42 Parsecs
Hitching for a ride in interstellar overdrive
Back in July, I came across Hitchhiker’s Outpost, a little site for actually viewing syncs both found and created. It’s really the first site I found since the early days of Movies Synced (roughly a decade ago) that allowed a person to view the files in full instead of excerpts or a set of instructions. I reached out to the site runner of Hitchhiker’s Outpost, Hunter Flynn, and after a discussion on homebrew syncs, I remarked that there really wasn’t anything for the site’s namesake, the 2005 adaptation of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I set to work on the playlist.
What is Known
Pink Floyd always had sci-fi tendencies ever since their early albums with tracks like “Interstellar Overdrive”, “A Saucerful of Secrets”, “Let There Be More Light”, “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” and more. Plus, they supplied the scores for Barbet Schroeder’s More and La Vallee and Michelangelo Antonioni’s Zabriskie Point with more soundtrack work from Roger Waters (Music from The Body) and Nick Mason (White of the Eye). There’s also that whole thing with The Wizard of Oz that’s dogged them since the 90s.
Douglas Adams was part of Pink Floyd’s social circle. Between appearing as a musical guest during a concert at Earl’s Court in 1994 and referencing the band’s work in the Hitchhiker’s Guide series, he was no stranger to their work. He gave the band the title for what was their then-final album, “The Division Bell”. Naturally, this was a good fit in my eyes for this project.
The Setlist
Sessions July 27, 2024 - August 1, 2024. Completed August 1, 2024
Instructions
Start “Signs of Life” as soon as the Touchstone Pictures logo begins to form.
The Setlist: Commentary
Project Restrictions. I stuck to just what the group put out. While the remaining living members continue to perform songs in their live shows (or completely redoing them as is the case with Roger Waters’ “The Lockdown Sessions” and “The Dark Side of the Moon Redux”), it’s not the same unless the rest of the core band is there in some capacity. This means no “The Wall: Live in Berlin” with the likes of Cyndi Lauper and Tim Curry, no “Live in Gdansk”, no “Live at the Roundhouse”, or any of the others.
Signs of Life. This was always planned to be the opener for this project. It fits so nicely with the film’s prologue and how intelligent the dolphins really were. Plus, the water lapping on the docks was a nice aural treat as the Spyglass Entertainment logo forms with the water in the animation. The crescendo in the track at 1:47 lining up with the title reveal? What bliss.
Welcome to the Machine. The lengthiest track in the setlist has Arthur Dent dealing with construction as the song rumbles to life. There’s also the flashback to the party where Arthur and Trillian interact for the first time along with a total space cadet.
Up the Khyber. An instrumental piece that sets the chaos of the Vogon invasion and eventual demolition of Earth.
Take Off (Zabriskie Point Remix). The first dip into archival material, our heroes take off into an interstellar vessel, though not necessarily the best one.
One of These Days (Live in Hanover 1994). Any way you slice it, it’s a banger track. What makes this particular live version interesting is the section from 3:15-3:40. The distorted soundscape is unique to this performance and fits with the Guide’s description of the Vogons. Plus, the interpolation of the Doctor Who theme is perfect as Ford acts as a stand-in for the current Doctor played by Ncuti Gatwa and Arthur is the companion. It’s also a nice callback to Adams’ time writing during the Tom Baker era of the show.
Sysyphus, Part 3. This was the second and final planned track in the project. “Ummagumma” is certainly a mixed bag of an album with a few highlights on the studio disc. However, the length of the song was perfect for the intended scene: the Vogon poetry reading. After all, why not match the unpleasant nature of the poem with discordant sounds?
Speak to Me (Pulse). The classic opening line of “I’ve been mad for fuckin years” describes Arthur’s mood as they wait to be forcefully ejected into the cold void of space.
