Respawn Entertainment: Days of Glory

Chapter 928 The tension before taking the stage again
Hatter, who was backstage preparing, hadn't yet recovered from his daze when he heard a voice urging him to go on stage coming through his in-ear monitor.

Once on stage, looking at the large number of Chinese fans below, Fimos felt a sense of dislocation. This was also the last stop of their Hatter tour last year, only this time the main characters and the guest performers had switched places.

However, the audience's enthusiasm remained undiminished, and they quickly adjusted their mindset. The songs performed were, as expected, all provided by Bian Lang…

After Fimos took control of the game, the Rolling Stones players were taking the time to rest and regroup in the back. Among the team, Bian Lang, Guo Sichu, Dayong, and Lin Yaorong were the most emotionally invested.

After drinking a few sips of warm water, Lin Yaorong and Dayong, both from the Greater Bay Area, were still not recovered: "Yongzai, how many songs are left on Bian Sheng's album?"

Lin Yaorong is considered one of their own, but he hasn't looked at Rock Records' song library yet. However, based on his sensitivity to Cantonese songs, he automatically categorized "Cold Rainy Night" and "No Longer Hesitating" as being on the same album as "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies".

Da Yong puffed on his cigarette and exhaled several puffs of smoke before speaking, "I'm not too sure either, but it won't be less than two."

"Two? Both of this quality?" Da Yong ignored Lin Yaorong's surprise and instead sneered, "Don't get any funny ideas. Even if I'm clumsy, Kong Liang will take over!"

"You idiot! What kind of drummer curses himself for being bad at music... After Rock Records finishes recording the album, I want to talk to Bian Lang about recording a cover album for me..."

Upon hearing this, Da Yong nodded in agreement on the surface, but in his heart he was already praying for Li Yaorong: "Let's talk about it when you can make it to that day."

As for Bian Lang and Guo Sichu, this couple, who had overused their voices a bit today, were both drinking warm water and remaining silent.

Bian Lang was thinking about "Wish You Were Here," while Guo Sichu was thinking about "The Great Gig In The Sky."

How to put it? Perhaps it's like destiny. The original version of "Wish You Were Here" is conventionally considered to be the version by Aquaman, but "The Great Gig In The Sky," the signature track from "The Dark Side of the Moon," is Lonely Man's signature song.

According to Clare Torry, the female vocalist at the time, it was producer Alan Parsons who approached her.

She didn't know who Alan Parson was, and had no recollection of where he had learned about her. At that time, she didn't even know what Pink Floyd was.

When she got there, she asked the Pink Floyd people what kind of effect she wanted, but they had no clue. They just said there were no lyrics and the song was about death, so she could just sing whatever she wanted. No one except Lonely Guy gave her any guidance.

Then Clare Torry suddenly had an idea: "Turn yourself into an instrument!" This led to the studio version of "The Great Gig in the Sky".

However, after the recording, Pink Floyd did not give her any feedback, and she thought it was a flop. It wasn't until "The Dark Side of the Moon" came out that she saw her name.

Clare was paid double her hourly rate because she recorded the audio on the weekend, and she was genuinely happy. But who could have predicted that "The Dark Side of the Moon" would become such a hit?

Clare wasn't added as one of the song's composers until 2004.

When Bian Lang first heard this song, he, like 99% of the listeners, thought that the female voice in the song should be a black person with a loud voice, the kind that sings soul.

But after searching, I found out that Clare Torry was just an ordinary white British housewife.

Of course, no one on Aquamarine would know this story. Bian Lang's memory wasn't very accurate either, unable to recreate every detail of Xia Jiba's lyrics. He simply recorded a demo based on his memory of the score after finishing the arrangement.

The rest is up to Guo Sichu to decide.

As for Guo Sichu, even as a diva, she felt a bit of a headache receiving this kind of task for the first time.

If it were any other producer, it wouldn't matter, but no one has ever messed up Bian Lang's songs so far, and she's still Bian Lang's girlfriend.

If anything goes wrong, we'll lose face big time.

Bian Lang, snapping out of his daze, saw her lost in thought and realized it must be about this. He then said directly, "What are you worried about, you're a pop diva? Just sing whatever you want, as long as it's within the framework of the melody, who can say a word against it?"

That was a big mistake, but the only flaw in it was right in front of Guo Sichu: "Of course you can say it!"

