I vote Fat Old Sun, especially the modern Gilmour versions (which I hope he includes in the upcoming tour)! But I'd vote FOS no matter if it's the live/recorded, or classical/modern versions. It's just one of my absolute favorites.
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Fat Old Sun for me. I'm another one who finds If a bit nondescript. But even Fat Old Sun studio version is only pleasant. As others have mentioned, the live versions are where that song really takes off. For me.Comment
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Fat Old Sun live in 1970 all day long!Off surfing with Linda, of course...Comment
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I'll be the contrarian... Musically I find them both pretty simple and unremarkable. The extended live versions of Fat Old Sun improve it somewhat, but it's mostly just filler and noodling, doesn't do a lot to take it somewhere else musically. But "If" is an important song in the band's history, lyrically. It's a progenitor of Dark Side of the Moon. It might be the first and certainly the clearest statement of how Syd's breakdown affected Roger personally. With the "If I go insane..." lines, you can tell that he was actually gnawed by the fear that going mad - literal madness - was something that might actually happen to him. It's a chilling line in the song, moreso when you think of everything that followed.Comment
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Don't worry, a properly expressed opinion has its place here, whether it's in the majority or not.
Don't confuse opinion with aggressive criticism that offends those who hold a contrary view.
keleven's opinion is perfectly expressed and I find his point of view interesting!Comment
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I pick "If"
Always loved that song, it's so simple and moving. I often play it for my daughter when I tuck her to bed, it has a great melody!Comment
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This was a tough one....going with FOS.Comment
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Fat Old Sun by some margin, even in its studio versions. If is too long - it kind of works when Nick splits it in half but that just reminds you how repetitive it is. Live FOS is another level. (and it's one of my funeral songs)Comment
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besides the BBC 1971 which have always been a favorite of mine I have two favorites version of "Fat Old Sun" : the early tour version which has not the same middle jam than the later gig; thus we got instead 2 great solo, an hendrixian guitar solo : this is the Philly Electric Factory 70 version; then the Sheffield performance which I really love since the transfer has been significantly improved with JFE amazing job (it's now one of my favorite show) - and for David's crystal voice - kind of like Harry Nilsson in the early years : the BBC 70 version is magnificent.
I think that the studio version of "Fat Old Sun" is great : great drumming, nasty and great guitar solo; superb voice; nice lyrics. A great song, David.
I like "If" - love the lyrics, the melody; kind of like the Beatles during the White Album when all their songs were recorded in India (Dear Prudence, Child Of Nature (before it became Jealous Guy), Julia, etc...) and when Lennon learned from Donovan the fingerpicking; that's a bit what Roger did with a lot of song like that in fingerpicking, sometimes adding an odd note to make a strange progression like "Brain Damage" (with some lyrics which reminds me Paul's "The Fool On The Hill").
This is almost a Beatle song, asking like Lennon in "If I Fell" (in love with you) some "guarantee"; not the joking song like When I'm 64.
Should I say that the BBC 1970 version is magnificent : I like Roger's voice; David's guitar and even it's farting. Even better than the studio version from "Atom Heart Mother".
Now, what about the 1987 arrangements : well; they are great for "If"; Roger changed slightly the melody of the chorus; but I would prefer Roger alone like on the BBC 70 performance.
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FOS live, and it's not even close for me. Dave's solo leading into the mid jam which is then usually kicked off by Rick is my favorite part.
Studio FOS vs studio If, well, I dunno. I'd never skip either track, so it's a tie.Comment
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EYE am siding with If, but EYE do think it's a pretty close match this time. Fat Old Sun is by far Gilmour's best composition imo.Comment
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I was hoping we were past this nonsense.
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Well, it's obvious that FOS has won the week here. This was a tough one for me since hearing the live version of FOS on the BBC Rock Hour back in the day on my local FM station was one of the things that got me into obsessively collecting live Floyd, whereas I got to see the live version of If that I posted on the KAOS tour when it hit my town.
I love 'em both, but my vote is for If. It just has more going on as a song. I dig the chord progression, and Roger's lyrical musings on madness resonate more with me than Dave's poetic interpretation of smoking one down by the river. FOS surely fits the pastoral mood of AHM perfectly, though. Unlike Summer '68 IMO.
FOS is the clear winner this week.And ultimately, who gives a fuck anyway?Comment
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