The Happiest Days of Our Lives (A Foot in the Door). After that stretch of primarily instrumental songs, we finally have something with actual lyrics and the first appearance of anything from “The Wall”. Personally, I find that “A Foot in the Door” is one of the weaker Pink Floyd compilation albums (“Echoes” is far more comprehensive) but it’s meant to be a primer as indicated by the title. So why include this version versus the others? Mainly it’s because I needed something to describe Zaphod’s character as the film fills us in on his backstory as the people around him pour on their derision.
Summer ‘68. The rare song from the band with Richard Wright on vocals that describes an encounter with an unknown groupie. Trillian fills this role in a sense. It’s here we also get the reveal of Marvin and his personality as Rick sings “I hardly even like you, I shouldn’t care at all.”
On the Run (Delicate Sound of Thunder 2019 Remix). This is fully literal to where Zaphod even says the phrase “on the run” near the start of the song. It’s the one track from “Dark Side of the Moon” that I find the most interesting whenever it’s covered as it’s the one most up to interpretation, whether it’s live from Pink Floyd as was the case here, “Pulse”, or “Live at Wembley 1974”, or the added narration in “The Dark Side of the Moon Redux”, or something completely different like either version from The Flaming Lips (version 1, version 2), doom metal, or Mary Fahl’s interpretation. Regardless, there are some neat touches in this scene like how the Heart of Gold’s control center represents a soundboard to generate the synthesized sequences much like how Roger Waters did during the creation of the song.
Ibiza Bar. Zaphod makes drinks for himself and Ford while Trillian uses the ship to make other food. Bartending at its finest.
Time (Delicate Sound of Thunder 2019 Remix). Here we get a glimpse into the past to see what the ultimate answer is, seeking wisdom from on high through the use of Deep Thought. While the scene is philosophical in nature, the whole thing can be compared to the song’s use in Tom Stoppard’s Darkside. It’s at that point in the play where our main character, in search for the answer to the secret of life, happens to come across the Wise One at the top of a mountain.
Obscured By Clouds. Something nice and atmospheric as the crew lands on Viltvodle VI. Plus, I wanted at least one song from the album to appear.
What Do You Want from Me. I wanted at least one track from “The Division Bell” included as an allusion to Adams’ input. This right here is perfect for the entire scene as Zaphod and Humma Kavula negotiate to a disastrous end.
Run Like Hell (Live at Knebworth 1990, 2021 mix). This right here is the song that gave me the most trouble. Initially, I used the original version from “The Wall” as I wanted to reference what happens during the film version of the album. However, the crash landing on Vogsphere and the trek across the stretch of land that slaps Arthur and the crew made things difficult. Spent a good three hours trying to find something to fill that space before I went back to the drawing board with “Run Like Hell”. The song, when performed live in the later years of the band, would have extended openings and so it was a matter of finding the one that fit. It ended up being the Knebworth performance, though “Pulse” was a close second.
Jugband Blues (Echoes). Given that this was the last song Syd really ever did for the band before he was replaced with David, it’s fitting that his sentiments are placed on someone like him. In this case, it’s Marvin as he more or less stands by while everyone else is getting slapped.
One Slip (Delicate Sound of Thunder 2019 Remix). By now, you’ve noticed that I’ve pulled three songs from this version of “Delicate Sound of Thunder”. I find that the 2019 remix is a vast improvement on the original album. Even if “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” is more in line with Gilmour’s flavor than Pink Floyd as a whole, the song does the job, especially in the back half with Arthur and Trillian trying to sort out their situation. Plus, the album title drop in the song sums up how Zaphod caused Earth to be destroyed.
Empty Spaces. A perfect moment to score the alienation between Arthur and Trillian. On top of that, the Improbability Drive transforms into flowers, just like in the movie/concert film.
The Labyrinths of Auximines (Concertgebouw). Part of “The Man and the Journey” shows (with various spellings of “Auximines”), this spacey track wouldn’t be too out of place in Forbidden Planet. As the crew orbits around Magrathea, they’re attacked by missiles right when the drums come in.
