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Pink Floyd — Have A Cigar
Album: Wish You Were Here
Avg rating:
8.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4774









Released: 1975
Length: 5:04
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Come in here, dear boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go far
You're gonna fly high, you're never gonna die
You're gonna make it if you try, they're gonna love you
Well, I've always had a deep respect, and I mean that most sincerely
The band is just fantastic, that is really what I think
Oh, by the way - which one's Pink?

And did we tell you the name of the game, boy?
We call it "Riding the Gravy Train"

We're just knocked out, we heard about the sell out
You gotta get an album out, you owe it to the people
We're so happy we can hardly count
Everybody else is just green, have you seen the chart?
It's a hell of a start, it could be made into a monster
If we all pull together as a team

And did we tell you the name of the game, boy?
We call it "Riding the Gravy Train"

''(Spoken, imitating the changing of radio stations)''
''"...Disciplinary it remains mercifully."
"Yes, and then... Derek, this star nonsense."
"Yes, yes."
"Now which is it?"
"I'm sure of it."''
Comments (276)add comment
What an ALBUM !! 
 Dave_Mack wrote:

This album is incredible all the way through.



It has aged well.  My music professor said Pink Floyd will be admired well like Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms are today in centuries hence. 
 awinter21 wrote:

Animals, a great under appreciated album.
Do yourself a favor and check out Animals....



Yes and yes. It didn't have the hit "single" to satisfy standard FM airplay.
 ckcotton wrote:
Animals, a great under appreciated album. 
Do yourself a favor and check out Animals....


Für die Ewigkeit!
 maboleth wrote:

Annoying vocals, overrated music by old elitists.


Now THAT'S funny!!!
Riding the gravy train about sums it up for many aspects of our lives.
Running out of 10 ratings today, so I will just bump this up a notch. 
I'm 72.
  Saw them live a million years ago. somewhere in London. Outdoors..nighttime... still consider them the best...
Back in 1975 I got a copy of this album for my birthday right when it came out.  Actually, I got two copies.  When I went to the record store to return one, there was a line of people who wanted to buy it but they were sold out.  When the guy at the counter saw I had one to return he said "Thank God!" and grabbed it out of my hands.
 ckcotton wrote:

Do yourself a favor and check out Animals....

Done, but I still prefer WYWH 
Oh my..  What a crush I had on David Gilmour back in the 70's..
Is there a better song about the sleaziness of the record business?
'Hats Off To Harper' 
 huib wrote:


Which one is Pink?

(is what I really think)



The band is just fantastic!
 walk2k wrote:



is that really what you think?


Which one is Pink?

(is what I really think)
It is good, but there are better tracks on the album.
 carmelmik wrote:

just an amazing sound, simply amazing.




is that really what you think?
just an amazing sound, simply amazing.
 Snipey wrote:

I used to really like this; now it's stale. 


No need to tell us about the yogurt in the back of your fridge.
Great song though!
 GameShow wrote:

It's Pink Floyd. 10/10


...bu who does it sound like?!
GREAT! Excellent tune!! ...I just happen to be listening with 1975 vintage Sennheiser HD 414 headphones! ...in FLAC w/ great amp & DAC!! ...totally cool!!
It's Pink Floyd. 10/10
 Snipey wrote:

I used to really like this; now it's stale. 



That's a bummer for you. To me, this is evergreen. 
I used to really like this; now it's stale. 
"The band is just fantastic, that is really what I think
Oh, by the way - which one's Pink?"

Such a classic line, it perfectly encompasses the cluelessness of some reps.
 JK27 wrote:

"The band is just fantastic, that's really what I think. By the way, which one's 'Pink'?" Awesome! My day just got a bit better! P.S. Why cut off the end of the song? No, no, no!



It's always disappointing to not hear it transition into Wish You Were Here. Just a phenomenal album from start to finish!
 lizardking wrote:

I watched a pretty good WYWH documentary (I think it's still on Netflix) with a part about Harper vocal, and how the band ultimately wished they'd done it themselves. 

I'm still upset that I was born in the late 70's instead of the late 50's and could have been around when this was coming out.  Oh well!

And of course, like almost all PF music, it plays better as part of the entire album and not on it's own.




Well, check out Roys son Nick Harper. Strongly recommended.
 Relayer wrote:

This is one of the rare PF songs where David Gilmour does not sound like himself.  He is doing a style that is very different than his usual brilliance.  


