"I Am Mine"
Single by Pearl Jam
from the album Riot Act
B-side
  • "Down"
  • "Undone"
ReleasedOctober 8, 2002 (2002-10-08)
StudioStudio X (Seattle, Washington)
GenreFolk rock[1]
Length3:35
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Eddie Vedder
Producer(s)
Pearl Jam singles chronology
"Light Years"
(2000) 		"I Am Mine"
(2002) 		"Save You"
(2003)
Music video
"I Am Mine" on YouTube
Audio sample

"I Am Mine" is a song by American rock band Pearl Jam. Written by vocalist Eddie Vedder, "I Am Mine" was released on October 8, 2002, as the first single from the band's seventh studio album, Riot Act (2002). The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song was included on Pearl Jam's 2004 greatest hits album, rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003).

Origin and recording

"I Am Mine" was written by vocalist Eddie Vedder in a hotel room near Virginia Beach, Virginia before the band's first show after the Roskilde tragedy in 2000.[2] Vedder said that he wrote the song to "reassure myself that this is going to be all right."[3]

Composition

Drummer Matt Cameron on "I Am Mine":

It seems like it has all the elements this band is known for: strong lyrics, strong hook, and a good sense of melody. It wasn't a really tough decision to have that be the starting point for the record.[4]

Lyrics

The lyrics for "I Am Mine" tackle existential matters. At the band's April 8, 2003, show in New Orleans, Louisiana at the UNO Lakefront Arena, Vedder stated, "This song is about what's inside you. You own it, and you have the freedom for it to come out. It's allowed to come out."[3] At the band's July 8, 2003, show in New York City at Madison Square Garden, Vedder stated, "This song's about personal safety, and the feeling of being secure, and even free."[5]

Release and reception

"I Am Mine" was released to several radio formats on September 23, 2002,[6] while the physical release of the single was issued on October 8, 2002.[7] The various versions of the "I Am Mine" single include the previously unreleased B-sides "Down" and "Undone", both of which can also be found on the compilation album Lost Dogs (2003), with the latter in an alternate version. "I Am Mine" was the most successful song from Riot Act on the American rock charts. The song peaked at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100,[8] number seven on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart,[9] and number six on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.[10] In Canada, the song reached the top 10 on the Canadian Singles Chart.[11] Outside North America, "I Am Mine" reached the top 30 in the United Kingdom and peaked at number 12 in Australia, where it was certified gold.[12][13][14] The track reached the top 50 in New Zealand, the top 40 in Ireland, the top 30 in Sweden, the top 20 in Finland, and the top 10 in Italy, Norway, and Portugal.[13][15][16]

Music video

The music video for "I Am Mine" was directed by James Frost.[17] The video was filmed at Seattle, Washington's Chop Suey club in September 2002.[18] The video consists of a filmed live performance of the band rather than a conceptual video. It was one of five videos shot at the club to promote Riot Act (including "Save You", "Love Boat Captain", "Thumbing My Way", and "1/2 Full"). Up to that point, the band had not made any music videos since 1998's "Do the Evolution". The video was released in October 2002.[19]

Live performances

"I Am Mine" was first performed live at Neil Young's 2001 Bridge School Benefit.[20] The band played this song when it appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman in November 2002 in support of Riot Act. Live performances of "I Am Mine" can be found on various official bootlegs and the Live at the Gorge 05/06 box set. Performances of the song are also included on the DVDs Live at the Showbox and Live at the Garden.

Track listings

All songs were written by Eddie Vedder except where noted.

CD (US, Canada, and Europe) and 7-inch vinyl (Europe)[21][22][23]

  1. "I Am Mine"
  2. "Down" (Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, Vedder)

7-inch vinyl (US)[24]

A. "I Am Mine"
B. "Undone"

CD (Australia) and maxi-single (Europe)[25][26]

  1. "I Am Mine"
  2. "Down" (Gossard, McCready, Vedder)
  3. "Bushleaguer" (Gossard, Vedder)
  4. "Undone"

CD (UK)[27]

  1. "I Am Mine" (album version) – 3:35
  2. "Bushleaguer" (album version) (Gossard, Vedder) – 3:57
  3. "Undone" – 3:08

