Way back in 1978 I was in 11th grade . At high school we were allowed to smoke outside at lunch. Somehow I convinced the school to bring in my stereo system including large speakers (I still have the Technics turntable btw and it works) and blast music outside at lunch. I recall blasting this song and Wish You Were Here. When the song transitioned (the radio dial) my friend looked at me like "dude somethings wrong with your speakers." Lol. What memories.
Roy Harper is a prolific progressive folk rock guitarist and singer from the UK who seemed to have a fair amount of influence among other musicians, including Led Zeppelin. Back in the '90's, when I lived in Madison, WI, I saw him perform in a small cafe a few blocks from my house. Though he was alone on stage, he "dueted" with tape loops of his guitar that he recorded on the spot using a foot pedal--the first time I'd ever seen that done--and it made him sound like a whole band or orchestra. Hearing "Have a Cigar" again brought that memory back... Zeppelin's song "Hats Off To Roy Harper" is in honor of him.
:) Great reaction, Daniel! I especially liked the very descriptive image of the businessman/record exec with a cigar & his feet on the desk! :) Thank you, Daniel. :)
The lead singer of Franz Ferdinand said in an interview that they used to show up to gigs and there would be two dressing rooms: one for Franz Ferdinand; the other for the band.
Will be a miracle if anyone else can confirm this reference to this song. In 1995, a race horse by the name of Cigar was underperforming while racing on grass courses (which his breeding suggested he should prefer) so his owners decided to try him on dirt. In the Daily Racing Form that day, the handicapper quoted this song and said if Cigar doesn't race well today on dirt, the owners may just have to give up on this extremely well bred thoroughbred. Cigar won that day and went on to win his next 15 starts, all on dirt, becoming one of the all time great thoroughbreds.
Pink Floyd. Wish you were Here. The lyrics, the melodies, the vocals, the instrumentation. This album ticked every box alright! A masterpiece which followed another masterpiece, Dark Side of the Moon.
Awesome, you doing pink floyd. You should keep going, down the rabbit hole. Pink floyd has tons of amazing songs. Oh btw your page going to flooded with request now. Get ready. Million's of us devoted PF fans out there.
As I said in my previous comment the industry was always looking for the next big "monster" album so they could rake in the cash. When they give a band an advance, usually part of their contract and it has to be paid back, it's an investment. The band pays to record the music which the company then owns and the band is expect to tour relentlessly until it's time to make another album. It's an INDUSTRY, even more so these days when any Disney star can be made into a 'singer' using auto-tuning.
So happy to hear that you picked up on the similarity of the tracks Money and Have a Cigar. A mid-reverie reset button. "when I snap my fingers, you will become fully awake..." Now let us proceed in this new direction.
Roy Harper on Vocals for this one... He was hanging out in their studio and nailed it... they used it over Roger and Daves vocals. Roger would later say he didn't really like Roy's more cynical vocal interpretation of the song. Check it out th-cam.com/video/0fyBfQ6XXT8/w-d-xo.html
Every generation has musicians that are transcendent and innovative. They bring a change to a genre of music With excellent catchy groove with superior artist play their instruments to perfection.....with The White Average Band as their ancestors or god.....Down To The Bone...change the face of Jazz and makes Groove and Funky......oozing with toe tapping "Groove." Take a Listen their song "Zodiac."
Wish I could have taken this musical journey like you are, Daniel. Many of us, volume up, stuck in traffic, with plastic wrap from the just opened cassette in the passenger seat.
Good morning. I confirmed at midnight last the stereo system and turntable are successfully hooked up and he has enjoyed the whole album 3 more times cranked through that sweet little system. I slept so well knowing this and how much his future can be positively influenced. Very happy for him and us... Wish he had 3 or 4 years of this already under his belt, like we did at his age, but better late than never...
@@georgewodicka4839 GREAT! Mission accomplished! (Phase one - get him set up) Phase Two - (if we choose to accept the mission) "Flood the zone" with opportunities for more journeys to follow...
@@daveking9393 As I mentioned previously, what you did with WYWH and other vinyls is how I hope Daniel will one day be able to experience Jon Anderson's Olias of Sunhillow. The cover art, vinyl label, and booklet are all essential elements for that album, IMNSHO.
PINK FLOYD, "HAVE A CIGAR"... THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS ALBUM WAS NOT THE LYRICS WHICH CAME TO ME LATER. BUT THE MUSIC...IT'S WHAT TIES IT ALL TOGETHER. PROBABLY LOOKED AT ALL THE MUSIC FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW..AS IN THE 60'S AND 70'S RADIO, AND LP'S, TAPES, CONCERTS WERE WHAT WE FOCUSED ON DAILY...VIDEOS CAME IN THE 80'S , AND 90'S... AND THEIR POPULARITY FADED TO TODAY'S REACTIONS LOOKING BACK AT THE MAGICAL MUSIC SIGHTS AND SOUNDS...
"Have a Cigar" is another song on my permanent play list. Fun reaction, Daniel! Glad you caught the "... which one's Pink?" lyric. I think I caught those words the first time I heard the song and made it perfectly clear that these execs had no personal knowledge of the band, nor any desire to learn more. PF was just an object to make money with.