That's because it's not Gilmour singing, it's Roy Harper.
 markybx wrote:
Is that xxx on yyy?  



Leave your politics elsewhere please.
51 RP listeners rated this work of art as a "1"?

Not sure what else to say.  Unless it's to paraphrase Mr. T: "I pity the poor fools"
I hear those opening notes, I turn the volume WAY up no matter where I am!
If there is a down side to this song, it is that Pink Floyd rarely performed it live, probably because they used an outside vocalist for the song.  Would love to hear a version sung by Gilmour.   I think there may be some early versions with Waters/Gilmour on the Immersion release of the album, I better check. 
 ddbz wrote:
I never felt this song fit onto 'wish you were here', I always thought it was something they couldn't fit onto 'Dark Side' but was way to good to hold on to?
 

I think it was their reaction to the success of Dark Side and how suddenly they were the darling of the label. 
Great Guitar and Voice
Back in the day... early '79 to be exact I had the privilege to hang out on the south coast of Crete listening to this whole album drinking cheap red wine at 11 in the morning    Well maybe we started with shots of ouzo and calamari. 
You know... it's 5 o'clock somewhere, and hey we were on an extended vacation!
I never felt this song fit onto 'wish you were here', I always thought it was something they couldn't fit onto 'Dark Side' but was way to good to hold on to?
This and You Never Give Me Your Money belong together. Great music and lyrics.
Epic.  Ground breaking.

10
Excellent seque into this (October 20 2020)
This is one of the rare PF songs where David Gilmour does not sound like himself.  He is doing a style that is very different than his usual brilliance.  And it works great of course, because Gilmour is God.
 markybx wrote:
Is that Donald Trump on fire? {#Clap} Looks like him and his pants are on fire... that means something, doesn't it?
 

Lyrics kinda sound like him too. 
 markybx wrote:
Is that Donald Trump on fire? {#Clap} Looks like him and his pants are on fire... that means something, doesn't it?



https://66.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyje14l6Lo1qj6zo2o1_500.gif


Not their best.

7
Timeless! Amazing!
Just wishful thinking, sorry.

 
markybx wrote:
Is that Donald Trump on fire? {#Clap} Looks like him and his pants are on fire... that means something, doesn't it?
 

 markybx wrote:
Is that Donald Trump on fire? {#Clap} Looks like him and his pants are on fire... that means something, doesn't it?
 
No, it is not our President, but Roger Waters would probably approve of your sentiments nonetheless...  
Hats off to Roy Harper
Drugs are not for everybody.


 
unclehud wrote:

When we heard this for the first time -- as freshmen in college -- we were absolutely convinced we'd blown out the speakers.  Lifted the stylus and did a half-dozen other things before turning on the tuner.  Sounded fine.

Started the record again ... same thing at the same place.  Plenty of cleaning fluid and velvet cloth on the LP surface.  Same thing at the same place. 

WTF?  Must be Pink Floyd messing around with everybody.  Shrugged, lit another one, and let 'er rip again from the start.
 

 amcostigan88 wrote:
... I love when the tune gets sucked back into the radio ... 
 
When we heard this for the first time -- as freshmen in college -- we were absolutely convinced we'd blown out the speakers.  Lifted the stylus and did a half-dozen other things before turning on the tuner.  Sounded fine.

Started the record again ... same thing at the same place.  Plenty of cleaning fluid and velvet cloth on the LP surface.  Same thing at the same place. 

WTF?  Must be Pink Floyd messing around with everybody.  Shrugged, lit another one, and let 'er rip again from the start.
Fond memories of 9th grade walking home from school in the fall and jamming to this album for months straight... I love when the tune gets sucked back into the radio... might be my favorite Pink Floyd record.
 DrLex wrote:
It is hard to believe I didn't even know this album until I heard Shine On You Crazy Diamond here on RP. I bought it shortly after, and it has become my favourite PF album in no time.
 
Wish You Were Here has always been my favorite Pink Floyd album.
I wanna listen Wish You Were Here,  now
 Relayer wrote:
I always wished that Gilmour would have taken the vocals on this track.   Roy Harper did a great job, but in doing so, it never gets any live performances by Waters or Gilmour.

