View source for Atom Heart Mother

{{About||the title track|Atom Heart Mother (suite)|the Iranian film|Atom Heart Mother (film)}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = Atom Heart Mother
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[Pink Floyd]]
| cover        = AtomHeartMotherCover.jpeg
| alt          = A cow in a field, with its back in the view. The head of the cow is seen facing towards the camera.
| released     = 2 October 1970
| recorded     = 1 March – 26 July 1970<ref>{{cite book |last=Povey |first=Glenn |title=Echoes |publisher=Mind Head Pub. |date=2007 |isbn=9780955462405 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qnnl3FnO-B4C}}</ref>
| studio       = [[Abbey Road Studios|EMI]], London
| genre        = {{hlist|[[Progressive rock]]<ref name="teamrock">{{cite web | url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-09-22/pink-floyd-the-story-behind-atom-heart-mother | title=Pink Floyd: The Story Behind Atom Heart Mother | work=TeamRock | date=22 September 2016 | access-date=14 March 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315174620/http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-09-22/pink-floyd-the-story-behind-atom-heart-mother | archive-date=15 March 2017 | url-status=live}}</ref>|[[experimental rock]]<ref name="teamrock" />}}
| length       = {{Duration|m=52|s=06}}
| label        = [[Harvest Records|Harvest]]
| producer     = Pink Floyd
| chronology   = [[Pink Floyd]]
| prev_title   = [[Ummagumma]]
| prev_year    = 1969
| next_title   = [[Meddle]]
| next_year    = 1971
}}

'''''Atom Heart Mother''''' is the fifth studio album by the English rock band [[Pink Floyd]]. It was released by [[Harvest Records|Harvest]] on 2 October 1970 in the United Kingdom, and on 10 October 1970 in the United States.{{sfn|Povey|2006|p=137}} It was recorded at EMI Studios (now [[Abbey Road Studios]]) in London, and was the band's first album to reach number 1 in the UK, while it reached number 55 in the US, eventually going [[RIAA certification|gold]] there.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aA4EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22atom+heart+mother%22+gold+certification&pg=PA119 |title=Record Research (advertisement) |magazine=Billboard magazine |date=15 March 1997 |access-date=6 September 2012 |archive-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521212905/https://books.google.com/books?id=aA4EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22atom+heart+mother%22+gold+certification&pg=PA119 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The cover was designed by [[Hipgnosis]], and was the band's first not to feature their name, or have photographs of them on any part of it. This was a trend that would continue on subsequent covers throughout the 1970s. The cover shows a [[Holstein cow]] on a meadow landscape.

Although it was commercially successful on release, the band{{snd}}particularly [[Roger Waters]] and [[David Gilmour]]{{snd}}have expressed negative opinions of the album. A remastered CD was released in 1994 in the UK and the US, and again in 2011. [[Ron Geesin]], who had influenced and collaborated with Waters, co-composed the title track.

==Recording==
[[File:Roger waters leeds 1970.jpg|left|thumb|[[Roger Waters]] onstage at [[Leeds University]], 28 February 1970. One of the earliest live performances of the album's title track was at this show.]]

Pink Floyd started work on the album after completing their contributions to the soundtrack for the film ''[[Zabriskie Point (film)|Zabriskie Point]]'' in Rome, which had ended somewhat acrimoniously. They headed back to London in early 1970 for rehearsals. A number of out-takes from the Rome sessions were used to assemble new material during these rehearsals, though some of it, such as "The Violent Sequence", later to become "[[Us and Them (song)|Us and Them]]", would not be used for some time.{{sfn|Mason|2004|pp=135–138}}

