Compiling a greatest hits album is tricky business, especially for a band like Pink Floyd. What the members feel represents their best work doesn’t always align with public opinion or what record labels deem the most marketable.
That discrepancy became particularly clear when David Gilmour championed the inclusion of a lesser-known track, ‘Fat Old Sun,’ on their greatest hits album, but was ultimately shot down by his bandmates.
The challenge with selecting Pink Floyd’s best songs lies in their ever-evolving sound and history. Their career spans distinct eras, from their early rhythm and blues roots to the psychedelic days of Syd Barrett, and finally, their transition into one of the most influential progressive rock bands of all time. How could a single tracklist accurately capture this diverse timeline?
Some tracks were obvious contenders for the greatest hits album. Songs like ‘Another Brick in the Wall,’ ‘Wish You Were Here,’ and ‘Comfortably Numb’ were non-negotiable, given their widespread appeal and iconic status.
But for Gilmour, the selection process was more personal, tied to his own emotional connections to certain songs. One track in particular, ‘Fat Old Sun,’ from their 1970 album Atom Heart Mother, was a point of contention.
Atom Heart Mother exists in a transitional phase of Pink Floyd’s career. The band was still finding their footing after Syd Barrett’s departure and hadn’t yet achieved the monumental success of Dark Side of the Moon. It’s not their most beloved or commercially successful album, but for Gilmour, it holds sentimental value.
‘Fat Old Sun’ was one of Gilmour’s first solo songwriting efforts within Pink Floyd, and he played almost all the instruments on the track himself, including guitars, bass, drums, and vocals.
For Gilmour, it wasn’t just another song—it represented a significant moment in his development as a musician and his increasing role within the band.
In a 2008 interview, Gilmour revealed his deep connection to the song, saying, “I’ve always liked the song, one of the first I ever wrote.”
However, despite his emotional attachment and the track’s personal significance, the rest of the band didn’t feel the same way. When Gilmour lobbied for its inclusion on Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd, his request was denied.
“They weren’t having it,” Gilmour admitted, recalling the opposition from his bandmates. While Gilmour’s feelings were clear, ‘Fat Old Sun’ never resonated with fans or critics on the same level as their more popular tracks. In fact, when it was originally released, Rolling Stone slammed the song, calling it “English folk at its deadly worst.”
In the end, despite its special place in Gilmour’s heart, ‘Fat Old Sun’ didn’t make the cut. It’s a reminder of how personal attachment and public perception can diverge wildly when deciding a band’s greatest hits.
