Pink Floyd uses the cigar in its cynical classic "Have a Cigar." The song is found in the group's Wish You Were Here album. One may recall that the original cover shows a businessman on fire. For those that don't recall, one can find a copy of the cover below.
While speaking of burning businessmen, "Have a Cigar" is essentially a short ballad. The story line is one where the members of the band are brought into the office of a record company executive. They are offered a cigar, and promised immortality along with a sweet deal which will introduce them into the "gravy train." The executive displays his ignorance by asking the group, "Which one of you is Pink?" not realizing that Pink Floyd was not the first and last name of a band member. It seems that there is a certain sense that the band has sold its soul for money. Mammon won the day.
"Have A Cigar"
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 helluva 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 Trail.
No comments:
Post a Comment