Sysyphus Parts 1-4 by Pink Floyd

Album: Ummagumma (1969)

License This Song

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Sysyphus, more commonly spelled as 'Sisyphus,' was a figure of Greek mythology who was punished by being made to roll a rock up a hill for all eternity. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Phil - Liverpool, England
Conventional wisdom is that this music was made under the influence of LSD, but that's a common misconception about Pink Floyd. With the exception of their founding member Syd Barrett, the band wasn't big on acid, but was very adventurous musically. Said David Gilmour: "We were fairly brave, and would put anything on a record that amused us one way or another."

Comments: 8

Chad Pittman from Newport KentuckyA song off of pink Floyd's best album I have enjoyed the album umaguma the best to me it is their best album astronomy domain written by Barrett performed by Pink Floyd live the narrow way Parts one through three and grandchester Meadows and several species of small furry animals gather together in a cave and grooving with a pict it is by far the Floyd's best album.
John Calvert from Manchestera track from what in my opinion is easily the best pink floyd album....why...? Because its so out there...it bravely attempts to do something new and different...inventive and surprising which is how rock music ought to be....i well remember how disappointed i was with dark side of the moon...i found it dull and unexciting musically.. nevertheless it sold millions..but for me the Floyd were at their finest when they were experimental.....despite them constantly decrying their early work...i much prefer it to the plodding monotony of their later albums...and all those wailing women and farting saxophones did nothing for me neither...
Jeremy from Ventura, CaR.I.P Mr. Wright
1943-2008
Bill from Erie, PaThis was an hommage to Rick Wright's favorite composer, the German avantguardist Karlheinz Stockhausen, who just passed away at the end of last year. Stockhausen was known for his groundbreaking work with electronic sounds and controlled chance in serial music, and he appeared on the cover of the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". Both Wright and Roger Waters have paid tribute to his influence on the band.
Bill from Erie, PaWright used only keyboard instruments on this song- keyboards, piano and organ.
Ryan from Plano, Txit makes sense that "Sysyphus" is about the greek figure of the same name, since part one and the last half of part four sound alike (i.e. starting to roll the boulder up the hill, then the sudden shrieking organs symbolize the boulder rolling back down the hill, then it reverts to the part one music to symbolize him beginning to roll the rock back up the hill)
John from Acton, CaI like part two of Sysyphus. It shows the genius of Wright. It is remnant of classical music.
Liquid Len from Ottawa, CanadaOften not so much music as exasperating random noise, listening to this song can be somewhat like the described torment of Sysyphus.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Live ForeverOasis

The Oasis song "Live Forever" was written in response to "I Hate Myself And I Want To Die" by Nirvana. "Kids don't need to hear that nonsense," said Noel Gallagher.

Put Your Records OnCorinne Bailey Rae

Corinne Bailey Rae's 2006 hit "Put Your Records On" borrows the opening line ("Three little birds sat on my window") from the Bob Marley song "Three Little Birds." Both songs have the same message: Don't worry, because every little thing's going to be alright.

When I'm 64The Beatles

In The Beatles' "When I'm 64," Paul McCartney asks a woman if she'll still be there for him when he's 64. In 2006, he got his answer when shortly before his 64th birthday, he and Heather Mills separated.

Try AgainAaliyah

Until December 5, 1998, a song had to be issued as a single to make the Hot 100. Aaliyah's "Try Again" was the first tune to top the chart based on airplay alone, without any sales figures being included.

I Remember EverythingZach Bryan

Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves had both gone through divorces when they wrote and recorded the wrenching duet "I Remember Everything." It was the first #1 Hot 100 hit for each of them.

Bad RomanceLady Gaga

Lady Gaga is a big fan of horror movies; listen for the names of these three Alfred Hitchcock films in the lyrics to "Bad Romance": Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window.