Writing

Written and sung by Roger Waters, like " Grantchester Meadows" before it, "If" carries on a pastoral and folky approach, but instead deals with

introspection Introspection is the examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings. In psychology, the process of introspection relies on the observation of one's mental state, while in a spiritual context it may refer to the examination of one's sou ...

. The song is in the key of E major.

Live

The song was performed live at a John Peel session on 16 July 1970, at

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...

's Paris Theatre,

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

. Waters performed it on several occasions, during the 1984–85 'Pros and Cons' tour, and in support of '' Radio K.A.O.S.'' in 1987. For these performances, "If" was expanded with additional lyrics and chord sequences. The song was later played by

Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets are an English rock band formed in 2018 to perform the early music of Pink Floyd. The band comprises the Pink Floyd drummer and co-founder Nick Mason, the bassist Guy Pratt, the guitarists Gary Kemp and Lee Harr ...

in 2018, 2019 and 2022 in a medley with Atom Heart Mother.

Reception

In a review for the ''Atom Heart Mother'' album on release, Alec Dubro of ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...

'' gave "If" a negative review, calling the song "English folk at its deadly worst. It's soft and silly." Dubro said the same for " Fat Old Sun". ''Rolling Stone'' would later praise the song in 2007, however, writing "Roger Waters' pastoral ballad on this flawed album was a moving examination of the terror of isolation; Floyd were finally rooting their astral travels in true songwriting." In another positive review, Stephen Deusner of '' Paste'' described "If" as one of Roger Waters' best compositions. In another positive review, Irving Tan of ''Sputnik Music'' believes "If" contains "very introspective lyrics that end up making a memorable outing", but also believed the track was not as well-written as some of his later and earlier pieces. Tan also believed the track was reminiscent of " Grantchester Meadows", another Waters-penned track from ''

Ummagumma ''Ummagumma'' is the fourth album by English rock band Pink Floyd. It is a double album and it was released on 7 November 1969 by Harvest Records. The first disc consists of live recordings from concerts at Mothers Club in Birmingham and the Co ...

'' a year before.

Personnel

* Roger Waters – lead and backing vocals, classical guitar, bass guitar * David Gilmour –

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electric guitar An electric guitar is a guitar that requires external amplification in order to be heard at typical performance volumes, unlike a standard acoustic guitar (however combinations of the two - a semi-acoustic guitar and an electric acoustic gu ...

* Richard Wright – Hammond organ, piano * Nick Mason – drums

References

External links

Pink Floyd songs 1970 songs 1970s ballads Rock ballads Songs written by Roger Waters Song recordings produced by David Gilmour Song recordings produced by Roger Waters Song recordings produced by Richard Wright (musician) Song recordings produced by Nick Mason {{1970s-rock-song-stub he:Atom Heart Mother#צד ב'