--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Chris Cornell: I think Pearl Jam was the…" description: "\"“Chris Cornell: I think Pearl Jam was the band that set the perfect example. Their big video, \"Jeremy,\" propelled them into becoming TV stars and one o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d13/mark-yarm-43820_rock-bands_chris-cornell-i-think-pearl-jam-was-the_1190659.jpg" --- # Chris Cornell: I think Pearl Jam was the band that set the… ![“Chris Cornell: I think Pearl Jam was the band that set the perfect example. Their big video, "Jeremy," propelled them into becoming TV stars and one of the biggest rock bands on the planet, so they stopped making videos, which was proof positive that that wasn't where they wanted to be. And that…” quote by Mark Yarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d13/mark-yarm-43820_rock-bands_chris-cornell-i-think-pearl-jam-was-the_1190659.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d13/mark-yarm-43820_rock-bands_chris-cornell-i-think-pearl-jam-was-the_1190659.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d13/mark-yarm-43820_rock-bands_chris-cornell-i-think-pearl-jam-was-the_1190659.jpg) > ““Chris Cornell: I think Pearl Jam was the band that set the perfect example. Their big video, "Jeremy," propelled them into becoming TV stars and one of the biggest rock bands on the planet, so they stopped making videos, which was proof positive that that wasn't where they wanted to be. And that made a lot of sense to me. Nirvana doing an Unplugged at the same time that they did it and making a video for "Heart-Shaped Box," that didn't make a lot of sense to me, because it seemed clear to me that Kurt was pretty disillusioned by the situation that he was being put in. It felt like, If he's so unhappy, he shouldn't be doing this kind of stuff.”” [Mark Yarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-yarm/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Cornell critiques how bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana navigated fame and artistic integrity, suggesting that abandoning mainstream video production reflected deeper artistic choices. **In simple terms:** Bands' choices about videos reveal their artistic priorities. Key Takeaway Consider how medium choices signal values. Themes artistic integrity media strategy celebrity music industry creative control Mood reflective analytical Type critical observational When to use this quote - band decisions - music video production - artist interviews - career direction Key Concepts authenticity commercial pressure visual media Questions to Reflect On - What does a band's visual presence say about its identity? - How do commercial expectations shape artistic decisions? A Different Perspective Focusing on video can limit artistic freedom and audience connection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Nirvana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nirvana/) [Rock bands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rock-bands/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) ## Related quotes > [And if I'm honest about it, I was obsessed with Nirvana and Pearl Jam. This is like '92, right in the throes of Soundgarden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-vincent/and-if-i-m-honest-about-it-i-was-obsessed-with-nirvana-and-pearl-jam/) [St. Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-vincent/) > [Hang in there. If you believe what you're doing is unique. Otherwise give up or sound like Nirvana or Pearl Jam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-ramone/hang-in-there-if-you-believe-what-you-re-doing-is-unique-otherwise/) [Joey Ramone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-ramone/) > [I liked Soundgarden, Nirvana, and Melvins. I didn't really care much for Pearl Jam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-cavalera/i-liked-soundgarden-nirvana-and-melvins-i-didn-t-really-care-much-for/) [Max Cavalera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-cavalera/) > [When 5150 came out rock was king. Post Nirvana and Pearl Jam 1996 is a different story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-cherone/when-5150-came-out-rock-was-king-post-nirvana-and-pearl-jam-1996-is-a/) [Gary Cherone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-cherone/) > [The coolest thing for me to do was listen to Pearl Jam's 'Ten,' Nirvana's 'Nevermind,' or Soundgarden and play along to it and think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coy-bowles/the-coolest-thing-for-me-to-do-was-listen-to-pearl-jam-s-ten-nirvana/) [Coy Bowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coy-bowles/) > [I went to this vocal coach, Ron Anderson, who has worked with Axl Rose and Chris Cornell, to train my voice and learn a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-shadows/i-went-to-this-vocal-coach-ron-anderson-who-has-worked-with-axl-rose/) [M. Shadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-shadows/) > [Best two rock voices I've heard in a last few years both have been from grunge bands: it's Eddie