Red Mosquito
| "Red Mosquito" | |
|---|---|
Brendan O'Brien , Pearl Jam |
"Red Mosquito" is a song by the American
Origin and recording
"Red Mosquito" features lyrics written by vocalist Eddie Vedder and music co-written by bassist Jeff Ament, guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready, and drummer Jack Irons. At Pearl Jam's July 18, 2006 concert in San Francisco at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Vedder said regarding McCready's lead guitar work, "In the studio, he played that part on that record...he played it with a Zippo lighter...an old Zippo lighter. It belonged to my grandpa and afterwards he asked if he could have it, and I said, 'no.' But, I found it the other day Mike, and I wanted to tell you I found it and I might give it back to you. I think you should have it."[2]
Lyrics
The lyrics for "Red Mosquito" were inspired by the events surrounding Pearl Jam's June 24, 1995 concert in San Francisco at
Regarding the situation, Vedder stated:
That whole [Golden Gate Park] thing was a blur based on some bad food. It was really, really bad. Looking back at it, it doesn't seem as intense as it was, but it was horrible. I just felt not human and looking back I should have got through that show somehow, and I think the fact that Neil [Young] was there made me feel like I could get off the hook in some way and I did go out for a few songs. I just didn't feel good about the whole thing, I felt swallowed up by the whole deal. It was just a situation where you couldn't go to work. But I think now I'd probably get through that show.[6]
Reception
Without being released as a single, "Red Mosquito" peaked at number 37 on the Billboard
Live performances
"Red Mosquito" was first performed live at the band's November 1, 1995 concert in Salt Lake City at the Delta Center.[7] Live performances of "Red Mosquito" can be found on the live album Live on Two Legs and various official bootlegs. On their 2009 tour of Australia the band performed the song with Ben Harper on guitar.
Chart positions
| Chart (1996) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Mainstream Rock Tracks[8]
|
37 |
References
- ^ Harris, Chris (November 22, 2019). "Every Pearl Jam Album, Ranked". Spin. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ^ a b c Vedder, Eddie. (Speaker). (2006). 7/18/06, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California. [Audio Recording]. Ten Club.
- ^ Kava, Brad. ""I'm Just looking to make it right." --- E.V.". www.vedderism.friko.pl. November 3, 1995.
- ^ Hilburn, Robert. "Working Their Way Out of a Jam". Los Angeles Times. December 22, 1996.
- ^ Vedder, Eddie. (Speaker). (2008). 6/16/08, Colonial Center, Columbia, South Carolina. [Audio Recording]. Kufala.
- ^ Weisbard, Eric, et al. "Ten Past Ten". Spin. August 2001.
- ^ Pearl Jam - Red Mosquito, retrieved November 28, 2023
- ^ "Pearl Jam Artist Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
