Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
June 29, 1968
Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun is a song by British rock band Pink Floyd, that was released on their second album A Saucerful of Secrets in 1968. It is the third track of the album.
Music and lyrics
The music of the play is dominated by drum beats and guitar sounds, it works because of the Phrygian scale of the bass line breathed oriental or far east. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun is constantly slow and quiet, it also contains an extended passage in the middle section in the mainly penetrating drum beats Nick Mason can be heard. The text is taken at least partially from seals of the late Tang Dynasty of China, according to the bassist Roger Waters ( " borrowed" ) has, for example, from the works of Li Shangyin and Li He. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun is the only song by Pink Floyd at all, are common to listen to the studio version in the Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Richard Wright and Nick Mason. The piece was texted solely of Roger Waters and composed.
Publication and live performance
Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun was first published on A Saucerful of Secrets 1968, a live version of the piece also published in 1969 on Ummagumma. Another live performance is available on DVD in the musical film Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii included from 1972. A new studio version can be found on Roger Waters ' solo album In The Flesh. Besides, it is also on Echoes: Finding The Best of Pink Floyd ( 2001).
Pink Floyd Set the Controls played for the Heart of the Sun regularly live 1968-1973. Later, it was, after his separation from the band, in solo tour program by Roger Waters use. So it was often listed on the Radio KAOS tour, as well as on the In -the- Flesh tour, and the tours zwischen 2006 and 2008. However, it was partially changed a lot and supported by a background choir. During a Waters appearance in 2002 Nick Mason joined surprising as a guest musician on the set with Controls for the Heart of the Sun.
There are cover versions, among others, by The House of Usher, 1349, Salem, Chris & Cosey, The Smashing Pumpkins, OSI, Tiamat, Vibravoid and Kylesa.
Occupation
- Richard Wright - Farfisa organ, vibraphone
- Roger Waters - vocals, bass
- Nick Mason - drums
- David Gilmour - Guitar
- Syd Barrett - guitar