Speak to Me

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The Dark Side of the Moon
The Dark Side of the Moon cover
Album by Pink Floyd
Released March 2, 1973
Recorded Abbey Road
June 1972-January 1973
Genre Progressive rock
Electronic music
Musique concrète
Length 43:00
Label Harvest (UK)
Capitol (US)
Producer(s) Pink Floyd
Professional reviews
Tracks
  1. Speak to Me (1:08)
  2. Breathe (2:48)
  3. On the Run (3:31)
  4. Time / Breathe (Reprise) (7:04)
  5. The Great Gig in the Sky (4:47)
  6. Money (6:23)
  7. Us and Them (7:48)
  8. Any Colour You Like (3:25)
  9. Brain Damage (3:50)
  10. Eclipse (2:06)

"Speak to Me" is the first track[1] 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, although main band songwriter Roger Waters subsequently claimed this was a "gift" to Mason, one which Waters came to regret after his acrimonious departure from the group.

Contents

[edit] Composition

The song itself features no lyrics (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.

[edit] Sound Effects

Noticeable sound effects include:

  • Heartbeat; this can also be heard at the end of "Eclipse"
  • Clock ticking; reflecting the song "Time"
  • Manic laughter; reflecting the song "Brain Damage"
  • Cash register; reflecting the song "Money"
  • Helicopter noise; reflecting the song "On the Run"
  • Wailing/screaming; reflecting the song "The Great Gig in the Sky"

[edit] Spoken parts

   
Speak to Me
I've been mad for fucking years, absolutely years, been over the edge for yonks, been working me buns off for bands....
   
Speak to Me
   
Speak to Me
I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the

most of us are...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad...

   
Speak to Me

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Some CD pressings merge "Speak to Me" and "Breathe".
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