Claire Torry improvised the entire vocal portion. They told her told her to express the emotions of learning that you are dying and the stages of grief, and she basically just let it rip. A timeless classic. Cheers!
I'm a grown man who has heard this song SO MANY TIMES however sometimes depending on where my head is at, tears start running down my face, need to find a napkin.... It means to me life is over and hopefully you left no stone unturned...... Peace and God Bless....
that's true for me for many Pink Floyd Songs. I've been listing for about 35 years, heard some of these songs literally thousands of times. And every time feels like the first time.
Same here Jesse. I musta heard this tune 100 times or more. But depending on my mood it still brings tears to my eyes sometimes. I'm 62 and have been through a few deaths of family and friends. This is a timeless classic that can be as personal therapy.
@@bpagan7781 I'm 60 and I'm right there. I thank God we got to live and experience this era of music. My kids were born in the early 90's and they are hooked, in this whole era, too.
I could understand someone doing a lyrics video as a joke, but it's mood killer for a first reaction tho. Still you guys listened and got some of the meaning anyway. I just don't get why folks need to watch something while they listen to music. Most videos, unless it's a real live performance, just get in the way of the original audio performances.
When you’re listening to songs on Dark Side of the Moon, it’s very difficult to get the context of a song by itself, especially one like Great Gig. You really have to listen to that album in its entirety. It’s a collection of music that they cut into songs. Even if y’all don’t do it for the channel, listening to it from beginning to end makes these songs SO much better.
@@antichoice1 who said money didn’t fit the theme? I said listen to the album in its entirety. Great gig is much more powerful when it’s heard directly after “Time”.
Originally, The Great Gig in the Sky was an innocuous track that was supposed to be used to fill the void ending the side A. In the first demos, a passage from the Bible was read over the piano instrumental, then it was communications from NASA astronauts on mission. With the end result unsatisfying the band members, Alan Parsons enlisted the help of Clare Torry, a studio singer. They ask her to provide them with a vocal improvisation with the only indication of thinking about death and the fear it inspires. What a wonderful way to fill a void.
It took her 2 & 1/2 takes ( She said that's it!").& was originally paid 500£. Later was reimbursed 'with a substantial' amount. Her trying to impress a boyfriend, I have not confirmed.
It's about the process of dying and when I lefty mom's hospital bed sitting with her for 2 weeks while she slowly died it was exactly like this but in a song. Amazing and beautiful!
Peace to you and your mom! My mom died, peacefully in her bed, on the 23rd. Last week. I was alone with her, holding her hand, as she took her last breath. And you're right. 😞
Claire Torry spoke about her session on this song in an interview. It is available on UA-cam and is quite interesting! ONE TAKE! She was asked to do another take and began to do so. Half way through the take she stopped and told them that they had what they need, the first take is always the best, and with that, she said her good-byes and left. At the time she didn't know what the project was going to be called and didn't know she was on the album until she saw the newly released album in a record store window. She went inside and read the songs and song credits to then discover she was on the "Dark Side of The Moon" album! Clair eventually sued Richard Wright for writing credits and back royalties as every one that performed this at their live shows copied her part, so it became just as much a part of the song as Richards piano. She won and received several million dollars.
I'm actually disappointed to hear that she had to take them to court. They should have given her a writing credit from the very start. Glad she got her money because her performance was brilliant and worth every penny she got!
@@MikeytheGeek7711 She didn't suit Pink Floyd, she sued Richard Wright for song writing credits and half of what he made as the song writer, and she won!
Understanding the five stages of grief. The five stages - denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance - are often talked about as if they happen in order, moving from one stage to the other. Listening to The great Gig in the Sky we can almost feel the sequence...
I think you are both right. It's all about that inevitable transition between mortal and spiritual... shuffling off this mortal coil and ascending to the afterlife.
You forgot "Bargaining." You can definitely hear the strains of a desperation of bargaining!! If you're in the dark listening to this piece...and you don't start sobbing? You can't be human!
Actually if you watch the interview with Claire that's here on UA-cam, she said it was the 3rd take. The first take she sang a lot of "Ooooh baby"s. She then did part of this song as a complete second take, but when she walked out the band was in total silence. She without direction she went back in, did half of a 3rd take, and then stopped and walked out, again without a word from Pink Floyd (they were obviously in stunned silence by the performance). She thought they hated it and she never expected it to see the light of day. It was only when the album came out that she found out that the track was on it. So I believe the final track you hear on the album is a combination of the 2nd and 3rd takes.
It took Claire Torry until 2004 to get recognition on this track as a co-writer as she was told to ad-lib and express herself. She was paid a flat fee of £25 pounds and left. She walked past a record shop years later and saw the cover in the window, went in and looked at the album and saw she was credited with the lyrics. I don't think the stages of death could ever be represented any better, from fear to acceptance and beyond, the emotion has it all. This track still has the power to take me from zero to tears in 60 seconds and this is why The Dark Side of the Moon is widely recognised as one of, if not the most important abum in music history.
I can't help but to hear "Money" in my mind as Claire's voice has faded, and the slight drag at the end, knowing that some incredible sax is about to take you over. Guitar Solo!
The album this is on, "Dark Side Of The Moon", was on Billboard's "Top 200 Albums" chart for more than 800 weeks...that is more than 15 years! The longest of any album in rock and roll history.
