Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
Pink Floyd · Ummagumma [1969]
Counting the leaves which tremble at dawn
Lotuses lean on each other in yearning
Under the eaves the swallow is resting
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
Over the mountain watching the watcher
Breaking the darkness
Waking the grapevine
One inch of love is one inch of shadow
Love is the shadow that ripens the wine
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
Witness the man who raves at the wall
Making the shape of his questions to Heaven
Whether the sun will fall in the evening
Will he remember the lesson of giving
Set the controls for the heart of the sun
The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun
Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
Released on the 1969 double album Ummagumma, this track stands as a pivotal moment in Pink Floyd's evolution toward progressive rock and electronic experimentation. Featuring the iconic synthesizer work of Richard Wright, the song blends orchestral arrangements with early electronic textures to create an atmospheric soundscape that defies traditional song structures. It serves as a bridge between the band's earlier psychedelic pop era and the conceptual, narrative-driven works of their late 1970s period. The piece is renowned for its complex time signatures and its role in establishing the band's reputation for pushing technical boundaries while maintaining emotional depth. As a key component of Ummagumma's broader artistic vision, it remains a defining recording in the history of progressive rock.