WCSX Classic Cuts : The Great Gig in the Sky
WCSX Classic Cuts
Pink Floyd: “The Great Gig in the Sky”
The Hook: Clare Torry’s incredible vocal followed the instruction: “It’s about death, so think about that while you sing it.”
Album: The Dark Side of the Moon
Year: 1973
Writers: Richard Wright and Clare Torry
Stats: Never released as a single.
Background: “The Great Gig in the Sky” is sung by Clare Torry, a session singer who was recommended to the band by producer Alan Parsons. In 1996, the late Pink Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright shared his recollection of recording with her.
The late Pink Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright on “The Great Gig in the Sky.” OC:…forget it. :29
“I wrote it, but the outstanding thing on that track is Clare Torry’s vocal on it. My memories of that – being in the studio and asking Clare to go into the and sing. She said, ‘What do you want me to sing?’ We said, ‘Sing anything.’ And she said, ‘Well, what’s it about?’ And I think Roger said, ‘It’s about death, so think about that while you sing it.’ And it was incredible. Anyway, she went in there and I’m sure she felt terrible and embarrassed by what she was doing. But it was incredible what was coming out of her voice. Staggering. No one will ever forget it.”
