Free Four

"Free Four"
Cover of the 1972 Italy single
Single by Pink Floyd
from the album Obscured by Clouds
B-side	"Stay" "The Gold It's in the..."
Released	10 July 1972
Format	7"
Recorded	February–March 1972 Strawberry Studios, France
Genre	Progressive rock pop rock
Length	4:15
Label	Harvest
Writer(s)	Roger Waters
Producer(s)	Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd singles chronology
"One of These Days" (1971) "Free Four" (1972) "Money" (1973)
Obscured by Clouds track listing 10 tracks Side one "Obscured by Clouds" "When You're In" "Burning Bridges" "The Gold It's in the..." "Wot's... Uh the Deal?" "Mudmen" Side two "Childhood's End" "Free Four" "Stay" "Absolutely Curtains"

"Free Four" is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd, written by Roger Waters and released on the band's 1972 album Obscured by Clouds.^[1][2]

Recording and lyrics

The song begins with a rock and roll count-in, but in this case Pink Floyd decided to play with words and record, "One, Two, FREE FOUR!" The song deals with reflection of one's life, the "evils" of the record industry, and also makes a reference to Roger Waters' father who was killed in World War 2.^[3] The music begins in an upbeat manner, while the lyrics tell a very cynical and somewhat depressing story. "Free Four" was released as a single in the U.S. in 1972 but did not chart.

Track listing

US release

1. "Free Four" – 3:30
2. "Stay" – 3:58 ^[4]

Italy release

1. "Free Four" – 4:07
2. "The Gold It's in the..." – 3:01 ^[5]

German release

1. "Free Four" – 4:08
2. "The Gold It's in the..." – 3:01 ^[6]

Personnel

• Roger Waters — lead and backing vocals, bass, handclapping
• David Gilmour — acoustic and electric guitars
• Richard Wright — VCS3 synthesiser
• Nick Mason — drums and tambourine

References

1. Strong, Martin C. (2004). The Great Rock Discography (7th ed.). Edinburgh: Canongate Books. p. 1177. ISBN 1-84195-551-5.
2. Mabbett, Andy (1995). The Complete Guide to the Music of Pink Floyd. London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-4301-X.
3. Manning, Toby (2006). "The Albums". The Rough Guide to Pink Floyd (1st ed.). London: Rough Guides. p. 165. ISBN 1-84353-575-0.
4. "Pink Floyd - Free Four / Stay (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com.
5. "Pink Floyd - Free Four / The Gold It's In The... at Discogs". Discogs.com.
6. "Pink Floyd Collectors". Comunidad Floydiana Internacional.

External links

• AMG song review
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics