Goodbye Blue Sky
Encyclopedia
"Goodbye Blue Sky" is a song by Pink Floyd
. It appeared on The Wall
album in 1979
.
), who states, "Look mummy, there's an aeroplane up in the sky".
The lyrics go on to describe the memory of the Blitz
: Did you see the frightened ones? Did you hear the falling bombs? Did you ever wonder why we had to run for shelter when the promise of a brave new world unfurled beneath a clear blue sky?... The flames are all long gone but the pain lingers on. Goodbye, blue sky.
version, this segment is animated by Gerald Scarfe
. It shows a white dove
(which begins as live action) flying peacefully up only to suddenly explode gorily, torn apart by a black Nazi eagle
(Reichsadler). This mechanical-looking giant bird of prey swoops menacingly around over the countryside, then grabs at the earth with its claws, ripping up a huge section and flying off leaving a trail of blood. It glides over England before transforming into a church or cathedral with crosses flying out of it, which then becomes a bloated monster, it turns into a machine-like warlord releasing warplanes. We see naked, gas-masked
people (the frightened ones) moving about on all four limbs and hiding from the dangers of an air raid, possibly The Blitz
. Finally, a Union Jack
that fragments, turning into a bleeding cross, the Nazi eagle crashed and the dove flies right out of it (representing peace). The blood trailing away worthlessly down into the gutter and a drain, as a small twang sound similar to that of a banjo. This is one of the most dramatic animation segments in the film, with a clear anti-war
message — and seemingly critical of the pillars of state's support for conflict. Unlike the album, this comes in after "When the Tigers Broke Free
" and before "The Happiest Days of Our Lives
".
, with visuals largely reprised from the movie version.
Roger Waters's 2010-2012 tour The Wall Live uses the song to depict a metaphorical "cultural bombing". As bomber planes fly in from the distance, they drop not bombs, but dollar signs
, euro signs
, religious symbols, and corporate logos.
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...
. It appeared on The Wall
The Wall
The Wall is the eleventh studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd. Released as a double album on 30 November 1979, it was subsequently performed live with elaborate theatrical effects, and adapted into a feature film, Pink Floyd—The Wall.As with the band's previous three...
album in 1979
1979 in music
See also:Record labels established in 1979* 1979 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1979.-January–February:*January 1...
.
Plot
In a brief prologue, birds are heard chirping peacefully. The sound of approaching bombers catches the attention of a child (voiced by a young Harry WatersHarry Waters
Harry Waters is a British piano and Hammond organ player. He is the son of former Pink Floyd's bass player and lyricist Roger Waters and has played on tour with his father since 2002, replacing keyboardist Andy Wallace on the In the Flesh tour. In 2004, he toured with Marianne Faithfull and the...
), who states, "Look mummy, there's an aeroplane up in the sky".
The lyrics go on to describe the memory of the Blitz
The Blitz
The Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...
: Did you see the frightened ones? Did you hear the falling bombs? Did you ever wonder why we had to run for shelter when the promise of a brave new world unfurled beneath a clear blue sky?... The flames are all long gone but the pain lingers on. Goodbye, blue sky.
Film version
In the filmPink Floyd The Wall (film)
Pink Floyd—The Wall is a 1982 British live-action/animated musical film directed by Alan Parker based on the 1979 Pink Floyd album The Wall. The screenplay was written by Pink Floyd vocalist and bassist Roger Waters. The film is highly metaphorical and is rich in symbolic imagery and sound...
version, this segment is animated by Gerald Scarfe
Gerald Scarfe
Gerald Anthony Scarfe, CBE, RDI, is an English cartoonist and illustrator. He worked as editorial cartoonist for The Sunday Times and illustrator for The New Yorker...
. It shows a white dove
Dove
Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family Columbidae within the order Columbiformes, which include some 300 species of near passerines. In general terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably...
(which begins as live action) flying peacefully up only to suddenly explode gorily, torn apart by a black Nazi eagle
Coat of arms of Germany
The coat of arms of Germany displays a black eagle on a yellow shield ....
(Reichsadler). This mechanical-looking giant bird of prey swoops menacingly around over the countryside, then grabs at the earth with its claws, ripping up a huge section and flying off leaving a trail of blood. It glides over England before transforming into a church or cathedral with crosses flying out of it, which then becomes a bloated monster, it turns into a machine-like warlord releasing warplanes. We see naked, gas-masked
Gas mask
A gas mask is a mask put on over the face to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne pollutants and toxic gases. The mask forms a sealed cover over the nose and mouth, but may also cover the eyes and other vulnerable soft tissues of the face. Some gas masks are also respirators, though the word...
people (the frightened ones) moving about on all four limbs and hiding from the dangers of an air raid, possibly The Blitz
The Blitz
The Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...
