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Pulse (stylised as p·u·l·s·e) is a live double album by the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, released through EMI Records on 29 May 1995[3] in the United Kingdom and by Columbia Records on 6 June 1995 in the United States.

The album was recorded during the band's Division Bell Tour in 1994, specifically the UK and European leg, which ran from July to October 1994 (See Pink Floyd live performances).

Contents[]

 [hide*1 Content and recording

Content and recording[edit][]

The album includes a complete live version of The Dark Side of the Moon and features a booklet with many photos from performances on this tour. It also features "Astronomy Domine", a Syd Barrett song not performed since the early 1970s.

Unlike Delicate Sound of ThunderDavid Gilmour and producer James Guthrie have stated that no parts of the songs were re-recorded in the studio (James Guthrie confirmed this in an interview with Pink Floyd fanzine Brain Damage). However, the band and Guthrie fixed songs that had bad notes (as heard on some bootlegs) by lifting solos and corrected vocal lines from other performances as the band recorded most of the European leg.

Release history[edit][]

In the US, Pulse debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in June 1995 (briefly dethroning Hootie and the Blowfish's Cracked Rear View for a week before Hootie regained the number one spot in the US) and was soon certified Double Platinum by the RIAA on 31 July 1995.[4]

On 10 July 2006, the Pulse DVD was released of the concert performed on 20 October 1994, at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London. The video version also featured the song "Take It Back," and a nearly complete performance from their 20 October show at Earl's Court, London.[citation needed]

The vinyl version comes in a four-LP box set and includes "One of These Days" (also heard on the cassette release) as well as a large version of the photo booklet.

The original CD cover features an "eye-like" machine that has clock pieces inside, there is a planet in its centre, and on the outside it shows evolution as it moves backwards. It starts in the sea, moves to the bacteria which evolve into fishes, then into egg type creatures, then into eggs that hatch birds, and birds follow the trail of an aeroplane. There are six pyramids in the desert, and in the bottom of the sea, one can observe a city in the shore.

LED packaging[edit][]

Early CD versions came with a blinking red LED on the side of the case. This was designed by EMI contractor Jon Kempner, who was awarded the platinum disc, using the now discontinued LM3909 LED flasher IC. The circuit was powered by a single AA cell; the battery life was stated to be over 6 months. Some versions were also made with 2 AA batteries and later editions of the CD set did not feature the blinking LED.

'Essentially, it's a device which we thought was entertaining. It's an idea of Storm Thorgerson's which related to Dark Side and the pulse, and it's a live album so the box is "alive". After that, in terms of seriously deep meanings, one might be struggling a bit.'

— Nick Mason[5]

The debut of the album was highlighted by a light show from the top of the Empire State Building in New York City with music simulcasted on a New York City radio station.

  • [1]

    The outer packaging for Pulse with the light compartment and holder removed and on top.

  • [2]

    The blinking light compartment (2 AA version) from an original Pulse release with batteries removed.

  • [3]

    The battery warning sticker that was on the inside of the packaging. Light still works as of December 2012.

LED size difference[edit][]

The LED cases are slightly broader and thicker than a standard CD jewel. Later releases that did not come with the LED matched the dimensions of a CD jewel case but are also thicker. This is due to the hardback picture book and outer sleeve which prevents storing in shelves that require standard thickness CD jewel cases. The later version does fit in CD shelves that do not require the exact jewel case thickness.

In comparing the releases, the outer sleeve and books are identical other than size difference with the same photos on each page. Only in the LED version larger book, the inner jacket holding each CD displays the track listing.

In the picture at the right, the LED 2 battery compartment is at the top, the row on the left is the LED larger version and on the row at the right is the smaller later release. All releases are packaged with the same two music CDs.

Track listing[edit][]

Disc one

Lead vocals performed by David Gilmour unless stated otherwise.

