Comatose
Summary
Comatose is a hypnotic, droning interlude on Pearl Jam’s 2006 self-titled album—a moment of eerie calm between the political fury of “World Wide Suicide” and the heavy assault of “Severed Hand.” At just over two minutes, this atmospheric piece explores emotional numbness and disconnection, its punk-influenced edge nodding to the Dead Kennedys’ “Bleed for Me,” which Pearl Jam covered during their 2004 tour antiMusic .
Rolling Stone noted that the five-song opening stretch showed “punch and crust” Rolling Stone . One reviewer described it as featuring “Vedder at his most vicious,” calling the track “indomitable.”
Coming off Riot Act and a four-year recording hiatus, Pearl Jam “roared back” with an album that “simmers with urgency and speed” Fraudster's Almanac .
Key Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Album | Pearl Jam (2006) |
| Track Number | 3 |
| Release Date | May 2, 2006 |
| Duration | 2:19 |
| Writer | Stone Gossard |
| Producer | Adam Kasper |
| Style | Punk-influenced rock |
| Influence | Dead Kennedys’ “Bleed for Me” |
| Live Performances | 9 (per setlist.fm) |
Background & Inspiration
Dead Kennedys Influence
The song drew influence from Pearl Jam’s 2004 tour when they performed Dead Kennedys’ “Bleed for Me” as a cover. That hardcore punk energy surfaces in “Comatose.”
Gossard Composition
Stone Gossard wrote “Comatose.” Gossard and McCready’s guitars are “fully unleashed” on songs like “Comatose” and “Big Wave,” with the instruments “buzzing through the electrical fury of the ensemble’s aural assault” antiMusic .
Return from Hiatus
The song emerged during sessions that marked Pearl Jam’s return after a four-year gap. McCready and Gossard “play off each other with the primal lucidity of a decade ago” Rolling Stone .
Lyrics & Interpretation
Emotional Shutdown
The sparse lyrics explore a state of emotional disconnection—being present but not fully conscious, awake but not engaged. The “comatose” state suggests protective numbness.
Key interpretations:
- Information overload: The psychological toll of consuming too much bad news
- Protective shutdown: When emotions become too intense
- War trauma: How distant violence affects those watching from home
Composition & Arrangement
Musical specifications:
- Key: E minor
- Tempo: Driving (~130 BPM)
- Time Signature: 4/4
- Duration: 2:19
At 2:19, “Comatose” doesn’t overstay. It makes its point and moves on.
Production & Recording
Studio: Studio X, Seattle, Washington Recording Period: November 2004 – February 2006 Producer: Adam Kasper Engineers: Sam Hofstedt, John Burton
Live Performances
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Live Debut | May 9, 2006, Air Canada Centre, Toronto |
| Total Performances | 9 (per setlist.fm) |
| Last Performed | October 25, 2009, Wamu Theater, Seattle |
“Comatose” appeared during the album’s touring cycle in 2006 and occasionally through 2009, but hasn’t been performed since.
Personnel
| Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Eddie Vedder | Vocals |
| Stone Gossard | Guitar (songwriter) |
| Mike McCready | Guitar |
| Jeff Ament | Bass |
| Matt Cameron | Drums |
Production: Adam Kasper
Context
At track 3, “Comatose” continues the album’s aggressive opening. The sequencing creates psychological narrative—from grief to anger to protective shutdown.
Related Songs
- “Spin the Black Circle” (Vitalogy): Similar punk energy
- “Brain of J” (Yield): Gossard-led rock intensity
- “Severed Hand” (same album): Following track’s heaviness