Let The Records Play
Summary
Let The Records Play is Stone Gossard’s complete songwriting contribution to Lightning Bolt—one of the rare instances where a band member other than Vedder handled both music and lyrics. The song threads “a ‘power of spinning vinyl’ theme around a tasty Stone Gossard riff with great results” Mumbling About .
Critics described it as “mainly a walking blues number” where “guitarists Mike McCready and Stone Gossard have fun with reverb and vibrato, giving a country/rockabilly vibe” Premier Guitar . The song celebrates vinyl culture—the ritual of putting needle to groove, the warmth of physical media, the intentionality of choosing an album and committing to it.
Lightning Bolt has been described as “very much a record for Stone fans,” and “Let The Records Play” exemplifies why—Gossard’s distinctive sensibility shaping an entire track from riff to lyric.
Key Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Album | Lightning Bolt (2013) |
| Track Number | 9 |
| Release Date | October 15, 2013 |
| Duration | 3:46 |
| Writer | Stone Gossard (music and lyrics) |
| Producer | Brendan O’Brien |
| Label | Monkeywrench/Republic |
| Live Debut | October 11, 2013, Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Live Performances | 21 (per setlist.fm) |
Background & Inspiration
Complete Gossard Composition
Stone Gossard wrote both music and lyrics—a rarity in Pearl Jam’s catalog where Vedder typically handles words. When Gossard writes complete songs, they often have different character: more groove-based, more celebratory, less confessional than Vedder’s approach.
Pearl Jam released a video of Gossard playing the song, demonstrating the riff that anchors the track Pearl Jam . His guitar work drives the arrangement, with the rhythm section locking into the groove he established.
Vinyl Culture Celebration
Pearl Jam has long championed vinyl culture. Their albums are consistently released on vinyl, band members are known collectors, and the Ten Club regularly issues vinyl exclusives. “Let The Records Play” makes that appreciation explicit in song form.
The title is both instruction and permission: let the records play. In an age of streaming and digital convenience, there’s something defiant about celebrating physical media.
A Record for Stone Fans
Critics noted that Lightning Bolt was “very much a record for Stone fans,” with Gossard’s guitar work prominent throughout. “Let The Records Play” is the clearest example—his riff, his lyrics, his celebration.
Lyrics & Interpretation
The Power of Spinning Vinyl
The song celebrates “the power of spinning vinyl”—not just the music, but the ritual of listening. Putting on a record requires intention: choosing the album, placing the needle, committing to the experience.
Defiance Against Digital
In 2013, streaming was ascendant. “Let The Records Play” offered gentle defiance: there’s value in physical media, in ritual, in the warmth of analog sound. The song doesn’t attack digital—it simply affirms what vinyl offers.
Music About Music
Pearl Jam rarely writes songs explicitly about music itself. “Let The Records Play” joins a small catalog:
- “Spin the Black Circle” (Vitalogy): Aggressive vinyl celebration
- “Supersonic” (Backspacer): Love for music
- “Johnny Guitar” (Backspacer): Falling in love with album art
Composition & Arrangement
Walking Blues Foundation
Critics described the song as “mainly a walking blues number.” The walking bass line and shuffle rhythm create a groove that celebrates rather than attacks—appropriate for a song about the joy of listening.
Musical specifications:
- Key: A major
- Tempo: Mid-tempo groove (~110 BPM)
- Time Signature: 4/4
- Duration: 3:46
Country/Rockabilly Vibe
McCready and Gossard “have fun with reverb and vibrato, giving a country/rockabilly vibe.” This sonic palette—warm, vintage-sounding—matches the subject matter. The production sounds like it wants to be played on vinyl.
The Tasty Riff
The song is built around what critics called “a tasty Stone Gossard riff.” Gossard’s compositional approach often starts with riffs rather than chord progressions, and this track showcases that method.
Production & Recording
Henson Sessions
Studios: Henson Recording Studios (Los Angeles) Recording Period: Early 2012, March 2013 Producer: Brendan O’Brien
O’Brien’s production serves the song’s warmth, creating sonic quality that vinyl enthusiasts appreciate. The “physicality of Brendan O’Brien production” suits a song celebrating physical media.