BJ's grunts say it all, you can map the heart rush by them, and then Asia actually chimed in at the end with a grunt of her own. So special, so real, and totally authentic! Thanks muchly guys... Long Live Pink Floyd!
@Dave Parker It was done in two and a half takes but not mashed. They told her they wanted no words and her first take was a bunch of "ooh baby"s and things like that. They told her it was no good so she had another go. She stopped herself half way through not liking how it was turning out. The third take is where she found her footing and that unaltered third take is what ended up on the record. It's well documented. Peace, brother.
I knew from the thumbnail I was going to enjoy this reaction, and I just knew the expression would be written all over Asia's face of just how much she enjoyed the track. I hit the like button before I hit the play button. It was in the bag, done...before it ever started. Now that you have listened to this masterpiece of vocals without lyrics expressing grief and loss...you must watch the Pulse Live remastered version of this song, where 3 beautiful and talented ladies put on a show. Their expression giving visuals to the emotion in the song...seeing David Gilmour's smile at the end, representing the entire band's feelings at that moment, that they nailed that song. You don't have to view it for a reaction and wait the many weeks before what is already on your schedule gets completed ahead of it...just do it for yourself, you won't regret it, as it is worth the time spent.
BJ .. you are so on point! That’s the most accurate and by far the best and truest reaction I’ve heard!! You are soo right. There’s an interesting backstory to this… check it out when can. Thank you both! Y’all get it❤️❤️
In case nobody has said it, the audio of the men speaking are from before they recorded the music for the whole album “Dark Side of the Moon” they asked random people such as the janitor in the studio the same questions : Roger Waters would ask them questions and record it on the 8 track first like “What’s your name”, “favorite color”, etc and then he would ask questions “have you ever started a fist fight and we’re you right or in the wrong” and “are you afraid of dying?” and throughout the entire album they used those voices, at the beginning of this song you’re hearing the janitor answering the question “are you afraid of dying?”. You can find the list of questions online. Listen to the answers after reading that. There is an amazing documentary called “American Classic Albums “Dark Side of the Moon” I believe by VH1 Classics.
Hits you right in the spot it should ,this woman cries her heart out but poetically.and I feel the pain so so much .makes me think of my mum ,the youngest of 7 children ,she watched and cared for all of her brothers and two sisters until they passed away.god bless you mum,I didn't realise the pain and stress you went thro. ❤️❤️🙏
I heard Pink Floyd back i the 70's. I wasa kid but had 2 older brothers. I never got to stop the music at will,......we had record players.VINYL.round records.
She was paid around $150 for this. They did it in two takes...the first time she did it, she did a lot of "oohh baby baby" type of vocals....they told her "no not that...just imagine your vocals as an instrument...no words...just sounds"....the second take is what you are hearing. She said the whole process lasted about 30 minutes "and I got my 50 quid and walked home"
So glad you’re feeling this, I’ve got tears in my eyes, and I usually do listening to this, I’ve been listening to this for 40 years 🥲🥲🥲🥲👍👍🏴🏴
You both are very tapped in !! I love your reactions. You are both very knowledgeable!! Thanks. PF is a great great band! The Dark Side Of The Moon is a treasure trove!! Must listen to the whole album !!
I'm very glad you listened to the studio version. This was improvised by Clare Tory so when you listen to this version you are hearing her compose as she sings. It's amazing. I love this song as the words at the beginning of the song is the lie we all tell ourselves about death...that it's no big deal...but then we get Clare Tory come in and sing her heart out telling us the truth about death instead. It's extraordinary. She is dying throughout...it doesn't take you to the afterlife...it's all about the very painful process of death and just hearing the weakness in her as she dies.
The entire Dark Side of the Moon album is one of several Floyd albums that tell an entire story from beginning to end, and also one of several Floyd albums where the primary theme of the album deals with mental illness. Pink Floyd's founder and original lead guitarist, Syd Barrett, was considered one of the brightest young songwriters to come along in a long time. He wrote most of the songs on their debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. However, like many songwriters of the time, he experimented with psychedelic drugs quite heavily. During the process of recording their second album A Saucerful of Secrets, Syd went on an acid trip that he basically never came back from. He completely lost his mind and began behaving so irrationally that the group just had to let him slip away. He would soon become a recluse, one of the more tragic stories of rock excess gone wrong. This was one of the albums that was based on Syd's life story. A few years later, they would record the album Wish You Were Here. This album also had strong connections to Syd, including most famously the long song that both opens and concludes the album (in several movements) called Shine On You Crazy Diamond. In a strange twist of fate, the day the group was in the studio working on Shine On, Syd showed up out of nowhere. The group members hadn't seen him in years and they barely even recognized him. He hung around for a while, listened to the music they were working on, then disappeared again just as quickly as he appeared. Supposedly, this was the last time any of the other members of Pink Floyd ever saw him. He would die at the age of 60 in 2006 after having lived as a virtual hermit for the last 30 years of his life.
One of the hardest songs to listen to- BUT it tracks what many have experienced when their parents pass. Acceptance of dying- 1 They are terrified. 2 They are 'negotiating' and thinking about all the loose ends in life. What they wanted for themselves, and what they wanted for you. 3. They accept that they are passing over and none of this matters anymore.
I loved y'all's interpretation of the song. It was good. This song takes me to another place and always makes me get emotional even after all these years. I'm 37 now heard this song when I was just a kid. My mom has great taste in music and grew up in the 60's and introduced me to alot of great music.
