Why a rock band chose the name of an obsolete typewriter key
In short: Pearl Jam’s 2009 album, Backspacer, carries a title rooted in 1950s technology. It serves as both a nostalgic nod to manual typewriters and a philosophical prompt to examine past mistakes. For a band known for political intensity, this record marked a deliberate shift toward optimism.
The name 'Backspacer' refers to the historical designation of the backspace key on typewriters before it fell out of common use in the 1950s. Frontman Eddie Vedder, who frequently uses typewriters to write lyrics and letters, chose the title to represent the necessity of looking back at one's mistakes. Guitarist Stone Gossard noted that the album captures a retrospective mood, balancing reflections on the band's past with their future trajectory.
Musically, Backspacer was a departure from the band's previous heavy political output like Riot Act and Pearl Jam. Vedder attributed this shift to a more optimistic outlook following the election of Barack Obama. To achieve a leaner, 'unfettered' sound, the band worked with producer Brendan O'Brien, who had not produced for them since 1998. They granted him significant latitude to 'cut up' the songs, moving away from their usual process of bringing fully formed ideas to the studio.
The production was notably efficient; O'Brien reported that 90% of the record was cut within the first nine days of a thirty-day studio window in 2009. This period saw the band recording at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles and Southern Tracks in Atlanta. The resulting album, with a running time of 36 minutes and 38 seconds, became Pearl Jam's shortest studio record to date.
The project also featured unique interactive elements. The cover art by cartoonist Dan Perkins was revealed via an online scavenger hunt where fans had to find nine hidden images across various websites. Additionally, the album served as a vehicle for environmental conservation; the title was shared with a leatherback turtle sponsored by the band for the Great Turtle Race.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Backspacer
- Also: Wikidata — Backspacer · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Backspacer · CC0
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