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Pink Floyd — The Great Gig In The Sky
Album: Dark Side Of The Moon
Avg rating:
9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4069









Released: 1973
Length: 4:31
Plays (last 30 days): 2
(wordless vocal improvised by Clare Torry)

(respect)
Comments (523)add comment
When the lyrics read as 

(wordless vocal improvised by Clare Torry)

(respect)

You know The Great Gig in The Sky is about to play and your ears are about to have an eargasm (well mine are anyway and I make no apology for the satisfied grin on my face )
 VH1 wrote:
Hate!?
No one today just "dislikes" something or other, no...nowadays its everywhere pure and simple HATRED!
I could puke when I read comments like these...

Sounds like you HATE comments like these; D'oh!   
As soon as Clare starts singing.....and all of the way through...watch the documentary on this album to learn a little about how it all came about too. Fantastic
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:

What's wrong with that woman?




She's having THE longest orgasm ever! And it's rubbing off on my ears!
…these  go to eleven…
It's a shame about the rating system only being 1 to 10 on integer boundaries - and then the overall rating employs a decimal place (quite annoying in my opinion).
Since this is the best song in the world ever, it is the only one i can score as a '10' 
Everything else can then never be more than a '9' for me. 
I've pretty much stopped rating songs on here as a result.
Oh well. Just my tu'pence worth as always. 
Great to hear this... but you cut it off before the final pitch bend! Please fix that.
I had this at a 9. What the hell was I thinking?! Make that a very strong 10.

 Jelani wrote:

How on earth could anyone vote this a "1"?  I"m just curious. I'd really like to know the reasoning behind that.



People have different tastes.  Some people have NO taste!  
I love this song if I hear it maybe twice a year. Twice a week is killing it for me (not in a nice way).
Is it possible to rate with a 10+?
 LowPhreak wrote:

Here's the deal, George:

"The Great Gig In The Sky is the best song in the world, ever. End of. Contained within it is every human emotion any of us have, or ever will, feel.No need for words. No language. No translation. Pure emotion.

Its got it all. You may not like it, but it is entire, complete.To say faultless, however would be to contradict its human quality. After all none of us are.

I've often thought that the English language is seriously lacking in expression for feelings and emotions.We simply do not have the words.We have to say "it's like this" or "it's like that" to try to convey these things, rather than directly say what it is.The Great Gig In The Sky goes straight round the problem and in doing so transcends language and nationhood.No need for description of the emotion being conveyed. Turn it up, Close your eyes, You can feel that."

———-

Clare Torry (and Richard Wright) was sublime, profound, authentic, transcendent on this. It was one of those things that couldn't be done again exactly, or faked or manufactured - a one-off and she did it in the first or second take if I recall correctly, and on short notice with little or no rehearsal which makes it even more astounding.

It was a channeling of a fleeting, ethereal spiritual muse that by stroke of luck got captured on tape. We are all very fortunate for that.



I feel sorry for the three "people" that gave this comment a thumbs down. I hope you get better soon.
How on earth could anyone vote this a "1"?  I"m just curious. I'd really like to know the reasoning behind that.
oh my...

road trip music

soon will be for a  drive through the badlands,  black hills,  pine ridge,  little big horn

gonna go see America, make some  movies
50 years ago this album came out, 4 years before I was born, and somehow I feel the music has always been a part of me. Long Live RP and moms who listened to Pink Floyd DSOTM while pregnant with child!!
I walked in with a box of prisms to take a lesson on light with my class and this comes on. Everything is OK with the world today. 
'Lady Sings the Blues' to 'The Great Gig in the Sky' - I see what you did there...
Once upon, I was a silly little lad. I loved Pink Floyd, but not this song. In fact, I greatly disliked this song. I once said to someone, "I really don't like that song on Dark Side where that black woman wails. It's awful."

The response I got was: "One, she's white (not that that matters), and two, her 'wailing' is what makes the song."

