Fearless (song)
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| "Fearless" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Song by Pink Floyd | ||
| from the album Meddle | ||
| Released | October 30, 1971 (US) November 5, 1971 (UK) November 29, 1971 (US single) ???, 1971 (Italian single) |
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| Recorded | July 1971 Morgan Studios, London August 1971 AIR Studios, London |
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| Genre | Progressive rock | |
| Length | 6:08 5:54 (US single) |
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| Writer(s) | Roger Waters David Gilmour |
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| Meddle track listing | ||
| A Pillow of Winds (2) |
"Fearless" (3) |
San Tropez (4) |
"Fearless" is the title of the third track on Meddle by Pink Floyd. The song's slow tempo and mellow acoustic sound bear similarities to some of the other tracks on the first side of the album. Roger Waters composed the ascending riff on guitar using an open tuning in G major that he learned from Syd Barrett (Barrett also seems to be the subject of some of the lyrics). He plays this riff and other rhythm guitar parts on the studio recording, despite his job as the band's usual bassist. [1]
Near the beginning and at the end of the song, a field recording of fans in Liverpool's Kop choir singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" is superimposed over the music. This Rodgers and Hammerstein song became the anthem of Liverpool F.C. after Gerry and the Pacemakers had a number-one hit with their recording. The fans repeatedly chant "Liverpool!" after the song's conclusion, and their cheering reverberates across the stereo field in a haunting manner, which produces a somewhat psychedelic effect on listeners with headphones.
The song is almost regarded as an underground hit for Pink Floyd, because although it was not released as a single in the UK or played live by the band, it remains greatly favoured among hardcore fans. Its title is derived from a football slang term for "awesome", which became a cliché among the band's touring party. "Here Comes A Soul Saver", a track on the eponymous 1995 album by The Charlatans (UK), bears more than a passing resemblance to "Fearless".
[edit] Personnel
- David Gilmour - Guitar and Vocals
- Roger Waters - Backing vocals, Rhythm Guitar and Bass
- Richard Wright - Piano
- Nick Mason - Drums and Percussion
with:
- Liverpool F.C Fans Kop choir - Chanting "You'll never walk alone"
[edit] Trivia
- This song has never been performed live by Pink Floyd, nor during Waters', and Gilmours' solo tours.
- Though to some, interpretations of this song are comical because of the chanting, and the second verse, the songs' actual meaning could be just what the song is, being fearless.
- David Gilmour implements the volume swelling technique on this song using either an electric guitar, or most likely, a pedal steel guitar as he used on "One Of These Days".