Charts

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "I Am Mine"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[14] Gold 35,000^
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[44] Gold 30,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "I Am Mine"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States September 23, 2002
Epic [6]
September 30, 2002 Hot adult contemporary radio [45]
October 8, 2002
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
 [7]
Australia October 21, 2002 CD [46]
Denmark October 28, 2002 [47]
United Kingdom
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
 [48]

References

  1. ^ "New Pearl Jam takes on minimalism, Bush". Yale Daily News. November 15, 2002. Retrieved May 31, 2020. But the real standout here is 'I am Mine,' a swirling folk-rock epic that is easily Pearl Jam's best song in years.
  2. ^ Cohen, Jonathan. "The 'Pearls' of Pearl Jam". Billboard. April 14, 2006.
  3. ^ a b Fricke, David (May 29, 2003). "Eddie Vedder's Combat Rock". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 19, 2004. Retrieved March 19, 2004.
  4. ^ Cohen, Jonathan. "Inciting a 'Riot': Pearl Jam's New Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 30, 2002. Retrieved April 8, 2017.((cite magazine)): CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). Billboard. November 2002.
  5. ^ Live at the Garden. Pearl Jam. Video. Epic, 2003.
  6. ^ a b "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1471. September 20, 2002. p. 33. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "For the Record: Quick News on Pearl Jam, Jagged Edge, Shaggy, Dr. Dre, Whitney Houston, Color Me Badd & More". MTV. September 11, 2002. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Pearl Jam Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Pearl Jam Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Pearl Jam Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Pearl Jam Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  12. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  13. ^ a b c "Pearl Jam – I Am Mine". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  14. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2002 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  15. ^ a b "Irish-charts.com – Discography Pearl Jam". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  16. ^ a b "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 48. November 23, 2002. p. 13. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  17. ^ Mills, Fred. "Yield Not". Seattle Weekly. November 6, 2002.
  18. ^ Pearl Jam: 2002 Concert Chronology. fivehorizons.com.
  19. ^ "Pearl Jam music videos". Music Video Database. Archived from the original on March 14, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
  20. ^ "Pearl Jam Songs: 'I Am Mine'" Archived May 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. pearljam.com.
  21. ^ I Am Mine (US & Canadian CD single liner notes). Pearl Jam. Epic Records. 2002. 34K 79809.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ^ I Am Mine (European CD single liner notes). Pearl Jam. Epic Records. 2002. EPC 673176 1.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. ^ I Am Mine (European 7-inch single sleeve). Pearl Jam. Epic Records. 2002. EPC 673176 7.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ^ I Am Mine (US 7-inch single sleeve). Pearl Jam. Epic Records. 2002. 34 79809, ZSS 79809.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  25. ^ I Am Mine (Australian CD single liner notes). Pearl Jam. Epic Records. 2002. 673176.2.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  26. ^ I Am Mine (European maxi-single liner notes). Pearl Jam. Epic Records. 2002. EPC 673176 2.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ^ I Am Mine (UK CD single liner notes). Pearl Jam. Epic Records. 2002. 673308 2.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  28. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 47. November 16, 2002. p. 11. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
  29. ^ "Pearl Jam: I Am Mine" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  30. ^ "Pearl Jam – I Am Mine" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  31. ^ "Pearl Jam – I Am Mine". Top Digital Download. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  32. ^ "Pearl Jam – I Am Mine" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  33. ^ "Pearl Jam – I Am Mine". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  34. ^ "Pearl Jam – I Am Mine". VG-lista. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  35. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  36. ^ "Pearl Jam – I Am Mine" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  37. ^ "Pearl Jam – I Am Mine". Singles Top 100. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  38. ^ "Pearl Jam – I Am Mine". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  39. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  40. ^ "Pearl Jam Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  41. ^ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2002". Jam!. January 14, 2003. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  42. ^ "Most-Played Modern Rock Songs of 2002". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 44.
  43. ^ "The 2002 Allstars: Most-Played Triple-A Songs". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 10, no. 51. December 20, 2002. p. 52.
  44. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Pearl Jam – I Am Mine" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  45. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1472. September 27, 2002. p. 31. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  46. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 21st October 2002" (PDF). ARIA. October 21, 2002. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 6, 2002. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  47. ^ "Nye Udgivelser" [New Releases] (in Danish). Sony Music Denmark. Archived from the original on December 15, 2002. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  48. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 28 October 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. October 26, 2002. p. 41. Retrieved August 30, 2021.

External links

Pearl Jam
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