( CNN ) -- Eddie Vedder has a message for his critics : `` Imagine . '' The Pearl Jam frontman addressed recent criticism of his anti-war comments by playing the John Lennon classic at a solo show Friday in Meco , Portugal . `` I think it is the most powerful song ever written , which is why I have never played it . It seems like maybe there is a reason to play it , '' Vedder said , according to a video posted on the website Consequence of Sound . `` ( Being ) anti-war make ( s ) you pro many things . Pro peace , pro human , pro evolution , '' he said before introducing the song . `` Makes you pro communication , pro diplomacy , pro love , pro understanding , pro forgiveness . '' In recent weeks , Vedder has made headlines , first with an antiwar rant at a concert in Milton Keynes , England , and later comments on Pearl Jam 's website . `` I swear to f****** God , there are people out there who are looking for a reason to kill ! '' Vedder said at the English show before singing Edwin Starr 's `` War . '' `` They 're looking for a reason to go across borders and take over land that does n't belong to them . '' Those comments were viewed by some Israeli publications as anti-Israel , Rolling Stone reported . One Israeli DJ , who was hoping to bring Pearl Jam to Israel , said that Vedder was now `` invited not to come here . '' In response , Vedder reiterated his anti-war beliefs on Pearl Jam 's website in a post titled `` Imagine That -- I 'm Still Anti-War . '' `` Call me naÃ¯ve . I 'd rather be naÃ¯ve , heartfelt and hopeful than resigned to say nothing for fear of misinterpretation and retribution , '' he wrote . `` War hurts . It hurts no matter which sides the bombs are falling on . ... I know that we ca n't let the sadness turn into apathy . And I do know we are better off when we reach out to each other . '' He then quoted from `` Imagine '' : `` ' I hope someday you 'll join us , ... ' `` and added a bit of Paul McCartney : `` Wo n't you listen to what the man said . ''
Vedder plays what he calls `` the most powerful song ever written '' : ` Call me naÃ¯ve has been criticized for anti-war remarks . Comments at UK concert perceived as UK by some . ` `` Imagine '' Vedder , '' Eddie Vedder said in website post .