David Gilmour appeared on several tracks on Roy Harper's 1980 album The Unknown Soldier, well worth checking some out. The Game (part II) also features Kate Bush on vocals as well as Mr Gilmour on guitar.
We must not forget that at that time, (mid-70s), it was the era of disco, with its short songs. Record companies were looking for songs that conformed to the broadcast format, between 3 and 5 minutes maximum per song. So, a format that doesn't really fit with the long musical pieces of Pink Floyd. Broadcasting being the best way to promote music, long Pink Floyd songs were hardly ever aired, which hurt sales according to record labels.
Ummmmm. What about FM radio which played Zeppelin, Floyd, Rush, Skynyrd etc etc etc? No worries with longer songs in that format that I was aware of...
@@w.geoffreyspaulding6588 In Montreal, only one radio station played this type of music, at least during peak listening hours. Only 1 station out of 15 available on the FM band. Not to name it, CHOM 97.7 FM
Your picture of the Executive was so spot on it made me feel like you had been there when they came up with the concept! Great reaction, as usual, Daniel!
I know Roger's cynicism was directed at the music industry, but as years go by you realize that it applies equally to people with power or money who want to use whatever assets you bring to the game, What field you're in is irrelevant. At some level, it's the same everywhere.
there´s two songs in the floyd catalogue that weren´t sung by themselves. "the great gig in the sky" sung by clare torry and this one, "have a cigar", sung by roy harper.
Hey, late to this, but to add, the phrase 'I mean that most sincerely' was a catchphrase of the host of a popular UK talent show of the time: Hughie Green on Opportunity Knocks
One of my neighbors has a bumper sticker on his car. It says simply "Oh, by the way, which one is Pink?" I always smile when I see his car parked. And I wonder how many people know what that bumper sticker means. This is one of the songs that always fascinated me, because it so brilliantly evokes a visual of the greedy, ignorant, money making music industry executives. They don't care what a song says, or who the musicians are, as long as they know it's a massive money making package. Nothing has changed from the ways of the 70s. In fact, the music industry is a growing monster, a money making monster only interested in more money, not real art. Good for you for listening and researching these great master pieces.
Fame and fortune were EXACTLY what Roger Waters wanted all along as he actively courted just the kind of attention from record execs that is portrayed here. (And which Syd Barrett actually did reject before Waters dumped him from the group.) Playing the role of the tortured artist who shuns such things while extravagantly indulging in them is just one of the ways in which the otherwise talented Waters is so utterly, pretentiously full of it.
Some people accuse Roger of of being a "limousine socialist" while living in a mansion in the Hamptons in New York with his 300 million dollar net worth.
@@gregrambo606 and some people applaud him for living in a glass house and still having the balls to speak out. Grow up you two!! ‘Fuck all ‘ other wealthy /powerful people dare speak out because they are fucking gutless and morally defunct.
Besides the acid humor in the phrase "Oh, by the way which one's Pink?" as a critic to music industry and its executives, Pink was a real guy!!!! Syd Barret proposed "Pink Floyd" using the names of two american bluesman of early 1930's, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council,
you have to remember when this was written the band had just come off the huge success of "the dark side of the moon". that's when the industry scumbags starting taking notice of a group that had been around for several years. once the pink floyd gravy train started rolling everyone wanted to jump on. this song is about roger's observations of the cigar chomping,back slapping execs who were suddenly in their lives once they made the greatest rock album ever.
Having heard Roy Harper sing for Pink Floyd, you have to check out his own work. Strongly recommend ‘Same old Rock’ from his 1971 Stormcock album which is brilliant in its entirety but that song in particular is amazing ( and also includes an acoustic solo by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin.)
Scifimonkey - agreed, saw Harper in a small venue in Birmingham (UK) when he was touring his Work of Heart album, I’ d love to see some Roy Harper reaction vids. Did you ever see ‘Made’, his 1972 film, it’s worth a watch if you can find it.
A lot of musicians from that era had at least one song showing their discontent and anger at the commercialism of the industry. This is one of the greatest. Speaking of anti-industry songs, I'd like to hear you react to Guns and Roses "Welcome to the Jungle."
We were buying lps for 99 cents at t records,,,,,but our souls were in concerts,,they drove many of these fantastic musicians like cattle,,,we did not really understand this until artists began to rebel against the beast,,,ps years later and you have boston ,,smokin big cigars,,drivin caddilac cars ,,,boys i think this bands outasight,,,,,,,woooo signin record company contracts ,,you boys have got great expectations'',,,,lala (which one is pink) xo kid
This is another great Floyd song. It refers to sleazy music execs who do not even know the names of the band members or anything about the band putting on the pressure to get something new out. There was a long gap between DSOTM March 73 to WYWH Sept 75 of over two years. In those days nearly all top bands put one album out a year. So the pressure on Pink Floyd to deliver after the massive success of DSOTM must have been enormous. The sell-out refers to selling out of DSOTM album LP stock because was so popular. Another great reaction and analysis. I really like what you are doing and for your reactions you are really enjoying the journey of discovery.
"By the way, which one's Pink" ? - A classic line & that mistake you made as a kid - I did that with Jethro Tull. Lol ....Incidentally - the Pink Floyd movie "The Wall" the lead band member character played by Bob Geldof was called "Pink".
