The Narrow Way

"The Narrow Way"
Song by Pink Floyd
from the album Ummagumma
Published	Lupus Music Ltd.
Released	25 October 1969 (UK) 10 November 1969 (US)
Recorded	2 May 1969
Genre	Psychedelic rock, progressive rock, psychedelic folk
Length	12:17
Label	Harvest Records
Songwriter(s)	David Gilmour
Producer(s)	Norman Smith

"The Narrow Way" is the third suite on the studio half of Pink Floyd's fourth album Ummagumma.^[1] It is a three-part song written and performed entirely by David Gilmour, using multiple overdubs to play all the instruments himself.

Different parts

Part One (3:27)

Part one of the song was called "Baby Blue Shuffle in D Major" when played by the band in a BBC broadcast on 2 December 1968;^[2] it also strongly resembles the tracks "Rain in the Country (take 1)" and "Unknown Song" recorded (but eventually not used) for the soundtrack of Michelangelo Antonioni's film Zabriskie Point in November/December 1969. This portion features layered acoustic guitar with some spacey effects overtop.

Part Two (2:53)

Part two features an electric guitar and percussion which modulate heavily at the end, forming a drone that leads into part three.

Part Three (5:57)

Part three of the song features Gilmour's only vocal contribution to the studio part of the album.^[3] This final part was incorporated into The Man and the Journey by the full band on their 1969 tour.

Personnel

• David Gilmour – guitars, vocals, bass, piano, organ, mellotron, drums, percussion

References

1. Strong, Martin C. (2004). The Great Rock Discography (7th ed.). Edinburgh: Canongate Books. p. 1177. ISBN 1-84195-551-5.
2. Mabbett, Andy (1995). The Complete Guide to the Music of Pink Floyd. London: Omnibus Press. p. 29. ISBN 0-7119-4301-X.
3. Manning, Toby (2006). "The Albums". The Rough Guide to Pink Floyd (1st ed.). London: Rough Guides. p. 161. ISBN 1-84353-575-0.