Got Some
Summary
Got Some brings new wave energy to Backspacer—a tight, hooky track written by Jeff Ament that received one of the most high-profile debuts in Pearl Jam’s history. On June 1, 2009, they premiered it on the very first episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, watched by 9.2 million viewers Rolling Stone .
Conan introduced them with unmistakable enthusiasm:
“Launching a show like this takes a lot of hard work and one of the things that has sustained me over the past three months was knowing that at the end of our first show I’d get to watch a performance by one of the greatest rock bands in the world.”
— Conan O’Brien Rolling Stone
Key Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Album | Backspacer (2009) |
| Track Number | 2 |
| Release Date | October 27, 2009 (single, with “Just Breathe”) |
| Duration | 3:19 |
| Writers | Jeff Ament (music), Eddie Vedder (lyrics) |
| Producer | Brendan O’Brien |
| TV Debut | June 1, 2009, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien |
| Live Performances | 115 (per setlist.fm) |
Background & Inspiration
According to Stone Gossard, “Got Some” was among the first batch of instrumentals written for what became Backspacer Billboard . Jeff Ament contributed the angular, bass-driven foundation.
Backspacer represented a deliberate shift from political directness. Gossard addressed this:
“We’ve made a couple of political and pointed records, the last two in particular, and just to move away from that is great, because it allows you to go back to that when you need to.”
— Stone Gossard uDiscover
Lyrics & Meaning
Vedder’s lyrics ride the urgent groove with phrases about having something to offer—energy, ideas, desire. The meaning is deliberately open, but the feeling is unmistakable: forward-moving confidence without hesitation.
Critics noted something “almost adolescent” in the song’s directness Press of Atlantic City —a purity of energy that recalls uncomplicated youthful confidence.
Composition & Production
The new wave influence shows in production choices: cleaner tones than typical Pearl Jam heaviness, precise rhythms. Critics noted “Got Some” and “The Fixer” were “peppered with hot little riffs from guitarists Mike McCready and Stone Gossard” Press of Atlantic City .
Musical specifications:
- Key: A major
- Tempo: ~150 BPM
- Duration: 3:19
Studios: Henson Recording Studios (Los Angeles), Southern Tracks (Atlanta) Recording Period: February–April 2009
Live Performances
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| TV Debut | June 1, 2009, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien |
| Concert Debut | August 8, 2009, Virgin Festival Alberta |
| Total Performances | 115 |
| 2023 Return | September 2, St. Paul (after 5+ year absence) |
The Conan appearance gave “Got Some” extraordinary exposure—nine million viewers saw Pearl Jam premiere a song months before the album released. The song disappeared from setlists for over five years before returning in 2023.
Personnel
| Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Eddie Vedder | Lead vocals |
| Stone Gossard | Guitar |
| Mike McCready | Guitar |
| Jeff Ament | Bass |
| Matt Cameron | Drums |
Writing: Jeff Ament (music), Eddie Vedder (lyrics) Production: Brendan O’Brien
Context
As track 2, “Got Some” arrives immediately after the album-opening “Gonna See My Friend”—two punchy, driving songs establishing Backspacer’s energy before exploring other moods.
Related Songs
- “Nothing as It Seems” (Binaural): Ament’s bass-forward approach
- “Supersonic” (same album): Ramones-influenced punk brevity
- “Mind Your Manners” (Lightning Bolt): Later punk-influenced single