Always took the "Which ones Pink", line to have a kinda subtext that fits the tone of the music. The exec is already calculating which ones got most money earning potential should they break up. And would it be profitable to do expedite that. In the sense of, "which one have I got to butter up (to paraphrase Frank Zappa, keep it greasy so it'll go down easy) manipulate and shaft (and here comes that screaming sound again) in order to gain control (sic.).
if you didn't know The name is derived from the given names of two blues musicians whose Piedmont blues records Barrett had in his collection, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council well I posted this before you read it
You can probably find the clip, but I believe it's from the "Classic Albums" series The Making of the Dark Side of the Moon where to paraphrase Gilmour, when talking about the the insane success that album generated so quickly for the band, they were thrust into a greedy money pit of luxury and excess that led as he says to the next album which was, "Wish You Were Here which we weren't".
I don't know how much they get around, but there's a pretty good Floyd tribute band called Which One's Pink? that tours quite extensively out here in California.
I like thinking of the record execs listening to PF recording this song and just having to take this diss. I mean, the album before this was Dark Side of the Moon. They couldn't say anything to PF about anything at this point.
Harper was recording at Abbey Road in London while the rock supergroup worked on the album in a nearby studio and when Waters and bandmate Dave Gilmour were struggling to find the right voice for the anti-music industry song, they agreed to let their folk singer pal give it a go. Gilmour loved Harper's version and persuaded his bandmates to use it on their classic 1975 album - but 30-plus years later, Waters still thinks he would have done a better job with a little time. In a candid new interview, which features on upcoming Dvd Pink Floyd: The Story of Wish You Were Here, Waters reveals, "He was singing a sort of parody... which I don't like. I never liked it... I regret it. "I think if I'd persevered with it, I would have done it better... I think if I'd have sung it, it would have been more vulnerable and less cynical than the way he did it." But former bandmate Gilmour disagrees, adding, "He (Harper) went off and did it and did a great job... (but) I don't think Roger liked his version very much." And Harper himself has regrets about putting his voice on a Pink Floyd hit. He explains, "It was played millions of times around the world... (and) it was a number-one selling single. Everyone thought it was Roger (singing). I was a bit peed off about that. "The worst of it is sometimes when I'm doing a gig, some wag will shout, 'Have a cigar!'"
I’ve always thought “oh by the way which one’s Pink?” is my favorite PF line. Similar theme has been explored by Heart’s Barracuda and Kevin Gilbert’s bizzare R rated “Suite Fugue” from the Shaming of the True album.
That person who interprets the lyrics as "whining and self pity" doesn't know what they're talking about. Just because PF had made it big doesn't make their experiences with executives and their critique of the industry any less true. It's like saying a rich, successful artist can't sing a song based on their poor or rough childhood. And if they think "if record executives were as superficial as Floyd suggests, they would not allow themselves to be spoofed," they are missing the point. It's because they're so superficial that they wouldn't care what the song said as long as the song made money.
Yeah, this criticism is true on one level, the band had become famous but did they become famous because of the company executives or because of their own talent? I'm sure the execs thought it was the former. And whatever riches the band had made it was a pittance compared to what those execs made. Typically, bands in those days made very little from album sales and relied on their concert tours to make real money. Those tours were grueling and expensive to put on. The grind literally destroyed many of them.
@@izzonj I think it was Elvis Costello who said you have Twenty years to write your first album and six months to write your second while you are on tour for your first.
True as a generality. But Waters has Barrett in mind when he wrote this album. The pressure to produce commercial hits was certainly part of the pressure on Barrett that pushed him over the edge.
@@Hartlor_Tayley yeah, I've heard many say by the time they got to a recording studio they may have had one or even two albums of music built up and the second or third was written on the road.
That person who said that about execs "not being that bad" is probably a record exec. I have never heard this song as anyone "whining" or who was undeserving to say something about the greed of the industry. I have always heard it as a cautionary tale, a warning to others who may not be as onto the slimy way of doing business. Kind of like a "don't say we didn't warn you". I think having the guest singer on this one was also specifically done to avoid any criticism of the band being ungrateful for the success. And Daniel, I think you are right about the two songs (this and Money) not only are they the most different on each album, but I think it's almost a way of the band saying "Yeah, we get to do what we want for the most part, but here's one to pay the bills and quiet the A&R men". There are a few artists who do manage to only do what they want, but I think there is less monetary reward and more personal autonomy as the value for them. It's very few bands who do both without giving up too much of either.
Roy Harper sang the vocals on this song. First (and only) song where a member of PF wasn’t the lead vocalist. I think Roger Waters sang it in concert. Not sure. But Roy Harper didn’t tour with them.
Which ones' Pink? PINK Anderson and FLOYD Council were the two men that Syd Barrett named the band after. Both were Blues musicians from North Carolina.
I know a lot of up and coming bands that have lived thru embezzlement of their managers. A and M comes to mind. They record them then throw them away, even though they had a successful tour by opening for major acts. They never recovered from their lost money. Recording is a ruthless bussiness. Hate it. That's why there is a breakthrough in independent studios.
