The song is basically about being told you are going to die.. going through the stages of anger, denial, etc all the way through to acceptance... no words... just emotions.
I met David Gilmour back stage at a concert in California 1984. I asked him about the meaning - reason for “Great Gig In The Sky”…. David’s answer was something like…. .I was asked if Pink Floyd would ever do a song about Religion like some others have… so I said, You are referring to the great gig in the sky they call “God“. What words could be used to describe all the pain and suffering caused by religious beliefs. All the crying and wailing from mothers who lost their husbands or sons in a war fought over religious differences. The only vocals should be just the sound of a mothers crying with pain and suffering. That’s the true intentions of the song. We didn’t want to make that public so as to avoid any religious boycott like what happened to the Beatles after Lennon made his comment about Jesus. We could not tell the singer so as to avoid her making any comments that would end up in the media. The speaking heard at the beginning was recorded at Apple records prior to the recording of the song. Roger Waters placed a recorder at the door asking anyone who walked by to answer some questions into the microphone. The doorman stopped and recorded his answer to the question….”Are You Afraid Of Dying”?. weeks before the song was recorded. It was decided to add the recording to the start of “Great Gig In The Sky”. It leads people to believe the song is about dying, but that is actually not the case. The Great Gig In The Sky…is GOD … The incredible vocals from Clare Torry happened when she did not know what they wanted. David Gilmour told her to pretend her voice is a Saxophone like on other songs on the album, no words, just tones. Results are legendary.
@@larryc3860 That's not the real story of the song. Has nothing to do with death- grieving. Great Gig in the Sky is all about GOD, religious beliefs and all the death caused by those beliefs. As told to me personally by David Gilmour himself.
@@AliasMark69 he should know...however many share the opinion that I stated (see below)........I think David and Roger would let us each interpret the vocals as we listen to these wonderful vocalists...just an opinion
7 месяцев назад+2
I'm a rocker from the 70's, I've been to around 50 concerts, from ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Oyster Cult, AC/DC and more. Then in 1994 I went to a Pink Floyd concert and was blown away. Between this song, Confortably Numb and Time I had goose bumps for around 2-1/2 hours. The light show was very impressive, I'm now 67 and listen to Rock & Roll daily. Shedmen
Travis & Suzi Back in when Pink Floyd 1st recorded this classic song, they had only one female vocalist named Clare Torry. Clare asked them how she do the vocals. They told her improvised like being born to life to death without words. Here, I think backup vocalists take turns on Clare's way.
It's always such fun to watch Pink Floyd in concert...That said, and if you liked this song, you must listen to the studio version for perhaps the greatest no-verbal vocal performance ever. Legendary.
@@goldenboy140 Clare Torry does one of the most expressive, moving masterpieces of all time. I know alot of things are relative and this too could be, however Torry really does create something so deeply moving, there truly are no words. It's life, with all it's terrific highs and terrible lows, often hidden in our souls. This song expressed the loss I felt. so uniquely and soulfully crushing, while I was going through my divorce. The full expression of Clare Torry's voice was so relatable, I believe it was one of the greatest factors in my healing. I could feel what I could not express as a man.
It's time once again for another crazy STEVE VAI MASTERCLASS!, STEVE VAI INCREDIBLE GUITAR PERFORMANCE HD. best wishes from the north east coast of England.
Claire Torry made the original on the album in one take and was paid a few pounds as a session musician. She later got writing credit for the melodies she created.
This piece of music/vocals is otherwordly! It captures so much emotion, intensity and pain. I'm continually amazed everytime I listen to it! This album changed my life!
The original female vocal on this was Clare Torry and it’s the best there is. She just went into the studio and invented it after just listening to the music. It’s on the album Dark Side of the Moon
The original studio version can be found on "Dark Side of the Moon" and is well worth checking out as a point of comparison. (The whole album is great by the way)
"The Great Gig in the Sky" is a song without any words about the journey of life from birth to death. The music brings you along that journey until the end when we all attend that Great Gig in the Sky called Judgement Day.
this song, initially called the mortality sequence is actually about the stages of dying as from the composer richard wrights has said, from disbelief , anger, confusion, grief, mourning, acceptance and calming, it is also why they put in the words about dying in it.
Nope.....I met David Gilmour back stage at a concert in California 1984. I asked him about the meaning - reason for “Great Gig In The Sky”…. David’s answer was something like…. .I was asked if Pink Floyd would ever do a song about Religion like some others have… so I said, You are referring to the great gig in the sky they call “God“. What words could be used to describe all the pain and suffering caused by religious beliefs. All the crying and wailing from mothers who lost their husbands or sons in a war fought over religious differences. The only vocals should be just the sound of a mothers crying with pain and suffering. That’s the true intentions of the song. We didn’t want to make that public so as to avoid any religious boycott like what happened to the Beatles after Lennon made his comment about Jesus. We could not tell the singer so as to avoid her making any comments that would end up in the media. The speaking heard at the beginning was recorded at Apple records prior to the recording of the song. Roger Waters placed a recorder at the door asking anyone who walked by to answer some questions into the microphone. The doorman stopped and recorded his answer to the question….”Are You Afraid Of Dying”?. weeks before the song was recorded. It was decided to add the recording to the start of “Great Gig In The Sky”. It leads people to believe the song is about dying, but that is actually not the case. The Great Gig In The Sky…is GOD … The incredible vocals from Clare Torry happened when she did not know what they wanted. David Gilmour told her to pretend her voice is a Saxophone like on other songs on the album, no words, just tones. Results are legendary.