Seeing Guo Sichu, a mature woman, showing a hint of girlish reproach, how could Bian Lang's heart resist: "I'll talk to Olaf later. How you sing this song tonight will determine the final lyrics and score."

Upon hearing this, Guo Sichu's smile became somewhat dreamy.

Of course, there was also pressure she kept to herself, because she had no idea how this version would turn out in the end.

So from then on...

But a diva is a diva; if she couldn't even handle this much pressure, she wouldn't have come to Europe to support the Rolling Stones in the first place.

"Okay! I'll release the live version after the performance tonight!"

Bian Lang knew why, so he agreed without hesitation: "No problem, I'll go say hello to Olaf in a bit."

In fact, Olaf had this idea when the tour started.

He wanted to compile all the songs from the entire tour into a large compilation album, but this kind of unheard-of idea, which was unheard of on either Earth or on Planet Blue, was ultimately rejected by a group of people.

But Olaf, settling for second best, pleaded again: "Then making a live compilation album wouldn't be a problem, would it?"

Everyone agrees on this point. After all, this is Rolling Stones' first European tour, and whether it's for commemorative purposes or for profit, a compilation album is perfectly reasonable.

However, deciding on the right songs will be a technical challenge.

Even on the last show, Olaf was still thinking that 20 songs was still a bit too few for the album, since his bottom line was to include all the new songs released during the entire tour.

The main problem is that if we try to convince Bian Lang to record these new songs in the studio, who knows when that will be?

He'd brought this up more than once or twice, but Bian Lang had always refused, citing his reluctance to release a single. If it were anyone else, he would have sneered, "You think you can actually maintain this level of quality and write an album?"

But Bian Lang's eczema was so severe that he could only urge and wait patiently. Fortunately, he wasn't much older than Bian Lang, so even if it meant risking his life, he could endure it.

Unlike those old guys like Regman...

Just as he was thinking this, Bian Lang suddenly appeared at the mixing console. Seeing that he was still wearing headphones to monitor, Bian Lang didn't say anything, but patted him and held up two fingers to signal him to leave. Olaf nodded, took off his headphones, and after instructing his assistant, followed Bian Lang to the back rest area.

"Didn't you go to the front to watch Hatter?" Olaf asked, somewhat puzzled. After all, this was Bian Lang's habit in any previous match.

"They could still make a mistake? That can't be right! Besides, I'm a little nervous right now!"

"Hmm?" Olaf's voice was noticeably tinged with a slight curve when he uttered the interjection. In his mind, how could a big-game specialist like Bian Lang be nervous? He should be excited.

"Really, I'm afraid something might go wrong, and..."

Before he could finish speaking, Olaf stuffed a straw into Bian Lang's mouth: "This isn't the Bian Lang I know. The Bian Lang I know, even if he messed up his performance, he wouldn't be so hesitant before it even started!"

I remember you saying something like that sometimes mistakes are what make rock and roll so captivating. So why bother…

Bian Lang had indeed said this, and more than once, but he never expected that one day this boomerang would come back to him.

"Let's get down to business. Regardless of how Chuchu performs today, let's release a single based on this version of 'The Great Gig In The Sky'!"

"Hmm? Not included in the greatest hits?"

Bian Lang shook his head and said, "This won't affect anything. Let's finish producing and releasing the single first. You'll need a lot of time to produce the compilation album, won't you?"

After this explanation, Olaf immediately understood: "Are you trying to vindicate Guo? But I don't think there's a need to rush. Her singing ability is undeniable, and I think two live performances are enough to win over Rolling Stones fans!"

"But she's my girlfriend!"

Upon hearing this, Olaf immediately launched into an exaggerated apology in a joking tone: "Oh, boss, I'm sorry, I didn't consider things from your perspective. I will definitely do my best to..." He couldn't even finish his sentence and burst out laughing!
"Also, both versions of 'Wish You Were Here' are included..."

Upon hearing this, Olaf immediately stopped laughing: "No problem, that's what I was thinking too. Then I'll finish 'The Great Gig In The Sky' first."

"Wish You Were Here, I don't know how we'll perform later..."

Bian Lang was also looking forward to seeing the results. Looking up, he vaguely remembered the first time he heard this song.
Bian Lang first heard "Wish You Were Here" in an unknown basement in Beijing. The disc was a bootleg copy that Zuo Xiao had found.

