Future Days
Summary
Future Days closes Lightning Bolt with a delicate ballad about lasting love. Eddie Vedder wrote both music and lyrics, inspired by the accidental drowning death of his friend Dennis Flemion of The Frogs in July 2012. The song gained unexpected cultural reach when it was featured prominently in The Last of Us Part II (2020), where it symbolizes the bond between protagonists Joel and Ellie.
Key Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Album | Lightning Bolt (2013) |
| Track Number | 12 |
| Duration | 4:23 |
| Writer | Eddie Vedder |
| Producer | Brendan O’Brien |
| Cultural Impact | Featured in The Last of Us Part II (2020), HBO’s The Last of Us Season 2 (2025) |
| Live Performances | 18 Pearl Jam, 33+ total |
Background & Inspiration
The song was inspired by the loss of Dennis Flemion, founding member of Milwaukee alt-rock act The Frogs. According to Jimmy Flemion, Dennis’s brother:
“Dennis once drew three crooked hearts in a notebook belonging to Vedder backstage following a Pearl Jam show in 1995.”
— Jimmy Flemion Wikipedia
This transforms the “crooked hearts” lyric from abstract imagery into something deeply personal—Vedder carrying his friend’s doodle for nearly two decades.
Vedder struggled with how directly to address mortality:
“Maybe just because I read the paper every day. Maybe it’s war, maybe it’s the epidemic rates of suicide in veterans. I just can’t seem to get around it. So I think part of it is not getting around it, it’s getting through it.”
— Eddie Vedder Billboard
Lyrics & Meaning
The song is a love letter—not to youthful passion but to enduring partnership. The opening line establishes the stakes: losing someone means losing yourself. This echoes the same line in “Sirens”—both songs share this phrase, creating thematic connection. Where “Sirens” expresses fear, “Future Days” expresses acceptance.
The title phrase is an act of faith. To speak of “future days” with someone is to assume survival, continuity, ongoing presence.
Composition & Production
The arrangement is sparse and acoustic-driven.
Musical specifications:
- Key: G major
- Tempo: ~70 BPM
- Duration: 4:23
Studios: Henson Recording Studios (Los Angeles), Studio X (Seattle) Recording Period: Early 2012, March 2013 Additional Musicians: Ann Marie Calhoun (violin), Boom Gaspar (keyboards)
The Last of Us Connection
Game director Neil Druckmann is a dedicated Pearl Jam fan who incorporated the song into the game’s emotional core:
“Sony was doubtful that Naughty Dog would receive permission to use the song; the band’s manager agreed after hearing the story pitch, receiving a PlayStation 4, a copy of the first game, and an advanced screening of a trailer.”
— Wikipedia Wikipedia
In the game, Joel performs the song for Ellie, establishing their bond. Vedder embraced the new context:
“I really appreciate the way it was used in The Last Of Us: Part II, especially bringing Joel and Ellie together, connecting through music.”
— Eddie Vedder NME
Vedder performed solo at the 2020 Game Awards, where the game won eight awards. Pearl Jam released The Last of Us EP on May 12, 2025.
Live Performances
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Debut | July 19, 2013, Wrigley Field, Chicago (pre-album) |
| Pearl Jam Performances | 18 |
| Total (all artists) | 33+ |
Mike McCready predicted its impact:
“I think it’ll be one of those that people cry to, hopefully get a little closer to their loved ones when they hear it.”
— Mike McCready Billboard
Personnel
| Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Eddie Vedder | Vocals, guitar |
| Stone Gossard | Guitar |
| Mike McCready | Guitar |
| Jeff Ament | Bass |
| Matt Cameron | Drums |
| Ann Marie Calhoun | Violin |
| Boom Gaspar | Keyboards |
Production: Brendan O’Brien
Context
As Lightning Bolt’s closer, “Future Days” provides resolution after the album’s range of intensity. The two mortality songs share a key line: “Sirens” (track 4) expresses the fear; “Future Days” (track 12) expresses acceptance. Together they trace an emotional arc from anxiety to peace.
Related Songs
- “Release” (Ten): Original emotional album closer
- “Just Breathe” (Backspacer): Similar intimate love song
- “Sirens” (same album): Companion piece sharing a key line
- “River Cross” (Gigaton): Next album’s quiet closer