===Side one===
The [[Atom Heart Mother (suite)|title track]] of ''Atom Heart Mother'' resulted from a number of instrumental figures the band had composed during these rehearsals, including the chord progression of the main theme, which guitarist [[David Gilmour]] had called "Theme from an Imaginary Western",{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=157}}{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=62}} and the earliest documented live performance was on 17 January 1970{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=62}} at [[Hull University]].{{sfn|Povey|2006|p=181}} The band felt that the live performances developed the piece into a manageable shape.{{sfn|Mason|2004|pp=135–138}} Recording of the track commenced at EMI Studios (now [[Abbey Road Studios]]) in London, and was somewhat cumbersome, as it was the first recording to use a new  eight-track one-inch tape and [[EMI TG12345]] transistorised mixing console (8-track, 24-microphone inputs) in the studio. As a result, [[EMI]] insisted the band were not allowed to do any [[Reel-to-reel audio tape recording|splicing of the tape]] to edit pieces together. Consequently, band members [[Roger Waters]] and [[Nick Mason]] had little choice but to play the bass and drums, respectively, for the entire 23-minute piece in one sitting. The other instruments the band played were [[overdub]]bed later. Mason recalled the final backing track's lack of precise timekeeping would cause problems later on.{{sfn|Mason|2004|pp=135–138}} Geesin denied Mason's account and said the tapes given to him for arranging the score were a collage of short sections.{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2017|p=306}}

By March, they had finished recording the track,{{sfn|Povey|2006|p=121}} but felt that it was rather unfocused and needed something else. The band had been introduced to [[Ron Geesin]] via the [[The Rolling Stones|Rolling Stones]] tour manager, [[Sam Cutler]], and were impressed with his composition and tape-editing capabilities, particularly Waters and Mason.{{sfn|Mason|2004|pp=135–138}} Geesin was handed the completed backing tracks the band had recorded, and asked to compose an orchestral arrangement over the top of it while the band went on tour to the US.{{sfn|Mason|2004|pp=135–138}} Geesin described the composing and arranging as "a hell of a lot of work. Nobody knew what was wanted, they couldn't read music …"{{sfn|Povey|2006|p=121}} According to him, Gilmour came up with some of the melodic lines, while the pair of them along with keyboardist [[Richard Wright (musician)|Richard Wright]] worked on the middle section with the choir.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=62}}{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=158}} During the recording of his work in June with the EMI Pops Orchestra,<ref name="theword" /> the session musicians present were unimpressed with his tendency to favour avant-garde music over established classical works, and, combined with the relative difficulty of some of the parts, harassed him during recording. [[John Alldis]], whose choir was also to perform on the track, had experience in dealing with orchestral musicians, and managed to conduct the recorded performance in place of Geesin.{{sfn|Mason|2004|pp=135–138}}{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=63}}

The track was originally called "The Amazing Pudding", although Geesin's original score referred to it as "Untitled Epic".{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=62}}{{sfn|Geesin|2013|p=8}} A refined and improved version (with Geesin's written parts) was played at [[Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music]] on 27 June.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=63}}{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=163}} Its name was changed after the band were due to play an "in concert" broadcast for [[BBC Radio 1]] on 16 July 1970, and had needed a title for [[John Peel]] to announce it.{{efn|A free performance was held at London's [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] in July 1970, arranged by former Floyd management, [[Peter Jenner]] and [[Andrew King (music manager)|Andrew King]], with Geesin in attendance, who was shocked by the performance.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=63}}{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=163}}}}{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=63}}{{sfn|Povey|2006|p=134}} Geesin pointed to a copy of the ''[[Evening Standard]]'', and suggested to Waters that he would find a title in there. The headline of one article, on page 9, was: ''"{{sc|Atom Heart Mother Named}}"'', a story about a woman being fitted with a [[Plutonium-238]]-powered [[pacemaker]].{{sfn|Blake|2006|p=152}}{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=160}}<ref name="AHMN">{{cite news |title=Atom Heart Mother Named |work=Evening Standard |date=16 July 1970 |page=9}}</ref>

The piece as presented on the completed album is a progression from Pink Floyd's earlier instrumental pieces such as "[[A Saucerful of Secrets (song)|A Saucerful of Secrets]]" and even earlier, "[[Interstellar Overdrive]]". The "Atom Heart Mother" suite takes up all of side one, and is split into six parts, individually named. Geesin chose the opening section name, "Father's Shout" after [[Earl Hines|Earl "Fatha" Hines]], while other names such as "Breast Milky" and "Funky Dung" were inspired by the album cover artwork.<ref name="theword" /> The orchestral arrangements feature a full brass section,{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=158}} a cello{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=159}} and the 16-piece John Alldis choir,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/obituaries/john-alldis-atom-heart-mother-choir-conductor-passes.html |title=Obituary – John Alldis |publisher=Brain Damage |date=21 December 2010 |access-date=5 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401121627/http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/obituaries/john-alldis-atom-heart-mother-choir-conductor-passes.html |archive-date=1 April 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|pp=159–160}} which take most of the lead melody lines, while Pink Floyd mainly provide the backing tracks;{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=158}} a reverse of the 1960s pop music practice of using orchestration as the background, and putting the rock band in front.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=162}}

