Eddie Vedder Debuts Better Believe at Obama Center Opening

Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder debuted a new collaborative song, "Better Believe," during the dedication ceremony for the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on Thursday, June 18. The performance featured Vedder alongside a group of young musicians from the Chicago-based nonprofit Guitars Over Guns, with whom he co-wrote and recorded the track.

The song was released on all major streaming platforms immediately following the live premiere. All royalties earned by Vedder and the song's co-writers will be donated to Guitars Over Guns, an arts-based youth development organization that uses music and mentorship to empower young people.

The Obama Foundation facilitated the partnership between Vedder and the nonprofit. The project was led by Andre "Add2" Daniels, a Columbia College Chicago adjunct professor and the Chicago regional director for Guitars Over Guns, who helped bring together the young musicians from the program with Audio Arts students and alumni from the college. The song was recorded at Columbia College Chicago.

Vedder introduced his young collaborators during the ceremony, acknowledging the effort behind the original composition. He said it was an honor to...