10 Classic Songs About How The Music Industry Sucks

As the grunge scene started to take over the world, Pearl Jam were pissed. After becoming one of the biggest acts in the world next to Nirvana, Eddie Vedder did everything in his power to make sure he diminished his celebrity, from not creating any videos to refusing to have anyone interview him. When they found out that the corporate side started to affect their shows though, Pearl Jam made their message loud and clear on Not For You.

While this song could easily be a direct retort to the Ticketmaster fiasco that the band had around their necks, Vedder is also talking about the millions of hangers on that jumped on the Pearl Jam bandwagon once grunge hit it big. As soon as Nirvana took over the world, everyone and their mother was trying to make sheik out of flannel shirts and Doc Marten boots, and Vedder is talking about not letting the corporate side of America exploit you.

As much as Vitalogy might be a growing pains album for Pearl Jam, this song is a chance for them to let out all their frustration, as Eddie goes from crooning in his normal register to shouting his lungs out during the back half of the song. This uncomfortable side of Pearl Jam would only grow on the next album No Code, where Vedder talked about making a conscious effort to get impersonal. Even though the suits might exploit you, this is still your music, and you’re going to do everything in your power to fight for what you believe in.