Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun

Album: A Saucerful Of Secrets (1968)
Play Video
  • Little by little the night turns around
    Counting the leaves which tremble and turn
    Lotus's lean on each other in union
    Over the hills where a swallow is resting
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

    Over the mountain watching the watcher
    Breaking the darkness waking the grapevine
    Morning to birth is born into shadow
    Love is the shadow that ripens the wine
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

    Set the controls for the heart of the sun

    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun

    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun

    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun

    Who is the man who arrives at the wall?
    Making the shape of his questions at asking
    Thinking the sun will fall in the evening
    Will he remember the lesson of giving?
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun

    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
    The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun Writer/s: George Roger Waters
    Publisher: T.R.O. INC.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 16

  • Chad Pittman from Newport KentuckySet the controls for the heart of the Sun comes off of my favorite album umaguma
  • Mreenal from Darjeeling, Indiabeautiful song.. when i first heard it i thought it had oriental influences..
  • Michael from Middletown, Ctthis song isnt about a space pilot commiting suicide
    roger waters said that it was about the space era coming into play, watch their documentary
  • Oldpink from New Castle, InMuch of the eerie guitar effect in the free form section in the middle was Dave Gilmour using a slide rubbed back and forth across the strings on the fretboard.
    It's a great song, and one that was played all the way up until 1973, and for good reason.
  • Justin from Montpelier, VtThe "Live in Pompeii" version contains a delayed keyboard part in the middle of the song. Without any rythem section to go along with it, the keyboard creates a very haunting, free-floating atmosphere.
  • Ryan from Plano, TxUmmagumma's live version completely blows the studio cut out of the water with a bit of a psychedelic soundscape added into the middle of the song. Pink Floyd really did know how to improvise back in the day.
  • Mike from Dayton, OhSet The Controls is my most favorite song period. Hard to beleive coming from someone who likes Slayer,Sabbath,Sepultura etc...The Live at Pompeii & Umma Gumma versions are my most favorite.Not to mention that The Floyd are #1 in my book, especially 67-83
  • Michelle from San Diego , Cai just love the creativity from all original members of the band. together and seperated they literally made music that i consider magical.
  • Dev01d from Wollongong, AustraliaThis song is one of my top 5 Pink Floyd songs even though it is so hard to pick favourites, especially from the best band ever. The whole 'Live In Pompeii' DVD is just amazing. The eerie atmosphere fits with the songs so well.
  • Bill from Erie, PaThe song is about a space pilot who decides to commit suicide by sending his ship to burn up in the Sun... suprised no one has mentioned that.
  • Ashley from Moncton, CanadaThis song rules. It's a very awesome song by a very awesome band and if you don't like it you must be nuts.
  • Andrew from TorontoBeautiful song very sad but mysterious and joyous at the same time.The early Floyd stuff brings back that familiar taste on my tongue.
  • Tom from Berlin, MdThe Pompeii version is the greatest version of this, in my opinion.
  • James from Sudbury, Canadathe whole thing was from the book... cept the name
  • Corey from Dark Side Of The Moon, OtherCheck out the Pompeii version as well. VERY trippy.
  • Randy from Beaumont, TxThere's a GREAT version on the DVD "Roger Waters, In the Flesh".
see more comments

Editor's Picks

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.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")Song Writing

Wes Edwards takes us behind the scenes of videos he shot for Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley and Chase Bryant. The train was real - the airplane was not.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.