Yeah, I figured you must have missed the "which one is Pink" line. I was eagerly awaiting your reaction to it, and then nothing. waa waa! 😒 haha! But honestly, when I heard the name for the first time I figured it was the lead singers name or something.
^this^ Yeah, I was also anticipating a reaction to the line, and realized then that Daniel wasn't following along with the lyrics as he first listened. Definitely not meant as a criticism. I imagine this enables one to focus on all aspects of a song more on first listen. It's just my own listening habits with a new album that included a lyric sheet was to have the sheet in my hand as I first played the album.
"But we're still on the payroll." Radiohead, Karma Police. The only ones that didn't, don't play the game (whilst hating through their sleeves) were, tHe SEx PIsToLS. No rules with the story of The Pistols. The boys pissed on them.
Although the band is named for two bluesmen, the image that comes to mind when I hear "Pink Floyd" is a reference to Freudian psych. Whether intended or not, their tendency towards hypnotic music and psychedelia in their early years fits perfectly. Given their interest in word play, I tend to think it was not entirely accidental.
On the theme of songs about the music industry, Daniel, you might try Joni Mitchell's "Free Man in Paris "" lyrics. She had worked both sides of the business as artist and producer, and knew the downsides of the money side well. It's also just a great song to listen to! Here's the lyrics: www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jonimitchell/freemaninparis.html
@@daveking9393 This is one of my favorite Pink Floyd songs and I understand it. Even so, the record companies will gladly allow themselves to be skewered in song if it'll make them a buck. Lucille Ball made millions taking pies to the face. 😁
Cool fact. When it came out the album was wrapped in black cellophane, so you could not see the cover until after you bought it. I was about a year younger than you when it came out 😳
The which one's pink lyric actually occurred to Rodger Waters when he was meeting with a record exec! Thus the cynicism for the song and that's part of the reason for these lyrics!! I always thought that was so funny or actually very disgusting how the exec or whoever it was had such a deep respect but didn't even know any of the names of the band members.
I think it might be appropriate as an ending to react to See Emily Play, one of Syds singles with the band that doesn’t appear on an album. After all this album is about him. th-cam.com/video/qmOs9ZJ1Vxc/w-d-xo.html
This is a great album, but my favorite from PF is Animals. I love every part of that record, and I don't say that about too many albums I ever heard. You should do Genesis "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", from the Peter Gabriel days. That's another one that is one amazing track after another, a concept album like Pink Floyd's "The Wall", the entire album tells a story of sorts.
Way back in 1978 I was in 11th grade . At high school we were allowed to smoke outside at lunch. Somehow I convinced the school to bring in my stereo system including large speakers (I still have the Technics turntable btw and it works) and blast music outside at lunch. I recall blasting this song and Wish You Were Here. When the song transitioned (the radio dial) my friend looked at me like "dude somethings wrong with your speakers." Lol. What memories.
Yeah, A lot of people got caught by that. I remember my Dad running to the record player to see what was going. Fun Times.
Roy Harper is a prolific progressive folk rock guitarist and singer from the UK who seemed to have a fair amount of influence among other musicians, including Led Zeppelin. Back in the '90's, when I lived in Madison, WI, I saw him perform in a small cafe a few blocks from my house. Though he was alone on stage, he "dueted" with tape loops of his guitar that he recorded on the spot using a foot pedal--the first time I'd ever seen that done--and it made him sound like a whole band or orchestra. Hearing "Have a Cigar" again brought that memory back... Zeppelin's song "Hats Off To Roy Harper" is in honor of him.
Thank you for being the first person to comment on the Pink line, my favorite line in this song. Enjoy
Wish you were here is one of my favorite albums of all time, and have a cigar is a favorite... enjoy!
In my top 5 favourite albums.
The music composition. Is on point. That guitar. Roy Harper's vocals just magical. So smooth. Tells the story so perfectly. 🎶🎶😎🎸
:) Great reaction, Daniel!
I especially liked the very descriptive image of the businessman/record exec with a cigar & his feet on the desk! :)
Thank you, Daniel. :)
I'm loving your reactions and analysis of this album. Great job, as always.
The lead singer of Franz Ferdinand said in an interview that they used to show up to gigs and there would be two dressing rooms: one for Franz Ferdinand; the other for the band.
🤦
I had "No You Girls" on my playlist just yesterday. Great band.
Will be a miracle if anyone else can confirm this reference to this song. In 1995, a race horse by the name of Cigar was underperforming while racing on grass courses (which his breeding suggested he should prefer) so his owners decided to try him on dirt. In the Daily Racing Form that day, the handicapper quoted this song and said if Cigar doesn't race well today on dirt, the owners may just have to give up on this extremely well bred thoroughbred. Cigar won that day and went on to win his next 15 starts, all on dirt, becoming one of the all time great thoroughbreds.
FYI: Led Zeppelin III has a song titled "Hats Off To (Roy) Harper".
The guitar solo starting at 4:25 is one of the tastiest outros in prog...
‘Which one’s Pink?’ Cynicism seems to be a trait of a lot of Floyd’s Music - most of it justified probably!
I think we were all waiting to see if he picked up on it, but I knew he would get it when he did read the lyrics. Well done Daniel!
...and i love drums too.
And also the drummer.