@@AliasMark69 richard wright wrote this, he said its about dying, im going to believe the guy who wrote this, either you are talking bs,or this is further proof that gilmour changes facts to suit his narrative, which is it ?, by the way, gilmour has always said he is an athiest, so it does make sense he might have said it, but again, i say that the writer has probably the facts about the song
@@kevinohara2618 Richard only wrote the piano music long before the song, but not the concept of the song. I believe Gilmour. It makes much more sense as well.
@@AliasMark69 "It makes much more sense as well." As someone who knows both interpretations now: no. Doesn't. Neither in the context of the album nor in the structure of the song. Both do fit in the "death"-narrative much better. So, I don't know, which story is the right one, but when it comes to making sense...
This song was originally composed by Richard Wright. The original vocals was performed by Claire Torre in 1973 But in Pulse concert, Claire Torrey sounds was supported by three backup singers
Travis and Suzy, It appears that I may owe you two an apology. I went on and on in the comments about this song on one of your other videos. Well hush my mouth, here you two are reviewing it. Thank YOU both... You will love it!!! How about that lap steel???? Get ready!!! I first heard this song 50 years ago and it still moves me like it did the first time!!!! Spiritual!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!! Great work, classic. True talent!!!! For sure & for certain!......... One of my favorite portions of the video is when David stops playing and just watches the women sing.... A classic!!! Pure joy.....
We got in trouble for playing this in an outback caravan park back in 1989. The owner told us to turn it off because it sounded like she was enjoying herself too much. My reply was "is there such a thing?" Thanks hunters
The part of this song that is almost always missed is that it is about the "Big Gig In The Sky" - Death and Dying (as introduced by the voices talking in the background). Fear, anxiety, horror, turning to calm, acceptance and peace. Listen to the song again... "I am not afraid of dying, why should I be? We all have to go sometime".
The song before it on the album, "Time", is about how time flies by and suddenly one realizes that so much of life has passesd without us knowing it. This song is about accepting one's own death. At 65 years old, this moves me to tears as it did when I was in high school, but now I know why. Here are the words from the beginning: "I am not frightened of dying, any time will do, I don't mind. Why should I be frightened of dying? There's no reason for it, you've gotta go sometime." If you can hear this whispering you are dying."
The album vocals were originally improvised by Clare Torry. In the concerts, the three backup singers took turns - in this case Sam Brown, Durga McBroom and Claudia Fontaine in that order.
Great your reacting to Pink Floyd playing "Great Gig in The Sky " it's off the album Dark Side of the Moon, as with all Pink Floyd album's they are concept album's (A theme from start to finish) this song is about 'Death' meaning that The Great Gig in The Sky is where you go when you die basically up to Heaven..!! I was lucky enough to be at this concert at Earls Court in London in October 1994, from the Pulse Tour, they finished the 2 year Tour off at Earls Court London playing 14 consecutive nights give or take the odd day off in between..!! The whole concert is INCREDIBLE as its well known when you see Pink Floyd play live it's not just the music it's a light and lazer show with amazing special affects..You should watch the whole concert and it will blow you away like nothing you've ever seen before, watch "Comfortably Numb" and the effects and the guitar solo by David Gilmour its known as the greatest guitar solo of all time + a giant mirror ball comes down from the ceiling in mid song and I was sitting in the top balcony directly opposite the giant mirror ball on the side of the stage I was to the left of the stage facing me PS I'd taken a 100 Magic Mushrooms 🍄 and was tripping my tits off watching them and all the mind-blowing special effects of lights and lasers and other stuff they engineered in the show at one stage a Giant Spitfire plane flew across the Stadium from the back of the Arena and crashed exploded on the stage in a massive explosion and fireball.. The original version of Dark Side of The Moon is just no lyrics and female singer her name is Clare Torry, when she went to Abbey Road studio's to sing Pink Floyd had already written the music but had no lyrics so told Clare Torry just harmonise to the song and that's how it was made incredible hey..👍🏻
Pink is a collection of master craftsmen!!!! This song is off of one of their best ---Dark Side of the Moon.!!! I say that without pause! A lady has always sang this part of the song..... ALL of these ladies are special! "Holly smokes" bet your last dollar!!! I enjoy the part where all of the ladies sing together... Another favorite part is when Davis stops playing the lap steel and calmlt watches them sing.