Very good improvisation on Claire Torry's part. Her vocalization definitely stood out and blended well with the music. The addition of the organ added more drama to the composition. This was the composition which made me a Pink Floyd fan.
I'm old enough to have heard this as the Album was released.....Also, I remember an interview Clare Torry gave in The NME(New Musical Express) or The Melody Maker, in which she categorically states that Dave Gilmour took her to one side and asked her if she could express how she would feel what dying would feel like......and afterwards she said how embarrassed she felt about how she had let herself go whilst recording the track.
My favorite Pink Floyd song ever!!! I know that’s a bold statement to make. It’s just always been the one I will listen to on repeat. I was listening to it in high school in my chorus class. Our director came in and was overwhelmed by it. When he found out it was a Pink Floyd song he was blown away
Thx! This feels like listening to classical music like Beethoven etc. where the music paints the picture for you if you take the time to sit back and hear the music speak. Amen! -Terry
I think most vocalists would be quite reasonably terrified to attempt this song, trying to live up to the original, whilst putting your own spin on it, very very intimidating prospect.
As the others have noted in the comments the song is a vocalization of somebody dying. Realization. Anger and denial. Acceptance. Then finally, release at peace. It's beautiful.
Richard Wright composed the music for this, he's playing the piano and Hammond organ. Richards piano on Us and Them is brilliant, that is another great song off of Dark Side of the Moon.
Please thank especially Alan Parsons, a music engineer who has a huge part in the creation of the album "The Dark Side Of The Moon", for this musical gem. He was the one who suggested to Pink Floyd members that Clare Torry sing this part. She was not a well-known singer at all, she only earned extra money in the Abbey Road studio (where the album was recorded) as a backing vocalist. She herself had a problem with not having to sing any lyrics, and only when David Gilmour advised her to use her voice as another musical instrument did she understand. She sang it and left. She never thought that this song would be included on the Pink Floyd album. Later, when the album came out, she bought it and found out that the song was there ... I think your reasoning is correct. In my opinion, it is something like this: the first part = horror, fear, pain, the second part = calming, the third part = reconciliation and relief. I apologize for the bad English - I'm from the Czech Republic ...
The first time the singer heard the finished song was when she got off a bus months later and seen it in a record store window and bought it, took it home and listened
If you listen to the song on the cd before this song and then listen to this song together it kind of comes together. They should be listened to at the same time. When the singer Clare Torry reported to the studio for this session, she asked for the lyrics and was told there were none. She just needed to sing the song. She went in and with some minor touch ups after nailed it in one take.
Watch the live version. I believe it's from the Pulse show. Also there are 3 vocalists. The best, in my opinion, background vocalists ever. Saw them 4 times between 73 and 79. Top 3,if not #1, favorite band all time.
This song has evoked emotion for over 50 years now. Originally titled "Mortality Sequence" when they used to perform the entire album live ... 2 years before it was ever recorded and actually even became an album! Clare Torry was a session singer and made a whole $30 for a couple hours of work that day, improvised on the spot over a handful of takes and actually apologized when she left because she didn't think she gave them what they were looking for. (She finally did get what was due her about 20 years ago in a lawsuit.)
Claire Torry had no idea she was on the album until coming home one day. She saw the album in the window of a record store. And stopped in to look and saw her name in the credits for this song. She was surprised. She hadn't heard from them since she recorded it. And she didn't want to do it. They accommodated her to do it late on a Sunday night. She was happy the way her career was going. Singing TV commercials and bit parts. She wasn't famous. She's about 5ft tall. A young little young girl. Amazing! I've seen the great tribute band "Brit Floyd" and they've had some wonderful woman sing this part. Brit Floyd is the closest you will get to Pink Floyd since its very unlikely we'll see them together again. David Gilmour and Roger Waters are very much impressed with Brit Floyd. They said at times Brit Floyd sounds better then they did on certain songs. I've seen Brit Floyd.. They are outstanding in the world of tribute bands. They go beyond. That's why their shows sell out in Europe and the America's. Great musicians!
I’m a big fan of Floyd and you guys had a great commentary on the meaning. I never considered the meaning behind it until you talked about their tour life. Much love 🤙❤️
Rick Wright on piano, David Gilmour on slide Guitar, Roger Waters on bass, Nick Mason on drums, Alan Parsons engineering, all overshadowed by their guest in the studio. Clare Torry was hired to improvise over this piece. She went it once, didn’t quite understand what the wanted. They wanted her to “go mad. I feel it’s life’s journey from birth to death but that’s my interpretation. She went back in and decided to use her voice as an instrument and this is what came out. She walked out, feeling embarrassed and the band LOVED IT! Whole album is sonic genius! They invented reasons to invented and experiment with sound. True pioneers of music! Try MONEY from the same album. A headphone head trip!!!
Pink Floyd is unique. We can identify their sound immediately. There are other Prog Rock bands who are that way and can take you to a different mood or a special place. One of the best is Genesis. You should check them out. "Supper's Ready" takes you on a journey....and ends in music heaven.
You are 100% correct on that Asia! She just freestyled that, I think they did 2 or 3 takes... When she left the studio, they thanked her for contribution, and she didn't even get any feeling like she just BLEW THEIR MINDS!!
Pink Floyd always takes you somewhere. Her voice is amazing and that scat is 'out of this world'. If the gig is this good in the sky, I will look forward to the time when I can get there (when it is time, that is). I like your take on the first part; that it is life on earth, while later it is life after death. Makes sense.