Nick Mason 😍😎
Fricking...frick😂 a remarkable riff , iconic song great reaction and analysis
Pink Floyd. Wish you were Here. The lyrics, the melodies, the vocals, the instrumentation. This album ticked every box alright! A masterpiece which followed another masterpiece, Dark Side of the Moon.
PF is just SOOOOOOOO Damn Good !! Damn what Talent !
Awesome, you doing pink floyd. You should keep going, down the rabbit hole. Pink floyd has tons of amazing songs. Oh btw your page going to flooded with request now. Get ready. Million's of us devoted PF fans out there.
One of my all time favorite songs!!!!!
As I said in my previous comment the industry was always looking for the next big "monster" album so they could rake in the cash. When they give a band an advance, usually part of their contract and it has to be paid back, it's an investment. The band pays to record the music which the company then owns and the band is expect to tour relentlessly until it's time to make another album. It's an INDUSTRY, even more so these days when any Disney star can be made into a 'singer' using auto-tuning.
So happy to hear that you picked up on the similarity of the tracks Money and Have a Cigar. A mid-reverie reset button. "when I snap my fingers, you will become fully awake..." Now let us proceed in this new direction.
Roy Harper on Vocals for this one... He was hanging out in their studio and nailed it... they used it over Roger and Daves vocals. Roger would later say he didn't really like Roy's more cynical vocal interpretation of the song. Check it out th-cam.com/video/0fyBfQ6XXT8/w-d-xo.html
LOL, that's ironic coming from one of the most cynical sounding voices ever.
I suspect Roger just didn't like Roy's BETTER SOUNDING vocal interpretation of the song.
I believe Harper also had sung Money on Dark Side
@@izzonj no, david did
He only went over that fact several times.
Roy Harper on vocals: an artist in hiw own right, admired by and who collaborated with Led Zeppelin, Ian Anderson, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel....
I love playing the guitar solo in this song.It absolutely kills.
The namPink Floyd was the names of 2 blues performers they liked -- Pink Anderson and Floyd Council.
Watching this makes me feel 40 years younger.
Every generation has musicians that are transcendent and innovative. They bring a change to a genre of music With excellent catchy groove with superior artist play their instruments to perfection.....with The White Average Band as their ancestors or god.....Down To The Bone...change the face of Jazz and makes Groove and Funky......oozing with toe tapping "Groove." Take a Listen their song "Zodiac."
Wish I could have taken this musical journey like you are, Daniel. Many of us, volume up, stuck in traffic, with plastic wrap from the just opened cassette in the passenger seat.
Good morning. I confirmed at midnight last the stereo system and turntable are successfully hooked up and he has enjoyed the whole album 3 more times cranked through that sweet little system. I slept so well knowing this and how much his future can be positively influenced. Very happy for him and us... Wish he had 3 or 4 years of this already under his belt, like we did at his age, but better late than never...
@@daveking9393 You're spoiling him, but we're all the better for it. ☺
@@georgewodicka4839 GREAT! Mission accomplished! (Phase one - get him set up) Phase Two - (if we choose to accept the mission) "Flood the zone" with opportunities for more journeys to follow...
@@daveking9393
As I mentioned previously, what you did with WYWH and other vinyls is how I hope Daniel will one day be able to experience Jon Anderson's Olias of Sunhillow. The cover art, vinyl label, and booklet are all essential elements for that album, IMNSHO.
PINK FLOYD, "HAVE A CIGAR"... THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS ALBUM WAS NOT THE LYRICS WHICH CAME TO ME LATER. BUT THE MUSIC...IT'S WHAT TIES IT ALL TOGETHER. PROBABLY LOOKED AT ALL THE MUSIC FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW..AS IN THE 60'S AND 70'S RADIO, AND LP'S, TAPES, CONCERTS WERE WHAT WE FOCUSED ON DAILY...VIDEOS CAME IN THE 80'S , AND 90'S... AND THEIR POPULARITY FADED TO TODAY'S REACTIONS LOOKING BACK AT THE MAGICAL MUSIC SIGHTS AND SOUNDS...
"Have a Cigar" is another song on my permanent play list. Fun reaction, Daniel! Glad you caught the "... which one's Pink?" lyric. I think I caught those words the first time I heard the song and made it perfectly clear that these execs had no personal knowledge of the band, nor any desire to learn more. PF was just an object to make money with.
Exactly!
This happens to be my favorite album my parents listen to it when I was a little kid I’m still listening to it today
David Gilmour appeared on several tracks on Roy Harper's 1980 album The Unknown Soldier, well worth checking some out. The Game (part II) also features Kate Bush on vocals as well as Mr Gilmour on guitar.
Great stuff. Roy Harper is well worth a listen in his own right.
We must not forget that at that time, (mid-70s), it was the era of disco, with its short songs.
Record companies were looking for songs that conformed to the broadcast format, between 3 and 5 minutes maximum per song.
So, a format that doesn't really fit with the long musical pieces of Pink Floyd. Broadcasting being the best way to promote music, long Pink Floyd songs were hardly ever aired, which hurt sales according to record labels.
Ummmmm. What about FM radio which played Zeppelin, Floyd, Rush, Skynyrd etc etc etc? No worries with longer songs in that format that I was aware of...