Think about it- in 1968 a young ALAN PARSONS RECREMENDED CLAIR TORI BASICALLY OF STREETS TO DO THESE VOCALS FROM SCRATCH. Did all by herself and nailed it at ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS IN LONDON. The five stages of death explained no words. This piece for fifty years still moves my spirit.
I love your reactions, I'm a huge Pink Floyd fan and I've also checked out your reactions to someone new, The Warning, I love your sense of respect for the artist, including in this case the solo performances of the vocalist. I check out a lot of reaction videos and there is Alway's something that puts me off about them. so, I have never! subscribed to a reaction broadcaster, until now, I am happy to subscribe to your channel! Keep up the good work. ( indecently, the Warning has just released a new album)
If you want to see the main line-up at the time they found themselves musically then check out Pink Floyd "Echoes" (Part 1) Live at Pompeii 1972 (I suggest the split version as it's probably better in terms of length as a reaction piece only) No Lights, No Pyrotechnics, No Backing Vocals, No Audience! But plenty of talent😉
I met David Gilmour back stage at a concert in California 1984. I asked him about the meaning - reason for “Great Gig In The Sky”…. David’s answer was something like…. .I was asked if Pink Floyd would ever do a song about Religion like some others have… so I said, You are referring to the great gig in the sky they call “God“. What words could be used to describe all the pain and suffering caused by religious beliefs. All the crying and wailing from mothers who lost their husbands or sons in a war fought over religious differences. The only vocals should be just the sound of a mothers crying with pain and suffering. That’s the true intentions of the song. We didn’t want to make that public so as to avoid any religious boycott like what happened to the Beatles after Lennon made his comment about Jesus. We could not tell the singer so as to avoid her making any comments that would end up in the media. The speaking heard at the beginning was recorded at Apple records prior to the recording of the song. Roger Waters placed a recorder at the door asking anyone who walked by to answer some questions into the microphone. The doorman stopped and recorded his answer to the question….”Are You Afraid Of Dying”?. weeks before the song was recorded. It was decided to add the recording to the start of “Great Gig In The Sky”. It leads people to believe the song is about dying, but that is actually not the case. The Great Gig In The Sky…is GOD … The incredible vocals from Clare Torry happened when she did not know what they wanted. David Gilmour told her to pretend her voice is a Saxophone like on other songs on the album, no words, just tones. Results are legendary.
Pedal steel guitar. This interpretation is a very welcome, excellent version as a foil to the original, studio version with Clare Torry's ad libbing. Listen to both; you'll be hard-pressed to pick the better of the two; they're both worth listening to multiple times, again and again, repeatedly.
This song is off the iconic dark side of the moon album and is about dying. On live gigs the singing was done by the 3 backing singers as i dont think Claire Torrey ever sang live after doing the studio recording - and in one take!
Clare Torry only got paid a thirty pound studio fee for the track that she co wrote with Richard Wright she sued in 2005 and they settled out of court and all products released from that date have her name on them as co writer You need to listen to the original to hear Clare do it all solo.
Hi Guys! The vocalists are (in order) Sam Brown - a British soul/jazz singer, daughter of 60's skiffle legend Joe Brown, then Durga McBroom, a US singer from LA, followed by Gloria Fontaine, another US singer who has now sadly passed away - all have sung backing vocals on other PF albums and tours, as well as Durga's sister Lorelei. The original singer on the album was a session singer named Clare Torry - who basically made up the vocals in only a couple of takes, from the limited direction the band gave her, only being paid her standard session fee (about £30 at the time?) - later she sued for a co-writing credit and was added to the credits on later releases of the album after PF settled with her. You really need to listen to the original track to get the full emotional feeling she gave it!
It's a shame that they cut out a minute of the third singer's (Claudia Fontaine) part on the DVD and Blu-ray. The full uncut version is on the old VHS tape and on the Pulse CD.
This song is about a person that has died, and their spirit is going through the transition from denial, to fighting it, to slowly and peacefully accepting it. The original studio version was also done by a woman, Clare Torry. You need to listen to "Dark Side of the Moon" in it's entirety to really get the full effect.
I suggested this tune to you two earlier then I tabbed down and found this. The ladies in this classic are wonderful. David's lap steel makes the song. I love how near the end he stops and gazes at the singers. As if he is spell-bound also... Was this spiritual or what? /For me it is!!! I love it..... And I love your channel.....
It is off of the Dark side of the Moon. One of the best albums ever! The ladies singing solos will melt you two brains right out of your heads.. David finishes his paty and becomes part of the audience.
Nice, respectful review guys. Such an emotional piece of music. Great to see you reacting to Floyd again, can I suggest as your next one - Keep Talking, from the same concert (Pulse). You'll love it.... and so will we!
