Up the Khyber

The song Up the Khyber by Pink Floyd stands out as an instrumental piece that defies conventions. Composed by drummer Nick Mason and keyboardist Richard Wright, this work is characterized by being an extensive drum solo complemented by frenetic piano and unsettling organ lines, as well as uncommon tape effects. With a duration of approximately 2 minutes and 12 seconds, this song was included on the album More, which is the band’s first soundtrack work and also their third studio album.

The recording context is interesting, as More was released on June 13, 1969, in the United Kingdom and on August 9 of the same year in the United States. This album accompanies a film of the same name, which marked Barbet Schroeder’s directorial debut and was primarily filmed in Ibiza. It is worth noting that this was the first Pink Floyd album in which Syd Barrett, their former leader and main songwriter, did not participate. Although the album received mixed reviews, it managed to reach the top ten on the UK charts. The song Up the Khyber is unique within the band’s repertoire, as it is the only one credited to Mason and Wright, making it a curiosity in their discography. Additionally, the title has a humorous undertone, since “Khyber” is a play on Cockney slang referring to the rear, adding a touch of irreverence to the piece.