@@w.geoffreyspaulding6588 In Montreal, only one radio station played this type of music, at least during peak listening hours. Only 1 station out of 15 available on the FM band.
Not to name it, CHOM 97.7 FM
This song applies to so many people out there who are not in the music industry that anyone can relate to it.
Your picture of the Executive was so spot on it made me feel like you had been there when they came up with the concept! Great reaction, as usual, Daniel!
Dicon Reactions come in here have a cigar your going to go far you do the work I'll ride the gravy train .
I love the way the music on this track has been crafted to sound like a steam train aka 'gravy train' motoring on. Quite clever by the Floyd.
I know Roger's cynicism was directed at the music industry, but as years go by you realize that it applies equally to people with power or money who want to use whatever assets you bring to the game, What field you're in is irrelevant. At some level, it's the same everywhere.
there´s two songs in the floyd catalogue that weren´t sung by themselves. "the great gig in the sky" sung by clare torry and this one, "have a cigar", sung by roy harper.
Hey, late to this, but to add, the phrase 'I mean that most sincerely' was a catchphrase of the host of a popular UK talent show of the time: Hughie Green on Opportunity Knocks
Remember, ANY band you can name, no matter how big they got, ALL started off at the bottom!
Just an FYI, Led Zeppelin gives Roy a "shout out" on their III album. "Hat's Off To Roy Harper"
One of my neighbors has a bumper sticker on his car. It says simply "Oh, by the way, which one is Pink?" I always smile when I see his car parked. And I wonder how many people know what that bumper sticker means. This is one of the songs that always fascinated me, because it so brilliantly evokes a visual of the greedy, ignorant, money making music industry executives. They don't care what a song says, or who the musicians are, as long as they know it's a massive money making package. Nothing has changed from the ways of the 70s. In fact, the music industry is a growing monster, a money making monster only interested in more money, not real art. Good for you for listening and researching these great master pieces.
Fame and fortune were EXACTLY what Roger Waters wanted all along as he actively courted just the kind of attention from record execs that is portrayed here. (And which Syd Barrett actually did reject before Waters dumped him from the group.) Playing the role of the tortured artist who shuns such things while extravagantly indulging in them is just one of the ways in which the otherwise talented Waters is so utterly, pretentiously full of it.
Some people accuse Roger of of being a "limousine socialist" while living in a mansion in the Hamptons in New York with his 300 million dollar net worth.
@@gregrambo606 and some people applaud him for living in a glass house and still having the balls to speak out. Grow up you two!! ‘Fuck all ‘ other wealthy /powerful people dare speak out because they are fucking gutless and morally defunct.
Rubbish. Sometimes you find the grass wasn't greener . . .
While listening to your reactions , i start to realize how many great LPs i have
I've loved my old vinyls even more this last year!
@@keithjones6023 yeah the quarantie was another reason to listen to my records
@@oafratos they are helping me remain sane! 😄
"It's a trap!" Love that. Also Gravy Train is the name of a brand of dog food which I just thought I'd mention that has nothing to do with anything.🐶
Besides the acid humor in the phrase "Oh, by the way which one's Pink?" as a critic to music industry and its executives, Pink was a real guy!!!! Syd Barret proposed "Pink Floyd" using the names of two american bluesman of early 1930's, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council,
Roy Harper on vocals for this one, you would probably like some of Roys albums in particular his song Forever is beautiful
If i met this guy, this guy would be like... my favourite guy
you have to remember when this was written the band had just come off the huge success of "the dark side of the moon". that's when the industry scumbags starting taking notice of a group that had been around for several years. once the pink floyd gravy train started rolling everyone wanted to jump on. this song is about roger's observations of the cigar chomping,back slapping execs who were suddenly in their lives once they made the greatest rock album ever.
Having heard Roy Harper sing for Pink Floyd, you have to check out his own work. Strongly recommend ‘Same old Rock’ from his 1971 Stormcock album which is brilliant in its entirety but that song in particular is amazing ( and also includes an acoustic solo by Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin.)
Scifimonkey - agreed, saw Harper in a small venue in Birmingham (UK) when he was touring his Work of Heart album, I’ d love to see some Roy Harper reaction vids. Did you ever see ‘Made’, his 1972 film, it’s worth a watch if you can find it.
A lot of musicians from that era had at least one song showing their discontent and anger at the commercialism of the industry. This is one of the greatest. Speaking of anti-industry songs, I'd like to hear you react to Guns and Roses "Welcome to the Jungle."
We were buying lps for 99 cents at t records,,,,,but our souls were in concerts,,they drove many of these fantastic musicians like cattle,,,we did not really understand this until artists began to rebel against the beast,,,ps years later and you have boston ,,smokin big cigars,,drivin caddilac cars ,,,boys i think this bands outasight,,,,,,,woooo signin record company contracts ,,you boys have got great expectations'',,,,lala (which one is pink) xo kid
Shocker, always thought Waters sang this - similar. Nice voice impression of 40's James Cagney gangsta.