There were different women in first virsion, these women have been with Floyd in later yrs. Such a brilliant song to convey stages of dealing with death without words, anger fear, sadness, and acceptance. Pulse is def the best concert ever. Thanx so much, Peace
Great Gig In The Sky Clair Torry Vocalist The album was released in March of 1973 but was started in 1971 and was worked on till the release date This album is considered one of Pink Floyd’s best works Roger Waters states it’s an expression of political, philosophical, humanitarian, and documentary that was desperate to get out. Pink Floyd went to Allen Parson for a female vocalist to perform the Great Gig in the Sky and he suggested Claire Torry (one of the best vocalist ever). Clair was guided by David Gilmore who told her the cut was a song written about life and the inevitable descent into death without using any words Clair was to convey this, This was when Clair decided to use her voice as an instrument and did a one take doing this and left the studio not knowing if Pink Floyd liked it or not thinking she had failed it wasn’t until the release of the album that she new her cut was used the problem was that Clair Torry was not credited as a co-writer and was not credited for any royalties which she sued for in 2004 and won. She received an undisclosed amount in the settlement. The album went to #1 on Bill Board and sold over 45 million copies it stayed on Bill Board's top 200 for 33 years
This is one of the very few songs where i think that the studio version is better. Althought the live performers are good, the original singer, Clare Torry, is a very hard hard act to beat.
I came to say the exact same thing. Great as these ladies are, in the end they are only imitating something Clare Torry came up with on the spot, after being called in the middle of the night, with only 2-3 takes. I also think the original is better at conveying the anger/fear/acceptance cycle than this rendition.
I consider this live version to be the best. Clare Torry is of course fabulous. I just like the combination of these 3 wonderful voices more. I know I'm in the minority among Pink Floyd fans.
@@Fitchie69 i've been a fan of pf for 40 years and i think this version is different but largely equal if not superior in emotion to the original...and i've heard a lot
I think this version is fantastic. Three superior singers, each portraying a different set of emotions in their performances. In this case three is better than one.
Thanks to both of you for this positive review or should I say compliment hear you talk about this piece of Pink Floyd as it gets me chills and tears in my eye again thanks to you friends 🥰😎👍 sory for my english bad im French
Clare Torry was the original back when Dark Side of the Moon was released. Then Rachel Fury , Durga McBroom, and Margaret Taylor were a Trio that sang it. All 3 sang different parts. And you just heard Gloria Fontaine. Also Lorelei McBroom and Sam Brown have been on some live performances. I bought Dark Side of the Moon in 1974.
The song is basically about being told you are going to die.. going through the stages of anger, denial, etc all the way through to acceptance... no words... just emotions.
Exacto y Como solo Pink Floyd podía hacerlo
I met David Gilmour back stage at a concert in California 1984. I asked him about the meaning - reason for “Great Gig In The Sky”…. David’s answer was something like…. .I was asked if Pink Floyd would ever do a song about Religion like some others have… so I said, You are referring to the great gig in the sky they call “God“. What words could be used to describe all the pain and suffering caused by religious beliefs. All the crying and wailing from mothers who lost their husbands or sons in a war fought over religious differences. The only vocals should be just the sound of a mothers crying with pain and suffering. That’s the true intentions of the song. We didn’t want to make that public so as to avoid any religious boycott like what happened to the Beatles after Lennon made his comment about Jesus. We could not tell the singer so as to avoid her making any comments that would end up in the media. The speaking heard at the beginning was recorded at Apple records prior to the recording of the song. Roger Waters placed a recorder at the door asking anyone who walked by to answer some questions into the microphone. The doorman stopped and recorded his answer to the question….”Are You Afraid Of Dying”?. weeks before the song was recorded. It was decided to add the recording to the start of “Great Gig In The Sky”. It leads people to believe the song is about dying, but that is actually not the case. The Great Gig In The Sky…is GOD … The incredible vocals from Clare Torry happened when she did not know what they wanted. David Gilmour told her to pretend her voice is a Saxophone like on other songs on the album, no words, just tones. Results are legendary.
yes.....a different singer for each stage of the process
@@larryc3860 That's not the real story of the song. Has nothing to do with death- grieving. Great Gig in the Sky is all about GOD, religious beliefs and all the death caused by those beliefs. As told to me personally by David Gilmour himself.
@@AliasMark69 he should know...however many share the opinion that I stated (see below)........I think David and Roger would let us each interpret the vocals as we listen to these wonderful vocalists...just an opinion
I'm a rocker from the 70's, I've been to around 50 concerts, from ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blue Oyster Cult, AC/DC and more. Then in 1994 I went to a Pink Floyd concert and was blown away. Between this song, Confortably Numb and Time I had goose bumps for around 2-1/2 hours. The light show was very impressive, I'm now 67 and listen to Rock & Roll daily. Shedmen
The backing singer is called Sam Brown she had a hit in the 80’s called Stop
Never has so much been said without a word being spoken (or sung).
