Astronomy Domine

Astronomy Domine is a psychedelic rock song by British group Pink Floyd. It was written by their singer and guitarist Syd Barrett and opens her debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. The song is sung by Syd Barrett and keyboardist Richard Wright.

Music and sound

The song begins with the voice of the manager Peter Jenner, who reads the names of some stars through a megaphone. In the background sounds Barretts electric guitar, whose volume increases slowly, as they would come closer. In the studio recording can be heard from 0:19 min short beeps, the sequence of which is reminiscent of a Morse code. A few seconds later, Nick Mason begins with the bass drum, followed by Barrett electric guitar, inspired the piece Mars, the Bringer of War from Holst 's orchestral suite The Planets. In the background you can hear Richard Wright's Farfisa organ, this is a repeating bass motif of Roger Waters. The song ends with Syd Barrett's song, which describes the landing of the spaceship, and with Wright's Arabic -sounding improvisation on the organ.

Astronomy Domine has an unusual harmonic structure, in which only major chords are strung together: E - It - G - A - E6 - F - E6 - G. The use of a Binson - Hall device also generates a psychedelic mood. The use of effects units here takes Pink Floyd's later musical development anticipated as it is about on the studio LP of the double album Ummagumma (1969) and later to listen to The Dark Side of the Moon (1973).

Alternatives and live versions

Astronomy Domine can be heard in a live version on the album Ummagumma, where it is sung by David Gilmour and Richard Wright. In the central part of these longer version Wright plays a supported organ solo, which leads into the last verse. This version is also on the compilation album A Nice Pair, while the original version on the compilation album Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd appeared.

Astronomy Domine was not played live from mid-1971 until 1994 and was again included in the set list: When The Division Bell tour, it was played at the opening of each concert. At a concert in Miami a version was recorded, which appeared as a B- side of the single Take it Back. Another recording, which dates from a concert in London, appeared on the double live album Pulse.

David Gilmour played the song at a session at Abbey Road Studios and released this version on the bonus DVD of On to Iceland. In addition, he presented it to a few concerts of his on- to - Iceland tour.

Cover versions

Trivia

The intro was several years theme song of the TV show ARD focal point today is a variation of the original is used.