Mind Your Manners
Summary
Mind Your Manners was the lead single from Lightning Bolt—a punk-influenced blast that proved Pearl Jam could still deliver raw aggression in their third decade. Mike McCready conceived the track wanting something that felt like the Dead Kennedys:
“It’s my attempt to try to make a really hard edge-type Dead Kennedys-sounding song. In terms of tone I was thinking East Bay Ray and ‘California Uber Alles.’ I wanted that kind of aggression and that kind of feel.”
— Mike McCready Songfacts
But McCready comes from metal rather than punk. He relied on Jeff Ament’s authentic punk credentials:
“Jeff brought in a lot of his real punk rock kind of bass ideas of starting and stopping…the kind of school he comes from is that; I came from more of the metal thing but always wanted to dive into the punk side.”
— Mike McCready Songfacts
The result earned praise as “as pure a punk track as the band has ever recorded” and “Pearl Jam’s best song in decades” Static and Feedback .
Key Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Album | Lightning Bolt (2013) |
| Track Number | 2 |
| Release Date | July 11, 2013 (single) |
| Duration | 2:39 |
| Writers | Mike McCready (music), Eddie Vedder (lyrics) |
| Producer | Brendan O’Brien |
| Video Director | Danny Clinch |
| Chart Position | #2 Active Rock, #12 Rock Airplay |
| Live Performances | 148 (per setlist.fm) |
Lyrics & Meaning
The title becomes ironic—the song is anything but polite. Vedder’s lyrics criticize organized religion for hypocrisy, specifically mentioning “the abuse of children and then its cover-up” Louder .
The criticism extends to religious intolerance: organizations preaching morality while practicing otherwise. “Minding your manners” becomes about genuine ethical conduct rather than obedience to hypocritical authority.
Composition & Production
At 2:39, it’s among Pearl Jam’s shortest songs. Brad Wheeler of The Globe and Mail called it “lean, swift and punishing” Wikipedia .
Musical specifications:
- Key: D major
- Tempo: ~175 BPM
- Duration: 2:39
Studios: Henson Recording Studios (Los Angeles) Recording Period: Early 2012, March 2013
Despite the punk ethos, McCready delivers what fans called “one of the best Mike McCready guitar solos in history” Pearl Jam Community . The solo doesn’t contradict the punk approach—it intensifies rather than indulges.
Music Video
Danny Clinch directed the video, released August 23, 2013. Pearl Jam performs in front of a giant screen beaming a mash-up of stock war footage and original animation by Montana-based artist Andy Smetanka SPIN . Jeff Ament, also from Montana, brought Smetanka to the project.
The visuals evoke Hurricane Sandy, 9/11, and nuclear weapons while the band plays—reinforcing the song’s confrontational stance.
Live Performances
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Live Debut | July 16, 2013, London, Ontario |
| Total Performances | 148 |
| Typical Placement | Early set opener |
The punk intensity translates powerfully live. Crowds respond with mosh-pit energy.
Personnel
| Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Eddie Vedder | Vocals |
| Stone Gossard | Guitar |
| Mike McCready | Guitar (songwriter) |
| Jeff Ament | Bass |
| Matt Cameron | Drums |
Production: Brendan O’Brien
Context
Placing “Mind Your Manners” second—immediately after “Getaway”—creates a one-two punch of aggressive rock that announces Lightning Bolt’s intentions. The opening demolishes any expectation of Backspacer-style pop-rock.
Related Songs
- “Spin the Black Circle” (Vitalogy): Previous punk-influenced highlight
- “Lukin” (No Code): Another short, aggressive track
- “Getaway” (same album): Companion religious critique