Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun

Roger Waters

About Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun

"Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd. It appeared on their second album, A Saucerful of Secrets (1968). It was written by Roger Waters and features a drum part by Nick Mason played with timpani mallets. The track was planned for release as a single, with "Scream Thy Last Scream", on 8 September, before it was vetoed by the band's record company, EMI. The song was regularly performed between 1967 and 1973 and can be heard on the live disc of the 1969 album Ummagumma and seen in the 1972 movie Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii. The song is one of two songs from A Saucerful of Secrets that appears on the 2001 compilation album Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd (the other being "Jugband Blues") and is the only song recorded by Pink Floyd to feature material from all five band members, as there are several different guitar parts recorded by both David Gilmour and Syd Barrett. more »

Year:: 2017
: 9:55
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Roger Waters

George Roger Waters (born 6 September 1943) is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founder member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter and conceptual leader. The band subsequently achieved international success in the 1970s with the concept albums The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall. Although Waters' primary instrument in Pink Floyd was the bass guitar, he also experimented with synthesisers and tape loops and played rhythm guitar on recordings and in concerts. Amid creative differences within the group, Waters left Pink Floyd in 1985 and began a … more »

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10 facts about this song

Band Information "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" is a song by the British psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd, which was initially formed in 1965.
Roger Waters involvement Roger Waters, one of Pink Floyd's founding members, wrote and sang the song. He is the only member of the band to receive credit for writing it.
Album Release The song was first released as part of Pink Floyd's second studio album, titled "A Saucerful of Secrets" in 1968.
Meaning The lyrics of "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" are inspired by Chinese poetry. They are largely imprecise and mysterious, fostering many interpretations from fans and critics.
Live Performances It is one of the very few songs where all five members of Pink Floyd - Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Richard Wright, and David Gilmour - played together on stage.
Longevity Despite being released over 50 years ago, the song has remained a staple in Roger Waters' solo work. He still frequently performs it in live shows.
Creative Process A large portion of the song features Roger Waters playing a gong, which was seen as an unusual instrument in Western music at the time.
Influences The song exhibits influences from space rock, experimental rock, and psychedelic rock, which were popular music genres during the 1960s.
Legacy The title of the song has seeped itself into modern culture, such as being referenced in the TV series "Breaking Bad," showcasing the song's lasting cultural impact.
Album Reception Despite the initial lukewarm response, "A Saucerful of Secrets" has since been recognized as a classic in psychedelic rock, with "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" considered as one of its standout tracks.

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"Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/34225507/Roger+Waters/Set+the+Controls+for+the+Heart+of+the+Sun>.

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