Glorified G by Pearl Jam

Album: Vs. (1993)

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This song came out of a comment made by Dave Abbruzzese, Pearl Jam's drummer from 1991-1994. During a jam session while they were working on songs for the Vs. album, Abbruzzese mentioned that he had recently bought some guns. Eddie Vedder said, "You bought a gun?" And Abbruzzese replied, "In fact, I bought two."

This became the first line in the song, and another Abbruzzese comment became the title. He described the guns he owned as "glorified versions of pellet guns," which Vedder turned into the title "Glorified G" and the refrain, "Glorified version of a pellet gun."

The song is about gun culture in America, which Vedder, who grew up in San Diego, finds absurd but is a way of life for Abbruzzese, who is from Texas where guns are common. Pearl Jam bass player Jeff Ament is from Montana and was also familiar with gun culture.
"G" is short for "gangsta," a term used in the rap community to describe someone who doesn't play by the rules. Vedder was making the point that people carry guns to feel like they're important.
Dave Abbruzzese shared his thoughts on this song in a 2023 Songfacts interview. "I never felt offended or took any offense to the words because I thought it was cool that Eddie was able to take that conversation, and I admired the fact that it was a real creative way to pen a lyric, to take notes of a conversation we were all having about something," he said. "And then he turned it into an anthem to the anti-gun, in a weird way. It was tongue-in-cheek, kind of making fun of gun ownership: 'Always keep it loaded' and 'Feel so manly when armed' and all that sort of s--t. 'Cause I love God' and 'Feel so manly when armed' – those were things he put in to make it that pointed poke at the whole gun thing, but that wasn't part of our conversation at all.

I remember I was pretty offended by being attacked about it, because I really thought it was pretty candyass. I went camping and bought a couple of .22s. To me, a .22 rifle wasn't a dangerous thing – it's something that everyone gets when they're a kid. It was to Jeff, too. But over the years, it's turned into that Eddie wrote the lyrics because he was offended, or based on me. But it's not. It's just a loose conversation."
The line, "Glorified version of a pellet gun" is commonly misheard as "Forty-five versions of a pelican." >>
Suggestion credit:
Elliot - St. Louis, MO

Comments: 22

J from AustinI believe the G refers to Gun, not Gangsta. He literally sings "[a real Gun is a] glorified version of a pellet gun." It wouldn't make much sense to sing "[a Gangsta is a] glorified version of a pellet gun."

Eddie wrote incredibly thoughtful lyrics at a young age, while most of his contemporaries in the 90s were writing lyrics that were vague to the point of not really making much sense. Nirvana, Soundgarden, Beck, Bush, etc. I love all those musicians but give much respect to Eddie.

Also, y'all need to stop with the personal attacks.
Burt Trurmpert from Earfi always heard it as "lo-fi virgin on a pelican" and was so apathetic about Pearl Jam I never bothered to check the lyrics, though i knew i must have misheard it. Its comforting to know I wasn't the only one. I prefer my mishearing to the actual lyrics.
Anonymous“Luis from Argentine” you’re so hurt about someone’s opinion that your first instinct is to call “racist.”! You’re also pathetic in the fact that you believe that if someone doesn’t agree with a song’s lyrics, they should just not listen. You obviously don’t understand freedom of speech or expression and it’s sad.
Luis from Argentine"Adrian from Twin Cities, Mn" You're not a 'libertarian'... you are a closeted nazi afraid of political beings and that he just wants them to shut up and not express themselves freely. And it's hard to believe you 'love ' PJ.
And the pittburgh fellow... man, in what insane country you live? (or you believe you live, where everybody are enemies).
AnonymousTo anyone discouraging politics in music: shut the f--k up they have their point of views just like everyone else and they're allowed to express them through their music if they wish to. If you don't like it don't listen
Dougie Love from New YorkI love Pearl Jam, however guns in legal sane hands can prevent tragedy. They can protect against evil. I’m sure somewhere in the Pearl Jam protection squad where rabid fans are relevant, somebody is carrying a gun to protect the boys. Vedder included. If you didn’t like the drummer, just say so. Anyway, still a cool song, as are all Pearl Jam tunes in my opinion.
Tmoney from CanadaPeople in these comments acting like it's normal to need a weapon in western nations (It's not for most of us because we ain't fearmongering nuts) or that art and politics haven't been intrinsically attached longer than anyone on this planet have been alive.

Quit being disingenuous. It belittles you.
Arnold from Pittsburgh, PaDear Eddy V.,
Some of us carry a gun to protect ourselves and others from the "G"s. You see, although I work very hard at an honest living, I cannot afford to have steroid-infused goons follow me everywhere I go. So, maybe, Mr, Vedder, you shouldn't be such an arrogant little, judgemental prick?
Adrian from Twin Cities, MnI love Pearl Jam. But I often wish artists would not sing about political issues. I am libertarian, and this song seems to serve to generalize gun owners.

more recently Macklemore comes out with the sang Same Love that rails against stereotyping those that happen to love one of the same gender, yet in the song itself he stereotypes "right-wing conservatives", and I for the life of me think I am the only one that picked up on the contradiction.

Musicians, I buy your records for the music, not a political statement... and I know I am not alone.
Michael from North Babylon, NyFor some reason, the tune of this song always reminds me of R.E.M. I'm no guitar player, but the cords to some of their songs may be the same as this.
Groovy Chic from Cincinnati, OhPearl Jam is fkg awesome... i feel sorry for anyone that don't know that!!!
Groovy Chic from Cincinnati, Ohman, you know how many times i sang that song "45 versions of a pelican"??? i love it!
Joey from Westville, Nypearl jam always keeps it loaded..
Cody from St Joe, Moas much as i wish guns could be irradicated forever like im sure eddie feels. i think that is just a complete impossibility and there are alot of people who just have guns as a source of recreation. i own no guns but i have a friend who has several and even i think its fun to go to a shooting range and just fire off a few.
Gavin from Sydney, Australiaglorified version of a pelican lol
Rajesh from Chicago, Il@ Becca - Nup. They played it live in this tour (2006)
Elliot from St. Louis, MoSweet, I got my name on the facts list. Pearl Jam is the best f*cking rock band ever.
Adrian from Duluth, GaGlorified Garbage
Josh from Atlanta, GaThey played the song 14 times on their 2003 tour.
Nate from Amherst, Nytoo bad.. its a great song.
Paulo from New York, NyActually, they played it in Madison Square Garden last year. Ed intended to play something else, but the band starting playing "G" so Ed went along with it. Don't think that means he hates it, though.
Becca from Boston, MaIt is rumored that Ed hates this song! They never play it live.

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