There is a video of an interview with Clare Torry, the woman that sang Great Gig in the Sky, where she talks about going in an being told not to use any words when she sang it. She did one take and they told her thank you. And that was the last she heard of it. She didn't know they used her til she read the album cover in a music store.
From what I understand, this was her audition tape and Floyd was so impressed they didn't want her to do a second take. One of those magical moments in music
The Song is about Death. Whether it is your own life coming to an end, struggling with the fear then finding acceptance. Others consider this song about personal grief for a loved one who has passed, dealing with the pain and anguish of no longer having that person in your life. Someone once said 'The definition of grief is love that has become homeless' very sad, but perhaps quite true.
Second take by the singer, called up in the middle of the night by the guy on the mixing board. Told to imagine the death of their dearly beloved. Sheer emotion.
Nice one guys )) Love to get Diana Ankudinova to do a version of this with her starting in her deep tone up to her high ones . One of my all time favorite songs , especially on a super loud stereo
Omg you 2 the most amazing piece of music there is. I have been listening to this for 45 yrs. Back in the day it was on album. I never associated it with death. I was 15ish when this came out. This is my go to song no matter what I am feeling stressful times it grounds me. You know those days when nothing goes right your just done...... Come home glass of wine this cranked and I am good to go. Miss Claire Torry did this in 2 takes.... So happy you did her version, I'm sorry so many did it after, but it just has to be Claire.... Cheers all...
Yeah u guys got it and nailed it. This song is the 3 phases of departure and resolution of the transitory soul headed for its new destination.. So beautiful, glad u guys got into it..
Claire Torry improvised the entire vocal portion. They told her told her to express the emotions of learning that you are dying and the stages of grief, and she basically just let it rip. A timeless classic. Cheers!
@Papa B she recently won a court case to get her slice and rightly so
I heard she was on acid too when they did it
@@alexfrank6534 that wouldn't be true, she was actually a classical singer. Dont think she was into drugs.
@@stedevo7149 ≠
@@alexfrank6534 maybe it was you 🤣🤣🏴
"Genius" Pretty much sums it up. And no, it was not rehearsed. They left it pretty much up to her. And she killed it!!
In one take
Claire gets all the hype but Richard Wright killed that piano part - restrained, sensitive, emotional, perfect.
Facts - I think that his subtle playing is such a good backdrop that we forget how amazingly moving it is.
AND the Hammond. That thing is flaming!
Such a beautiful progression. He knew he'd nailed it. He was however in awe of what Clare did.
A lot of people more than acknowledge his stellar keyboard skills, as we should.
The beautiful soul of Richard.
I'm a grown man who has heard this song SO MANY TIMES however sometimes depending on where my head is at, tears start running down my face, need to find a napkin.... It means to me life is over and hopefully you left no stone unturned...... Peace and God Bless....
that's true for me for many Pink Floyd Songs. I've been listing for about 35 years, heard some of these songs literally thousands of times. And every time feels like the first time.
God bless you too
Same here Jesse. I musta heard this tune 100 times or more. But depending on my mood it still brings tears to my eyes sometimes. I'm 62 and have been through a few deaths of family and friends. This is a timeless classic that can be as personal therapy.
Whoaaaaaaaa whoaaaaaa yeahhhhhhhhhh uhhhhh yeahhhhhhh whoaaaahhhh yeahhhhh yeahhhh ❤️ simple but I get the feels 😅
@@bpagan7781 I'm 60 and I'm right there. I thank God we got to live and experience this era of music. My kids were born in the early 90's and they are hooked, in this whole era, too.
I'm dying over the fact that someone made a lyric video of this song.
I could understand someone doing a lyrics video as a joke, but it's mood killer for a first reaction tho.
Still you guys listened and got some of the meaning anyway. I just don't get why folks need to watch something while they listen to music. Most videos, unless it's a real live performance, just get in the way of the original audio performances.
Doing a lyric video for TGGITS would be something from Yoko Ono's genre.
But Yoko sounds like she's strangling a cat.
Too funny eh! Lol
@@MrDiddyDee exactly. The Floyd should be listened to in a dark room with head phones. The Floyd are to be experienced not just listened too.
@@barrydavies4099 or the cat being strangled.
When you’re listening to songs on Dark Side of the Moon, it’s very difficult to get the context of a song by itself, especially one like Great Gig. You really have to listen to that album in its entirety. It’s a collection of music that they cut into songs. Even if y’all don’t do it for the channel, listening to it from beginning to end makes these songs SO much better.
A PF song
It's quite simple. It's about dying. The whole theme of the album is about growing old and dying. Don't think "Money" fits that theme? Think again.
@@antichoice1 who said money didn’t fit the theme? I said listen to the album in its entirety. Great gig is much more powerful when it’s heard directly after “Time”.
@@Warmode88 Oh I Wasn't implying YOU specifically with the Money thing, I should have put "people" at the end of the statement.
Very well stated.
Originally, The Great Gig in the Sky was an innocuous track that was supposed to be used to fill the void ending the side A. In the first demos, a passage from the Bible was read over the piano instrumental, then it was communications from NASA astronauts on mission. With the end result unsatisfying the band members, Alan Parsons enlisted the help of Clare Torry, a studio singer. They ask her to provide them with a vocal improvisation with the only indication of thinking about death and the fear it inspires.
