Upper Hand

Summary

Upper Hand is Dark Matter’s longest track and, according to Pitchfork’s Zach Schonfeld, “ranks among the best Pearl Jam songs this century” Pitchfork . At nearly six minutes, it’s a slow-burner that Rolling Stone described as sounding “like it could be a newly recovered ballad the band might’ve recorded back in the Nineties, but now with a heavier dose of wisdom” Rolling Stone .

The song addresses mortality directly, with lyrics about the distance to the end being “closer now than it’s ever been.” Producer Andrew Watt’s approach to Mike McCready’s guitar work captured what makes the track special:

“You don’t edit Mike McCready. You fucking let him play.”

— Andrew Watt Goldmine

Key Details

Attribute	Details
Album	Dark Matter (2024)
Track Number	6
Release Date	April 19, 2024
Duration	5:57
Writers	Pearl Jam, Andrew Watt
Producer	Andrew Watt
Label	Monkeywrench/Republic
Recording	Shangri-La Studios, Malibu
Live Debut	May 4, 2024, Rogers Arena, Vancouver
Live Performances	23 (per setlist.fm)

Background & Inspiration

McCready Unleashed

Mike McCready addressed his expanded guitar presence on Dark Matter directly:

“For better or worse, you’re gonna hear a lot more lead guitar from me, stuff I haven’t done in a long time. I went crazy, like with Chris Cornell and Temple of the Dog on ‘Reach Down,’ all those years ago.”

— Mike McCready Goldmine

“Upper Hand” exemplifies this—McCready’s solo is “very out front, which was no doubt encouraged by Watt” Americana Highways .

Mortality Theme

The song addresses what one reviewer called Pearl Jam “openly asking what mortality and legacy mean—not as rock stars, but as husbands, fathers and human beings” XS Noize .

Lyrics & Interpretation

”The Distance to the End”

The song’s central lyric—about the distance to the end being closer now than ever—addresses mortality directly rather than metaphorically. Vedder “laments that ‘something that I never had was the upper hand’” Rolling Stone .

”Help to Carry Me Home”

The song reaches its emotional peak as Vedder “belts ‘Help to carry me home’ over one of Mike McCready’s many bracing guitar solos and Matt Cameron’s explosive percussion” Rolling Stone .

Composition & Arrangement

Cameron’s Double Time

Critics noted: “On ‘Upper Hand,’ it evolves with Cameron’s unexpected double time behind the last lead” Americana Highways . This rhythmic shift creates momentum for the song’s climactic finish.

Musical specifications:

Key: E minor
Tempo: Mid-tempo, building (~110 BPM)
Time Signature: 4/4
Duration: 5:57

Production & Recording

Studios: Shangri-La Studios, Malibu Recording Period: July 2021, March 2023 Producer: Andrew Watt

Watt’s production maintained the album’s live-show energy while giving McCready space to develop his solo fully.

Critical Reception

”Best Pearl Jam Songs This Century”

Pitchfork’s Zach Schonfeld declared “Upper Hand” one of the “best Pearl Jam songs this century”—significant praise for a deep cut on an album’s back half.

Live Performances

Metric	Data
Live Debut	May 4, 2024, Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
Total Performances	23 (per setlist.fm)
Typical Placement	Mid-to-late set, building section

“Upper Hand” became one of the Dark Matter World Tour’s “New Album Staples.” At the May 16, 2025 Pittsburgh show, the band played a “hand trilogy”—“Sleight of Hand,” “Severed Hand,” and “Upper Hand” in sequence.

Personnel

Member	Role
Eddie Vedder	Lead vocals, guitar
Stone Gossard	Guitar
Mike McCready	Lead guitar (featured solo)
Jeff Ament	Bass
Matt Cameron	Drums (double-time section)

Production: Andrew Watt

Context

At track 6, “Upper Hand” marks Dark Matter’s midpoint with its longest song. The extended format provides contrast to the album’s generally concise approach.

“Yellow Ledbetter” (Various): Extended instrumental feel
“Alive” (Ten): Building instrumental section
“Given to Fly” (Yield): Extended rock epic
“Reach Down” (Temple of the Dog): McCready’s own comparison