| "Grantchester Meadows" | |
|---|---|
| Song byPink Floyd | |
| from the albumUmmagumma | |
| Published | Lupus Music Ltd. |
| Released | 25 October 1969 (UK) 10 November 1969 (US) |
| Recorded | 2 May 1969 |
| Genre | Psychedelic folk,experimental |
| Length | 7:26 |
| Label | Harvest Records |
| Songwriter(s) | Roger Waters |
| Producer(s) | Norman Smith |
| Official audio | |
| "Grantchester Meadows" (2011 Remastered Version) onYouTube | |
"Grantchester Meadows" is the second track from the studio disc of the 1969Pink Floyd albumUmmagumma.[1]
The song was written and performed entirely byRoger Waters. The song features his lyrics accompanied by an acoustic guitar, while a tape loop of askylark sings in the background throughout the entire song.[2] At approximately 4:13, the sound of a honkingBewick's swan is introduced, followed by the sound of it taking off from water. As the instrumental track fades out, an incessant buzzingbee which has been heard throughout the song, is chased after by an unidentified person (represented by the sound of footsteps) and finallyswatted, cutting abruptly tothe next track.
This song was one of several to be considered for, but ultimately excluded from, the band's "best of" album,Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd.[3] A live version of the song was released as the first single to promoteThe Early Years 1965–1972 box set in 2016.
The lyrics describe a pastoral and dream-like scene atGrantchester Meadows inCambridgeshire,[4] close to where fellow band memberDavid Gilmour lived at the time.[5] This type ofpastoralballad was typical of Roger Waters' compositional approach in the late sixties and early seventies. It was a style that he was to continue on his first album outside of Pink Floyd –Music from "The Body" (in collaboration withRon Geesin) and "If" fromAtom Heart Mother. It is one of several Pink Floyd songs that praise theBritish countryside.
The song is noted for its use ofstereo effects and soundpanning to create an illusion of space and depth.[2]
"Grantchester Meadows" was incorporated into Pink Floyd'sThe Man and The Journey concert suite as "Daybreak".[2] It was performed live during the 1970 US tour, often opening the show. Live renditions of the song included Gilmour on a second acoustic guitar and providing vocals[6] during the chorus, as well asRichard Wright playing two piano solos—one after the second verse's chorus and one during thecoda (these solos were later played on theFarfisa organ).