I listened to the entire album in one go, and of course, the title track "Wish You Were Here" was the most catchy.

Bian Lang couldn't quite explain it at the time, he just knew that this song was absolutely perfect for him.

At a time when rock music in China had been completely suppressed, what was there left to listen to? Britpop was no good, punk was no good, and metal was even worse; it all felt weak and uninspired.

Looking back now, it's possible that Bibian Lang already knew back then that power doesn't come from shouting at the top of his lungs. Good rock music that gives you enough power might be something like "Wish You Were Here," which tells a story gently.

At that time, Zheng Jun's "Run Away" and Dada's "South" had not yet appeared. In a sense, Bian Lang felt that this was the same type of song.

However, "Wish You Were Here" is far too advanced. While Jun Ge and Monkey are still heartbroken over love, Shui Ye has already begun to consider the issue of soul swapping.

However, that was when Bian Lang looked at the lyrics of the song again a few years later.

"Your heroes for ghosts?"
Trade ghosts for your hero?
Hot ashes for trees?
Exchange the forest for the still-warm ashes?

Hot air for a cool breeze?
Exchange the scorching heat for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
Is it possible to exchange indifference for self-change?

Bian Lang especially loved listening to this song on countless nights when he was lying alone in bed.

The food delivery was still on its way, and the increasingly loud music made me feel like I was about to die. My breathing became rapid, and the problem wasn't solved until I ate some barbecue.

Bian Lang felt that "Wish You Were Here" was the kind of song he could listen to repeatedly, even the fourth or Nth time in a single day.

Bian Lang isn't sure if "Wish You Were Here" is good or not, but it's been like an old friend who's been with him all these years, calling out to him, just like how Shui Ye and the others are calling out to syd.

If there's one song on Earth that could make Bian Lang lose control of himself, then "Wish You Were Here" would definitely be on the list. Even now, just thinking about those five notes makes Bian Lang unconsciously start to smile.

You will feel the ecstasy of those five notes when you first played the main melody, like ripples that penetrate all barriers.

And the first strumming of the strings, that was an invincible existence!

"Wish You Were Here" is perhaps Pink Floyd's most straightforward song, expressing their longing for you.

This is a "love letter" sent to Syd Barret, one of the band's founding members. Syd had spearheaded the creation of the critically acclaimed psychedelic rock album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn," helping the band move from the underground to the mainstream. However, he gradually withdrew from the band the following year due to mental illness and eventually went into complete seclusion at the end of 1970.

The retirement of a genius is undoubtedly a pity for music fans, and the impact on the band members is self-evident. They did what all music creators would do: pour their emotions into their music.

"Shine On You Crazy Diamond" forms the basic framework of the album, which is divided and arranged at the beginning and end of the album. Long sections of electric guitar, synthesizer, saxophone and strings are interwoven, with a smooth and exhilarating transition. In terms of content...

Roger Waters, the lead artist, uses contradictory language, such as the repeated chanting of "Shine, you crazy diamond," and refers to Syd as a "child," "stranger," "legend," and "prisoner," to present the complex and multifaceted Syd to the audience, and to give this "love song" a richer layer.

"Wish You Were Here" is relatively simple and more suitable for beginners. The chords were improvised by David Gilmour, and Waters quickly completed the song's composition based on the chords, ultimately presenting it on a twelve-string guitar and an acoustic guitar.

This gives the song a gentle, country-music feel. The lyrics are mostly philosophical questions, full of care and nostalgia for the past. The sincere expression of emotion makes it a signature piece of Pink Floyd and one of the band's favorite songs.

Besides commemorating Syd, Pink Floyd also dissected and critiqued society and the music industry on this album. "Welcome to the Machine" compares society to a machine, where everyone is constantly monitored and controlled, individual will disappears, and the torn vocals and distorted synthesizers depict the struggles of people in a dystopian world.

"Have A Cigar" is exceptionally satirical, criticizing the corrupt, capital-driven music industry and prompting reflection from listeners and music creators.

Both songs use "you" as the subject, as if speaking to Syd, a clever design that offers another perspective for interpreting them.

The previous unvoiced version of "Wish You Were Here" had already caused a sensation, and Bianlang was also curious to see how music fans would react when the full version of the song was released.
(End of this chapter)