Vedder and the other one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-dickinson/best-two-rock-voices-i-ve-heard-in-a-last-few-years-both-have-been/) [Bruce Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-dickinson/) > [Two of my biggest musical inspirations are Kurt Cobain and Chris Cornell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lloyd/two-of-my-biggest-musical-inspirations-are-kurt-cobain-and-chris/) [Dennis Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lloyd/) > [Chris Cornell painted in song the darkness and beauty of life in Seattle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mccready/chris-cornell-painted-in-song-the-darkness-and-beauty-of-life-in/) [Mike McCready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mccready/) > [And for it to make the statement the way that it did, for 'Controlled Chaos' to debut in the Top 10 of the iTunes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-strauss/and-for-it-to-make-the-statement-the-way-that-it-did-for-controlled/) [Nita Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-strauss/) > [It's pretty clear I am a diehard Chris Cornell fan, so his voice, musicianship, and lyrics have touched me across many different projects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alissa-white-gluz/it-s-pretty-clear-i-am-a-diehard-chris-cornell-fan-so-his-voice/) [Alissa White-Gluz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alissa-white-gluz/) > [“Jeff Gilbert: With Nirvana's success, all of the sudden, heavy-metal chicks who'd been dressing in spandex and fishnets and stiletto boots, now they started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-yarm/jeff-gilbert-with-nirvana-s-success-all-of-the-sudden-heavy-metal/) [Mark Yarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-yarm/) > [“Anton Brookes: I think I was within my right to accuse him of selling out a little bit, if you think about what Nirvana…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-yarm/anton-brookes-i-think-i-was-within-my-right-to-accuse-him-of-selling/) [Mark Yarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-yarm/) > [I think the Cosmic Psychos were a band that was highly influential on the Seattle so called grunge scene. I know that Kurt and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/butch-vig/i-think-the-cosmic-psychos-were-a-band-that-was-highly-influential-on/) [Butch Vig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/butch-vig/) > [Mike, the best band to ever come out of Seattle was, of course, Pearl Jam. And that's what I expect the Seahawks to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gruden/mike-the-best-band-to-ever-come-out-of-seattle-was-of-course-pearl/) [Jon Gruden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gruden/) ## More by Mark Yarm > [“Jeff Gilbert: With Nirvana's success, all of the sudden, heavy-metal chicks who'd been dressing in spandex and fishnets and stiletto boots, now they started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-yarm/jeff-gilbert-with-nirvana-s-success-all-of-the-sudden-heavy-metal/) [Mark Yarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-yarm/) > [ “Amy Finnerty: At the end of it \[MTV Unplugged taping\], we went back to the hotel, and Kurt said to me, "I didn't do… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-yarm/amy-finnerty-at-the-end-of-it-mtv-unplugged-taping-we-went-back-to/) [Mark Yarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-yarm/) > [“Buzz Osborne: I could believe it, but I couldn't believe it. Whenever you're dealing with people in your life that are junkies, their death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-yarm/buzz-osborne-i-could-believe-it-but-i-couldn-t-believe-it-whenever/) [Mark Yarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-yarm/) > [“Steve Isaacs (MTV VJ): When I was hired at MTV, in August of '91, I was "musician guy." I had long hair, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-yarm/steve-isaacs-mtv-vj-when-i-was-hired-at-mtv-in-august-of-91-i-was/) [Mark Yarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-yarm/) > [“Jeff Ament: The minute we started rehearsing and Ed started singing -- which was within an hour of him landing in Seattle -- was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-yarm/jeff-ament-the-minute-we-started-rehearsing-and-ed-started-singing/) [Mark Yarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-yarm/) > [“So grunge, whatever it may be, is not dead.