The Nile Song
Encyclopedia
"The Nile Song" is the second song from Pink Floyd
's 1969 album, Soundtrack from the Film More. Released as a single in 1969, it was written by Roger Waters
. The B-side "Ibiza Bar
"; also from the album More, reprises a similar theme. Andy Kellman of Allmusic describes "The Nile Song" as "one of the heaviest
songs the band recorded". The chord progression
gives a strain of modulation
s, beginning at A, and then rising a whole step with each repeat, cycling through six different keys, returning to the starting point of A, and continuing the pattern as the song fades out.
"The Nile Song" was covered by the Necros
, on their 1986 album Tangled Up; by Mary Goes Round
, on their 1989 album 70 Suns in the Sky; by Panthers
; by Voivod
, on their 1993 album, The Outer Limits
; and by Dreadnaught
, on their 2001 EP One Piece Missing
.
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 1969 album, Soundtrack from the Film More. Released as a single in 1969, it was 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...
. The B-side "Ibiza Bar
Ibiza Bar
"Ibiza Bar" is a song written and performed by the English rock band, Pink Floyd, and featured on their third album, Soundtrack from the Film More. It opens with a riff very similar to that of "The Nile Song". However, unlike that track, the song does not cycle through several keys and Gilmour's...
"; also from the album More, reprises a similar theme. Andy Kellman of Allmusic describes "The Nile Song" as "one of the heaviest
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
songs the band recorded". The chord progression
Chord progression
A chord progression is a series of musical chords, or chord changes that "aims for a definite goal" of establishing a tonality founded on a key, root or tonic chord. In other words, the succession of root relationships...
gives a strain of modulation
Modulation (music)
In music, modulation is most commonly the act or process of changing from one key to another. This may or may not be accompanied by a change in key signature. Modulations articulate or create the structure or form of many pieces, as well as add interest...
s, beginning at A, and then rising a whole step with each repeat, cycling through six different keys, returning to the starting point of A, and continuing the pattern as the song fades out.
"The Nile Song" was covered by the Necros
Necros
Necros were an early American hardcore punk band from Maumee, Ohio, although they are usually identified with the Detroit music scene. They are the first band to record for Touch and Go Records.-History:...
, on their 1986 album Tangled Up; by Mary Goes Round
Mary Goes Round
Mary Goes Round is the name of a French new wave band created by Jérôme Avril and Cécile Balladino , active between the middle of the 1980s and the middle of the 1990s...
, on their 1989 album 70 Suns in the Sky; by Panthers
Panthers (band)
Panthers is an American rock band from Brooklyn, New York. The Village Voice described them as "groundbreaking dissonant HC with Rolling Stones swagger." Three members were previously in the hardcore band Orchid. Panthers have released four records. The most recent two, The Trick and Things Are...
; by Voivod
Voivod (band)
Voivod are a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Quebec, Canada. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s...
, on their 1993 album, The Outer Limits
The Outer Limits (album)
The Outer Limits is the seventh album released by Canadian heavy metal band Voivod, issued via Mechanic/MCA Records in 1993. This was the final album to feature vocalist Denis Bélanger until his 2002 return....
; and by Dreadnaught
Dreadnaught (heavy metal band)
Dreadnaught is a heavy metal band from Melbourne, Australia. The group was formed out of the remnants of some Tasmanian bands including Fridge from Launceston who recorded an album in 1994....
, on their 2001 EP One Piece Missing
One Piece Missing
One Piece Missing is the second EP by Australian heavy metal band Dreadnaught. It was the first recording not to include original bassist Andrew Squires, which inspired the name of the EP and would prove to be the last Dreadnaught recording for drummer Aaren Suttil. This was released in 2001 by...
.
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...
– bass - 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 guitar, 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