"Pow R. Toc H." is an instrumental, with vocal effects, by

Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philosophical lyrics an ...

on their 1967 album '' The Piper at the Gates of Dawn''. In addition to the vocal effects, the piano is a prominent instrument in the piece.

Background

Toc H. was the army signallers' code for "TH", representing Talbot House, a club where officers and enlisted men were equals, which later became an interdenominational Christian fellowship organization serving the community. (The emblem of Toc H. is an oil lamp, so a "power Toc H." would be an electric torch—probably with a dim bulb, as per the saying "as dim as a Toc H. lamp".) According to Nick Mason, the original four members of Pink Floyd (

Syd Barrett Roger Keith "Syd" Barrett (6 January 1946 – 7 July 2006) was an English singer, songwriter, and musician who co-founded the rock band Pink Floyd in 1965. Barrett was their original frontman and primary songwriter, becoming known for his ...

Roger Waters George Roger Waters (born 6 September 1943) is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. In 1965, he co-founded the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. Waters initially served as the bassist, but following the departure of singer-so ...

, Richard Wright and Mason) were present at Abbey Road Studios and watched

the Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the developm ...

record " Lovely Rita" from ''

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band ''Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'' is the eighth studio album by the English rock band the Beatles. Released on 26May 1967, ''Sgt. Pepper'' is regarded by musicologists as an early concept album that advanced the roles of sound composi ...

''. Voice effects and noises similar to those used in "Lovely Rita" could be heard in "Pow R. Toc H.", recorded in the next studio during the same period. Waters also uses the "scream" he later used in " Careful with That Axe, Eugene".

Alternative and live versions

"Pow R. Toc H." was renamed "The Pink Jungle" in the "Journey" part of '' The Man and The Journey''. Pink Floyd performed the song live from 1967 to 1969.

Personnel

–

acoustic guitar An acoustic guitar is a musical instrument in the string family. When a string is plucked its vibration is transmitted from the bridge, resonating throughout the top of the guitar. It is also transmitted to the side and back of the instrument, ...

, electric guitars,

vocal percussion Vocal percussion is the art of creating sounds with one's mouth that approximate, imitate, or otherwise serve the same purpose as a percussion instrument, whether in a group of singers, an instrumental ensemble, or solo. In Western music Recent ...

– bass guitar,

screams A scream is a loud vocalization in which air is passed through the vocal cords with greater force than is used in regular or close-distance vocalisation. This can be performed by any creature possessing lungs, including humans. A scream is of ...

* Richard Wright – Farfisa organ, piano, additional vocalisations * Nick Mason – drums,

percussion A percussion instrument is a musical instrument that is sounded by being struck or scraped by a beater including attached or enclosed beaters or rattles struck, scraped or rubbed by hand or struck against another similar instrument. Exc ...

References

{{Authority control Pink Floyd songs 1967 songs Songs written by Syd Barrett Songs written by Nick Mason Songs written by Richard Wright (musician) Songs written by Roger Waters 1960s instrumentals