3 stages of dying: anger, denial and acceptance. Perfection.
Travis & Suzi
Back in when Pink Floyd 1st recorded this classic song, they had only one female vocalist named Clare Torry. Clare asked them how she do the vocals. They told her improvised like being born to life to death without words. Here, I think backup vocalists take turns on Clare's way.
Yes and she got paid the standard studio rate of 50 pounds I think. Then after some "negotiations" she got cowritter credit, etc.
I wound not call any of the three women here "backup" singers LOL!
I was there ❤❤
me too
Guys get the cd sit down with a drink of choice one evening and enjoy the full album
Totally agree with David Reynolds, it´s the only way.
first singer Anger, Second singer denial, third singer acceptance of your death with no vocals just gut emotions..a masterpiece
It's always such fun to watch Pink Floyd in concert...That said, and if you liked this song, you must listen to the studio version for perhaps the greatest no-verbal vocal performance ever. Legendary.
Blonde woman is Sam Brown, She sang Horse To The Water on the Concert For George, thats a blast too.
Still cry with that one after 40 years “Sob!
Never fails, I'm still mopping my eyes... just brilliant emotional talent.. extraordinary!
I love that you all got to see this. This is my favorite version, for sure! This whole concert was amazing
Hi, you need to listen to the original studio album to hear Clare Torry do this. EXCEPTIONAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is better
3 live singers to do what 1 did on the album. Clare 100% rocks it all.
@@goldenboy140 Clare Torry does one of the most expressive, moving masterpieces of all time. I know alot of things are relative and this too could be, however Torry really does create something so deeply moving, there truly are no words. It's life, with all it's terrific highs and terrible lows, often hidden in our souls. This song expressed the loss I felt. so uniquely and soulfully crushing, while I was going through my divorce. The full expression of Clare Torry's voice was so relatable, I believe it was one of the greatest factors in my healing. I could feel what I could not express as a man.
@@goldenboy140 NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unpopular comment, I think this is better than the studio version and I played the studio version at my dad's funeral.
It's time once again for another crazy STEVE VAI MASTERCLASS!, STEVE VAI INCREDIBLE GUITAR PERFORMANCE HD. best wishes from the north east coast of England.
I’m one of the ones who say: If they don’t play this song at my funeral, I’m not going.
Claire Torry made the original on the album in one take and was paid a few pounds as a session musician. She later got writing credit for the melodies she created.
This piece of music/vocals is otherwordly! It captures so much emotion, intensity and pain. I'm continually amazed everytime I listen to it! This album changed my life!
30 years after the first time I heard them, this still gives me goosebumps. Not the original vocalists, but damn good! Another good one!!!!
No words need to be spoken here for you to feel this!
The story of the song is amazing and the performance is always a goosebumps ride. Pink Floyd is a blast of sound and emotion.
The original female vocal on this was Clare Torry and it’s the best there is. She just went into the studio and invented it after just listening to the music. It’s on the album Dark Side of the Moon
greatest song ever sung without words.....
The original studio version can be found on "Dark Side of the Moon" and is well worth checking out as a point of comparison. (The whole album is great by the way)
"The Great Gig in the Sky" is a song without any words about the journey of life from birth to death. The music brings you along that journey until the end when we all attend that Great Gig in the Sky called Judgement Day.
this song, initially called the mortality sequence is actually about the stages of dying as from the composer richard wrights has said, from disbelief , anger, confusion, grief, mourning, acceptance and calming, it is also why they put in the words about dying in it.
Nope.....I met David Gilmour back stage at a concert in California 1984. I asked him about the meaning - reason for “Great Gig In The Sky”…. David’s answer was something like…. .I was asked if Pink Floyd would ever do a song about Religion like some others have… so I said, You are referring to the great gig in the sky they call “God“. What words could be used to describe all the pain and suffering caused by religious beliefs. All the crying and wailing from mothers who lost their husbands or sons in a war fought over religious differences. The only vocals should be just the sound of a mothers crying with pain and suffering. That’s the true intentions of the song. We didn’t want to make that public so as to avoid any religious boycott like what happened to the Beatles after Lennon made his comment about Jesus. We could not tell the singer so as to avoid her making any comments that would end up in the media. The speaking heard at the beginning was recorded at Apple records prior to the recording of the song. Roger Waters placed a recorder at the door asking anyone who walked by to answer some questions into the microphone. The doorman stopped and recorded his answer to the question….”Are You Afraid Of Dying”?. weeks before the song was recorded. It was decided to add the recording to the start of “Great Gig In The Sky”. It leads people to believe the song is about dying, but that is actually not the case. The Great Gig In The Sky…is GOD … The incredible vocals from Clare Torry happened when she did not know what they wanted. David Gilmour told her to pretend her voice is a Saxophone like on other songs on the album, no words, just tones. Results are legendary.