So I went back and watched a live version and... click! I get it! Absolute 10, and I almost never give those out.
I prefer Atom's cover to the original. But the original still rocks! Such a unique sound that happens only once in a lifetime.
 LowPhreak wrote:

Here's the deal, George:

"The Great Gig In The Sky is the best song in the world, ever. End of. Contained within it is every human emotion any of us have, or ever will, feel.No need for words. No language. No translation. Pure emotion.

Its got it all. You may not like it, but it is entire, complete.To say faultless, however would be to contradict its human quality. After all none of us are.

I've often thought that the English language is seriously lacking in expression for feelings and emotions.We simply do not have the words.We have to say "it's like this" or "it's like that" to try to convey these things, rather than directly say what it is.The Great Gig In The Sky goes straight round the problem and in doing so transcends language and nationhood.No need for description of the emotion being conveyed. Turn it up, Close your eyes, You can feel that."

———-

Clare Torry (and Richard Wright) was sublime, profound, authentic, transcendent on this. It was one of those things that couldn't be done again exactly, or faked or manufactured - a one-off and she did it in the first or second take if I recall correctly, and on short notice with little or no rehearsal which makes it even more astounding.

It was a channeling of a fleeting, ethereal spiritual muse that by stroke of luck got captured on tape. We are all very fortunate for that.


I wish her comment in this comment could just be deleted, it offends
REAL RESPECT!!!
This is an amazing song - rated it a 10, but I think the live version of it from The Wall is an 11
I had this at a 9. 
What the hell was I thinking? 
10 for sure!
OMG this, just after Luminous Places from Patty Griffin. Really feeling my mortality right now.
 alexandersmcmillan wrote:

I saw a Pink Floyd tribute band perform in Winnipeg. They played an incredibly lengthy set, covering the majority of both The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. The members of the band were really quite extraordinary imitators of Pink Floyd, both in their vocals and instrumentation. Their covers were so like the original recordings that the bulk of the performance hasn't stayed in my memory apart from the recollection that it was an excellent tribute to an excellent band. 

But what I do remember - as I'm sure everyone else does who was in attendance - was one of the backing vocalists taking centre stage to perform "The Great Gig in the Sky." Being no singer, I don't know how someone composes themselves to step up and tap into their own ability and soar well above an already lofty bar. At the end of the performance she received an incredible round of applause; both she and the other members of the band seemed to break out of character for a moment in the shared acknowledgement that something special had just happened. 




Had the same in Burlington, Ont a few years ago.  It was Classic Albums Live at the Sound of Music Festival.  They did DSOTM and Meddle.  Echoes was amazing live, the whole thing was fantastic evening, with a thunderstorm to the West for dramatic effect.

But Great Gig was the show stopper.  She was unbelievable, and a huge standing ovation, which was well deserved
 LizK wrote:

That's Merry Clayton. Superb voice


nope it is Clare Torry
eleven,eleven,eleven!!!!!!!i              i love it 
 LizK wrote:

That's Merry Clayton. Superb voice


Are you sure?  I don't see it on her Wiki.
Wife & I saw a Pink Floyd cover band in Mammoth Lakes couple weeks back.
They started in on this song and the vocalist had her hands up against her lips, eyes closed concentrating like no other.  I whispered to my wife " I wish her luck, she's gonna need it."
No luck, all talent.  She nailed it beyond perfection.  Never in my life did I think I would get to hear this song sung live.   
Goose bumps and jaw dropping moment.  
Thanks for the music.   
Oh my! Somehow I haven't heard that masterpiece in a long long time
The first concert I ever went to was Pink Floyd in their Dark Side of The Moon tour at the Dane County Coliseum In Madison Wis. I was 14.  It was Quite an experience.
 MLavender wrote:
I used to hate the "wailing lady" on this song, and then someone told me they thought it was the best part. A light clicked for me. It is the best part. 
 
That's Merry Clayton. Superb voice
I used to hate the "wailing lady" on this song, and then someone told me they thought it was the best part. A light clicked for me. It is the best part. 
My go-to song for Covid, Ukraine, Jan 6, shootings and the twilight of American Democracy.
 Piranga wrote:

#1 vocal performance of all time.



