Spin the Black Circle is a song by Pearl Jam, released on November 8, 1994, as the lead single from the band’s third studio album Vitalogy (1994). Although credited to all members of Pearl Jam, it features lyrics written by vocalist Eddie Vedder and music written primarily by guitarist Stone Gossard.
Spin the Black Circle peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 16 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and number 11 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Spin the Black Circle was the band’s first single to enter the Billboard Hot 100.
Outside the United States, the single was released commercially in Australia, Austria, Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Spin the Black Circle reached the top ten in the UK, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and Norway. Spin the Black Circle reached the top 20 in Sweden, the top 30 in the Netherlands, and charted at number 92 in Germany. The song remains the band’s highest charting single in the United Kingdom to date.
At the 1996 Grammy Awards, Spin the Black Circle received the award for Best Hard Rock Performance, the first Grammy Award which Pearl Jam had ever won.
Tracklist:
- Spin the Black Circle
- Tremor Christ
Pearl Jam
Eddie Vedder: vocals
Jeff Ament: bass guitar; upright bass
Stone Gossard: rhythm guitar
Mike McCready: lead guitar
Dave Abbruzzese: drums
