“In the mid-1960s, there was a music band formed in London. It was called the Pink Floyd. This band became very, very popular. Now, after 28 years, the members of the band reunited to release their new track. This song opposes the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” said Scorch.
“That’s very thoughtful,” said Orak, nodding his head in approval.
“Indeed. What’s the song called?” said Verum, ready to key in the words in her crystal ball to hear the song.
“It’s called ‘Hey Hey, Rise Up!’ and the band member David Gilmour said the track is showcasing, and I quote, “anger at a superpower invading a peaceful nation”. Do you know that this track also features a Ukrainian musician Andriy Khlyvnyuk singing the chorus refrain,” shared Scorch.
“Russia invaded Ukraine in February and the two nations are still fighting. Tell us more about the song,” replied Verum.
“It all began when Gilmour saw Khlyvnyuk dressed in a soldier’s uniform to fight the battle in the capital of Ukraine. Khlyvnyuk is from a band called BoomBox. Khlyvnyuk was on his United States music tour. But he ended it abruptly and returned to his homeland to fight the battle. He was seen standing guard against the Russian army at Kyiv’s Sofia Square.
Three days later, he posted a video on one of the social media platforms, Instagram. He was seen singing the Ukrainian song, ‘The Red Viburnum in the Meadow’. When Gilmour noticed the singer, he decided to unite his legendary Pink Floyd band in support of Khlyvnyuk’s call to peace.
The work on Pink Floyd’s new track began around seven weeks ago,” Scorch paused to drink a sip of water.
That’s when Verum played the newly-released track. After the song was over, Scorch continued. “This song In an Instagram video Khlyvnyuk was singing The Red Viburnum in The Meadow, a song from the First World War. He did a capella rendition – meaning such a performance has no music in the background. Gilmour told media it struck him that as it is a capella, it could be made into a song.
In the new track, Gilmour is joined by drummer Nick Mason, long-time bassist Guy Pratt, and Nitin Sawhney on the keyboard,” added Scorch.
“What does this song mean?” said Felix, who was listening intently. Felix abhors battles and fights that harm people and the planet.
“It is a Ukrainian patriotic march song. It was written in 1914 to honor Sich Riflemen, a Ukrainian military unit that fought in World War I. The red viburnum refers to the kalyna berry which is a Ukrainian national symbol. It represents the roots and connection to the homeland.
Pink Floyd hopes this song will be a morale booster to the people of Ukraine,” concluded Scorch.