"Why Go" is the fourth song off Pearl Jam's debut album Ten. The song pairs music written by bassist Jeff Ament with lyrics written by lead singer Eddie Vedder. Ament plays a twelve string bass on the track.
Guitarist Mike McCready on the song:
The song was played live from its debut in 1991 up until 1995 when it was dropped. The song made its appearance again in 2003 twice. The first time that year in Bristow, Virginia, the song missed most of the odd bars of 9/8 giving it a straighter feel. Also, the full band started the song without the Bass/Drums intro. Before the song was played, lead singer Eddie Vedder admitted "We don't know if it's going to be all right, playing this song is going to be like trying to drive a car when we're twelve." The song has since returned to Pearl Jam set lists and was played many times during the band's 2006 tour. Live performances of the song can be found on the "Oceans" single, the "Dissident" single, and the Live at the Gorge 05/06 box set.
