On This Day in 1994: Pearl Jam’s Third Album, ‘Vitalogy,’ Became the Band’s Second to Hit No. 1 on the ‘Billboard’ 200

Thirty years ago today (December 24, 1994), Pearl Jam continued its run as one of the most popular and successful bands of the grunge era, as its third studio effort, Vitalogy, topped the Billboard 200.

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The Seattle band’s first two albums, Ten (1991) and Vs. (1993), had respectively reached No. 2 and No. 1 on the chart. Vitalogy replaced smooth-jazz saxophonist Kenny G’s Miracles: The Holiday Album from the pinnacle of the Billboard 200 and spent a week at No. 1 before Miracles reclaimed to top spot.

That being said, the biggest hit and best-known song on Vitalogy was the melodic and accessible rock anthem “Better Man.” “Better Man” was written by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder while he was still a teenager. The band first recorded the song during the Vs. sessions, but, according to co-producer Brendan O’Brien, Vedder initially soured on the tune when O’Brien told him he thought it sounded like a hit.

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“Better Man” was revisited for Vitalogy. It was issued as a promotional single on the same day that the album was released, November 22, 1994. The song went on to top Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart for eight weeks, and peaked at No. 2 on the Alternative Airplay tally.

Other Standout Songs on Vitalogy

Five other songs from Vitalogy impacted Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay and Alternative Airplay charts. They were “Corduroy,” “Not for You,” “Spin the Black Circle,” “Tremor Christ,” and “Immortality.”

Vitalogy also included a number of tracks that found Pearl Jam delving into sonic experimentation. “Bugs” was a bizarre, Tom Waits-esque tune that featured Vedder playing accordion. The album’s closing track, “Hey Foxymophandlemama, That’s Me,” was a sound collage created by using audio loops of recordings of patients from a psychiatric hospital.

More About the Making of Vitalogy

Vitalogy was made during a period of upheaval in the band. It was the last album to feature drummer Dave Abbruzzese, who was fired in August 1994 because of personality conflicts with some of the other band members.

Founding Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Jack Irons was hired to replace Abbruzzese, and played on “Hey Foxymophandlemama, That’s Me.”

Vitalogy also was the first Peal Jam album for which Vedder took on the role of making final decisions. Meanwhile, problems with communication between the band members at the time almost led to founding guitarist Stone Gossard quitting the band. Also, guitarist Mike McCready was dealing with alcohol and c*c**n* abuse issues.

The bandmates obviously were eventually able to overcome their differences and move forward together.

Vitalogy Achievements

In 1996, Vitalogy was nominated for Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Rock Album, but lost to Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill in both categories. The Vitalogy track “Spin the Black Circle” did win the Best Hard Rock Performance trophy.

Vitalogy has gone on to be certified five-times platinum by the RIAA for sales of more than 5 million copies in the U.S. Ten and Vs. are the only Pearl Jam albums to have sold more copies, 13 million and 7 million, respectively.

Vitalogy Track List:

1. “Last Exit”
2. “Spin the Black Circle”
3. “Not for You”
4. “Tremor Christ”
5. “Nothingman”
6. “Whipping”
7. “Pry, To”
8. “Corduroy”
9. “Bugs”
10. “Satan’s Bed”
11. “Better Man”
12. “Aye Davanita”
13. “Immortality”
14. “Hey Foxymophandlemama, That’s Me” a.k.a. “Stupid Mop”