<Merry Clayton has entered the chat>
The transition from Billie Holiday to this was both jarring and perfect. Well done
Wasn't that part originally called Orgasmic Lady, and later dropped?
 bdwhitepm wrote:

I'm still freaked out by the "If you hear this whisper you are dying.." at the end of the slower quieter section.  It's in the back ground very faint



I've heard this track maybe a thousand times over the last 50 ish years, and I've never noticed that. And just as I read your comment, there it was! All hail the FLAC stream.
However, I too am freaked out as I'm waiting for a letter from the hospital ...
I was only 11 or 12 when this came out, and though "Money" was played on the radio -- and I'd surprised my parents by blurting out, "-- Don't give me that do-goody-good BULLSHIT!" I didn't gain a full appreciation of this song or album in its entirety until I was 17, Spring of '79, smoking a big fat White Owl of a joint in my newly purchased 1970 Cutlass 'S' Coupe with my buddy Mike and a cooler full of beer, down at the turnaround of a place we called Dinosaur Valley, when we let the whole 8-track slide on by, twice, at max volume, of course, without saying a word, just spell-bound, in SONIC AWE...


The Great Gig In The Sky is the best song in the world, ever

Copy that!
In a way, the beginning of this song, sounds like something from Supertramp's Crime of the Century  
 ecojot wrote:

voice in the beginning is the security guard at the studio



sounds like Rowan Atkinson 
Using the, "If I was stranded on a desert island,"  (with solar panels and a turntable, of course) cliche, this would be one of the ten albums I would love to have with me.  
My stoner friends and I played both sides of this album EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, when it was released, usually early in the morning, when we were starting to think about heading to bed in our dorm rooms at the U of A.  
Worst grades I ever got in university, BUT the BEST music experiences I've had in my lifetime.
I saw a Pink Floyd tribute band perform in Winnipeg. They played an incredibly lengthy set, covering the majority of both The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. The members of the band were really quite extraordinary imitators of Pink Floyd, both in their vocals and instrumentation. Their covers were so like the original recordings that the bulk of the performance hasn't stayed in my memory apart from the recollection that it was an excellent tribute to an excellent band. 

But what I do remember - as I'm sure everyone else does who was in attendance - was one of the backing vocalists taking centre stage to perform "The Great Gig in the Sky." Being no singer, I don't know how someone composes themselves to step up and tap into their own ability and soar well above an already lofty bar. At the end of the performance she received an incredible round of applause; both she and the other members of the band seemed to break out of character for a moment in the shared acknowledgement that something special had just happened. 
Feel like I should get up and flip the LP.  Vinyl at it's best.
-John
Beyond brilliance, it transcends everything!
There was a lot of music on this album that was simply beautiful, regardless of lyrics. 
awesome song .... ever .....in my heart
 GreenKittenLines wrote:


My first ever *original* CD purchase!  :)


Already had the album - purchased the CD and used it to find a right sound system - still a great album even though the hearing 'aint what it used to be!!
If you want to hear an almost perfect imitation of Pink Floyd, go and see Brit Floyd. Very impressive. 
 flipchurn wrote:

My first ever CD purchase!



My first ever *original* CD purchase!  :)
uh oh

tread lightly

the masterpiece

I was 15 years old when I stumbled on this album on a flee market. I knew the "new" Pink Floyd (already owned Division Bell) but not this album.
I happened to be camping with some friends at the time. In the night I put on my headphones and started to listen from the beginning to the very end. I was mesmerized, blown away, in another world. I think this album became part of my being, or at least an expression of it. 
I also was reading Dune at the time. Funny to see that the trailer for this movie has Eclipse as it soundtrack :-)

For me this is my no. 1 album ever. Brain Damage and Eclipse are the favorites but The Great Gig comes very close, out of this world. 
My groggy morning has just been immeasurably improved.
 sadhugeorge wrote:

Clare was a neighbor they went and got when they needed someone to just sing that part. She won a Grammy for it. I believe the only Best Female Vocalist for a song with no words.