@@AliasMark69 richard wright wrote this, he said its about dying, im going to believe the guy who wrote this, either you are talking bs,or this is further proof that gilmour changes facts to suit his narrative, which is it ?, by the way, gilmour has always said he is an athiest, so it does make sense he might have said it, but again, i say that the writer has probably the facts about the song
@@kevinohara2618 Richard only wrote the piano music long before the song, but not the concept of the song. I believe Gilmour. It makes much more sense as well.
@@AliasMark69 "It makes much more sense as well."
As someone who knows both interpretations now: no. Doesn't.
Neither in the context of the album nor in the structure of the song. Both do fit in the "death"-narrative much better.
So, I don't know, which story is the right one, but when it comes to making sense...
Legends
I'm from the uk. you are doing good work... keep giving us the truth... all of you keep safe...
Followed Pink Floyd on this tour like a dead head, saw them 7 times on this tour just absolutely enthralled with this show.
This song was originally composed by Richard Wright. The original vocals was performed by Claire Torre in 1973
But in Pulse concert, Claire Torrey sounds was supported by three backup singers
Travis and Suzy,
It appears that I may owe you two an apology. I went on and on in the comments about this song on one of your other videos. Well hush my mouth, here you two are reviewing it. Thank YOU both... You will love it!!! How about that lap steel???? Get ready!!!
I first heard this song 50 years ago and it still moves me like it did the first time!!!! Spiritual!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!! Great work, classic. True talent!!!! For sure & for certain!.........
One of my favorite portions of the video is when David stops playing and just watches the women sing.... A classic!!! Pure joy.....
Clare Torry will never be topped. She did this for the album in one take. She did a couple more takes and felt she couldn't improve the first one.
tears every time
We got in trouble for playing this in an outback caravan park back in 1989. The owner told us to turn it off because it sounded like she was enjoying herself too much.
My reply was "is there such a thing?"
Thanks hunters
🤣🤣🤣
The part of this song that is almost always missed is that it is about the "Big Gig In The Sky" - Death and Dying (as introduced by the voices talking in the background). Fear, anxiety, horror, turning to calm, acceptance and peace. Listen to the song again... "I am not afraid of dying, why should I be? We all have to go sometime".
Please listen to the album version. It’s amazing!
The song before it on the album, "Time", is about how time flies by and suddenly one realizes that so much of life has passesd without us knowing it. This song is about accepting one's own death. At 65 years old, this moves me to tears as it did when I was in high school, but now I know why. Here are the words from the beginning:
"I am not frightened of dying,
any time will do, I don't mind.
Why should I be frightened of dying?
There's no reason for it,
you've gotta go sometime."
If you can hear this
whispering you are dying."
You need to hear it live.... no better atmosphere..... I cried
I love the smirk before the first girl goes IN on the vocal fray. Like...haha I'm so pretty....ROAR!
Great reaction guys Pink Floyd are masters of sound they just use any form of sound to draw your mind in and hold you there pure genius
Sam Brown is the blonde female vocalist. Claudia Fontaine is the other vocalist. Claudia passed away in 2018
I love the attention on the back up vocalists
yea i love the way he looks at her at the end. they all did amazing, tough song to do.
Listen to studio version gives you a goosebump
I love you people! Fun and beautiful! From an okl lady!
I like the way you see David look at her. Good job.
The album vocals were originally improvised by Clare Torry. In the concerts, the three backup singers took turns - in this case Sam Brown, Durga McBroom and Claudia Fontaine in that order.
the studio version is amazing. So much better!
Just legendary!
Great reaction to an awesome combination of music and vocals Thank you guys for starting my Saturday morning off right! Have a great day..
Great your reacting to Pink Floyd playing "Great Gig in The Sky " it's off the album Dark Side of the Moon, as with all Pink Floyd album's they are concept album's (A theme from start to finish) this song is about 'Death' meaning that The Great Gig in The Sky is where you go when you die basically up to Heaven..!! I was lucky enough to be at this concert at Earls Court in London in October 1994, from the Pulse Tour, they finished the 2 year Tour off at Earls Court London playing 14 consecutive nights give or take the odd day off in between..!! The whole concert is INCREDIBLE as its well known when you see Pink Floyd play live it's not just the music it's a light and lazer show with amazing special affects..You should watch the whole concert and it will blow you away like nothing you've ever seen before, watch "Comfortably Numb" and the effects and the guitar solo by David Gilmour its known as the greatest guitar solo of all time + a giant mirror ball comes down from the ceiling in mid song and I was sitting in the top balcony directly opposite the giant mirror ball on the side of the stage I was to the left of the stage facing me PS I'd taken a 100 Magic Mushrooms 🍄 and was tripping my tits off watching them and all the mind-blowing special effects of lights and lasers and other stuff they engineered in the show at one stage a Giant Spitfire plane flew across the Stadium from the back of the Arena and crashed exploded on the stage in a massive explosion and fireball.. The original version of Dark Side of The Moon is just no lyrics and female singer her name is Clare Torry, when she went to Abbey Road studio's to sing Pink Floyd had already written the music but had no lyrics so told Clare Torry just harmonise to the song and that's how it was made incredible hey..👍🏻
The musicians the vocalists , but the lighting and production amazing ❤️❤️
Pink Floyd is Absolute Perfection… Amazing
This is my favorite Pink Floyd song, period, you just get lost in it.
