Signature Songs 1/2/07 - Pink Floyd

[H2IZCOOL]

I thought I'd try another of these even though it seems that our beloved site is going through what I hope is a temporary bout of dis-interest. (I plan to post on that topic a little later.)

Anyway, I really had been pretty shallow in my Pink Floyd knowledge until pretty recently. Over my 10 day holiday break, one of the few things I did that did not involve eating was investigate a whole series of Pink Floyd music - early Syd Barrett stuff, music from their heyday of concept albums and international acclaim, and some (not much) of their later music. I had listened to a lot of it before, but had not really LISTENED.



Which gets us to their signature song(s). I'm sure that many people would say that "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)" would be their signature song. It certainly was their biggest hit and came from perhaps their most complex project and was saturated with their well-known cynicism.

Maybe "Money" - their only other Top 40 hit - from their breakthrough classic album 'Dark Side of the Moon' might be a candidate.

I think, however, I'd look elsewhere. The classic era group never got over the influence of Syd Barrett. They never got over the influence of his talent from the band's early days, and they never got over his leaving. I think that Syd segments existed for all time in all their music. Therefore, I think that their ultimate signature song - the song that best defines Pink Floyd and their music is the title song from their tribute to Syd Barrett, "Wish You Were Here." I think the rest of the group never stopped wishing that.

-- and what do you think?

[Pete70s]

h2izcool said:

I thought I'd try another of these even though it seems that our beloved site is going through what I hope is a temporary bout of dis-interest. (I plan to post on that topic a little later.)

Anyway, I really had been pretty shallow in my Pink Floyd knowledge until pretty recently. Over my 10 day holiday break, one of the few things I did that did not involve eating was investigate a whole series of Pink Floyd music - early Syd Barrett stuff, music from their heyday of concept albums and international acclaim, and some (not much) of their later music. I had listened to a lot of it before, but had not really LISTENED.



Which gets us to their signature song(s). I'm sure that many people would say that "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)" would be their signature song. It certainly was their biggest hit and came from perhaps their most complex project and was saturated with their well-known cynicism.

Maybe "Money" - their only other Top 40 hit - from their breakthrough classic album 'Dark Side of the Moon' might be a candidate.

I think, however, I'd look elsewhere. The classic era group never got over the influence of Syd Barrett. They never got over the influence of his talent from the band's early days, and they never got over his leaving. I think that Syd segments existed for all time in all their music. Therefore, I think that their ultimate signature song - the song that best defines Pink Floyd and their music is the title song from their tribute to Syd Barrett, "Wish You Were Here." I think the rest of the group never stopped wishing that.

-- and what do you think?

Well, I'm still here! Had an album review up for the last week, and only one response from Dawn. But I'm still trying...

Regarding Pink Floyd, I think their sinnature song would be one of two, "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb". Those are the ones everybody wants to hear at the concerts, and the ones that everyone holds up their lighters to.

[H2IZCOOL]

pete70s said:

h2izcool said:

I thought I'd try another of these even though it seems that our beloved site is going through what I hope is a temporary bout of dis-interest. (I plan to post on that topic a little later.)

Anyway, I really had been pretty shallow in my Pink Floyd knowledge until pretty recently. Over my 10 day holiday break, one of the few things I did that did not involve eating was investigate a whole series of Pink Floyd music - early Syd Barrett stuff, music from their heyday of concept albums and international acclaim, and some (not much) of their later music. I had listened to a lot of it before, but had not really LISTENED.



Which gets us to their signature song(s). I'm sure that many people would say that "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)" would be their signature song. It certainly was their biggest hit and came from perhaps their most complex project and was saturated with their well-known cynicism.

Maybe "Money" - their only other Top 40 hit - from their breakthrough classic album 'Dark Side of the Moon' might be a candidate.

I think, however, I'd look elsewhere. The classic era group never got over the influence of Syd Barrett. They never got over the influence of his talent from the band's early days, and they never got over his leaving. I think that Syd segments existed for all time in all their music. Therefore, I think that their ultimate signature song - the song that best defines Pink Floyd and their music is the title song from their tribute to Syd Barrett, "Wish You Were Here." I think the rest of the group never stopped wishing that.

-- and what do you think?

Well, I'm still here! Had an album review up for the last week, and only one response from Dawn. But I'm still trying...

Regarding Pink Floyd, I think their sinnature song would be one of two, "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb". Those are the ones everybody wants to hear at the concerts, and the ones that everyone holds up their lighters to.

Sorry I missed your post, Pete. I have a bad habit of usually not looking south of the Polls Board.

I have now responded.

[Ken]

I would say that Money, Comfortably Numb and Wish You Were Here and possibly even Mother are all signature tunes.


Since Syd seems to have influenced so many different musicians over the years, I also think that Arnold Layne or See Emily Play could also be signature songs, representing their "early period."

[H2IZCOOL]

kenfrank said:

I would say that Money, Comfortably Numb and Wish You Were Here and possibly even Mother are all signature tunes.


Since Syd seems to have influenced so many different musicians over the years, I also think that Arnold Layne or See Emily Play could also be signature songs, representing their "early period."

They actually play a few bars from "See Emily Play" in the final part of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" on Wish You Were Here

[KittyKat - RIP Luciano]

As many of you know, I'm not a Floyd fan. At all.

That being said, you can't really get away from their music try as you might. "Comfortably Numb" is the definite choice of signature songs for me.

[Ken]

h2izcool said:

kenfrank said:

I would say that Money, Comfortably Numb and Wish You Were Here and possibly even Mother are all signature tunes.


Since Syd seems to have influenced so many different musicians over the years, I also think that Arnold Layne or See Emily Play could also be signature songs, representing their "early period."

They actually play a few bars from "See Emily Play" in the final part of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" on Wish You Were Here

That's right, I forgot about that.

[Dawn]

I agree that all the choices listed so far are good candidates for their signature song, and would add one more possibility - Shine On You Crazy Diamond. It's not as well known as some of their other tracks, but it has the '70s Dark Side-esque production that they're known for, and is another nice tribute to Syd.

[SAT-I need more room!!]

As sick as I am of both of them, gotta go with Money and Brick. Great pic BTW Ed! A very rare one of all five guys!

[55dodger]

I'd have to go with Comfortably Numb, although Money & Brick are probably more well known. My favorite from Pink Floyd: "Time".