And completely improvised!!!
Second side of Dark Side of the Moon; definitely one of my all time favourites! This gets a 10 from me. Thanks RP!
Listened to Dub side of the Moon this weekend.  It's a nice take on the classic.  Then I put this on right after for a compare and contrast.
Genuflecting Clare every time.
 MassivRuss wrote:

And not one cent in royalties. Just a one-time singing fee.
 
I think she sued in the 90s and got some royalties that were long over due
I'm still freaked out by the "If you hear this whisper you are dying.." at the end of the slower quieter section.  It's in the back ground very faint
 sadhugeorge wrote:
Clare was a neighbor they went and got when they needed someone to just sing that part. She won a Grammy for it. I believe the only Best Female Vocalist for a song with no words.
 
And not one cent in royalties. Just a one-time singing fee.
Clare was a neighbor they went and got when they needed someone to just sing that part. She won a Grammy for it. I believe the only Best Female Vocalist for a song with no words.
voice in the beginning is the security guard at the studio
Wish there were video of this recording session. How incredible it must have been to see this.
Finally....salute to RP...this is one of my favourite song and magical voice of Clare Torry.
Clare Torry and her beautiful, artful voice turned 73 November 2020. She performed for and with numerous artists during her career. It is said that for "The Great Gig in the Sky," album engineer Allen Parson encouraged her to "pretend that she herself was an instrument."
  
Nothing against Toni Tenille, but it was actually Clare Torry singing.

Clare Torry, vocals: Great Gig in the Sky in 2020 | Pink floyd images, Pink  floyd poster, Pink floyd art
 Triquel67 wrote:

Wait. Tony Tennille, as in... 'the Captain and Tennille'? Are you serious? The soul projecting deep from the diaphragm no holds barred power vocals are from.... the lady that sang 'Muskrat Love'? And I've been hearing this PF song since 1978, and JUST NOW find this out in 2020?

I'm going to go lie down now. The lack of sleep at work is screwing with my sense of reality and something about 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon is nagging in the back of my mind. 
 
The female singer's name is Clare Torry.
Love the Alan Parsons engineering on this album...
 TRC wrote:
I gave it a 10 because I LOVED the screaming.Thanks Tony Tenelle.
 
Wait. Tony Tennille, as in... 'the Captain and Tennille'? Are you serious? The soul projecting deep from the diaphragm no holds barred power vocals are from.... the lady that sang 'Muskrat Love'? And I've been hearing this PF song since 1978, and JUST NOW find this out in 2020?

I'm going to go lie down now. The lack of sleep at work is screwing with my sense of reality and something about 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon is nagging in the back of my mind. 
If you haven't seen the documentary on the making of this album that's currently playing on Amazon Prime, do it. You won't be sorry.
I gave it a 10 because I LOVED the screaming.Thanks Tony Tenelle.
I loved this when DSOTM came out, and had just seen them in concert at Kent State University. This song, as well as the others on the album, have aged well.

Quality never goes outa style.
9 -> 10 on this fine afternoon.  This is absolutely beautiful.
Es war eine so schöne Zeit... 1973- 74. nichts will ich missen aus der Zeit!
Oh yes!
good
AaaaaAaaaaaAaaaaaa!!!
 (Banned) wrote:
I love Pink Floyd!  But I hate Roger Waters.  
 

Hate!?

No one today just "dislikes" something or other, no...nowadays its everywhere pure and simple HATRED!

I could puke when I read comments like these...

 
Roger Waters continues to shine in meaningful splendour!
I love Pink Floyd!  But I hate Roger Waters.  
 boxofrain wrote:
Thanks for playing Time and The Great Gig in The Sky in order as they should be played and thus heard.....

 
they were always played together on the radio
back in the day
the French call an orgasm "the little death" 
I always think of that when I hear this
 thewiseking wrote:
Cease this incessant warbling!

 
Incessant warbling, WiseKing said, and also to the Merry Clayton, who did similar for Gimme Shelter. 
Then WiseKing was demoted to SomewhatSmartDuke. 
... and now step thru the door, into Oz.
Time to flip the record over!
For another 10!! 
Damn...
{#Hearteyes}

superplusgood
Cease this incessant warbling!
 boxofrain wrote:
Thanks for playing Time and The Great Gig in The Sky in order as they should be played and thus heard.....