 
Hmmm.  I saw the tour for this album at old 3 Rivers in Pittsburgh.  They did it all then.  Forget who did the vocal.  But as far as Gilmour and Waters solo tours, there may be contractual / infighting problems.  Or it's a song that has left a bad taste in everyone's mouth so to say and it would sooner be forgotten than remembered.
don't forget the disco version  



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PKHYDqxEAE

Oh, that was a brilliant segue from Galactic to this.
Kudos, Bill G.
 On_The_Beach wrote:

I just watched (what was probably) the same doc.
Actually Gilmour was quite happy with Roy's vocal but it was Waters, whose ego is slightly larger, that was unhappy with Roy's interpretation. He says in hindsight he wishes he'd done the vocal himself.
The feeling at the time was that neither David's or Roger's voices were suited to the track, and Roy, who happened to be in the studio at the time said "I'll do it". And the rest, as they say . . .

 
Funny, I recently re-watched it myself, and your correction is ...well, correct.  :-)  I personally think Roy's vocal worked out best, kinda fits with the theme of the song and all.  Long Live RP!!
 lizardking wrote:
I watched a pretty good WYWH documentary (I think it's still on Netflix) with a part about Harper vocal, and how the band ultimately wished they'd done it themselves. . . .
 
I just watched (what was probably) the same doc.
Actually Gilmour was quite happy with Roy's vocal but it was Waters, whose ego is slightly larger, that was unhappy with Roy's interpretation. He says in hindsight he wishes he'd done the vocal himself.
The feeling at the time was that neither David's or Roger's voices were suited to the track, and Roy, who happened to be in the studio at the time said "I'll do it". And the rest, as they say . . .
 markybx wrote:
Is that Donald Trump on fire? {#Clap}

 
Which one's Pink? or is it Orange?
Is that Donald Trump on fire? {#Clap} Looks like him and his pants are on fire... that means something, doesn't it?
Always thought this was about living in the USA/UK and not the music business. But who at the top would want Gravy Train?
 Relayer wrote:
I always wished that Gilmour would have taken the vocals on this track.   Roy Harper did a great job, but in doing so, it never gets any live performances by Waters or Gilmour.

 
I watched a pretty good WYWH documentary (I think it's still on Netflix) with a part about Harper vocal, and how the band ultimately wished they'd done it themselves. 

I'm still upset that I was born in the late 70's instead of the late 50's and could have been around when this was coming out.  Oh well!

And of course, like almost all PF music, it plays better as part of the entire album and not on it's own.


Hats Off to (Roy) Harper
 DrLex wrote:
It is hard to believe I didn't even know this album until I heard Shine On You Crazy Diamond here on RP. I bought it shortly after, and it has become my favourite PF album in no time.

 
Do yourself a favor and check out Animals....
It is hard to believe I didn't even know this album until I heard Shine On You Crazy Diamond here on RP. I bought it shortly after, and it has become my favourite PF album in no time.
 aelfheld wrote:
 Jota wrote:
Each one of them made more money on a lazy afternoon than you would in 300 years. 

You must adore Justin Bieber.

 
Yeah, that's the only alternative.
Annoying vocals, overrated music by old elitists.
I'll take Pink Floyd for 400, Alex:
He handled the vocals for "Have a Cigar".
Who is Roy Harper?
 Bert7 wrote:
as classic as it gets, best PF album...{#Sunny}

 
Agree with the first part, however in my humble opinion, Animals does it for me.
as classic as it gets, best PF album...{#Sunny}
 CaffeineSam wrote:
Wow these guys are pretty good. Did they get any other album out ?

 
{#Cheesygrin}
 Jota wrote:
Each one of them made more money on a lazy afternoon than you would in 300 years. 

You must adore Justin Bieber.
I always wished that Gilmour would have taken the vocals on this track.   Roy Harper did a great job, but in doing so, it never gets any live performances by Waters or Gilmour.
RP likes Pink Floyd, but I do like Have a Cigar.
 Skydog wrote:
time to switch RP off and check the mail, change the kitty litter box, regrout the shower tiles, do my income taxes and get a coloncoscopy
(damn pink floyd suxxx) 

 
Each one of them made more money on a lazy afternoon than you would in 300 years.
Have a cigar, isn't that what Bill said to Monica?
time to switch RP off and check the mail, change the kitty litter box, regrout the shower tiles, do my income taxes and get a coloncoscopy
(damn pink floyd suxxx) 

ditto 

 

hbelleville wrote:

