Jeremy: The tragedy behind the Pearl Jam song

Jeremy Delle committed suicide in a classroom at Richardson High School, and Pearl Jam later named a song after him. For 27 years, his mother hasn't spoken publicly about Jeremy's death – until now.

[vdhaze]

Eddie wrote the song because he was so moved and distressed by the incident

He also maintains he thinks of Jeremy every time he sings it, the song doesn’t romanticise or glorify the tragedy, it only spreads awareness of bullying in youth, and the memory of a boy who’s life was cut short, I feel for this woman and Jeremy’s class mates, a truly tragic event - also the song only uses Jeremy as a template, not all the lyrics are supposed to be factual

[markmarsh]

I LOST IT when they showed Jeremy's award winning elephant drawing. .... BRILLIANT talent for a 7 year old.

[nowerries]

I just look at it that Pearl Jam helped Jeremy leave one last beautiful piece of art the world could enjoy after his passing. His memory now gets to live on through the ages.

[jennajune]

“To the fact that Mommy didn’t care” is the line she hates & the reason she’s speaking out.

[damenevans]

The song Jeremy has probably saved countless lives, mine among them.

[tracybryant]

That elephant drawing at SEVEN? Jesus thats amazing!!!

[Luvie]

Eddie wasn’t exploiting Jeremy’s death with the song he was bringing awareness to children killing themselves and asking the question why. What caused it. Seeing the mother and her response makes me understand why Jeremy did what he did.

[mattmcsherry]

The line at 2:57 confuses me. "You don't know, you weren't there. That story's not accurate." Neither were you. You saw the shooting. Not the backstory.

[ambersgrace]

A teenage boy would not kill himself unless he was facing unbearable pain and had no escape or source of comfort. His mother not knowing why actually says a lot. Bullying alone was not the cause of his suicide, there’s more to this story.

[salvadorfeatherstone]

Looking at all his artwork, there is no doubt this poor guy was a tortured, genius, artist. Sad it ended like it did

[mothmanpowerbomb]

The mother not knowing why Jeremy did such a thing and still not apparently knowing why is exactly why he did it. Think about that.

[choab]

“The mothers and sisters”. What about the fathers and brothers? That minor detail gives a little insight into what went wrong here.

[theblakex]

Jeremy really was at home drawing pictures

[erikstark]

The one thing in common all these stories have is it's always about the survivors and there's never much about the individual and wtf happened and why it happened. Marilyn Manson said it best, when he was asked about what he would say to the Columbine shooters if given the chance. He said I wouldn't have said anything. I would've listened.

[anecessaryevil]

"Am I a joke to you?" - Fathers and brothers.

Seriously though it is sad and I love the song, Never knew Jeremy was such an amazing artist :) The world lost a gift because they discriminate against what they don't understand :( poor lad just needed a friend. :(

[FirebrandVOCALS]

I don’t Imagine Pearl Jam were using the song as an accurate portrayal of this particular event regarding Jeremy.... but rather used their artistic license to create a song to be used as a general awareness of suicidal tendencies amongst children, and Jeremy’s story just happened to be current at the time.

**These thoughts are my own **

[jweezyable]

Notice how the whole news angle neglects to talk about Jeremy in that time in his life. Makes you wonder if the song wasn't to far off the mark and that's why his mother hates it

[Dontlookification]

This kid had a gift. They say the smartest people are the most depressed. He must have been a loving kid that didnt feel loved in return by his peers. Dont always assume your kids are ok just because they're growing up better than you did. Be in touch with them and know them.

[estew]

My son was born in 1999. I named him Jeremy after this song because this song helped me thru a very rough time in my life. I’m sorry for your loss but please know that song did help many others.

[corthew]

The song had to be done.
It was about bullying and how kids don't know sometimes how their behavior affects those around them.
It emphasized that the character in the first person position of the song did not understand Jeremy.
I feel for the mom here but songs like Jeremy and Creed's One needed to be made.
They've changed the world or at least a significant portion of it by forcing people to see themselves in those they "harmlessly" pick on and ask, "what if that was me".