One thing that I love about Pearl Jam is the covers that they bust out. They have an endless supply that keeps growing. I respect them for honoring artists that have influenced them and also just to goof off at times. The band is so constant with covers that some of us could easily believe that several of these covers are actually Pearl Jam originals.

The following covers are probably the most covered, or at least popular, in the PJ catalog.

Rockin’ In The Free World - The classic Neil Young song that PJ have made their own. I remember seeing PJ with Neil Young performing this on the 93′ VMA’s and thinking how bad ass it was. My favorite version of this song is from the July 5, 2003 show at Camden, NJ. Ok, it was my first PJ show, but what made it kick ass was the fact that Penn’s Landing had fireworks, when the band found out they busted into a rousing version of RITFW.

Last Kiss - I remember this song when I was a kid, because my dad would listen to the oldies radio station. When PJ covered it for the No Boundaries benefit album, I was floored. They do a remarkable version that everyone should enjoy.

Crazy Mary - PJ covered this on a tribute album called Sweet Relief, which benefited Victoria Williams the original artist of the song who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The album came out in 93′ and PJ’s album version is only so-so, but over the years it has become a fan favorite during PJ shows. Personally, the band’s May 28, 2006 version is the best that I’ve heard, because Boom Casper tears up the organ. However, PJ’s performance on 10/3/05 at the Wachovia Center in Philly was unforgettable when an amp blew and scarred the shit out of Eddie, who wanted to move on to another song. He thought Mary came to haunt the band after he called her a lunatic before the start of the song. Stone convinced the band to carry on, but Eddie was reluctant and finally ,after a couple of false starts, they started it back up.

I Believe In Miracles - It’s no secret that PJ, espicially Eddie, love The Ramones. Eddie does an awesome version on We’re A Happy Family: A Tribute to the Ramones, but I enjoy the acoustic version on the Benaroya Hall album.

Baba O’ Riley - When PJ is not praising The Ramones, they praise The Who. They kick ass on this cover. I love when I see PJ outdoors and they play this song as the house lights come up, it’s so fitting.

Here are a couple of my favorite PJ covers:

I’ve Got A Feeling (The Beatles) - This appears on the Alive single, I think the Japanese version. The band does an excellent job of keeping true to the original, while giving it their own flare, by that I mean Eddie’s screaming.

Soldier of Love (Arthur Alexander) This is off the No Boundaries album, I think it’s a fun little tune, I love the cha-cha-cha at the end.

Love Reign O’er Me (The Who) - I didn’t think that anyone could pull off this Who classic, but PJ nails it. Every member plays with such passion on this cover from the Adam Sandler film. Eddie’s haunting howls send chills down my spine every time I hear it.

I Just Want To Have Something To Do (The Ramones) - This comes from the 2001 X-Mas single and I think that it’s just Jeff, but I could be wrong. Anyways, this acoustic version is hauntingly beautiful.

Masters of War (Bob Dylan) - Ed and Mike did this back in 92′ for a concert celebrating Bob Dylan’s 30th anniversary. I love the version that the band does on the Live At Benaroya Hall album, it’s intense.

Little Sister (Elvis Presley) - I love Elvis and so does PJ. They debuted this on 10/3/05 at the Wachovia Center in Philly and it was awesome. They released the version from 10/5/05, with Robert Plant, on the 2005 X-Mas Single. It’s just one of those covers that the band does for fun.

Atomic Dog (George Clinton) - They do parts of this during Blood and it’s sick, the band really gets into it.

Check out this list of Pearl Jam cover songs from the official site.