What a wonderful way to fill a void.
When she came out of the booth the band members were speechless and she thought that they hated it. Only to find out later they just couldn’t speak.
The first choice isn’t always the best choice. But when the right choice happens, it’s felt as much as it’s heard.
@@bilcon12 I would have been in tears over her emotion alone.
It took her 2 & 1/2 takes ( She said that's it!").& was originally paid 500£. Later was reimbursed 'with a substantial' amount. Her trying to impress a boyfriend, I have not confirmed.
And payed her peanuts!
It's about the process of dying and when I lefty mom's hospital bed sitting with her for 2 weeks while she slowly died it was exactly like this but in a song. Amazing and beautiful!
Peace to you and your mom! My mom died, peacefully in her bed, on the 23rd. Last week. I was alone with her, holding her hand, as she took her last breath. And you're right. 😞
@@bonscotty67 it’s a life experience I’m an emotionless husk but that makes me want to smoke a bowl and cry while listening to Floyd.
Claire Torry spoke about her session on this song in an interview. It is available on UA-cam and is quite interesting! ONE TAKE! She was asked to do another take and began to do so. Half way through the take she stopped and told them that they had what they need, the first take is always the best, and with that, she said her good-byes and left. At the time she didn't know what the project was going to be called and didn't know she was on the album until she saw the newly released album in a record store window. She went inside and read the songs and song credits to then discover she was on the "Dark Side of The Moon" album!
Clair eventually sued Richard Wright for writing credits and back royalties as every one that performed this at their live shows copied her part, so it became just as much a part of the song as Richards piano. She won and received several million dollars.
I'm actually disappointed to hear that she had to take them to court. They should have given her a writing credit from the very start. Glad she got her money because her performance was brilliant and worth every penny she got!
@@MikeytheGeek7711 She didn't suit Pink Floyd, she sued Richard Wright for song writing credits and half of what he made as the song writer, and she won!
Understanding the five stages of grief.
The five stages - denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance - are often talked about as if they happen in order, moving from one stage to the other.
Listening to The great Gig in the Sky we can almost feel the sequence...
The way Asia reacts when Claire’s voice comes in says it all. Such a great performance.
Claire Torry did the piece and actually apologized to the band for her performance. The band told her she was perfect.
Oh I can’t wait……here we go! This one never gets old. Piano is simply gorgeous…..❤️🎼🤘😎🔥
She's expressing the emotions one goes through at the point of death - fear, anger denial, and finally, acceptance.
No, she's just singing about the actual moment of death and the peace on the other side. Asia and BJ got it.
I think you are both right. It's all about that inevitable transition between mortal and spiritual... shuffling off this mortal coil and ascending to the afterlife.
You forgot "Bargaining." You can definitely hear the strains of a desperation of bargaining!! If you're in the dark listening to this piece...and you don't start sobbing? You can't be human!
This was Clare's second take, on the first one she used a couple of words and the band said they wanted it wordless.
Am I remembering right that she added a few "babys" in the first take?
Actually if you watch the interview with Claire that's here on UA-cam, she said it was the 3rd take. The first take she sang a lot of "Ooooh baby"s. She then did part of this song as a complete second take, but when she walked out the band was in total silence. She without direction she went back in, did half of a 3rd take, and then stopped and walked out, again without a word from Pink Floyd (they were obviously in stunned silence by the performance). She thought they hated it and she never expected it to see the light of day. It was only when the album came out that she found out that the track was on it. So I believe the final track you hear on the album is a combination of the 2nd and 3rd takes.
It took Claire Torry until 2004 to get recognition on this track as a co-writer as she was told to ad-lib and express herself. She was paid a flat fee of £25 pounds and left. She walked past a record shop years later and saw the cover in the window, went in and looked at the album and saw she was credited with the lyrics. I don't think the stages of death could ever be represented any better, from fear to acceptance and beyond, the emotion has it all.
This track still has the power to take me from zero to tears in 60 seconds and this is why The Dark Side of the Moon is widely recognised as one of, if not the most important abum in music history.
Panic when you find out you're dying, fear of what will happen and then acceptance. Beautiful...
To get a female vocalist to become an instrument is genius! What a voice. 🏴♥️
I can't help but to hear "Money" in my mind as Claire's voice has faded, and the slight drag at the end, knowing that some incredible sax is about to take you over. Guitar Solo!
Yep, I've heard them together so many times, it's hard not to continue it in my head.
The 3 levels of coming to grips with death, so beautiful and she improvised everything
5 levels
@@jareczek1980 18 levels
Over 9,000 levels.
Us and Them off off the same album is another great slow jam. Has a great sax solo too.
One of my favourite ever Floyd songs.
The album this is on, "Dark Side Of The Moon", was on Billboard's "Top 200 Albums" chart for more than 800 weeks...that is more than 15 years! The longest of any album in rock and roll history.
And the Album has never left production since first being printed. It will occasionally pops back on to the charts.
That's what Pink Floyd does... It's not just a song... It's an experience
BJ's grunts say it all, you can map the heart rush by them, and then Asia actually chimed in at the end with a grunt of her own. So special, so real, and totally authentic! Thanks muchly guys... Long Live Pink Floyd!
An amazing vocal performance - even more impressive when you consider that she improvised this performance in a single take.
Claire Torry if anyone wanted to know.
