Fearless (Pink Floyd song)
"Fearless" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Pink Floyd | ||||
from the album Meddle | ||||
A-side | "One of These Days" | |||
Released | 29 November 1971[1] | |||
Recorded | January–August 1971 | |||
Studio | AIR, Abbey Road, Morgan studios in London | |||
Genre | Folk rock | |||
Length | 6:08 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Pink Floyd | |||
Pink Floyd singles chronology | ||||
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"Fearless" is the third track on the 1971 album Meddle by Pink Floyd.[2][3] This song was one of several to be considered for the band's "best of" album, Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd.[4]
Recording[]
The song's slow tempo and mellow acoustic sound bear similarities to some of the other tracks on the first side of the album. Roger Waters performed the acoustic guitar parts[5] using an open tuning in G major, taught to Waters by former member Syd Barrett.[6]
Near the beginning and at the end of the song, a field recording of fans in Liverpool's Kop singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" is superimposed over the music. This Rodgers and Hammerstein song became the anthem of Liverpool F.C. after Gerry & the Pacemakers had a number one hit with their recording.
B-side status[]
Although it was not released as a single in the UK and never played live, it was released as the "B-side" of the single "One of These Days" in 1971. Roger Waters briefly resurrected the song for a small number of shows in 2016, and the song was played by Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets on its tours in 2018 and 2019.[7][8]
Reception[]
In a review for the Meddle album, Jean-Charles Costa of Rolling Stone described "Fearless" as "a clever spoof" that "leads up to a classic crowd rendition of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone."[9] Classic Rock Review described "Fearless" as "the best overall song on the album and talks about meeting challenges in the face of adversity."[10] They went on saying "Fearless" is "highlighted by Gilmour’s calm yet strong guitar strumming and the odd beat from drummer Nick Mason."[10]
Personnel[]
- David Gilmour – double-tracked vocals, acoustic and electric guitars
- Roger Waters – bass guitar, acoustic guitar [5]
- Richard Wright – piano
- Nick Mason – drums, tambourine
with:
- Liverpool F.C. Fans Kop – chanting "You'll Never Walk Alone"
In popular culture[]
- In Richard Linklater's film Everybody Wants Some!! (2016), stoner/philosopher Willoughby (Wyatt Russell) plays Pink Floyd's "Fearless" for his housemates while praising the arrangement.
References[]
- ^ Glenn Povey (2007). Echoes: The Complete History of Pink Floyd. Mind Head Publishing. p. 344. ISBN 978-0-9554624-0-5.
- ^ Strong, Martin C. (2004). The Great Rock Discography (7th ed.). Edinburgh: Canongate Books. p. 1177. ISBN 1-84195-551-5.
- ^ Mabbett, Andy (1995). The Complete Guide to the Music of Pink Floyd. London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-4301-X.
- ^ Guthrie, James. "James Guthrie: Audio: Building A Compilation Album". Pink Floyd. Archived from the original on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Interview: Pink Floyd's Nick Mason, Engineer John Leckie Discuss the Making of 'Meddle'". Guitarworld.com. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ The Amazing Pudding archive, The Pink Floyd Fan Club.
- ^ "Roger Waters Setlist at Desert Trip". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ "Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets Setlist at The Half Moon, London". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
- ^ Costa, Jean-Charles (6 January 1972). "Meddle". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Meddle by Pink Floyd | Classic Rock Review". 27 January 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
External links[]
- Pink Floyd songs
- 1971 songs
- 1970s ballads
- Liverpool F.C. songs
- Folk rock songs
- Rock ballads
- Songs written by David Gilmour
- Songs written by Roger Waters
- Song recordings produced by David Gilmour
- Song recordings produced by Roger Waters
- Song recordings produced by Richard Wright (musician)
- Song recordings produced by Nick Mason