This is another great Floyd song. It refers to sleazy music execs who do not even know the names of the band members or anything about the band putting on the pressure to get something new out. There was a long gap between DSOTM March 73 to WYWH Sept 75 of over two years. In those days nearly all top bands put one album out a year. So the pressure on Pink Floyd to deliver after the massive success of DSOTM must have been enormous. The sell-out refers to selling out of DSOTM album LP stock because was so popular. Another great reaction and analysis. I really like what you are doing and for your reactions you are really enjoying the journey of discovery.
"By the way, which one's Pink" ? - A classic line & that mistake you made as a kid - I did that with Jethro Tull. Lol ....Incidentally - the Pink Floyd movie "The Wall" the lead band member character played by Bob Geldof was called "Pink".
Pink isn't well, he stayed back at the hotel,
@@jimwilcox2964 He was a bit numb but I think he was quite comfortable after his vaccine jab.
@@jimled50jl49 or whatever the shot was to keep him going through the show
Always took the "Which ones Pink", line to have a kinda subtext that fits the tone of the music. The exec is already calculating which ones got most money earning potential should they break up. And would it be profitable to do expedite that. In the sense of, "which one have I got to butter up (to paraphrase Frank Zappa, keep it greasy so it'll go down easy) manipulate and shaft (and here comes that screaming sound again) in order to gain control (sic.).
Haha.... yeah you missed that line “Which one’s Pink?” on the play, but good reaction on the reading of the lyrics 😺
if you didn't know The name is derived from the given names of two blues musicians whose Piedmont blues records Barrett had in his collection, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council well I posted this before you read it
You can probably find the clip, but I believe it's from the "Classic Albums" series The Making of the Dark Side of the Moon where to paraphrase Gilmour, when talking about the the insane success that album generated so quickly for the band, they were thrust into a greedy money pit of luxury and excess that led as he says to the next album which was, "Wish You Were Here which we weren't".
If you played one of their albums backwards it said " pink's gone to the funny farm".
I don't know how much they get around, but there's a pretty good Floyd tribute band called Which One's Pink? that tours quite extensively out here in California.
Our stoner music at Ole Miss in the late 70s.
I like thinking of the record execs listening to PF recording this song and just having to take this diss. I mean, the album before this was Dark Side of the Moon. They couldn't say anything to PF about anything at this point.
Harper was recording at Abbey Road in London while the rock supergroup worked on the album in a nearby studio and when Waters and bandmate Dave Gilmour were struggling to find the right voice for the anti-music industry song, they agreed to let their folk singer pal give it a go.
Gilmour loved Harper's version and persuaded his bandmates to use it on their classic 1975 album - but 30-plus years later, Waters still thinks he would have done a better job with a little time.
In a candid new interview, which features on upcoming Dvd Pink Floyd: The Story of Wish You Were Here, Waters reveals, "He was singing a sort of parody... which I don't like. I never liked it... I regret it.
"I think if I'd persevered with it, I would have done it better... I think if I'd have sung it, it would have been more vulnerable and less cynical than the way he did it."
But former bandmate Gilmour disagrees, adding, "He (Harper) went off and did it and did a great job... (but) I don't think Roger liked his version very much."
And Harper himself has regrets about putting his voice on a Pink Floyd hit.
He explains, "It was played millions of times around the world... (and) it was a number-one selling single. Everyone thought it was Roger (singing). I was a bit peed off about that.
"The worst of it is sometimes when I'm doing a gig, some wag will shout, 'Have a cigar!'"
Best song on the album. The god Roy Harper.
I’ve always thought “oh by the way which one’s Pink?” is my favorite PF line. Similar theme has been explored by Heart’s Barracuda and Kevin Gilbert’s bizzare R rated “Suite Fugue” from the Shaming of the True album.
That person who interprets the lyrics as "whining and self pity" doesn't know what they're talking about. Just because PF had made it big doesn't make their experiences with executives and their critique of the industry any less true. It's like saying a rich, successful artist can't sing a song based on their poor or rough childhood.
And if they think "if record executives were as superficial as Floyd suggests, they would not allow themselves to be spoofed," they are missing the point. It's because they're so superficial that they wouldn't care what the song said as long as the song made money.
Nothing wrong with “Whining and self pity”. Think about how many hit song are based on exactly that.
Yeah, this criticism is true on one level, the band had become famous but did they become famous because of the company executives or because of their own talent? I'm sure the execs thought it was the former.
And whatever riches the band had made it was a pittance compared to what those execs made. Typically, bands in those days made very little from album sales and relied on their concert tours to make real money. Those tours were grueling and expensive to put on. The grind literally destroyed many of them.
@@izzonj I think it was Elvis Costello who said you have Twenty years to write your first album and six months to write your second while you are on tour for your first.
True as a generality. But Waters has Barrett in mind when he wrote this album. The pressure to produce commercial hits was certainly part of the pressure on Barrett that pushed him over the edge.
@@Hartlor_Tayley yeah, I've heard many say by the time they got to a recording studio they may have had one or even two albums of music built up and the second or third was written on the road.
