The Show Must Go On (Pink Floyd song)
Encyclopedia
"The Show Must Go On" (working titles "Who's Sorry Now", "(It's) Never Too Late"), a song by English
rock band Pink Floyd
, that appeared on their 1979 album The Wall
. It was written by Roger Waters
and sung by David Gilmour
.
wanted to create a "Beach Boys
" type sound for the backing, and got Bruce Johnston
to come and help create it, but this was only after The Beach Boys themselves were approached to provide the backing vocals and had agreed, only to cancel at the last possible moment (the morning of the session, October 2, 1979). The song also closely resembles chord patterns found in "Mother
", "In the Flesh", and "Waiting for the Worms
". The song strongly resembles Queen's
music not only through the harmonising voices but through its lyrics and title. (Queen would record a song of the same name
in 1991, which starts with the line "Empty Spaces
", a song from The Wall).
This track does not appear in the 1982 film version of The Wall nor in Roger Waters' post-Pink Floyd 1990 concert The Wall – Live in Berlin. It also has an extra verse that was cut from the studio album, but nevertheless appears on its sleeve.
Do I have to stand up
Wild eyed in the spotlight
What a nightmare Why!
Don't I turn and run
After this, the line "There must be some mistake..." starts.
The full song was performed live in concert, and as such appears on Is There Anybody Out There? The Wall Live 1980–81.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rock band 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...
, that appeared on their 1979 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...
. 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...
and sung 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...
.
Overview
Roger WatersRoger 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...
wanted to create a "Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
" type sound for the backing, and got Bruce Johnston
Bruce Johnston
Bruce Arthur Johnston is a member of The Beach Boys and a songwriter, remembered especially for composing "I Write the Songs". Johnston was not one of the original members of the band...
to come and help create it, but this was only after The Beach Boys themselves were approached to provide the backing vocals and had agreed, only to cancel at the last possible moment (the morning of the session, October 2, 1979). The song also closely resembles chord patterns found in "Mother
Mother (Pink Floyd song)
"Mother" is a song by Pink Floyd. It appeared on The Wall album in 1979. The song is notable for its varied use of time signatures.-Composition:...
", "In the Flesh", and "Waiting for the Worms
Waiting for the Worms
"Waiting for the Worms" is a song from the 1979 Pink Floyd album The Wall. It is preceded by "Run Like Hell" and followed by "Stop".-Overview:...
". The song strongly resembles Queen's
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
music not only through the harmonising voices but through its lyrics and title. (Queen would record a song of the same name
The Show Must Go On (Queen song)
"The Show Must Go On" is a song by English rock band Queen, featured as the twelfth and final track on their 1991 album Innuendo. It is credited to Queen, but written primarily by Brian May. The song chronicles the effort of Freddie Mercury continuing to perform despite approaching the end of his...
in 1991, which starts with the line "Empty Spaces
Empty Spaces
"Empty Spaces" is a song by Pink Floyd. It appeared on The Wall album in 1979.-Composition:The song is 2 minutes and 10 seconds in length and features a long introductory section, which includes an airport announcement, a reference to Pink heading for an American tour. At approximately 48 seconds...
", a song from The Wall).
This track does not appear in the 1982 film version of The Wall nor in Roger Waters' post-Pink Floyd 1990 concert The Wall – Live in Berlin. It also has an extra verse that was cut from the studio album, but nevertheless appears on its sleeve.
Do I have to stand up
Wild eyed in the spotlight
What a nightmare Why!
Don't I turn and run
After this, the line "There must be some mistake..." starts.
The full song was performed live in concert, and as such appears on Is There Anybody Out There? The Wall Live 1980–81.
Plot
As with the other songs on The Wall, "The Show Must Go On" tells a segment of the story of Pink, the story's protagonist. The song represents his conversation with his manager, or perhaps with himself, about if the show must go on. This song leads into "In the Flesh", where he performs in said show.Personnel
- 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...
— vocals, guitars, bass guitar, roto toms - 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 - 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...
— synthesiser - Bruce JohnstonBruce JohnstonBruce Arthur Johnston is a member of The Beach Boys and a songwriter, remembered especially for composing "I Write the Songs". Johnston was not one of the original members of the band...
— backing vocals - Bob EzrinBob EzrinRobert Alan "Bob" Ezrin is a Canadian music producer and keyboardist, known for his work with artists including Alice Cooper, Kiss and Pink Floyd. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2004.-Biography:...
— synthesizer, piano - Joe Chemay — backing vocals
- Stan Farber — backing vocals
- Jim Haas — backing vocals
- John Joyce — backing vocals
- Toni TennilleToni TennilleCathryn Antoinette "Toni" Tennille is one-half of the 1970s Grammy Award-winning duo Captain & Tennille. Tennille has also done musical work independently of her husband Daryl Dragon. Tennille has a contralto vocal range.-Biography:...
— backing vocals
Further reading
- Fitch, Vernon. The Pink Floyd Encyclopedia (3rd edition), 2005. ISBN 1-894959-24-8.