{"id":2466576,"date":"2026-06-19T06:38:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T06:38:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2466576"},"modified":"2026-06-19T06:38:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T06:38:40","slug":"eddie-vedder-debuts-new-song-at-obama-presidential-center-opening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/eddie-vedder-debuts-new-song-at-obama-presidential-center-opening\/","title":{"rendered":"Eddie Vedder Debuts New Song At Obama Presidential Center Opening"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When Eddie Vedder stepped onto the stage at the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, he didn\u2019t arrive alone.<\/em><\/h2>\n

The Pearl Jam<\/a><\/em><\/strong> frontman used the historic occasion to premiere a brand new song called \u2018Better Believe\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, sharing the spotlight with Guitars Over Guns, a youth focused music and mentorship organisation made up of students and alumni from Columbia College Chicago (Per Loudwire<\/a><\/em><\/strong>).<\/p>\n

Rather than delivering a solo performance, Vedder<\/a><\/em><\/strong> turned the moment into a celebration of collaboration, before launching into the song he explained how the project came together and why it felt connected to the mission behind the new centre.<\/p>\n

\u2018What an honor for all of us to be here on this day,\u2019<\/em> Vedder told the crowd. \u2018President Obama was aware that I would be playing music with young musicians from the neighborhood. But when he heard we were writing an original piece, a song just for the occasion, he said, \u201cThat might be a lot of work.\u201d And as usual, he was right. But it\u2019s been great work and it\u2019s everything the center stands for \u2014 its inclusivity, its access to resources, its mentorship and opportunity. So, we thank you for this opportunity.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

You can check out the performance below:<\/p>\n

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The track was developed through a partnership between the Obama Foundation and Guitars Over Guns, Vedder co-wrote the song alongside Giselle Castro, Andre \u2018Add-2\u2019 Daniels, Jeremiah Fristoe, Mason Harris, Michael \u2018Myskie\u2019 Hightower, Naomi Owens, Joy Viltz and Iya Waters.<\/p>\n

Daniels, who serves as both a Columbia College Chicago adjunct professor and Guitars Over Guns\u2019 regional director in Chicago, helped guide the project from conception through recording.<\/p>\n

A studio version of \u2018Better Believe\u2019 has also been released<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, alongside Vedder and the young musicians involved the recording features longtime collaborator Josh Klinghoffer on keyboards. <\/p>\n

Eddie Vedder \u2018Better Believe\u2019 <\/h2>\n
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Perhaps the most fitting detail is where the song\u2019s proceeds are headed, royalties earned by Vedder and his fellow writers will support Guitars Over Guns, helping the organisation continue its work using music, mentorship and creative arts programs to create opportunities for young people.<\/p>\n

The opening ceremony also featured performances from U2\u2019s Bono and The Edge, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder, making for a stacked lineup worthy of the occasion.<\/p>\n

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