Speak to Me
Encyclopedia
"Speak to Me" is the first track from British
progressive rock
band Pink Floyd
's 1973
album, The Dark Side of the Moon
, on which it forms an overture
. Drummer Nick Mason
receives a rare solo writing credit for the track; Roger Waters
subsequently claimed this was a "gift" to Mason, one which Waters came to regret after his acrimonious departure from the band.
(although it contains parts of the conversation tapes that Pink Floyd recorded, as well a short snippet of Clare Torry
's vocal performance on "The Great Gig in the Sky
"), and consists of a series of sound effects. It leads into the first performance piece on the album, "Breathe
". As a result, they are usually played together on the radio, and most later re-releases merge the two songs together.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
's 1973
1973 in music
-January–April:*January 9 – Mick Jagger's request for a Japanese visa is rejected on account of a 1969 drug conviction, putting an abrupt end to The Rolling Stones' plans to perform in Japan during their forthcoming tour.*January 14...
album, The Dark Side of the Moon
The Dark Side of the Moon
The Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album by English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, released in March 1973. It built on ideas explored in the band's earlier recordings and live shows, but lacks the extended instrumental excursions that characterised their work following the departure...
, on which it forms an overture
Overture
Overture in music is the term originally applied to the instrumental introduction to an opera...
. Drummer Nick Mason
Nick Mason
Nicholas Berkeley "Nick" Mason is an English drummer and songwriter, best known for his work with Pink Floyd. He was the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965...
receives a rare solo writing credit for the track; Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
subsequently claimed this was a "gift" to Mason, one which Waters came to regret after his acrimonious departure from the band.
Composition
The song itself features no lyricsLyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
(although it contains parts of the conversation tapes that Pink Floyd recorded, as well a short snippet of Clare Torry
Clare Torry
Clare Torry is a British singer who famously performed the wordless vocals on Pink Floyd's "The Great Gig in the Sky" on the 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon.-Education:...
's vocal performance on "The Great Gig in the Sky
The Great Gig in the Sky
"The Great Gig in the Sky" is the fifth track from English progressive rock band Pink Floyd's 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon. It features voice instrumental music by Clare Torry.-Composition:...
"), and consists of a series of sound effects. It leads into the first performance piece on the album, "Breathe
Breathe (Pink Floyd song)
"Breathe" is a song by progressive rock band Pink Floyd and appears on their album The Dark Side of the Moon.-Authorship and composition:...
". As a result, they are usually played together on the radio, and most later re-releases merge the two songs together.
Sound effects
Noticeable sound and instrument effects include:- Heartbeat; this can also be heard at the end of "EclipseEclipse (song)"Eclipse" is the tenth and final track from British progressive rock band Pink Floyd's 1973 album, The Dark Side of the Moon. It was sung by Roger Waters, with harmonies by David Gilmour...
" - Clock ticking, also heard in "TimeTime (Pink Floyd song)"Time" is the fourth track from English progressive rock band Pink Floyd's 1973 album, The Dark Side of the Moon, and the only song on the album credited to all four members of the band...
" - Manic laughter of Peter WattsPeter Watts (road manager)Peter Anthony Watts was an English road manager and sound engineer who worked with Pink Floyd.-Biography:Watts was born Peter Anthony Watts on 16th January 1946 in Bedford, Bedfordshire, the son of Jane P. G. and Anthony Watts. Watts had one older brother, Michael, and one younger sister,...
, also heard in "Brain DamageBrain Damage (song)"Brain Damage" is the ninth track from British progressive rock band Pink Floyd's 1973 album, The Dark Side of the Moon. It was sung by Roger Waters. David Gilmour took over as lead vocalist when the band performed it live on the band's 1994 tour...
" - Cash register, also heard in "MoneyMoney (Pink Floyd song)"Money" is the sixth track from English progressive rock band Pink Floyd's 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon. Written by bassist Roger Waters, it opened side two of the original vinyl LP, and is the only song on the album to enter the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100...
" - Helicopter noise, also heard in "On the RunOn the Run (Pink Floyd song)"On the Run" is the third track from British progressive rock band Pink Floyd's 1973 album, The Dark Side of the Moon. It is an instrumental piece that deals with the pressures of travel , and is an EMS synthesizer based piece...
" - Clare TorryClare TorryClare Torry is a British singer who famously performed the wordless vocals on Pink Floyd's "The Great Gig in the Sky" on the 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon.-Education:...
's vocalese, also heard in "The Great Gig in the SkyThe Great Gig in the Sky"The Great Gig in the Sky" is the fifth track from English progressive rock band Pink Floyd's 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon. It features voice instrumental music by Clare Torry.-Composition:...
" - Backwards piano chord, which leads into "BreatheBreathe (Pink Floyd song)"Breathe" is a song by progressive rock band Pink Floyd and appears on their album The Dark Side of the Moon.-Authorship and composition:...
"
Spoken parts
Personnel
- Richard WrightRichard Wright (musician)Richard William Wright was an English pianist, keyboardist and songwriter, best known for his career with Pink Floyd. Wright's richly textured keyboard layers were a vital ingredient and a distinctive characteristic of Pink Floyd's sound...
— piano - Nick MasonNick MasonNicholas Berkeley "Nick" Mason is an English drummer and songwriter, best known for his work with Pink Floyd. He was the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965...
— tape loops, tape effects