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-yarm/so-grunge-whatever-it-may-be-is-not-dead/) [Mark Yarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-yarm/) > [ “Mark Arm: \[On discussing not being on drugs\] Kurt was just fuckin' loaded on pills, and I said something like, "You just gotta want… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-yarm/mark-arm-on-discussing-not-being-on-drugs-kurt-was-just-fuckin-loaded/) [Mark Yarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-yarm/) > [“Anton Brookes: I think I was within my right to accuse him of selling out a little bit, if you think about what Nirvana…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-yarm/anton-brookes-i-think-i-was-within-my-right-to-accuse-him-of-selling/) [Mark Yarm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-yarm/) [Explore all 9 Mark Yarm quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-yarm/) ## More Nirvana quotes > [Nirvana is a word that means enlightenment, being beyond the illusion of birth and death, the illusion of pain, the illusion of love, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/nirvana-is-a-word-that-means-enlightenment-being-beyond-the-illusion/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [My Nirvana experience was much different than the other three guys. For me, it was really new and exciting. I was just a guy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-smear/my-nirvana-experience-was-much-different-than-the-other-three-guys/) [Pat Smear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-smear/) > [If Nirvana had remained a small, underground punk rock band, Kurt Cobain would still be alive. And he'd probably be living in Seattle, getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moby/if-nirvana-had-remained-a-small-underground-punk-rock-band-kurt/) [Moby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moby/) > [“Everything we perceive to be solid and static is made up of almost entirely empty space.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/everything-we-perceive-to-be-solid-and-static-is-made-up-of-almost/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [I grew up listening to Nirvana and then went through some bad '90s pop stuff - a lot of Australian one-hit wonders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-barnett/i-grew-up-listening-to-nirvana-and-then-went-through-some-bad-90s-pop/) [Courtney Barnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-barnett/) > [Inflowing thoughts come to an end in those who are ever alert of mind, training themselves night and day, and ever intent on nirvana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/inflowing-thoughts-come-to-an-end-in-those-who-are-ever-alert-of-mind/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [That is Buddha's meaning of nirvana: to be free from life and death, to be free from desire. The moment you are free from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-is-buddha-s-meaning-of-nirvana-to-be-free-from-life-and-death-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can bat in the morning, afternoon, evening, night, on ice, desert, wherever and whenever. It is almost nirvana for me. It takes me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautam-gambhir/i-can-bat-in-the-morning-afternoon-evening-night-on-ice-desert/) [Gautam Gambhir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautam-gambhir/) > [I was big into grunge, like Nirvana and Hole, when I was younger, which has been a really huge inspiration because of its rawness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tove-lo/i-was-big-into-grunge-like-nirvana-and-hole-when-i-was-younger-which/) [Tove Lo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tove-lo/) > [Finding Nirvana is like locating silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/finding-nirvana-is-like-locating-silence/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [“According to Zen Buddhists, all things have their existence in The Void. The Void is that which is no-thing, but contains all things within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/according-to-zen-buddhists-all-things-have-their-existence-in-the/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [Buy our album, were Nirvana, a garage band from Seattle. Well, it sure beats raising cattle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/buy-our-album-were-nirvana-a-garage-band-from-seattle-well-it-sure/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Buddhist philosophy points out that the true nature of all forms is essentially formless. Forms do not have an existence of their own, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/buddhist-philosophy-points-out-that-the-true-nature-of-all-forms-is/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [Nirvana's amazing, but they're just never going to find another one, there's no artist development anymore, you're never going to have a U2, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-patrick/nirvana-s-amazing-but-they-re-just-never-going-to-find-another-one/) [Richard Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-patrick/) > [“When Nirvana came onto the scene, they pretty much saved music.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caprice-crane/when-nirvana-came-onto-the-scene-they-pretty-much-saved-music/) [Caprice Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caprice-crane/) [Browse all 349 Nirvana quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nirvana/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Chris Cornell: I think Pearl Jam was the band that set the perfect example. 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