Reverb and Vibrato
The guitar tones—heavy on reverb and vibrato—evoke vintage recordings. This isn’t accidental: the production choices mirror the song’s thematic celebration of analog warmth.
Critical Reception & Legacy
Stone’s Showcase
“Let The Records Play” received positive reviews as an ode to vinyl culture and a showcase for Gossard’s complete songwriting. Critics appreciated the groove and the celebratory mood.
Reaffirming Vedder’s Taste
One critic noted the song “reaffirms Vedder’s taste for vinyl”—even though Vedder didn’t write it. The song speaks for the whole band’s commitment to physical media.
Legacy:
- Celebrated Pearl Jam’s commitment to vinyl
- Showcased Gossard’s complete songwriting (rare)
- Added walking blues/rockabilly flavor to catalog
- “Very much a record for Stone fans” exemplified
- 21 live performances (2013-2016)
Live Performances
Statistics
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Live Debut | October 11, 2013, Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Total Performances | 21 (per setlist.fm) |
| Most Recent | April 29, 2016, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA |
| Typical Placement | Mid-set groove moment |
Pre-Release Debut
The song debuted at the Lightning Bolt Tour opener in Pittsburgh—the night before the album’s official release. Fans heard it live before they could buy it.
Tour Staple 2013-2016
“Let The Records Play” appeared regularly through the 2013-2016 touring period. Its groove made it effective for mid-set moments when the band wanted to settle into something less aggressive.
Dormant Since 2016
Like several Lightning Bolt tracks, the song hasn’t been performed since 2016. Its groove-based, celebratory nature might return when setlists have room for variety.
Personnel & Credits
Pearl Jam
| Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Eddie Vedder | Vocals |
| Stone Gossard | Guitar (songwriter) |
| Mike McCready | Guitar |
| Jeff Ament | Bass |
| Matt Cameron | Drums |
Production Team
| Role | Personnel |
|---|---|
| Producer | Brendan O’Brien |
| Mixer | Brendan O’Brien |
| Mastering | Bob Ludwig |
Fan Theories & Trivia
Gossard’s Rare Complete Songs
Complete Gossard compositions are rare in Pearl Jam’s catalog. When he writes both music and lyrics, the results differ from Vedder’s approach—more groove, more celebration, less confession.
The Official Video
Pearl Jam released a video of Stone Gossard demonstrating the song, showing fans the riff that anchors the track. This “Stone Gossard plays” video let fans see the compositional foundation.
Trivia
- Complete Gossard composition—rare in PJ catalog
- “Mainly a walking blues number”
- “Country/rockabilly vibe” with reverb and vibrato
- Celebrates “the power of spinning vinyl”
- Lightning Bolt described as “very much a record for Stone fans”
- Debuted night before album release
- Not performed since 2016
Fan Discussions
Active topics on r/pearljam and Pearl Jam Community forums include:
- The rarity of non-Vedder complete compositions
- How the song relates to Pearl Jam’s vinyl releases
- Vinyl vs. streaming culture debates
- Gossard’s songwriting compared to Vedder’s
- The walking blues/rockabilly feel
Comparative Analysis
Within Pearl Jam’s Catalog
“Let The Records Play” represents one of Pearl Jam’s few explicit celebrations of music itself:
- “Spin the Black Circle” (Vitalogy): Previous vinyl celebration (more aggressive)
- “Supersonic” (Backspacer): “About the love for music”
- “Johnny Guitar” (Backspacer): Another Gossard/Cameron composition about music
- “Hard to Imagine” (Pearl Jam): Gossard composition
Gossard’s Writing Voice
When Gossard writes complete songs, they share characteristics:
- Groove-based rather than anthem-based
- Celebratory rather than confessional
- Riff-driven composition
- Often warmer, more playful
Album Context
At track 9, “Let The Records Play” provides a groove-based moment of celebration amid Lightning Bolt’s existential concerns. After songs about mortality (“Sirens”), surrender (“Swallowed Whole”), and time’s passage (“Pendulum”), this offers pure musical joy.
The album’s thematic weight gets a moment of relief—and permission to just let the records play.