Fat Old Sun

Album: Atom Heart Mother (1970)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour wrote this and sang lead. Gilmour played every instrument on the track with the exception of keyboards, which were played by Richard Wright.
  • David Gilmour (from The Sun September 26, 2008): "I've always liked the song, one of the first I ever wrote. I tried to persuade the rest of the Pink Floyd guys that it should go on Echoes: The Best Of Pink Floyd but they weren't having it. I played the drums on the original recording but the drums are so bad."

Comments: 10

  • Robert from Why?Gilmore at his best! I love their "signature sounds" (the bells, the shrieks in the middle of Echoes, Gilmore's slide, random nonsense :) )
  • Hope from Watertown, NyOne of my fav's, in regards to similar lyrics, isn't it a regular thing to use slang and popular phrases in songs, don't think anyone is stealing just using the lingo of the time.
  • Terry from Wickford, RiYes, the live versions of this were far better than the studio recording and David's inclusion of it on his recent solo outings prove that. One of my favorite Gilmour solos whenever he plays it - '71 or '06!
  • Tristan from Philadelphia, PaYes, it is the same as the doors, but was written two years later. First time I heard that I said; Wait! Doesn't take away from the quality of this song though. This is my favorite Gilmour song.
  • Chloe from St. Louis, Mofantastic work by dave- haunting and beautiful. something that i always find wierd, though- "summer sunday and a year"? isnt that the same lyric as the door's song "love street"?
  • Oldpink from New Castle, InMarcelo,
    Uh, the reason those bells sound identical is because they were borrowed from the huge Abbey Road sound effect tape library.
    The birds chirping for "Cirrus Minor" were used extensively for live performances, especially for "Grantchester Meadows."
    Whatever, this is a beautiful song.
    As usual, the boys did it even better live, especially the 1971 San Diego performance.
    Don't you just WISH you had that recording?
    ;-)
  • Todd from Philadelphia, PaGreat, laid-back type of ballad, with thunderous guitar riffs by a master; D. Gilmor.
  • Nathan from Austin, TxThis song is one of the top 5 most underrated songs of all time. Dave's version from the Remember that Night concert is amazing.
  • Marcelo from Carapicuiba, BrazilIt is ***really strange*** , buf if you listen close the beginning of the song (CD remastered version), you will hear some bells tolling in high speed, which for me sounds very similar to those found on the begining of High Hopes - recorded almost 25 years later!!!!
    Regards. Marcelo
  • Billy J from San Antonio, Txi love the guitar solo,it could go on and on,to me it builds and builds or in music terms cresendo,
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Christopher Cross

Christopher CrossSongwriter Interviews

The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

Def Leppard Quiz

Def Leppard QuizMusic Quiz

Can you name Def Leppard's only #1 hit in America? Get rocked with this adrenalized quiz.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.