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. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    adri - zadar, Croatia
  • 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

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Chris Isaak

Chris IsaakSongwriter Interviews

Chris tells the story of "Wicked Game," talks milkshakes and moonpies at Sun Records, and explains why women always get their way.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music SceneSong Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.

Bible Lyrics

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.