Riot Act cover art

  Studio Album · No. 7

Riot Act Songwriting Credits by Pearl Jam

2002 Epic 15 tracks 54 min

Produced by Adam Kasper, Pearl Jam  ·  Engineered by Brendan O'Brien, Sam Hofstedt, John Burton

Epic Alternative RockArt Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 15 of 15 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 15 / 15 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 15 tracks with documented writers, by whether Pearl Jam carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
15 trackswritten by Pearl Jam 0 tracksoutside writers
Pearl Jam's roles on this album

Share of the 15 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

15
Tracks
4
Lyricists
2
Producers
500,000
US Copies Sold
2002
Released
Data Insight

Riot Act is one of Pearl Jam's most collaboratively written albums: Eddie Vedder still leads the lyrics, but Matt Cameron, Jeff Ament, and Stone Gossard each write words and music on multiple tracks, and new keyboardist Boom Gaspar earns a co-writing credit on 'Love Boat Captain.' With no outside writers, the album is fully the band's, the credits documenting an unusually shared creative load.

Riot Act is the seventh studio album by Pearl Jam, released in November 2002 and shaped by grief and political anger. Written in the wake of the 2000 Roskilde Festival tragedy and the post-9/11 climate, it pairs mournful reflection on 'Love Boat Captain' with pointed protest on the anti-Bush 'Bu$hleaguer.' It is the first album to feature keyboardist Boom Gaspar, who co-wrote 'Love Boat Captain,' and it spreads the songwriting widely, with Matt Cameron, Jeff Ament, and Stone Gossard all contributing music and lyrics alongside Eddie Vedder. The album was certified gold, continuing the band's move away from blockbuster sales toward a devoted core audience. It was the final Pearl Jam album for Epic before they left the label.

Track Listing & Credits 15 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Can't Keep
Eddie Vedder Eddie Vedder Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
2
Save You
Eddie Vedder Mike McCreadyJeff AmentMatt CameronStone GossardEddie Vedder Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
3
Love Boat Captain
Eddie Vedder Eddie VedderBoom Gaspar Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
4
Cropduster
Eddie Vedder Matt Cameron Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
5
Ghost
Jeff AmentEddie Vedder Jeff Ament Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
6
I Am Mine #43
Eddie Vedder Eddie Vedder Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
7
Thumbing My Way
Eddie Vedder Eddie Vedder Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
8
You Are
Matt CameronEddie Vedder Matt Cameron Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
9
Get Right
Matt Cameron Matt Cameron Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
10
Green Disease
Eddie Vedder Eddie Vedder Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
11
Help Help
Jeff Ament Jeff Ament Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
12
Bu$hleaguer
Eddie VedderStone Gossard Stone Gossard Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
13
½ Full
Eddie Vedder Jeff Ament Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
14
Arc
Eddie Vedder Eddie Vedder Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)
15
All or None
Stone GossardEddie Vedder Stone Gossard Adam KasperPearl Jam Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 8 contributors

More from Pearl Jam

Frequently Asked Questions Riot Act

Who wrote Pearl Jam's Riot Act?
Eddie Vedder wrote most of the lyrics, but Matt Cameron, Jeff Ament, and Stone Gossard each contributed words and music, and Boom Gaspar co-wrote 'Love Boat Captain.'
What is Bu$hleaguer about?
'Bu$hleaguer' is a pointed critique of President George W. Bush, reflecting the album's politically charged, post-9/11 mood.
Who is Boom Gaspar on Riot Act?
Boom Gaspar is the keyboardist who joined Pearl Jam for Riot Act and co-wrote 'Love Boat Captain'; he has played with the band since.
Why is Riot Act considered a darker album?
It was written after the 2000 Roskilde Festival deaths and amid the post-9/11 climate, giving it a mournful, politically angry tone.
How well did Riot Act sell?
It was certified gold in the United States and was the band's last album for Epic Records.
Who produced Riot Act?
It was produced by Adam Kasper with the band, with Brendan O'Brien handling the mix.

Sources