Makes me cry every time.
Pink is a collection of master craftsmen!!!! This song is off of one of their best ---Dark Side of the Moon.!!! I say that without pause! A lady has always sang this part of the song..... ALL of these ladies are special! "Holly smokes" bet your last dollar!!! I enjoy the part where all of the ladies sing together... Another favorite part is when Davis stops playing the lap steel and calmlt watches them sing.
Think about it- in 1968 a young ALAN PARSONS RECREMENDED
CLAIR TORI BASICALLY OF STREETS TO DO THESE VOCALS FROM SCRATCH. Did all by herself and nailed it at ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS IN LONDON.
The five stages of death explained no words.
This piece for fifty years still moves my spirit.
Love telle another song that you now without words
The original singer was Clare Torry, the one singing the first part here is the great Sam Brown.
The piece was composed by Richard Wright who also plays the keys here
the emotion of claudia fontaine (3rd) always give me tears ..RIP......
I love your reactions, I'm a huge Pink Floyd fan and I've also checked out your reactions to someone new, The Warning, I love your sense of respect for the artist, including in this case the solo performances of the vocalist. I check out a lot of reaction videos and there is Alway's something that puts me off about them. so, I have never! subscribed to a reaction broadcaster, until now, I am happy to subscribe to your channel! Keep up the good work. ( indecently, the Warning has just released a new album)
It doesn’t get any better!❤️❤️
If you want to see the main line-up at the time they found themselves musically then check out
Pink Floyd "Echoes" (Part 1) Live at Pompeii 1972
(I suggest the split version as it's probably better in terms of length as a reaction piece only)
No Lights, No Pyrotechnics, No Backing Vocals, No Audience!
But plenty of talent😉
Back in the 70s Clare Torry did this solo. 2022 it was such a great track they can re imagine it .
Maybe the Wolf Hunters should do a cover of this song. Could be fun
You guys picked the right sond to get for!!!😉😉
I met David Gilmour back stage at a concert in California 1984. I asked him about the meaning - reason for “Great Gig In The Sky”…. David’s answer was something like…. .I was asked if Pink Floyd would ever do a song about Religion like some others have… so I said, You are referring to the great gig in the sky they call “God“. What words could be used to describe all the pain and suffering caused by religious beliefs. All the crying and wailing from mothers who lost their husbands or sons in a war fought over religious differences. The only vocals should be just the sound of a mothers crying with pain and suffering. That’s the true intentions of the song. We didn’t want to make that public so as to avoid any religious boycott like what happened to the Beatles after Lennon made his comment about Jesus. We could not tell the singer so as to avoid her making any comments that would end up in the media. The speaking heard at the beginning was recorded at Apple records prior to the recording of the song. Roger Waters placed a recorder at the door asking anyone who walked by to answer some questions into the microphone. The doorman stopped and recorded his answer to the question….”Are You Afraid Of Dying”?. weeks before the song was recorded. It was decided to add the recording to the start of “Great Gig In The Sky”. It leads people to believe the song is about dying, but that is actually not the case. The Great Gig In The Sky…is GOD … The incredible vocals from Clare Torry happened when she did not know what they wanted. David Gilmour told her to pretend her voice is a Saxophone like on other songs on the album, no words, just tones. Results are legendary.
Pedal steel guitar. This interpretation is a very welcome, excellent version as a foil to the original, studio version with Clare Torry's ad libbing. Listen to both; you'll be hard-pressed to pick the better of the two; they're both worth listening to multiple times, again and again, repeatedly.
Always EPIC !!!! CHILLS EVERY TIME !!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
This song is off the iconic dark side of the moon album and is about dying. On live gigs the singing was done by the 3 backing singers as i dont think Claire Torrey ever sang live after doing the studio recording - and in one take!
The original studio version of this song was also only female vocals.
Got to listen to the studio version
Clare Torry only got paid a thirty pound studio fee for the track that she co wrote with Richard Wright she sued in 2005 and they settled out of court and all products released from that date have her name on them as co writer You need to listen to the original to hear Clare do it all solo.
Hi Guys! The vocalists are (in order) Sam Brown - a British soul/jazz singer, daughter of 60's skiffle legend Joe Brown, then Durga McBroom, a US singer from LA, followed by Gloria Fontaine, another US singer who has now sadly passed away - all have sung backing vocals on other PF albums and tours, as well as Durga's sister Lorelei. The original singer on the album was a session singer named Clare Torry - who basically made up the vocals in only a couple of takes, from the limited direction the band gave her, only being paid her standard session fee (about £30 at the time?) - later she sued for a co-writing credit and was added to the credits on later releases of the album after PF settled with her. You really need to listen to the original track to get the full emotional feeling she gave it!
