Take The Long Way
Summary
Take The Long Way is Matt Cameron’s sole complete writing credit on Gigaton—and a showcase for his guitar abilities alongside his drumming. Rolling Stone called it “Soundgarden-size grunge-hulk” Rolling Stone , acknowledging Cameron’s metal roots shining through on a track that sounds nothing like typical Pearl Jam.
The song features the first female backing vocals on any official Pearl Jam release: Megan Grandall of Seattle indie band Lemolo. Producer Josh Evans admitted he “certainly wouldn’t have had the creativity to go, oh, this Judas Priest/Soundgarden song needs some dreamy, layered, synthesized vocals on top” Grammy.com .
Key Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Album | Gigaton (2020) |
| Track Number | 8 |
| Duration | 3:42 |
| Writer | Matt Cameron (music and lyrics) |
| Producers | Pearl Jam, Josh Evans |
| Guest Vocals | Megan Grandall (Lemolo) — first female vocals on official PJ release |
| Recorded At | The Ballard Baitshop (Seattle), various studios |
| Live Debut | September 10, 2022, Apollo Theater, NYC |
| Live Performances | 8 (per setlist.fm) |
Background & Inspiration
Cameron’s 80s Metal Homage
The song emerged from Cameron’s home demos, channeling his pre-Soundgarden metal influences. Evans described the genesis:
“It started out with a weird Matt Cameron drum machine beat, [guitarist Stone Gossard] came in and spent time rearranging that beat and built a structure out of it. This is a song Matt had demoed at another studio here in town amongst all the other songs he was working on.”
— Josh Evans Grammy.com
The Ballard Baitshop
Part of the track was recorded at The Ballard Baitshop—local producer Nathan Yaccino’s studio that was once a sailmaking loft Variety . The unusual space contributed to Gigaton’s varied sonic palette.
Lyrics & Meaning
Cameron wrote both words and music—one of the rare Pearl Jam songs where Eddie Vedder didn’t contribute lyrics. As Evans noted: “Vedder wrote the lyrics to nine of the album’s 12 songs, but Jeff Ament contributed lyrics for ‘Alright,’ Cameron pitched in with ‘Take The Long Way,’ and Stone Gossard wrote the lyrics for ‘Buckle Up’” Variety .
The Scenic Route Philosophy
The title and central lyric—“I always take the long way / Leads me back to you”—celebrates the scenic route over efficiency. Following immediately after “Never Destination,” the sequencing makes the philosophical point clear: if the destination matters, it’s the journey that gives it meaning.
Composition & Production
Instrument Swapping
Cameron plays guitar on the track alongside his drums—part of Gigaton’s experimental spirit:
“Even though Matt is the drummer, he’s such a talented guitar player and laid down a lot of the guitar on ‘Take The Long Way’ and added these nice 12-string acoustic touches on ‘Alright’ that sounded so great.”
— Josh Evans Grammy.com
Evans clarified the final arrangement: “Matt plays some guitar on the chorus but it ended up being mostly Mike [McCready] playing the rhythm parts—those are his metal roots coming out” Grammy.com .
Stone Gossard’s Fuzz
Gossard contributed “that Mudhoney, fuzzed-out guitar stuff” Grammy.com —connecting the song to Seattle’s broader sonic history.
Musical specifications:
- Key: E major
- Tempo: ~140 BPM
- Duration: 3:42
- Style: Garage rock / 80s metal homage
Studios: The Ballard Baitshop (Seattle), various others Recording Period: 2017–2019
The Lemolo Connection
Megan Grandall’s dreamy backing vocals create striking contrast against the heavy guitars. Lemolo has been a fixture in Pacific Northwest indie music since the early 2010s. Her contribution marks the first time any official Pearl Jam release featured female vocals.
Live Performances
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Live Debut | September 10, 2022, Apollo Theater, NYC |
| Total Performances | 8 |
| Most Recent | September 2, 2023, St. Paul, MN |
With only 8 documented performances, it remains one of Gigaton’s rarer live tracks. The song hasn’t been performed since September 2023.
Personnel
| Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Eddie Vedder | Vocals |
| Stone Gossard | Guitar (fuzz) |
| Mike McCready | Guitar, solo |
| Matt Cameron | Drums, guitar, songwriter |
| Jeff Ament | Bass |
| Megan Grandall | Backing vocals |
Production: Pearl Jam, Josh Evans
Context
At track 8, “Take The Long Way” continues the philosophical thread from “Never Destination.” The two tracks work as a pair: don’t fixate on arrival, and don’t rush to get there.
Related Songs
- “The Fixer” (Backspacer): Cameron co-write with similar energy
- “Got Some” (Backspacer): Driving rock with Cameron’s rhythmic stamp
- “Never Destination” (same album): Philosophical companion track
- “Smile” (No Code): Previous song with Stone Gossard on bass