On the Turning Away
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"On the Turning Away" | ||
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Single by Pink Floyd | ||
from the album A Momentary Lapse of Reason | ||
Released | 1987 | |
Recorded | October 1986-1987 | |
Genre | Progressive rock | |
Length | 5:42 | |
Writer(s) | David Gilmour, Anthony Moore | |
Chart positions | ||
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Pink Floyd singles chronology | ||
"Learning to Fly" (1987) |
"On the Turning Away" (1987) |
"One Slip" (1988) |
A Momentary Lapse of Reason track listing | ||
"One Slip" (4) |
"On the Turning Away" (5) |
"Yet Another Movie" (6a) |
"On the Turning Away" is a song from Pink Floyd's 1987 album, A Momentary Lapse of Reason. A live performance of the song was featured on both the video and double CD releases of Delicate Sound of Thunder. The song references issues of poverty and oppression, lamenting on the tendency of people to turn away from those afflicted with such conditions. It ends on a hopeful note, with the last stanza beginning, "no more turning away..."
The song was the ninth track from the album performed when A Momentary Lapse of Reason was played live from 1987-1989. The track was also performed sometimes during the band's 1994 The Division Bell tour, as the song was a huge US rock radio hit.
The video for the track composed of a live recording and concert footage filmed during the band's three night run at the The Omni in Atlanta, Georgia in November of 1987 directed by Lawrence Jordan (whom has directed concert films for Rush, Mariah Carey and Billy Joel). Videos for The Dogs of War and One Slip were also filmed from this concert. The video went to #9 on MTV's Video Countdown in January of 1988.
Richie Havens the Famous Folk Singer and Opening act at Woodstock has recorded and frequently performs a very moving unaccompanied rendition of this song. His cover is available for free on his site.