Pink Floyd
First new song recorded in almost 30 years
Pink Floyd guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour.
© imago/ZUMA Wire
For the saddest possible reason, Pink Floyd recorded their first song in almost 30 years – because of the war in Ukraine.
The British cult band Pink Floyd announced on their official website, to release a new song already in the night to next Friday (April 8th). The song will be called “Hey Hey Rise Up” and “represents the first new music they’ve recorded together as a band since 1994’s ‘The Division Bell’.” The veterans David Gilmour (76) and Nick Mason (78) have not only worked with the established bassist Guy Pratt (60) and keyboardist Nitin Sawhney (57).
“Hey Hey Rise Up” is to be understood as musical support for the people of Ukraine, who are currently experiencing immeasurable suffering as a result of the Russian war of aggression. The track therefore includes the vocals of the Ukrainian musician Andriy Khlyvnyuk (42), member of the band Boombox. He posted a video on Instagram at the end of Februaryin which he sings a Ukrainian protest song that originated in the First World War on Sofiyskaya Square in Kyiv.
Ukrainian musician “gave his blessing”
Gilmour met Khlyvnyuk and his band by chance in 2015 and has now been deeply touched by their video. The two spoke on the phone while the Ukrainian is in a hospital – Khlyvnyuk joined the Ukrainian army and was recently injured by mortar shrapnel, the site says. “I played him a little bit of our song over the phone and he gave me his blessing. We both hope to do something together in the future,” Gilmour is quoted as saying.
Recorded on March 31, 2022, “Hey Hey Rise Up” aims to raise funds for humanitarian aid in Ukraine and boost people’s morale. The song will be available on all streaming and download platforms from midnight.