That person who said that about execs "not being that bad" is probably a record exec. I have never heard this song as anyone "whining" or who was undeserving to say something about the greed of the industry. I have always heard it as a cautionary tale, a warning to others who may not be as onto the slimy way of doing business. Kind of like a "don't say we didn't warn you". I think having the guest singer on this one was also specifically done to avoid any criticism of the band being ungrateful for the success. And Daniel, I think you are right about the two songs (this and Money) not only are they the most different on each album, but I think it's almost a way of the band saying "Yeah, we get to do what we want for the most part, but here's one to pay the bills and quiet the A&R men". There are a few artists who do manage to only do what they want, but I think there is less monetary reward and more personal autonomy as the value for them. It's very few bands who do both without giving up too much of either.
Roy Harper sang the vocals on this song. First (and only) song where a member of PF wasn’t the lead vocalist. I think Roger Waters sang it in concert. Not sure. But Roy Harper didn’t tour with them.
The best part about this track is the 16th note wurly/rhodes bass that comes in on the second verse.
Which ones' Pink? PINK Anderson and FLOYD Council were the two men that Syd Barrett named the band after. Both were Blues musicians from North Carolina.
Thank you. Now I finally know 🙂
@@Lightmane LOL! :)
@@MissAstorDancer It's really cool that that's how Syd came up with the name. Everybody thought there was some guy named Pink Floyd. Almost, lol.
I know a lot of up and coming bands that have lived thru embezzlement of their managers. A and M comes to mind. They record them then throw them away, even though they had a successful tour by opening for major acts. They never recovered from their lost money. Recording is a ruthless bussiness. Hate it. That's why there is a breakthrough in independent studios.
It's about the record Company/Industry at the time
I think PF wrote the song to reflect what it was like in the beginning. I'm pretty sure they were not millionaires in the beginning.
Yeah, I figured you must have missed the "which one is Pink" line. I was eagerly awaiting your reaction to it, and then nothing. waa waa! 😒 haha! But honestly, when I heard the name for the first time I figured it was the lead singers name or something.
^this^
Yeah, I was also anticipating a reaction to the line, and realized then that Daniel wasn't following along with the lyrics as he first listened.
Definitely not meant as a criticism. I imagine this enables one to focus on all aspects of a song more on first listen. It's just my own listening habits with a new album that included a lyric sheet was to have the sheet in my hand as I first played the album.
"But we're still on the payroll." Radiohead, Karma Police. The only ones that didn't, don't play the game (whilst hating through their sleeves) were, tHe SEx PIsToLS. No rules with the story of The Pistols. The boys pissed on them.
Although the band is named for two bluesmen, the image that comes to mind when I hear "Pink Floyd" is a reference to Freudian psych. Whether intended or not, their tendency towards hypnotic music and psychedelia in their early years fits perfectly. Given their interest in word play, I tend to think it was not entirely accidental.
Looking forward to the next song that leads in.
Led Zeppelin has a song called Hats off to Roy Harper
Roy Harper is the lead vocalist, imitating Roger
We're in a sleazy part of town now folks.
Critique of the "suits" in corporate music that they had to deal with...don't even know the band members' names
On the theme of songs about the music industry, Daniel, you might try Joni Mitchell's "Free Man in Paris "" lyrics. She had worked both sides of the business as artist and producer, and knew the downsides of the money side well. It's also just a great song to listen to!
Here's the lyrics: www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jonimitchell/freemaninparis.html
Reminds me of film producer Michael Moore, who has made millions of dollars making anti-Capitalism documentaries.
You nailed it with that one...
@@daveking9393 This is one of my favorite Pink Floyd songs and I understand it. Even so, the record companies will gladly allow themselves to be skewered in song if it'll make them a buck. Lucille Ball made millions taking pies to the face. 😁
Cool fact. When it came out the album was wrapped in black cellophane, so you could not see the cover until after you bought it. I was about a year younger than you when it came out 😳
The which one's pink lyric actually occurred to Rodger Waters when he was meeting with a record exec! Thus the cynicism for the song and that's part of the reason for these lyrics!! I always thought that was so funny or actually very disgusting how the exec or whoever it was had such a deep respect but didn't even know any of the names of the band members.
I think it might be appropriate as an ending to react to See Emily Play, one of Syds singles with the band that doesn’t appear on an album. After all this album is about him. th-cam.com/video/qmOs9ZJ1Vxc/w-d-xo.html
Can't wait for "The Wall Live in Berlin -1990". Do it the same as you're doing with this album.
This is a great album, but my favorite from PF is Animals. I love every part of that record, and I don't say that about too many albums I ever heard.
You should do Genesis "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", from the Peter Gabriel days. That's another one that is one amazing track after another, a concept album like Pink Floyd's "The Wall", the entire album tells a story of sorts.
David Gilmour. Made a guitar sing
tHIS MUsic iS sO gOOd SToNed!!
Glad I stayed up late for this one.
Oh by the way, which one's Pink?
The industry blowing smoke up your ars
Oh by the way which one's Pink. A lot of people think that Jethro Tull was the lead singer of that band as well. Of course it's Ian Anderson.
"Oh and by the way, which one's Pink?" 😺
One of my all time favorite lines in a song. Fat cat record producers so disconnected they don't even know who is in the band. True too!
You should definitely do one on “echoes “ Pompeii version!
I think funky may be the word you were looking for. That’s a great comparison with Money - both great basslines from Waters.
Somebody has a "cigar" for those willing a
FWIW First?
Roy Harper on vocals.