Yes! Can't do that often enough. Only down side is it's so late/early that I can't turn it up to 11, lest the neighbours complain.


lol

westslope wrote:

The tricky part is after you raise your hind leg is setting it down again without stepping in it.

 


 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
I just came here to double-check that my rating was low enough. I guess so but will reevaluate on a semiannual basis.



 
The tricky part is after you raise your hind leg is setting it down again without stepping in it.
I just came here to double-check that my rating was low enough. I guess so but will reevaluate on a semiannual basis.


Thanks for playing Time and The Great Gig in The Sky in order as they should be played and thus heard.....
 Moonflower31 wrote:
That song would be NOTHING without her whales, her pipes, her soul....
 
 Boy_Wonder wrote:
Must admit I've never heard the version with whales... sounds a bit New Age for me, think I'll still to the original which seems just fine.
 
{#Lol}
"Moby Dick seeks thee not. It is thou, thou, that madly seekest him!"
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
What's wrong with that woman?

 
Here's the deal, George:

springof63 wrote:

"The Great Gig In The Sky is the best song in the world, ever. End of. Contained within it is every human emotion any of us have, or ever will, feel.No need for words. No language. No translation. Pure emotion.

Its got it all. You may not like it, but it is entire, complete.To say faultless, however would be to contradict its human quality. After all none of us are.

I've often thought that the English language is seriously lacking in expression for feelings and emotions.We simply do not have the words.We have to say "it's like this" or "it's like that" to try to convey these things, rather than directly say what it is.The Great Gig In The Sky goes straight round the problem and in doing so transcends language and nationhood.No need for description of the emotion being conveyed. Turn it up, Close your eyes, You can feel that."

———-

Clare Torry (and Richard Wright) was sublime, profound, authentic, transcendent on this. It was one of those things that couldn't be done again exactly, or faked or manufactured - a one-off and she did it in the first or second take if I recall correctly, and on short notice with little or no rehearsal which makes it even more astounding.

It was a channeling of a fleeting, ethereal spiritual muse that by stroke of luck got captured on tape. We are all very fortunate for that.
What's wrong with that woman?
 planet_lizard wrote:

Four 10s in a row. Come on Bill make it 5!

Portishead — Glory Box

Henry Mancini & His Orchestra - The Pink Panther Theme

Pink Floyd — Time

Pink Floyd — The Great Gig In The Sky



 
And 4 "P"s in a row - nice alliteration theme Bill

Four 10s in a row. Come on Bill make it 5!

Portishead — Glory Box

Henry Mancini & His Orchestra - The Pink Panther Theme

Pink Floyd — Time

Pink Floyd — The Great Gig In The Sky


 torino390 wrote:
Saw the Australian Pink Floyd earlier this year, and when this track approached, I cringed a little bit. Not easy to pull off. But huge credit to the three girls, they smashed it. Note perfect. And I'm really critical of tribute bands. If you get the chance to go see these guys, I thoroughly recommend it. 

 
My sentiments exactly... they totally nailed it on this song and they're well worth seeing.
Saw the Australian Pink Floyd earlier this year, and when this track approached, I cringed a little bit. Not easy to pull off. But huge credit to the three girls, they smashed it. Note perfect. And I'm really critical of tribute bands. If you get the chance to go see these guys, I thoroughly recommend it. 
 Kaw wrote:

I gave it a low rating for the screaming... {#Fight} Sorry,

 
"Screaming"?  {#Eh}
That would be side 2 of Meddle.  

Boy_Wonder wrote:


Must admit I've never heard the version with whales... sounds a bit New Age for me, think I'll still to the original which seems just fine

 


 Kaw wrote:

I gave it a low rating for the screaming... {#Fight} Sorry,

 
I still do not like the bells in the beginning of Time, but this is the scream of a child who was born to uncertain world, the scream of painful human life. Gives me goosebumps.
 Piranga wrote:
#1 vocal performance of all time.

 
I gave it a low rating for the screaming... {#Fight} Sorry,
Shouldn't everyone get to rate one song an eleven? One song, lifetime total.