Side 3 Part 5: Autumn ‘68. The sole appearance of “The Endless River” in the setlist, which is a shame as I’m in the camp that likes the album for what it is. This track in particular is a nice interlude between both parts of “Allons-y” on the album and for setting the scene with the whale’s eventual demise as it falls through the clouds.
Marooned Jam - 1994 Recording. An outtake from the eventual Grammy-winning track, it’s a complimentary piece highlighting the isolation that Arthur faces when failing to go through the portal.
The Massed Gadgets of Hercules (BBC Radio Session 25 June 1968). It doesn’t matter what it’s called, any version of the track that would eventually be called “A Saucerful of Secrets” is worth the listening time. This is an abridged version for BBC Radio that still retains its interstellar scope. The back half of the track with the organ is enough to put the listener in awe with its solemn looping patterns. I wanted some version of the track to be included, especially with the reveal of the new Earth and the pilgrimage to Deep Thought.
The Doctor (Comfortably Numb Demo). This section was also difficult to score. “Keep Talking” would’ve been too long even though the subject matter would’ve fit with the scene involving the Point of View gun. Instead, we’re told where it hurts with each gun blast.
Pigs on the Wing 1. Slartibartfast tells Arthur about how the new Earth was constructed as they zigzag their way back to a replica of his house.
Ummagumma US Radio Ad. A neat little oddity that only appears on “The Early Years 1967-1972 Cre/ation” compilation. Does it tell you anything about the album? Nope. Instead, it’s the ending of “Grantchester Meadows” and an announcer. So why include it? It’s small enough to take us to the next track.
Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict. Arthur comes home to his friends but it’s all part of an elaborate plot by two mice. “Pow. R. Toc. H.” could’ve been here but I went with this instead.
Let There Be More Light (BBC Radio Session 25 June 1968). A hallucinatory sci-fi invasion with laser blasts. This is an homage to the pairing of “A Saucerful of Secrets” with the original The Day the Earth Stood Still as the spacecraft lands.
Point Me at the Sky. A fond farewell to our heroes as they take off for the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Plus, you have the year 2005 mentioned in the song and it’s when the movie came out. It’s a fitting end.
The Cutting Floor
The “Works” Compilation. There are some unique mixes that only exist on this particular compilation, mostly known for the first appearance of “Embryo” on a Pink Floyd album. The whole thing also runs at nearly 42 minutes flat, which is pretty cool given what this project was about.
“The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”. Honestly, I would’ve thought I’d use “Astronomy Domine” or “Interstellar Overdrive” but alas it didn’t work out that way.
“Is There Anybody Out There: The Wall Live 1980-1981”. Spotify just doesn’t have it for one reason or another. I could’ve used the MC Atmos tracks or really anything from the album in general as alternative to the regular version of “The Wall”.
“The Wall” Demos. Only two tracks from the demos exist on Spotify and one was used for the setlist. You can hear elements from them that would later appear in “The Final Cut”. Speaking of which…
“The Final Cut”. Out of the entire discography, this is the one album I seldom play. Even if I did include it, what could I possibly use? Maybe “The Fletcher Memorial Home”, the sole track from the album that shows up on two “best of” compilations, but I can’t imagine where I’d place it.
“Nothing, Pt 14 - Echoes Work in Progress”. I adore “Echoes” in all of its forms, especially the Gdansk performance. The length, however, is a bit much. This excerpt included in “The Early Years” could’ve fit where “Marooned Jam” was placed. Would I like to see more demos of the song released? Of course, but that’s not my decision to make.
“Shine on You Crazy Diamond Parts VI-IX”. This was also used where “Marooned Jam” eventually ended up. In practice, it was pretty cool to hear the build-up in the song matching Arthur’s futility with the portal and, once he meets Slartibartfast, you do see a model of Earth as a diamond. In the end, “Marooned Jam” was more fitting.