  1. "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V, VII)" (David GilmourRoger WatersRichard Wright) – 13:35
  2. "Astronomy Domine" (Syd Barrett) – 4:20
    • London, 15 October 1994
    • Lead vocals: David Gilmour and Richard Wright
  3. "What Do You Want from Me" (Gilmour, Wright, Polly Samson) – 4:10
  4. "Learning to Fly" (Gilmour, Anthony MooreBob EzrinJon Carin) – 5:16
    • London, 14 October 1994
  5. "Keep Talking" (Gilmour, Wright, Samson) – 6:52
  6. "Coming Back to Life" (Gilmour) – 6:56
    • London, 13 October 1994
  7. "Hey You" (Waters) – 4:40
    • London, 13 and 15 (last verse) October 1994
    • Lead vocals: David Gilmour and Jon Carin
  8. "A Great Day for Freedom" (Gilmour, Samson) – 4:30
    • London, 19 October 1994
  9. "Sorrow" (Gilmour) – 10:49
    • Cinecittà, Rome on 20 September 1994
  10. "High Hopes" (Gilmour, Samson) – 7:52
    • London, 20 October 1994. Some parts ("forever and ever" line and part of lap steel solo) from London, October 14–19 or 21-29, 1994
  11. "Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)" (Waters) – 7:08
    • London, on 21 October 1994
    • Lead vocals: David Gilmour and Guy Pratt
Bonus track on cassette and LP editions
  1. "One of These Days" (Gilmour, Waters, Wright, Nick Mason) – 6:45
    • London, 16 and 20 (last part) October 1994
Disc two
The Dark Side of the Moon
  1. "Speak to Me" (Mason) – 2:30
    • Cinecittà, Rome on 20 September 1994
  2. "Breathe" (Gilmour, Waters, Wright) – 2:33
    • London, 20 October 1994 (All London performances were at Earls Court.)
    • Lead vocals: David Gilmour and Jon Carin
  3. "On the Run" (Gilmour, Waters) – 3:48
    • London, 20 October 1994. Explosion recorded in London, 15 October 1994.
  4. "Time" (Gilmour, Waters, Wright, Mason) – 6:47
    • Intro recorded in ModenaItaly on 17 September 1994. The rest of song and most of "Breathe (Reprise)" was recorded at Cinecittà in Rome on 20 September 1994. Ending of "Breathe (Reprise)" recorded in London on 20 October 1994.
    • Lead vocals: David Gilmour and Richard Wright
  5. "The Great Gig in the Sky" (Wright, Torry) – 5:52
  6. "Money" (Waters) – 8:54
    • Modena, Italy on 17 September 1994. Part of sax solo in London on 20 October 1994
  7. "Us and Them" (Waters, Wright) – 6:58
    • London, 20 October 1994. Second and third choruses London, 19 October 1994.
  8. "Any Colour You Like" (Gilmour, Wright, Mason) – 3:21
    • London, 23 October 1994. Last part recorded in London, 19 October 1994.
  9. "Brain Damage" (Waters) – 3:46
    • London, 19 October 1994
  10. "Eclipse" (Waters) – 2:38
    • London, 19 October 1994
  11. "Wish You Were Here" (Gilmour, Waters) – 6:35
    • Cinecittà, Rome, 20 September 1994
  12. "Comfortably Numb" (Gilmour, Waters) – 9:29
    • London, 20 October 1994
    • Lead vocals: David Gilmour, Richard Wright, Jon Carin and Guy Pratt
  13. "Run Like Hell" (Gilmour, Waters) – 8:36
    • London, 15 October 1994
    • Lead vocals: David Gilmour and Guy Pratt
Bonus track on the cassette edition
  1. "Soundscape" (Gilmour, Wright, Mason) – 22:00
    • An ambient piece that was played before the 1994 concerts

Personnel[edit][]

Pink Floyd
Additional musicians
  • Sam Brown – backing vocals, first lead vocalist on "The Great Gig in the Sky", duet on "Comfortably Numb" (choruses)
  • Jon Carin – keyboards, backing vocals, programming, duet on "Hey You", "Breathe", and "Comfortably Numb" (verses)
  • Claudia Fontaine – backing vocals, third lead vocalist on "The Great Gig in the Sky"
  • Durga McBroom – backing vocals, second lead vocalist on "The Great Gig in the Sky"
  • Dick Parry – saxophones
  • Guy Pratt – bass guitar, backing vocals, duet on "Comfortably Numb" (verses) and "Run Like Hell"
  • Tim Renwick – guitars, backing vocals
  • Gary Wallis – percussion, additional drums (played and programmed)

Sales chart performance[edit][]

Album
Year Chart Position
1995 UK Albums Chart 1[6]
1995 The Billboard 200 1[7]
1995 Norwegian Record Charts 1[8]
1995 Australian ARIA Albums Chart 1[9]
1995 Swiss Charts 1[10]

Sales and certifications[edit][]

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Argentina (CAPIF)[11] Gold 30,000x
Austria (IFPI Austria)[12] Platinum 50,000x
Canada (Music Canada)[13] 3× Platinum 300,000^
France (SNEP)[14] Platinum 300,000
Germany (BVMI)[15] Platinum 500,000^
Poland (ZPAV)[16] Platinum 100,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[17] Platinum 50,000x
United Kingdom (BPI)[18] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[4] 2× Platinum 1,000,000^
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[19] Platinum 1,000,000

  • sales figures based on certification alone ^shipments figures based on certification alone xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Singles
Year Single Chart Position
1995 "What Do You Want from Me" Mainstream Rock Tracks 13[citation needed]
Year Single Chart Position
1995 "Wish You Were Here" Mainstream Rock Tracks 13[citation needed]
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