There was multiple takes, she has said in interviews
She has said in interviews that she did about two and a half takes and they mashed them together as needed.
@Dave Parker
It was done in two and a half takes but not mashed. They told her they wanted no words and her first take was a bunch of "ooh baby"s and things like that. They told her it was no good so she had another go. She stopped herself half way through not liking how it was turning out. The third take is where she found her footing and that unaltered third take is what ended up on the record. It's well documented. Peace, brother.
I was just going by what the band said in one of "Makimg of" episodes
Experience of dying fighting at first, and then finally letting go...to go perform the great gig in the sky. Amazing
The vocals were by "Clare Torry" (a white woman in case you were wondering) she did it in one take.
vocals, keyboards, percussion...everything just lovely
I love watching singers hear this one for their first time! Stunning!
I knew from the thumbnail I was going to enjoy this reaction, and I just knew the expression would be written all over Asia's face of just how much she enjoyed the track. I hit the like button before I hit the play button. It was in the bag, done...before it ever started.
Now that you have listened to this masterpiece of vocals without lyrics expressing grief and loss...you must watch the Pulse Live remastered version of this song, where 3 beautiful and talented ladies put on a show. Their expression giving visuals to the emotion in the song...seeing David Gilmour's smile at the end, representing the entire band's feelings at that moment, that they nailed that song.
You don't have to view it for a reaction and wait the many weeks before what is already on your schedule gets completed ahead of it...just do it for yourself, you won't regret it, as it is worth the time spent.
Asia...you are correct. These guys were amazing musicians!
BJ .. you are so on point! That’s the most accurate and by far the best and truest reaction I’ve heard!! You are soo right. There’s an interesting backstory to this… check it out when can. Thank you both! Y’all get it❤️❤️
In case nobody has said it, the audio of the men speaking are from before they recorded the music for the whole album “Dark Side of the Moon” they asked random people such as the janitor in the studio the same questions : Roger Waters would ask them questions and record it on the 8 track first like “What’s your name”, “favorite color”, etc and then he would ask questions “have you ever started a fist fight and we’re you right or in the wrong” and “are you afraid of dying?” and throughout the entire album they used those voices, at the beginning of this song you’re hearing the janitor answering the question “are you afraid of dying?”. You can find the list of questions online. Listen to the answers after reading that. There is an amazing documentary called “American Classic Albums “Dark Side of the Moon” I believe by VH1 Classics.
I absolutely loved watching you two react to Claire goin.. the way you both light up it made my day
The name Pink Floyd is a combination of the first names of two black American bluesmen named Pink Anderson and Floyd Council
Hits you right in the spot it should ,this woman cries her heart out but poetically.and I feel the pain so so much .makes me think of my mum ,the youngest of 7 children ,she watched and cared for all of her brothers and two sisters until they passed away.god bless you mum,I didn't realise the pain and stress you went thro. ❤️❤️🙏
This is one of my favorite songs of all-time; and now it's my favorite reaction of all time. ❤🔥
Echoed!
Her voice becomes a new "instrument" for The Floyd to play with.
One of the most stunning vocal performances ever put to track, coupled with flawless instrumentation. Pure.
I heard Pink Floyd back i the 70's. I wasa kid but had 2 older brothers. I never got to stop the music at will,......we had record players.VINYL.round records.
She was paid around $150 for this. They did it in two takes...the first time she did it, she did a lot of "oohh baby baby" type of vocals....they told her "no not that...just imagine your vocals as an instrument...no words...just sounds"....the second take is what you are hearing. She said the whole process lasted about 30 minutes "and I got my 50 quid and walked home"
Claire Torry set the bar in 1973 that all Female vocalists since have been chasing.
The emotions of coming to terms with mortality..
I tripped to this stunning album many times in the 90,s
One of the best compositions floyd made!
So glad you’re feeling this, I’ve got tears in my eyes, and I usually do listening to this, I’ve been listening to this for 40 years 🥲🥲🥲🥲👍👍🏴🏴
You both are very tapped in !! I love your reactions. You are both very knowledgeable!! Thanks. PF is a great great band! The Dark Side Of The Moon is a treasure trove!! Must listen to the whole album !!
I'm very glad you listened to the studio version. This was improvised by Clare Tory so when you listen to this version you are hearing her compose as she sings. It's amazing. I love this song as the words at the beginning of the song is the lie we all tell ourselves about death...that it's no big deal...but then we get Clare Tory come in and sing her heart out telling us the truth about death instead. It's extraordinary. She is dying throughout...it doesn't take you to the afterlife...it's all about the very painful process of death and just hearing the weakness in her as she dies.
She's expressing all the stages of grief
The entire Dark Side of the Moon album is one of several Floyd albums that tell an entire story from beginning to end, and also one of several Floyd albums where the primary theme of the album deals with mental illness. Pink Floyd's founder and original lead guitarist, Syd Barrett, was considered one of the brightest young songwriters to come along in a long time. He wrote most of the songs on their debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. However, like many songwriters of the time, he experimented with psychedelic drugs quite heavily. During the process of recording their second album A Saucerful of Secrets, Syd went on an acid trip that he basically never came back from. He completely lost his mind and began behaving so irrationally that the group just had to let him slip away. He would soon become a recluse, one of the more tragic stories of rock excess gone wrong. This was one of the albums that was based on Syd's life story. A few years later, they would record the album Wish You Were Here. This album also had strong connections to Syd, including most famously the long song that both opens and concludes the album (in several movements) called Shine On You Crazy Diamond. In a strange twist of fate, the day the group was in the studio working on Shine On, Syd showed up out of nowhere. The group members hadn't seen him in years and they barely even recognized him. He hung around for a while, listened to the music they were working on, then disappeared again just as quickly as he appeared. Supposedly, this was the last time any of the other members of Pink Floyd ever saw him. He would die at the age of 60 in 2006 after having lived as a virtual hermit for the last 30 years of his life.
