Childhood's End

Album: Obscured by Clouds (1972)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was one of the highlights of the album Obscured By Clouds, which is a soundtrack to the French film Le Valle (The Valley).
  • The name "Childhood's End" is taken from Arthur C. Clarke's science fiction novel of the same title. Although David Gilmour knew of the novel, the lyrics have little to do with the book. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Matthew - Germantown, MD, for above 2

Comments: 13

  • Awolf2000+ from FloridaI watched the mini series
    Dave Gilmour's lyrics are the same as the movie.
    All iron turned to rust all the proud men turned to dust!
    The end is the same
  • Jeffrey from Wilkes-barre, PaThis song speaks to me so well. The fact that they're stating that when you grow up, life's a lot more different than it was when you were innocent. To really sit in silence and listen to it is mesmerizing and it makes you think about how you should live your life to the fullest and still keep time in your adult life to be a child again; it will keep you a little more sane than others around you!
  • Oldpink from New Castle, InThis is one of the few songs from Floyd with Dave Gilmour penned lyrics, and excellent lyrics at that.
    Great song from a woefully overlooked album called "Obscured by Clouds."
    Highly recommended album, that.
  • Madalyn from Greensburg, Palyrics are brilliant...so is the openig...one of my favorite pink floyd song...obsured by clouds is a good album...i mean the dept of it all boggles my mind to think wow, these guys lived what i am living now...i wish the song wouldn't end or was a little long but it is sheer genius. much love
  • Fool from Atherton, Cathis is one of my favorite pink floyd songs. I think it sounds a lot like Time. They re-used a lot of aspects of this song again in Time. I think this is the best song on the CD
  • Ryan from Plano, TxThis song always seemed a little too short, in my opinion. The same goes for Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls". Oh well.
  • Fkajkfknci from Sfcgsg, Mii love the albuam and this is one of my favorite song on the albuam beacuase it sounds kinda like syd barret. their are more coment tony
  • Sully from Clinton, MaThis is one of David Gilmour's first solos that souds like his trademark solo sound. GREAT SONG!!
  • Evan from Flower Mound, TxThis is my favourite song by pink floyd, it combines syd's style with future styles of dark side of the moon and wish you were here. rick wright did a spectacular job on this.
  • Taylor from Tarboro, NcI guess many people overlook the Obscured By Clouds album but I think it contains a lot of really interesting and good songs. This is an excellent song that kind of reminds me of "Time". I think the whole album really showed where the band was about to head in the 1970's.
  • Shawn from Rochester, NhI always thought this was the first song that really hinted towards the direction the Floyd was going. This is a great David Gilmour number.
  • Tony from St Louis, Moi love this song how come there arent any other coments?
  • Robert from Puyallup, WaChris De Burgh, of "The Lady In Red" fame, refers to "Childhood's End" as well as HAL9000 and David Bowman from "2001, A Space Odyssey", in his song "Where We Will Be Going".
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

Janis Ian

Janis IanSongwriter Interviews

One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.