. Finally, a Union Jack
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
that fragments, turning into a bleeding cross, the Nazi eagle crashed and the dove flies right out of it (representing peace). The blood trailing away worthlessly down into the gutter and a drain, as a small twang sound similar to that of a banjo. This is one of the most dramatic animation segments in the film, with a clear anti-war
World peace
World Peace is an ideal of freedom, peace, and happiness among and within all nations and/or people. World peace is an idea of planetary non-violence by which nations willingly cooperate, either voluntarily or by virtue of a system of governance that prevents warfare. The term is sometimes used to...
message — and seemingly critical of the pillars of state's support for conflict. Unlike the album, this comes in after "When the Tigers Broke Free
When the Tigers Broke Free
"When the Tigers Broke Free" is a Pink Floyd song by Roger Waters, describing the death of his father, Eric Fletcher Waters, during the Second World War's Operation Shingle...
" and before "The Happiest Days of Our Lives
The Happiest Days of Our Lives
"The Happiest Days of Our Lives" is a song by Pink Floyd. It appeared on The Wall album in 1979.-Composition:The song is approximately 1 minute, 46 seconds in length, beginning with 24 seconds of a helicopter sound effect; followed by shouting from the schoolmaster . Then the sound effects abruptly...
".
Live Versions
For the 1990 large-scale concert The Wall – Live in Berlin, vocals for this song were provided by Joni MitchellJoni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell, CC is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her native Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto...
, with visuals largely reprised from the movie version.
Roger Waters's 2010-2012 tour The Wall Live uses the song to depict a metaphorical "cultural bombing". As bomber planes fly in from the distance, they drop not bombs, but dollar signs
Dollar sign
The dollar or peso sign is a symbol primarily used to indicate the various peso and dollar units of currency around the world.- Origin :...
, euro signs
Euro sign
The euro sign is the currency sign used for the euro, the official currency of the Eurozone in the European Union . The design was presented to the public by the European Commission on 12 December 1996. The international three-letter code for the euro is EUR...
, religious symbols, and corporate logos.
Personnel
- Roger WatersRoger WatersGeorge 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...
— EMS VCS 3EMS VCS 3The VCS 3 is a portable analog synthesiser with a flexible semi-modular voice architecture, by Electronic Music Studios Limited in 1969.... - David GilmourDavid GilmourDavid Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
— lead and harmony vocals, acoustic guitars, bass guitar, synthesizers - 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...
— synthesizers - Harry WatersHarry WatersHarry Waters is a British piano and Hammond organ player. He is the son of former Pink Floyd's bass player and lyricist Roger Waters and has played on tour with his father since 2002, replacing keyboardist Andy Wallace on the In the Flesh tour. In 2004, he toured with Marianne Faithfull and the...
— child's voice
Cover versions
- On Ann WilsonAnn WilsonAnn Dustin Wilson is an American musician, best known as the lead singer, flute player, songwriter, and occasional guitar player of the rock band Heart.-Personal life:...
's 2007 solo album, Hope & GloryHope & Glory (album)Hope & Glory is the first solo album by Heart singer Ann Wilson, released on September 11, 2007.Hope & Glory features guest appearances from Elton John, k.d. lang, Alison Krauss, Gretchen Wilson, Shawn Colvin, Rufus Wainwright, Wynonna Judd and Deana Carter...
, there is a version with Wilson's sister Nancy. The Wilson sister's band, HeartHeart (band)Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
, also released a live version of the song on Dreamboat Annie LiveDreamboat Annie LiveDreamboat Annie Live is a live album released by Heart in October 2007, which features Heart performing all ten songs from their 1976 debut album, Dreamboat Annie, live in concert, plus five extra performances ....
. - The song appears on Yonder Mountain String BandYonder Mountain String BandThe Yonder Mountain String Band is an American progressive bluegrass group from Nederland, Colorado. Composed of Dave Johnston, Jeff Austin, Ben Kaufmann, and Adam Aijala, the band has released five studio albums and several live recordings to date.- History :The band's history stretches back to...
's 2002 live album Mountain Tracks: Volume 2Mountain Tracks: Volume 2Mountain Tracks: Volume 2 is a progressive bluegrass live album by the Yonder Mountain String Band. It was released August 20, 2002 by SCI Fidelity, a Boulder-based independent record label....
as a hidden track after "Follow Me Down to the Riverside". - The song has been once referenced during a live introduction to System of a DownSystem of a DownSystem of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan...
's song "ToxicityToxicity (song)"Toxicity" is a single by System of a Down, released in 2002. It was originally released on the album of the same name.The writing credit for the song is Malakian/Odadjian/Tankian....
" in an anti-fascism speech. - The song has been covered by the group YesYes (band)Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
.
Further reading
- Fitch, Vernon. The Pink Floyd Encyclopedia (3rd edition), 2005. ISBN 1-894959-24-8