Third singer is Claudia Fontaine, not Gloria, and she was a Brit, not American. RIP.
It's a shame that they cut out a minute of the third singer's (Claudia Fontaine) part on the DVD and Blu-ray. The full uncut version is on the old VHS tape and on the Pulse CD.
Just saw Brit Floyd live a couple weeks ago in Los Angeles. Durga McBroom performed for this song, (2nd vocalist). It was FANTASTIC!
It;s coming to terms with death. Listen to the beginning where he talks about not being afraid to die. You got to feel it.
Awesome. Love that. Thanks ❤️
This song is about a person that has died, and their spirit is going through the transition from denial, to fighting it, to slowly and peacefully accepting it. The original studio version was also done by a woman, Clare Torry. You need to listen to "Dark Side of the Moon" in it's entirety to really get the full effect.
I suggested this tune to you two earlier then I tabbed down and found this. The ladies in this classic are wonderful. David's lap steel makes the song. I love how near the end he stops and gazes at the singers. As if he is spell-bound also... Was this spiritual or what? /For me it is!!! I love it..... And I love your channel.....
It is off of the Dark side of the Moon. One of the best albums ever! The ladies singing solos will melt you two brains right out of your heads.. David finishes his paty and becomes part of the audience.
Angels singing
Nice, respectful review guys. Such an emotional piece of music. Great to see you reacting to Floyd again, can I suggest as your next one - Keep Talking, from the same concert (Pulse). You'll love it.... and so will we!
There were different women in first virsion, these women have been with Floyd in later yrs. Such a brilliant song to convey stages of dealing with death without words, anger fear, sadness, and acceptance. Pulse is def the best concert ever. Thanx so much, Peace
speechless, just a classic
Great Gig In The Sky
Clair Torry Vocalist
The album was released in March of 1973 but was started in 1971 and was worked on till the release date This album is considered one of Pink Floyd’s best works Roger Waters states it’s an expression of political, philosophical, humanitarian, and documentary that was desperate to get out. Pink Floyd went to Allen Parson for a female vocalist to perform the Great Gig in the Sky and he suggested Claire Torry (one of the best vocalist ever). Clair was guided by David Gilmore who told her the cut was a song written about life and the inevitable descent into death without using any words Clair was to convey this, This was when Clair decided to use her voice as an instrument and did a one take doing this and left the studio not knowing if Pink Floyd liked it or not thinking she had failed it wasn’t until the release of the album that she new her cut was used the problem was that Clair Torry was not credited as a co-writer and was not credited for any royalties which she sued for in 2004 and won. She received an undisclosed amount in the settlement. The album went to #1 on Bill Board and sold over 45 million copies it stayed on Bill Board's top 200 for 33 years
PS luv ya hair Suzie, very creative and cool!!
Any Live Pulse song is amazing.
The song Great Gig in the Sky is about dying. The first part is the final fight for life until the lull, then acceptance of the inevitable.
Gatos do 💰 from same concert was next song after Great Gig✌🏼❤️
This is one of the very few songs where i think that the studio version is better. Althought the live performers are good, the original singer, Clare Torry, is a very hard hard act to beat.
I came to say the exact same thing. Great as these ladies are, in the end they are only imitating something Clare Torry came up with on the spot, after being called in the middle of the night, with only 2-3 takes. I also think the original is better at conveying the anger/fear/acceptance cycle than this rendition.
I consider this live version to be the best. Clare Torry is of course fabulous. I just like the combination of these 3 wonderful voices more. I know I'm in the minority among Pink Floyd fans.
Agreed, Stephen. The original vocals are the best. More primal.
@@Fitchie69 i've been a fan of pf for 40 years and i think this version is different but largely equal if not superior in emotion to the original...and i've heard a lot
I think this version is fantastic. Three superior singers, each portraying a different set of emotions in their performances. In this case three is better than one.
Thanks to both of you for this positive review or should I say compliment hear you talk about this piece of Pink Floyd as it gets me chills and tears in my eye again thanks to you friends 🥰😎👍 sory for my english bad im French
👍🔔📕
Hope you got paid well for the swallow promo , well done !
I think I'm going insane but I see you here with MEEEEEE ❤ that part
Great music…👍
Imagine if you have known that they are singing the four stages of death, you would have shit your pants.
Check out the OG singer, English woman Clare Torry as her vocals are truly everything.
Clare Torry was the original back when Dark Side of the Moon was released. Then Rachel Fury , Durga McBroom, and Margaret Taylor were a Trio that sang it. All 3 sang different parts. And you just heard Gloria Fontaine. Also Lorelei McBroom and Sam Brown have been on some live performances. I bought Dark Side of the Moon in 1974.