One of the hardest songs to listen to- BUT it tracks what many have experienced when their parents pass. Acceptance of dying-
1 They are terrified.
2 They are 'negotiating' and thinking about all the loose ends in life. What they wanted for themselves, and what they wanted for you.
3. They accept that they are passing over and none of this matters anymore.
Yes!!!
I loved y'all's interpretation of the song. It was good. This song takes me to another place and always makes me get emotional even after all these years. I'm 37 now heard this song when I was just a kid. My mom has great taste in music and grew up in the 60's and introduced me to alot of great music.
Very good improvisation on Claire Torry's part. Her vocalization definitely stood out and blended well with the music. The addition of the organ added more drama to the composition. This was the composition which made me a Pink Floyd fan.
I'm old enough to have heard this as the Album was released.....Also, I remember an interview Clare Torry gave in The NME(New Musical Express) or The Melody Maker, in which she categorically states that Dave Gilmour took her to one side and asked her if she could express how she would feel what dying would feel like......and afterwards she said how embarrassed she felt about how she had let herself go whilst recording the track.
My favorite Pink Floyd song ever!!! I know that’s a bold statement to make. It’s just always been the one I will listen to on repeat. I was listening to it in high school in my chorus class. Our director came in and was overwhelmed by it. When he found out it was a Pink Floyd song he was blown away
i love the fact that someone actually made a lyric video for this song.
Humans surprise me everyday.
Thx! This feels like listening to classical music like Beethoven etc. where the music paints the picture for you if you take the time to sit back and hear the music speak. Amen! -Terry
Come on Asia, we would love to hear you do a cover of this. You would KILL it. ❤
I think most vocalists would be quite reasonably terrified to attempt this song, trying to live up to the original, whilst putting your own spin on it, very very intimidating prospect.
As the others have noted in the comments the song is a vocalization of somebody dying. Realization. Anger and denial. Acceptance. Then finally, release at peace. It's beautiful.
Richard Wright composed the music for this, he's playing the piano and Hammond organ. Richards piano on Us and Them is brilliant, that is another great song off of Dark Side of the Moon.
fantastic reaction guys on point, thankyou...pinkfloyd wowwww. the one and only concert i have ever attended
Best song ever about death...no lyrics required...this is best listened to together with the song Time
The singer's name is Clare Torry and you should find her telling the story of this song from her perspective.
Please thank especially Alan Parsons, a music engineer who has a huge part in the creation of the album "The Dark Side Of The Moon", for this musical gem. He was the one who suggested to Pink Floyd members that Clare Torry sing this part. She was not a well-known singer at all, she only earned extra money in the Abbey Road studio (where the album was recorded) as a backing vocalist. She herself had a problem with not having to sing any lyrics, and only when David Gilmour advised her to use her voice as another musical instrument did she understand. She sang it and left. She never thought that this song would be included on the Pink Floyd album. Later, when the album came out, she bought it and found out that the song was there ...
I think your reasoning is correct. In my opinion, it is something like this: the first part = horror, fear, pain, the second part = calming, the third part = reconciliation and relief.
I apologize for the bad English - I'm from the Czech Republic ...
Your English is perfect!
I didn’t understand a word you said.
@@netzahuacoyotl Really? In that case, thank you "Google Translater" ;-)
The first time the singer heard the finished song was when she got off a bus months later and seen it in a record store window and bought it, took it home and listened
I saw a great interview with Claire Torry on You Tube. Check it out.
If you listen to the song on the cd before this song and then listen to this song together it kind of comes together. They should be listened to at the same time. When the singer Clare Torry reported to the studio for this session, she asked for the lyrics and was told there were none. She just needed to sing the song. She went in and with some minor touch ups after nailed it in one take.
Have to give credit to Alan Parson also. He did a great job producing this album.
actually he was the engineer - production was the entire band
The entire album in a story. All the songs meld together. The song before that is Time and it talks about aging. So so so so amazing. Love Pink Floyd
Watch the live version. I believe it's from the Pulse show. Also there are 3 vocalists. The best, in my opinion, background vocalists ever. Saw them 4 times between 73 and 79. Top 3,if not #1, favorite band all time.
This song is a gift.
This song has evoked emotion for over 50 years now. Originally titled "Mortality Sequence" when they used to perform the entire album live ... 2 years before it was ever recorded and actually even became an album! Clare Torry was a session singer and made a whole $30 for a couple hours of work that day, improvised on the spot over a handful of takes and actually apologized when she left because she didn't think she gave them what they were looking for. (She finally did get what was due her about 20 years ago in a lawsuit.)
Claire Torry had no idea she was on the album until coming home one day. She saw the album in the window of a record store. And stopped in to look and saw her name in the credits for this song. She was surprised. She hadn't heard from them since she recorded it. And she didn't want to do it. They accommodated her to do it late on a Sunday night. She was happy the way her career was going. Singing TV commercials and bit parts. She wasn't famous. She's about 5ft tall. A young little young girl. Amazing!
