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1968 - July: Pink Floyd “A Saucerfull of Secrets”
In its second album, Pink Floyd would begin its transition from a psychedelic 60's era band to what would become an icon of the rock genre. A Saucerful of Secrets is a strange album, and the only one in which Pink Floyd would consider themselves to be a five piece band. Frontman Syd Barrett had begun his slide into insanity, and was too unstable for the band to rely on him for concerts and recordings. They brought in David Gilmour to supplement Barrett on guitar, while Nick Mason (drums) Roger Waters (bass) and Richard Wright (keyboards) continued in their roles. Barrett would leave before the album was completed, but his shadow would hang over the band for the rest of their days.
The compilation itself retains much of the psychedelia of their first album, but there are moments where you can sense the movement of the band to what they would become, though that transition would take several years. Nick Mason considers this album to be his favorite; however, it would not crack into the top albums until 2019.
Brian leads us through this strange trip to explore this experimental and transitional album.
Jugband Blues
This song finds Syd Barrett on vocals, his last studio song with the group, and the only one on the album where he does so. Barrett would famously never recover from his mental illness, and the band would transition to David Gilmour on guitar (and often vocals) afterwards.
Let There Be More Light
This track is sung by Roger Waters, and you can get a sense of Gilmour's influence here as well. At their concerts, Pink Floyd would project images of bubbles on the wall as an early high tech psychedelic effect..
Remember a Day
Rick Wright keyboardist for the group, wrote this song and takes the lead on vocals as well. The song has a “white rabbit” feel to it, and seems more professionally produced, though it continues the acid rock trip. Pink Floyd was an underground band at the time, and some classify the music of the time as “space rock.”
Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
If there is a hit off the album, this is it. Roger Waters wrote and sang this song, and it definitely fits the “space rock” description. This is the only song on the album in which all five of the Pink Floyd members participated.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
“Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles
Drummer Ringo Starr takes his turn on vocals for this Beatles tune which was the main theme to their motion picture of the same name.
STAFF PICKS:
“The Look of Love” by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
Bruce's staff pick was written by Burt Bacharach, with lyrics by Hal David, and was originally recorded by Dusty Springfield for the James Bond film “Casino Royale” in 1966. Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 performed their rendition on the Academy Awards telecast in April 1968, and it actually did better than the Springfield version, peaking at number 4 on the charts.
“Mony Mony” by Tommy James and the Shondells
Rob features an often-covered hit. This version made it to number 3 in the U.S. The title came from James seeing the Mutual of New York building. The initials - M.O.N.Y.- inspired the title. Most of us are more familiar with the Billy Idol version from the early 80's: Get Laid Get ____ed!
“Daylight Stranger” by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap Band
Wayne brings us back to 1968 psychedelia with a deeper cut. The band was discovered by Jerry Pooler, who wrote most of their songs. You could find them dressed as Union soldiers for their concerts.
“Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Mama Cass
Brian features this 1931 cover by Mama Cass. The depression-era song was popular over many decades. This is one of three versions which have charted, including the one by the cast of the television show “Glee” in 2010.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Theme from the motion picture “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”
How do you type a whistle??? This well-known instrumental made it onto the charts in July 1968.
Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”
NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.
Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.
Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!
**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.
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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch
4.9
4747 ratings
In its second album, Pink Floyd would begin its transition from a psychedelic 60's era band to what would become an icon of the rock genre. A Saucerful of Secrets is a strange album, and the only one in which Pink Floyd would consider themselves to be a five piece band. Frontman Syd Barrett had begun his slide into insanity, and was too unstable for the band to rely on him for concerts and recordings. They brought in David Gilmour to supplement Barrett on guitar, while Nick Mason (drums) Roger Waters (bass) and Richard Wright (keyboards) continued in their roles. Barrett would leave before the album was completed, but his shadow would hang over the band for the rest of their days.
The compilation itself retains much of the psychedelia of their first album, but there are moments where you can sense the movement of the band to what they would become, though that transition would take several years. Nick Mason considers this album to be his favorite; however, it would not crack into the top albums until 2019.
Brian leads us through this strange trip to explore this experimental and transitional album.
Jugband Blues
This song finds Syd Barrett on vocals, his last studio song with the group, and the only one on the album where he does so. Barrett would famously never recover from his mental illness, and the band would transition to David Gilmour on guitar (and often vocals) afterwards.
Let There Be More Light
This track is sung by Roger Waters, and you can get a sense of Gilmour's influence here as well. At their concerts, Pink Floyd would project images of bubbles on the wall as an early high tech psychedelic effect..
Remember a Day
Rick Wright keyboardist for the group, wrote this song and takes the lead on vocals as well. The song has a “white rabbit” feel to it, and seems more professionally produced, though it continues the acid rock trip. Pink Floyd was an underground band at the time, and some classify the music of the time as “space rock.”
Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
If there is a hit off the album, this is it. Roger Waters wrote and sang this song, and it definitely fits the “space rock” description. This is the only song on the album in which all five of the Pink Floyd members participated.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
“Yellow Submarine” by The Beatles
Drummer Ringo Starr takes his turn on vocals for this Beatles tune which was the main theme to their motion picture of the same name.
STAFF PICKS:
“The Look of Love” by Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
Bruce's staff pick was written by Burt Bacharach, with lyrics by Hal David, and was originally recorded by Dusty Springfield for the James Bond film “Casino Royale” in 1966. Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 performed their rendition on the Academy Awards telecast in April 1968, and it actually did better than the Springfield version, peaking at number 4 on the charts.
“Mony Mony” by Tommy James and the Shondells
Rob features an often-covered hit. This version made it to number 3 in the U.S. The title came from James seeing the Mutual of New York building. The initials - M.O.N.Y.- inspired the title. Most of us are more familiar with the Billy Idol version from the early 80's: Get Laid Get ____ed!
“Daylight Stranger” by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap Band
Wayne brings us back to 1968 psychedelia with a deeper cut. The band was discovered by Jerry Pooler, who wrote most of their songs. You could find them dressed as Union soldiers for their concerts.
“Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Mama Cass
Brian features this 1931 cover by Mama Cass. The depression-era song was popular over many decades. This is one of three versions which have charted, including the one by the cast of the television show “Glee” in 2010.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Theme from the motion picture “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”
How do you type a whistle??? This well-known instrumental made it onto the charts in July 1968.
Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”
NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.
Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.
Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!
**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.
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