DJ Allyn – The Soundtrack for my Life

Have a Cigar ~ Pink Floyd  

Pink Floyd are an English rock band that initially earned recognition for their psychedelic or space rock music, and, as they evolved, for their progressive rock music. They are known for philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative cover art, and elaborate live shows. One of rock music’s most successful acts, the group have sold over 200 million albums worldwide including 74.5 million albums in the United States alone.

Pink Floyd had moderate mainstream success and were one of the most popular bands in the London underground music scene in the late 1960s as a psychedelic band led by Syd Barrett; however, Barrett’s erratic behavior eventually forced his colleagues to replace him with guitarist and singer David Gilmour. After Barrett’s departure, singer and bass player Roger Waters gradually became the dominant and driving force in the mid-1970s, until his eventual departure from the group in 1985. The band recorded several albums, achieving worldwide success with The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977), and The Wall (1979). In 1985, Waters declared Pink Floyd “A spent force”, but the remaining members, led by Gilmour, continued recording and touring under the name Pink Floyd. Although they were unsuccessfully sued by Waters for rights to the name, they again enjoyed worldwide success with A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) and The Division Bell (1994). Eventually they reached a settlement out of court with Waters allowing them use of the name.

Waters performed with the band for the first time in 24 years on July 2, 2005 at the London Live 8 concert.

Richard Wright, keyboardist and pianist for the band and wrote significant parts of the music for classic albums such as Meddle, The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here, as well as for Pink Floyd’s final studio album The Division Bell. He frequently sang background and occasionally lead vocals onstage and in the studio with Pink Floyd (most notably on the songs “Time”, “Echoes”, and on the Syd Barrett composition “Astronomy Domine”).

Richard Wright passed away on September 15, 2008 at the age of 65 from an undisclosed form of cancer.

Have a Cigar

The song’s music and lyrics were written by Roger Waters in critique of hypocrisy and greed within the music business.

On the original recording, the song’s lead vocals are performed by an acquaintance of the band, Roy Harper. Roger Waters intended to record the part himself, but had strained his voice while recording “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, and David Gilmour declined to sing. Harper was recording his album HQ in Studio 2 of Abbey Road at the same time as Pink Floyd were working in Studio 3; learning of the band’s dilemma Harper offered to sing the lead. The song is one of only two songs by the band which is not sung by a permanent member of Pink Floyd (the other is “The Great Gig in the Sky”).

Harper performed the song with the band on one occasion, the group’s 1975 Knebworth Festival appearance, which occurred during the period Wish You Were Here was being recorded.

The song was played on the 1975 and 1977 Pink Floyd tours. The 1977 performances had Roger Waters on lead vocals with David Gilmour singing backing vocals. During the band’s 1977 tour the guitar solos on the song were played by Snowy White

Come in here, Dear boy, have a cigar.
You’re gonna go far,
You’re gonna fly high,
You’re never gonna die,
You’re gonna make it, if you try;
They’re gonna love you.
Well I’ve always had a deep respect,
And I mean that most sincere.
The band is just fantastic,
that is really what I think.
Oh by the way, which one’s Pink?

And did we tell you the name of the game, boy?
We call it Riding the Gravy Train.

We’re just knocked out.
We heard about the sell-out.
You gotta get an album out.
You owe it to the people.
We’re so happy we can hardly count.
Everybody else is just green,
Have you seen the chart?
It’s a hell of a start,
It could be made into a monster
If we all pull together as a team.

And did we tell you the name of the game, boy?
We call it Riding the Gravy Train.

• Audio from the 1975 album, Wish You Were Here:

Other Songs Posted for this Artist

• March 10, 2010 -- On The Turning Away – Pink Floyd
• February 22, 2010 -- Brain Damage / Eclipse – Pink Floyd
• November 17, 2009 -- Welcome To The Machine – Pink Floyd
• May 1, 2009 -- Shine on You Crazy Diamond ~ Pink Floyd
• April 7, 2009 -- Pow R Toc H ~ Pink Floyd
• February 11, 2009 -- Learning to fly ~ Pink Floyd
• January 1, 2009 -- Time ~ Pink Floyd
• December 9, 2008 -- Nobody Home ~ Pink Floyd