Watch Eddie Vedder Smash This Steven Van Zandt Classic—in Front of Steven Van Zandt

Eddie Vedder didn’t make a name for himself by staying silent. The grunge pioneer has infused his personal convictions into his work with both Pearl Jam and Temple of the Dog. Now 59, Vedder still has much to say—and fans are still listening. Watch the “Just Breathe” singer smash this Steven Van Zandt cover—while Steven Van Zandt watches, no less.

“Clicking On Every Cylinder:” Eddie Vedder Crushes Van Zandt Cover

After nearly a decade with Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, Steven Van Zandt decided to strike out on his own. The New Jersey native wanted to focus on making his own politically charged music. In 1984, he released Voice of America, his second studio album under Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul.

From that album came the timeless “I Am a Patriot (And the River Opens for the Righteous.)” The song encourages its listeners to question their country’s leaders and denounce political divisions, declaring, And I ain’t no democrat / So I ain’t no republican / I only know one party /And it is freedom.

“I Am a Patriot” resonated with Jackson Browne and Pearl Jam, both of whom have covered the song. On Wednesday (Sept. 4), Eddie Vedder took the Madison Square Garden stage solo during Pearl Jam’s 50th New York City show to perform it for the crowd.

Vedder sang Steven Van Zandt’s words with a sense of urgency: I said what I believe in my soul / Ain’t what I see with my eyes / And we can’t turn our backs this time.

[RELATED: Pearl Jam Takes a Stand With “Daughter” Lyrics Change During Chicago Show]

One concertgoer shared a video to X/Twitter of what they called “one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.”

“Audience was on [fire] and the band clicking on every cylinder,” they wrote. “Eddie is by far one of the greatest frontmen of our time.”

Pearl Jam Brings Steven Van Zandt Onstage

Steven Van Zandt was among the New York City crowd as Eddie Vedder performed his song. And later that night, the “Bitter Fruit” singer came onstage for a riotous cover of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.”

It was Van Zandt’s first-ever Pearl Jam show, and he made it count.

Featured image by JOSE SENA GOULAO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock