The Great Gig in the Sky
Tom Stoppard, Pink Floyd
Lyrics currently unavailable…
59 fans
11 facts about this song
Classic Rock Category"The Great Gig in the Sky" is a standout track from Pink Floyd's classic rock album, "The Dark Side of the Moon", released in 1973.
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Instrumental FeatureThe song is largely instrumental with featuring piano and synthesizers, and its only lyrics are a series of impassioned, wordless vocals.
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Vocalist Claude SamardThe unforgettable vocal performance in the song was provided by Clare Torry, a session singer hired by the band.
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Copyright ControversyClare Torry initially didn't receive a songwriting credit for her wordless vocal solo. In 2005, she successfully sued for a co-writing credit and now receives royalties from the song.
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Inspired by DeathThe song was inspired by the concept of dying, as seen in its title and the included spoken-word clips, which discuss death and the afterlife.
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Composition CreditsIt's one of the few Pink Floyd tracks to give writing credits to all members of the band. The track is credited to keyboardist Richard Wright, bassist Roger Waters, guitarist David Gilmour, and drummer Nick Mason, in addition to Clare Torry.
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Live PerformancesDespite being a popular song, "The Great Gig in the Sky" was not performed live by Pink Floyd until their 1994 tour, over two decades after its release.
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Cultural ImpactThe track has been featured in various movies and TV shows, including the films "Gravity" and "A Good Year", signifying its cultural importance and continued relevance.
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Unexpected SuccessAt the time of the recording, neither the band nor Clare Torry expected the song to become such a classic. Torry was reportedly unhappy with her performance and felt that her extended vocalizations were "a bit over the top".
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RecognitionIn 2011, the song was ranked 320th on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. This speaks to its enduring popularity and critical acclaim.
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Spoken Word ClipsThe song features spoken word clips at the beginning and the end. These include phrases like "And I am not frightened of dying..." spoken by Pink Floyd roadie Roger "The Hat" Manifold, adding to the song's distinctive style.
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