Apples and Oranges (song)
Encyclopedia
"Apples and Oranges" is the third United Kingdom
single by Pink Floyd
and the final one written by Syd Barrett
. The B-side was "Paint Box" written by Richard Wright
. The song is about a girl whom the narrator meets at the supermarket. It is one of a handful of songs by Pink Floyd which deal directly with love.
The Pink Floyd, along with Barrett, mimed the song on their first US televised performance on American Bandstand
. After Barrett was replaced by David Gilmour
, the band recorded a promotional film in Belgium in a fruit market with Waters lip synching.
This was the group's first single that failed to break into the U.K. charts, and their U.S. label Tower Records
issued a U.S.-only single instead: "Flaming
" b/w "The Gnome
" (Tower 378). Waters blamed the single's sales performance on Norman Smith: "'Apples and Oranges' was destroyed by the production. It's a fucking good song."
Both sides of the single were mixed in stereo, but the single was issued in mono. The stereo mix of "Paintbox" first appeared on the Relics
compilation (1971), and both tracks appeared in stereo on the Masters of Rock compilation (1974). The other four early U.K. singles were issued in mono originally. "Arnold Layne
", "See Emily Play
", "It Would Be So Nice
", and "Point Me at the Sky
" only exist in mono or false stereo, while "Julia Dream
" and possibly "Careful With That Axe, Eugene
" were remixed for stereo at a later time, for inclusion on Relics. Mono and stereo mixes of "Apples and Oranges" and the mono mix of "Paint Box" are included in the 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition release of The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
single by Pink Floyd
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...
and the final one written by Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
. The B-side was "Paint Box" written 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...
. The song is about a girl whom the narrator meets at the supermarket. It is one of a handful of songs by Pink Floyd which deal directly with love.
The Pink Floyd, along with Barrett, mimed the song on their first US televised performance on American Bandstand
American Bandstand
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
. After Barrett was replaced 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 band recorded a promotional film in Belgium in a fruit market with Waters lip synching.
This was the group's first single that failed to break into the U.K. charts, and their U.S. label Tower Records
Tower Records (record label)
Tower Records was a record label from 1964 to 1970. A subsidiary of Capitol Records, Tower often released music by artists who were relatively low profile in comparison to those released on the parent label, including a number of artists—such as The Standells and The Chocolate Watch Band—later...
issued a U.S.-only single instead: "Flaming
Flaming (Pink Floyd song)
"Flaming" is a song by psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd, and is featured in their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. The song, written by Syd Barrett, is basically a child-like game scenario between two friends, hence "Lazing in the foggy dew"...
" b/w "The Gnome
The Gnome
"The Gnome" is a song by British psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd. It was written by the band's first leader, Syd Barrett. "The Gnome" is the 8th song on their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.-Information:...
" (Tower 378). Waters blamed the single's sales performance on Norman Smith: "'Apples and Oranges' was destroyed by the production. It's a fucking good song."
Both sides of the single were mixed in stereo, but the single was issued in mono. The stereo mix of "Paintbox" first appeared on the Relics
Relics (Pink Floyd album)
Relics is a compilation album by Pink Floyd released in 1971. The album was released on 14 May in the UK and 15 July in the United States. A re-mastered CD was released in 1995 with a different album cover, a three-dimensional version of the original sketch drawn by drummer Nick Mason for the...
compilation (1971), and both tracks appeared in stereo on the Masters of Rock compilation (1974). The other four early U.K. singles were issued in mono originally. "Arnold Layne
Arnold Layne
David Gilmour, during his solo tour promoting On an Island, unexpectedly added the song to the setlist near the end of the American tour on the 17 April 2006 show at the Oakland Paramount Theatre...
", "See Emily Play
See Emily Play
"See Emily Play" was the second single recorded by the English psychedelic rock group Pink Floyd. It was written by original frontman Syd Barrett and recorded on 23 May 1967. The single featured "Scarecrow" as its B-side...
", "It Would Be So Nice
It Would Be So Nice
"It Would Be So Nice" is a 1968 song by the rock band, Pink Floyd, written by Richard Wright. It was released as the fourth single by the group. The song was left out of the 1971 collection Relics and prior to the release of The Early Singles in 1992 with the box set Shine On it was only available...
", and "Point Me at the Sky
Point Me at the Sky
"Point Me at the Sky" is the fifth United Kingdom single by the British band Pink Floyd, released on 17 December 1968. The song was an early collaboration by bassist Roger Waters and guitarist David Gilmour. The single was not released in the United States However, it was released by Capitol...
" only exist in mono or false stereo, while "Julia Dream
Julia Dream
"Julia Dream" is the B-side of the Pink Floyd single "It Would Be So Nice". It was later issued on several compilation albums: The Best of the Pink Floyd, Relics, and The Early Singles disc included in the Shine On box set...
" and possibly "Careful With That Axe, Eugene
Careful with That Axe, Eugene
"Careful with That Axe, Eugene" is an instrumental song by the British band Pink Floyd. The studio recording was originally released as the B-side of their single "Point Me at the Sky" and is also featured on the Relics compilation album; live versions can also be found on Ummagumma and in the film...
" were remixed for stereo at a later time, for inclusion on Relics. Mono and stereo mixes of "Apples and Oranges" and the mono mix of "Paint Box" are included in the 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition release of The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn is the debut album by the English rock group Pink Floyd, and the only one made under founding member Syd Barrett's leadership. The album contains whimsical lyrics about space, scarecrows, gnomes, bicycles and fairy tales, along with psychedelic instrumental songs...
.
Quotes
- "It's a happy song, and it's got a touch of Christmas. It's about a girl who I saw just walking round town, in Richmond." — Syd Barrett
Personnel
- Syd BarrettSyd BarrettSyd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
— Guitar and Vocals - 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...
— Keyboard and Backing vocals - 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 and Backing 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