Vera (song)
Encyclopedia
"Vera" is a song by Pink Floyd
which appears on their 1979
album, The Wall
. The title is a reference to Vera Lynn
, a British singer who came to prominence during World War II
with her popular song "We'll Meet Again
". The reference is ironic, as Roger Waters
(and his fictional character "Pink") would not meet his father, lost in the war. The lyric "Vera, what has become of you?" suggests that Vera Lynn herself, like her promise, vanished.
The opening dialogue ("Where the hell are you, Simon?") and the sound effects are from the 1969 film The Battle of Britain
.
The film version of Pink Floyd The Wall opens with a snippet of Vera Lynn singing "The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot
", a song about a boy — like Roger Waters — without a father. In addition, in The Wall Live, the first track opens with Lynn's "We'll Meet Again" instead of the snippet of "Outside the Wall
" that plays on the album.
Roger Waters performed the song as an encore on his 2006 and 2007 Dark Side of the Moon Live tour. "We'll Meet Again
" was also featured during the opening video, as one of the songs that is played through the giant radio (just prior to the band's entrance).
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...
which appears on their 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...
album, 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...
. The title is a reference to Vera Lynn
Vera Lynn
Dame Vera Lynn, DBE is an English singer-songwriter and actress whose musical recordings and performances were enormously popular during World War II. During the war she toured Egypt, India and Burma, giving outdoor concerts for the troops...
, a British singer who came to prominence during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
with her popular song "We'll Meet Again
We'll Meet Again
"We'll Meet Again" is a 1939 song made famous by British singer Vera Lynn, and it also may refer to:* We'll Meet Again , a musical starring Lynn that includes the song...
". The reference is ironic, as 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...
(and his fictional character "Pink") would not meet his father, lost in the war. The lyric "Vera, what has become of you?" suggests that Vera Lynn herself, like her promise, vanished.
The opening dialogue ("Where the hell are you, Simon?") and the sound effects are from the 1969 film The Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain (film)
Battle of Britain is a 1969 Technicolor film directed by Guy Hamilton, and produced by Harry Saltzman and S. Benjamin Fisz. The film broadly relates the events of the Battle of Britain...
.
The film version of Pink Floyd The Wall opens with a snippet of Vera Lynn singing "The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot
The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot
"The Little Boy that Santa Claus Forgot" is a 1937 song written by Michael Carr, Tommie Connor and Jimmy Leach; most notably performed by Vera Lynn...
", a song about a boy — like Roger Waters — without a father. In addition, in The Wall Live, the first track opens with Lynn's "We'll Meet Again" instead of the snippet of "Outside the Wall
Outside the Wall
"Outside the Wall" is a song by Pink Floyd. It appeared on their 1979 album The Wall. It was written by Roger Waters.-Overview:...
" that plays on the album.
Roger Waters performed the song as an encore on his 2006 and 2007 Dark Side of the Moon Live tour. "We'll Meet Again
We'll Meet Again
"We'll Meet Again" is a 1939 song made famous by British singer Vera Lynn, and it also may refer to:* We'll Meet Again , a musical starring Lynn that includes the song...
" was also featured during the opening video, as one of the songs that is played through the giant radio (just prior to the band's entrance).
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...
— vocals, acoustic guitar - 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 electric guitar, acoustic guitar - 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...
— Prophet-5 synthesiser - New York Symphony OrchestraNew York Symphony OrchestraThe New York Symphony Orchestra was founded as the New York Symphony Society in New York City by Leopold Damrosch in 1878. For many years it was a fierce rival to the older Philharmonic Symphony Society of New York. It was supported by Andrew Carnegie who built Carnegie Hall expressly for the...
Further reading
- Fitch, Vernon. The Pink Floyd Encyclopedia (3rd edition), 2005. ISBN 1-894959-24-8.