One of the first records I ever bought. I'm still listen at it. In my opinion, the best Pink Floyd LP's ever

 


This band is just fantastic.
That is really what I think.
One of the first records I ever bought. I'm still listen at it. In my opinion, the best Pink Floyd LP's ever
It's a hell of a start, it could be made into a monster
If we all pull together as a team
Great song that gets some airplay but tends to not get overplayed. Diggin' it.
 CHuLoYo wrote:

Are you joking?

 
lol
                 Golden Handshake

              If you pay peanuts, you get
              Monkey. So I've been told.
              So I am hardwiring a brand new
              Harvest Moon: Animal Parade.


Joke's getting pretty old but still one of their best.
 CaffeineSam wrote:
Wow these guys are pretty good. Did they get any other album out ?

 
Are you joking?
This is right up there on my desert island list!  PF doesn't get much better than this.
Wow these guys are pretty good. Did they get any other album out ?
 Rockit wrote:
Let's all light up then!
 
Yeah, as I said earlier, just find a suit, make a deal with him, and shake his hand! Crackle, crackle, pop, pop...
Galactic played before this. Love to hear them cover it NOLA style.

PS  you gotta turn this up
Which one-' s Pink?
 
Anything on this album is a 9. IMHO this LP would have to be in the top 10 of all time.
 scrubbrush wrote:

NO WAY! That's completely absurd and awesome. I'll be downloading that, just so i can say i have it...

 
not wanting to date myself but that was on heavy rotation at the original Studio 54. Glad you enjoyed it! 
OH MAN!!!!

Where's "Wish You Were Here".....?@!!!!!
It just doesn't feel right without it

 
Enjoying RP when we should be getting ready to go to the Rolling Stones concert at Hanging Rock. Apparently MJ has sore throat so the concert has been cancelled...sook!!
Kudos for playing this today, and Shine On You Crazy Diamond yesterday.

I sure miss Rick's ability to keep PF rolling; his contribution has been significantly overlooked. Looking forward to the new album in a few days..........
 thewiseking wrote: 
NO WAY! That's completely absurd and awesome. I'll be downloading that, just so i can say i have it...
I'm glad that I've found radio paradise ...

dig on the disco version!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PKHYDqxEAE


111.
we call it riding the gravy train -- yeah.. {#Cheesygrin}
Absolutely awesome; even after I've heard it several hundred times.
+1 for more Roy Harper.
Overplayed by every FM station out there, and still appreciated every time I hear it. 
 G O D L I K E
.......... anything less would be a crime against music.  Groundbreaking album
 (former member) wrote:


Everybody in my hotel room loves this song...

 

 



"Oh by the way, which one's romeo?"
when I first heard the Foo Fighters (the purveyors of the best covers) do their cover, I thought "man, Taylor is getting as good as Dave on the drums."
then I see a video and lo, it is Dave drumming and Taylor singing.
Limpopoking
(The Parish of St. Alfonzo)
Posted: Jun 05, 2013 - 11:50
 

 matude wrote:
don't understand all that hype about pink floyd :)

  
There is no hype... they're just one of the best bands this universe has ever known.

The Kardashians... that's hype! 


{#High-five} Limpopoking!


Deep down and dirty guitar - bloody amazing work that shows no sign of dating, either musically or the message.
 matude wrote:
don't understand all that hype about pink floyd :)

 
There is no hype... they're just one of the best bands this universe has ever known.

The Kardashians... that's hype! 
 bill-1956 wrote:
35+ years old.

As fresh, excellent and awesome as when it first came out.

 
I love to smoke a cigar 
Great to hear the voice of Roy Harper, be nice to hear more of him hereabouts.
 hahahahahahha.... then don't. :-)
matude wrote:
don't understand all that hype about pink floyd :)
 


35+ years old.

As fresh, excellent and awesome as when it first came out.
It's just a perfect way to start the work day...
Let's all light up then!


don't understand all that hype about pink floyd :)
Damn my DSL modem for deciding to reset right in the middle of this. Bill, please play again.
 unclehud wrote:
This album has some of the tastiest guitar work in all of rock and roll.  (Wait a minute; is this music rock and roll?)
 
I guess that depends on who you ask.
Gilmour's such a badass on guitar.