Up the Khyber
Encyclopedia
"Up the Khyber" is an instrumental by the British rock band Pink Floyd
. It was written by their drummer Nick Mason
, and keyboardist Richard Wright
.
's Soundtrack from the Film More. It is the only Pink Floyd song credited to Mason/Wright.
The title is something of a rude joke since 'Khyber' is Cockney
rhyming slang ('Khyber Pass
' = 'arse
'). It may also allude to the 1968 film Carry On... Up the Khyber.
where it was entitled, "Doing It!". It was also played as a part of "Interstellar Overdrive
".
", "The Grand Vizier's Garden Party
(Entertainment)", and "Party Sequence
". All of these prominently feature drums.
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...
. It was written by their drummer Nick Mason
Nick Mason
Nicholas 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...
, and keyboardist 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...
.
Overview
Essentially, the piece is an extended drum solo with added hectic piano playing haunting organ lines and unusual tape effects. It is approximately 2 minutes and 12 seconds long, and first appeared on Pink FloydPink 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 Soundtrack from the Film More. It is the only Pink Floyd song credited to Mason/Wright.
The title is something of a rude joke since 'Khyber' is Cockney
Cockney
The term Cockney has both geographical and linguistic associations. Geographically and culturally, it often refers to working class Londoners, particularly those in the East End...
rhyming slang ('Khyber Pass
Khyber Pass
The Khyber Pass, is a mountain pass linking Pakistan and Afghanistan.The Pass was an integral part of the ancient Silk Road. It is mentioned in the Bible as the "Pesh Habor," and it is one of the oldest known passes in the world....
' = 'arse
Buttocks
The buttocks are two rounded portions of the anatomy, located on the posterior of the pelvic region of apes and humans, and many other bipeds or quadrupeds, and comprise a layer of fat superimposed on the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles. Physiologically, the buttocks enable weight to...
'). It may also allude to the 1968 film Carry On... Up the Khyber.
Live
The song was played live in a slightly altered state on The Man and the JourneyThe Man and the Journey
The Man and The Journey are the names of two album-length suites of music performed in concert by Pink Floyd during their 1969 tour. They consist of several of their early songs coupled with material that would appear on Soundtrack from the Film More and Ummagumma, as well as unreleased songs...
where it was entitled, "Doing It!". It was also played as a part of "Interstellar Overdrive
Interstellar Overdrive
"Interstellar Overdrive" is a psychedelic composition written by Pink Floyd in 1966, which appears on their 1967 debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn at almost ten minutes in length. An earlier, longer recording, 16:52, can be heard on the soundtrack to the film Tonite Let's All Make Love in...
".
The Man and The Journey
"Up the Khyber" was one of the many tracks which were played at some point or another as "Doing It". Others include "Syncopated PandemoniumA Saucerful of Secrets (song)
"A Saucerful of Secrets" is a multi-part instrumental composition by the rock band Pink Floyd from the album A Saucerful of Secrets, released in 1968. The track lasts 11:52 and was composed by band members Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Nick Mason, and David Gilmour...
", "The Grand Vizier's Garden Party
The Grand Vizier's Garden Party
"The Grand Vizier's Garden Party" is a three-part instrumental from Pink Floyd's Ummagumma album. All three parts are written by Nick Mason following the structure of the album in which each band member made his own composition...
(Entertainment)", and "Party Sequence
Party Sequence
"Party Sequence" is the seventh track by the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd on their third album, Soundtrack from the Film More. It is a short instrumental credited to all members of the band, and consists of a sequence of tribal percussion, and a penny whistle playing the melody to...
". All of these prominently feature drums.
Personnel
- Rick 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...
— organ and piano - 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 - 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, tape effects