I've seen the great tribute band "Brit Floyd" and they've had some wonderful woman sing this part. Brit Floyd is the closest you will get to Pink Floyd since its very unlikely we'll see them together again. David Gilmour and Roger Waters are very much impressed with Brit Floyd. They said at times Brit Floyd sounds better then they did on certain songs. I've seen Brit Floyd.. They are outstanding in the world of tribute bands. They go beyond. That's why their shows sell out in Europe and the America's. Great musicians!
From one of the greatest albums ever made. At some point y'all should listen to the whole album at once.
That is the ONLY way to listen to any of Pink Floyd. they're entirely album-oriented. They need an entire album to tell a story.
I’m a big fan of Floyd and you guys had a great commentary on the meaning. I never considered the meaning behind it until you talked about their tour life. Much love 🤙❤️
Rick Wright on piano, David Gilmour on slide Guitar, Roger Waters on bass, Nick Mason on drums, Alan Parsons engineering, all overshadowed by their guest in the studio. Clare Torry was hired to improvise over this piece. She went it once, didn’t quite understand what the wanted. They wanted her to “go mad. I feel it’s life’s journey from birth to death but that’s my interpretation. She went back in and decided to use her voice as an instrument and this is what came out. She walked out, feeling embarrassed and the band LOVED IT! Whole album is sonic genius! They invented reasons to invented and experiment with sound. True pioneers of music! Try MONEY from the same album. A headphone head trip!!!
It's amazing how she said so much without any words
I really really LOVED your analysis of this masterpiece.
Thank you.
You are right. It was NOT rehearsed. Birth, life ecstasy and death all in the second take.
I know I'm late on this...You were spot on about the lack of rehearsing. this was done on the first or second take
Pink Floyd is unique. We can identify their sound immediately. There are other Prog Rock bands who are that way and can take you to a different mood or a special place. One of the best is Genesis. You should check them out. "Supper's Ready" takes you on a journey....and ends in music heaven.
Pink Floyd makes you think, and feel life more than any other band. Truely a once in a lifetime group of insanely talented musicians
You should watch comfortably numb,or run like hell,live from the pulse concert 1994,keep up the good work,sending love from Scotland🏴
run like hell from the Pulse concert is some of the greatest PF visuals ever and I saw it live! ❤️
@@joecrowder1334 yea me too,up in the gods we wer,I was 16,no concert will ever beat that
This brought back the memory of when my husband passed, Claire Torry really nailed the emotions I felt at that time!
lawd help me, you guys are in deep now. this is one of my fav by pink floyd, and the singer is a small white woman
I hear the anguish of a doomed and abandoned soul. Regret. Weeping and gnashing of teeth. That's always been the song to me.
She's dying.
The stages of grief vocalised. Shock, Denial, Anger acceptance.
The greatest album in the history of music. full stop.
Claire Torry with the vocal👍
You are 100% correct on that Asia! She just freestyled that, I think they did 2 or 3 takes... When she left the studio, they thanked her for contribution, and she didn't even get any feeling like she just BLEW THEIR MINDS!!
Pink Floyd always takes you somewhere. Her voice is amazing and that scat is 'out of this world'. If the gig is this good in the sky, I will look forward to the time when I can get there (when it is time, that is). I like your take on the first part; that it is life on earth, while later it is life after death. Makes sense.
There is a video of an interview with Clare Torry, the woman that sang Great Gig in the Sky, where she talks about going in an being told not to use any words when she sang it. She did one take and they told her thank you. And that was the last she heard of it. She didn't know they used her til she read the album cover in a music store.
when clerk torri finished singing the song he asked if he had done it well to which they replied EXCELLENT
all live versions are a tiny bit different, but still iconic...you guys should check out the live versions also.
From what I understand, this was her audition tape and Floyd was so impressed they didn't want her to do a second take. One of those magical moments in music
The Song is about Death. Whether it is your own life coming to an end, struggling with the fear then finding acceptance. Others consider this song about personal grief for a loved one who has passed, dealing with the pain and anguish of no longer having that person in your life.
Someone once said 'The definition of grief is love that has become homeless' very sad, but perhaps quite true.
Second take by the singer, called up in the middle of the night by the guy on the mixing board. Told to imagine the death of their dearly beloved. Sheer emotion.
3 verses, birth, life, and dying/death. You can feel as each happens with the emotion.
How do you put death into words? Its the fear of the unknown, fading to acceptance, inevitability.
Spot on guys! Many people don't understand Pink Floyd. It's great to see you guys totally get it.
Nice one guys ))
Love to get Diana Ankudinova to do a version of this with her starting in her deep tone up to her high ones . One of my all time favorite songs , especially on a super loud stereo
Omg you 2 the most amazing piece of music there is. I have been listening to this for 45 yrs. Back in the day it was on album. I never associated it with death. I was 15ish when this came out. This is my go to song no matter what I am feeling stressful times it grounds me. You know those days when nothing goes right your just done...... Come home glass of wine this cranked and I am good to go. Miss Claire Torry did this in 2 takes.... So happy you did her version, I'm sorry so many did it after, but it just has to be Claire.... Cheers all...
Yeah u guys got it and nailed it. This song is the 3 phases of departure and resolution of the transitory soul headed for its new destination.. So beautiful, glad u guys got into it..