearl Jam does have medicinal qualities to them and you can always raise your dose as high as you want. Glad you're doing better.

Me too, my anxiety was intense, I was a wreck and wasted most of my twenties, from 17-26 I did NOTHING other than be sad. Perscribed Drugs were not helping me, It was tough, nearly didn't make it out of my depression. Pearl jam lyrics made me confront my emotions and reflect, it hurt a lot, the lyrics are raw and truthful. I found a lot of messages I tried to apply to my own life. i think it was the thing that saved me, some examples that still help me to this day ...

Life wasted, Present Tense, Breakerfall, In hiding, Thumbing my way, Bee girl ... these all help me get through the bad times, and kick my ass into shape. I am on a totally different path in life now thanks to PJ.

Even last week, was getting nervous about making the final leap, Ive been 'handed down' a gardening business, the nerves are setting in about wether to accept or not ... my go to tune was
life wasted - 'why swim the channel just to get this far, halfway there why would you turn around?'
I don't ignore thier messages & i accepted. I went off to start studying Horticulture 2 years ago after PJ inspired me to do it.. They really have motivated me to live a better life

Sooo happy others are finding the same effect. Magic isn't it

It is magic. Best of luck with your business. God bless.

[LiLiNY81]

I was recently diagnosed with an anxiety/panic disorder. After watching PJ20, I decided (like NYYIronHorse) to listen to more than just "Jeremy" or "Better Man", etc.. Suffice it to say since really getting into their music, I haven't had the need to take my xanax (it's been about 2-3 months since I last took it). My panic attacks have subsided for the most part and I don't have much anxiety anymore. Can't really explain it and maybe it sounds a bit cooky, but Pearl Jam's music calms me down. Thanks PJ!

I was also diagnosed with PTSD and bad anxiety, It's not kooky. Pearl Jam does have medicinal qualities to them and you can always raise your dose as high as you want. Glad you're doing better.

Thanks, and I'm sorry about your PTSD and anxiety. Such a horrible thing!

[ladydocNYC]

Thanks for posting. I love to hear about others' awakenings to PJ. Mine too was pretty late, in that I'd been listening from the beginning but pretty casually and superficially. Then when I finally "got" it, it really changed my life. This band really made me a "spiritual" person. They opened up a whole new channel of appreciation and love and inspiration that I tap into in good times and bad. There is definitely a healing quality to it. So dare I ask, NYCironhorse and LiLNY, have you had the opportunity to see them live yet? That was what did it for me.

[AlbertaGirl70_]

Loved reading all the posts,and was able to find at least a little of me in everyones story....My big connection is that I'm convinced their music got me through the hell of breast cancer,surgery,chemo and raditation at 28......13 years later and I will always credit them at least with some of my survival
My best wishes to everyone!