How could it not be this one.
#1 vocal performance of all time.
 Andy_B wrote:

Funny, I thought the same when I just heard it again.  I can't think of anything better to exit my funeral with,...those attending and me.

 
Almost every song on this album gives me the chills and goosebumps. Go figure.
Once in awhile it would be really awesome to hear DSotM cover-to-cover on RP. Bill, Rebecca, can you make that happen?

And yeah, this song (Time and on) are just amazing.

Best. Rock Album. Ever. Period!
 jsd52756 wrote:
On a standard grade system this song is amazing.  On a seriously good system this song will get into your soul and flow through your veins.
I told my wife and daughter to play it at my funeral.  And crank the piss outa it.

 
Funny, I thought the same when I just heard it again.  I can't think of anything better to exit my funeral with,...those attending and me.
How many whales does she have?  They must be expensive to feed.  {#Bounce}

Love the song so much I gave it an 11!  Or would if I could.

Boy_Wonder wrote:


Must admit I've never heard the version with whales... sounds a bit New Age for me, think I'll still to the original which seems just fine

 


 Moonflower31 wrote:
That song would be NOTHING without her whales, her pipes, her soul....

 

Must admit I've never heard the version with whales... sounds a bit New Age for me, think I'll still to the original which seems just fine
On a standard grade system this song is amazing.  On a seriously good system this song will get into your soul and flow through your veins.
I told my wife and daughter to play it at my funeral.  And crank the piss outa it.
 springof63 wrote:
The Great Gig In The Sky is the best song in the world, ever. End of.
Contained within it is every human emotion any of us have, or ever will, feel.
No need for words. No language. No translation. Pure emotion.

Its got it all. You may not like it, but it is entire, complete.
To say faultless, however would be to contradict its human quality. After all none of us are.

I've often thought that the English language is seriously lacking in expression for feelings and emotions.
We simply do not have the words.
We have to say "it's like this" or "it's like that" to try to convey these things, rather than directly say what it is.
The Great Gig In The Sky goes straight round the problem and in doing so transcends language and nationhood.
No need for description of the emotion being conveyed. Turn it up, Close your eyes, You can feel that.

 
Exactly.
 BazH wrote:
Great but I don't want to hear it on here, why are you playing all well know stuff together, Waterboys, Hotel California, now this, Im going back to spotify.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     {#Nyah}.PLEASE LOL DON'T LET THE DOOR  HIT YOU IN THE ASS ON THE WAY OUT ENJOY SPOTIFY  CLOWN 


 Moonflower31 wrote:
That song would be NOTHING without her whales, her pipes, her soul....

 
Check out the Immersion version of this, without Clare and with some overdubbed voices from the Apollo mission. The song's not nothing, but it's so significantly different it's a whole different (lesser) experience.

What drugs are you on?   They must have twisted your mind into something like a pretzel made from LSD.

But at least you admit it is a classic.
 


tutakea wrote:
may be a classic... but in the first degree it´s overblown, pretentious and kitschy beyond belief.
prog at it´s worst!

 


Ultimate ace music 10 out of 10 'nuff said
The Great Gig In The Sky is the best song in the world, ever. End of.
Contained within it is every human emotion any of us have, or ever will, feel.
No need for words. No language. No translation. Pure emotion.

Its got it all. You may not like it, but it is entire, complete.
To say faultless, however would be to contradict its human quality. After all none of us are.

I've often thought that the English language is seriously lacking in expression for feelings and emotions.
We simply do not have the words.
We have to say "it's like this" or "it's like that" to try to convey these things, rather than directly say what it is.
The Great Gig In The Sky goes straight round the problem and in doing so transcends language and nationhood.
No need for description of the emotion being conveyed. Turn it up, Close your eyes, You can feel that.
Can't ya?

And its my choice for my 'funeral song', for those very reasons.
Thats my tu'pence worth anyway.
Cheers.

PS
Glad Clare Torry finally got the credit and the cash she deserved.
Justice postponed. But justice nevertheless.
Shame 'they' had to make her beg for it.