Guaranteed

Album: Into The Wild Soundtrack (2007)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was written by the Pearl Jam vocalist for Sean Penn's movie Into the Wild. It was inspired by the true story of graduate Christopher McCandless, who, in 1990 at the age of 22, left behind a life of comfort to test himself against the wilds of nature. "Guaranteed" was one of 9 original tracks and 2 cover songs written by Vedder for Into The Wild. Sean Penn's screenplay for the movie was written to include song accompaniment almost as an additional character in the movie. He explained in the press release: "I had structured my screenplay to be dependent on song accompaniment for both visceral and storytelling components. It was during the shooting of the film that Eddie Vedder's voice as singer and songwriter came to mind as the right voice for this movie."
  • This won the Best Original Song honor at the 2008 Golden Globe awards. It was Vedder's first career Golden Globe win. He had previously been nominated as the writer of "Man of the Hour," a Pearl Jam song from the Tim Burton film Big Fish, which lost out at the 2003 awards to Annie Lennox' "Into The West."
  • Vedder told Uncut magazine September 2009 that when writing the music for Into The Wild, the soundtrack for the 1971 movie Harold and Maude was a particular inspiration. He explained: "When I was 12, I remember seeing the movie, Harold and Maude, a film that is accompanied by several Cat Stevens songs. Cat's voice represents the interior voice of the character throughout the movie, and he does it absolutely perfectly. It's a perfect synergy between film and music, and it really inspired me to try writing for film. Take the final scene, where it looks like Harold is going to drive off the cliff, with the rain hitting the windshield, and you know how he feels. Suddenly they play "Trouble" by Cat Stevens, and it's utterly overwhelming, heartbreaking. So seeing it work there made me think I could give it a go."

Comments: 8

  • Jjrg from Puebla MexicoIt is delightful, a lot of sense and meaning in this song. A little blue, but it is definitively a whisper to your ears and a pat for your soul and will.
  • Jblazebr1 from London Ontario Canadai agree 100% this is one POWERFUL song. Take the Guaranteed challenge. Try listening to the song by yourself and read the lyrics and if you dont find your inner soul and let out a good cry...you might not be a human. lol
  • June from Bali, IndonesiaThe "Into The Wild" movie is really great too.. and the whole songs are the soundtracks. That was really nice!
  • Brandon from Washougal, WaHard Sun was left in the previous comments. My favorite right now.
  • Tim from Garber, IaThis song reminds me of Evan Tanner RIP Evan
  • Mel from Riverbank, Cathe whole album is great.. Rise, Society, No Ceiling, Long Nights, Guaranteed. Powerful and pretty at the same time.
  • Joey from Los Angeles, CaThis song is really amazing. You should also check out Rise by Vedder...
  • Leelee from Burlington, Oni loveeeeeeeee this song! it could easily make me cry though.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."