Fat Old Sun

Pink Floyd

About Fat Old Sun

"Fat Old Sun" is a song by English rock band Pink Floyd, written and sung by David Gilmour. It appears on their 1970 album Atom Heart Mother, and was performed live in a greatly expanded form (often exceeding fourteen minutes), both before and after the album was released (10 October). Live performances of this song date back to 16 July 1970, but only Gilmour and keyboardist Rick Wright appear on the studio version.


Year:
1970
5:22
88 

Lyrics currently unavailable…


Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd were an English rock band formed in London. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. more »

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10 facts about this song

Song Background and Composition
"Fat Old Sun" was written and composed by David Gilmour. It was initially released as part of the fifth studio album of Pink Floyd, titled "Atom Heart Mother", in 1970.
Artist Contribution
Gilmour, one of the band's members, played almost all the instruments on the track. He demonstrated his multi-instrumentalist abilities by playing drums, bass, acoustic and electric guitars, and singing the vocals.
Song Meaning
The song's lyrics represent an idealistic view of English rural life, expressing a longing for the simplicity and peace of a summer day in the countryside, a theme fairly common in Pink Floyd's music.
Live Performances
After its release, the song became a staple at Pink Floyd live concerts. However, Gilmour has also performed it solo at his concerts, though much differently - the solo version is more extended and often includes a longer guitar solo segment.
Alternate Versions
During Gilmour's solo career, he released a version of "Fat Old Sun" on the live album "David Gilmour in Concert (2002)" where the arrangement was for acoustic guitar and voice only.
Post-Pink Floyd History
This song is among the few Pink Floyd classics Gilmour chose to perform during his solo tours. He played the song during his 2006 "On An Island" tour and also on the "Rattle That Lock" tour in 2015-16. The performances expanded the original 5-minute song into a longer and more explorative piece, showcasing Gilmour’s iconic guitar solos, reaching up to 15 minutes in length.
Fan Reception
"Fat Old Sun," though not as commercially successful as some other Pink Floyd songs, has been a fan favorite for its soothing lyrics and beautiful melody, which, in many ways, encapsulates the pastoral themes and art rock style the band is known for.
David Gilmour's View
In an interview, Gilmour regarded "Fat Old Sun" as one of his favorite Pink Floyd songs. He also shared that it represents a kind of nostalgia for a sort of peace and quietude, reminiscing about his childhood experiences.
Audio Technique
In the original recording of the song, a technique called 'overdubbing' was used where Gilmour recorded his guitar solo in the counter-melody on top of the existing melody line, adding depth to the song's overall sound.
Hidden Sound Effect
If you listen closely toward the end of the song, you can hear the sound of a distant church bell ringing. Some claim it's an homage to the British rural landscape that inspired the song.

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