Let There Be More Light
Encyclopedia
"Let There Be More Light" is the opening track on Pink Floyd
's second album A Saucerful of Secrets
. It was also released in edited form as the fourth US single by the group. A rare US-only single release (Tower 440) contains edited mono versions of this song and "Remember a Day". The single did not chart. Pink Floyd performed the song live from 1968–1969, often as an encore.
The song is written by Roger Waters
. It begins with an iterative bass
line before the vocals start. The first, gentler vocals are performed by Richard Wright
with Roger Waters whispering, the following, harder refrain by David Gilmour
. The last two minutes feature for the first time a guitar solo
from Gilmour in a Pink Floyd album, featuring his distinctive style of playing single notes treated with effects such as distortion and echo.
This song was planned as a B-side to an edit of one of Pink Floyd's later songs, Money
, for December 7th 1981, but for unknown reasons, the release was cancelled at the last minute.
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...
's second album A Saucerful of Secrets
A Saucerful of Secrets
A Saucerful of Secrets is the second studio album by the English rock group Pink Floyd. It was recorded at EMI's Abbey Road Studios on various dates from August 1967 to April 1968...
. It was also released in edited form as the fourth US single by the group. A rare US-only single release (Tower 440) contains edited mono versions of this song and "Remember a Day". The single did not chart. Pink Floyd performed the song live from 1968–1969, often as an encore.
The song is written by Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George 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...
. It begins with an iterative bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
line before the vocals start. The first, gentler vocals are performed by Richard Wright
Richard 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...
with Roger Waters whispering, the following, harder refrain by David Gilmour
David Gilmour
David 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...
. The last two minutes feature for the first time a guitar solo
Guitar solo
In popular music, a guitar solo is a melodic passage, section, or entire piece of music written for an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar. Guitar solos, which often contain varying degrees of improvisation, are used in many styles of popular music such as blues, jazz, rock and metal styles such...
from Gilmour in a Pink Floyd album, featuring his distinctive style of playing single notes treated with effects such as distortion and echo.
This song was planned as a B-side to an edit of one of Pink Floyd's later songs, Money
Money (Pink Floyd song)
"Money" is the sixth track from English progressive rock band Pink Floyd's 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon. Written by bassist Roger Waters, it opened side two of the original vinyl LP, and is the only song on the album to enter the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100...
, for December 7th 1981, but for unknown reasons, the release was cancelled at the last minute.
Personnel
- 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...
— electric guitars, lead vocals on the chorus sections - 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...
— Farfisa and Hammond organs, lead vocals on verse sections, piano - 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...
— bass, whisper vocals - Nick MasonNick MasonNicholas Berkeley "Nick" Mason is an English drummer and songwriter, best known for his work with Pink Floyd. He was the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965...
— drums and percussion
Musical connections
- There is a reference to The BeatlesThe BeatlesThe Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
song "Lucy in the Sky with DiamondsLucy in the Sky with Diamonds"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" is a song written primarily by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney, for The Beatles' 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band...
". - The Chemical BrothersThe Chemical BrothersThe Chemical Brothers are a British electronic music duo comprising Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons. Originating in Manchester in 1991, along with The Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, The Crystal Method, and fellow acts, they were pioneers at bringing the big beat genre to the forefront of pop culture.- Background...
' "Block Rockin' BeatsBlock Rockin' Beats"Block Rockin' Beats" is a song by English big beat duo The Chemical Brothers. It was released as the second single from their second album, Dig Your Own Hole, in March 1997. It reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 40 on the American Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart...
" and "Coup" by 23 Skidoo bear noticeable similarity to Roger Waters' bass riff in "Let There Be More Light". Alternative rockAlternative rockAlternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band PlaceboPlacebo (band)Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
's "Taste in MenTaste in Men"Taste in Men" is a single by alternative rock band Placebo. Taken from their third album, it reached number 16 in the UK singles chart.-Music video:...
" is almost identical.