After their self-released The Yellow Tape was certified platinum in Canada, the group won a contest hosted by a local radio station.

Horn parts, guest vocalists, and nods to other bands including Rush allowed Barenaked Ladies to expand on the sound they had developed while touring.

[1] In 1991, after the gold certification of The Yellow Tape—an independently recorded and manufactured cassette[2]—Barenaked Ladies won Discovery to Disc, a contest hosted by CFNY-FM, a Toronto-based rock radio station.

"[3] To get better acquainted with the band Wojewoda invited Barenaked Ladies to sing back-up vocals for "California Dreamline" during the recording of Rheostatics's Whale Music.

"[8] Led by Jim and Andy Creeggan, the band developed horn parts for "Enid", "Wrap Your Arms Around Me", and "Box Set".

Before the album's release, Sire Records had to receive clearance from various parties for music that Barenaked Ladies had included on various tracks of Gordon.

Having developed the songs during live performances, Barenaked Ladies integrated themes from Styx, Rush, The Housemartins, and Vince Guaraldi into various tracks.

The original Sire Records cover features all five band members amongst large grey letters which spell "Gordon."

"[12] She went on to call the "shared vocals ... refreshing and upbeat", concluding that "Gordon is a great introduction to the Barenaked Ladies' sweet comic relief".