===Side two===
[[File:Expo Pink Floyd - Organ.jpg|thumb|right|From around 1970, [[Richard Wright (musician)|Rick Wright]] used a [[Hammond Organ|Hammond M102 organ]] on stage regularly, and it makes a prominent appearance on the album.{{sfn|Mason|2004|p=130}}]]

The album's concept is similar to their previous ''Ummagumma'' album, in that it features the full band in the first half, and focuses on individual members in the second half.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=162}}{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=156}} Side two opens with three five-minute songs: one by each of the band's three resident songwriters; then closes with a sound effects-dominated musical suite primarily conceived by Mason  and credited to the whole group.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=162}}{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=164}}  Waters contributes a folk ballad called "[[If (Pink Floyd song)|If]]", playing acoustic guitar.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=162}}{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=162}} Pink Floyd rarely played the song live, but Waters often  performed it at solo shows{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=162}} in support of his ''[[Radio K.A.O.S.]]'' album, more than a decade later. This is followed by Wright's "[[Summer '68]]", which also features prominent use of brass in places. It was issued as a Japanese single in 1971,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pinkfloyd.com/music/singles.php |title=Pink Floyd – The Official Site – Singles |access-date=5 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818140135/http://www.pinkfloyd.com/music/singles.php |archive-date=18 August 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> and was the only track on the album never to be played live in concert. The song was reportedly about Wright and a [[groupie]] on tour, and had the working title of "One Night Stand".{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|p=100}}

According to Mason, Gilmour, having had little songwriting experience at that point, was ordered to remain in EMI until he had composed a song suitable for inclusion on the album. He came up with a folk-influenced tune, "[[Fat Old Sun]]",{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=162}} which he still cites as a personal favourite.{{sfn|Mason|2004|pp=135–138}} The song was a regular part of the band's live repertoire in 1970–71, and became a staple of Gilmour's solo set in 2006.{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|p=101}}

The final track, "[[Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast]]", is divided into three segments, each with its own descriptive title, joined by dialogue and sound effects of then-roadie Alan Styles preparing, discussing, and eating breakfast.{{sfn|Manning|2006|pp=64,162}} The idea for the piece came about by Waters experimenting with the rhythm of a dripping tap,{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=64}} which combined sound effects and dialogue recorded by Mason in his kitchen{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=64}} with musical pieces recorded at EMI.{{sfn|Povey|2006|p=122}} A slightly re-worked version was performed on stage on 22 December 1970 at [[Sheffield City Hall]], Sheffield, England with the band members pausing between pieces to eat and drink their breakfast. The original LP ends with the sound of the tap which continues into the inner groove, and thus plays on indefinitely.{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=163}}{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|p=102}}

Original Floyd frontman [[Syd Barrett]] recorded his album ''[[Barrett (album)|Barrett]]'' around the same time as ''Atom Heart Mother'', with assistance from Gilmour and Wright. He occasionally visited his old band's sessions to see what they were doing.{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=159}}

==Artwork==
[[File:Dark side of the moo.jpg|thumb|right|The bootleg ''[[The Dark Side of the Moo]]'' featured a fan's attempt at reproducing the cover.]]
The original album cover, designed by art collective [[Hipgnosis]], shows a [[Holstein-Friesian]] cow standing in a pasture with no text nor any other clue as to what might be on the record.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=64}}{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=161}} Some later editions have the title and artist name added to the cover. This concept was the group's reaction to the [[psychedelic rock|psychedelic]] [[space rock]] imagery associated with Pink Floyd at the time of the album's release; the band wanted to explore all sorts of music without being limited to a particular image or style of performance. They thus requested that their new album had "something plain" on the cover, which ended up being the image of a cow.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=64}}{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=161}} [[Storm Thorgerson]], inspired by [[Andy Warhol]]'s famous "[[cow wallpaper]]", has said that he simply drove out into a rural area near [[Potters Bar]] and photographed the first cow he saw.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=64}}{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=161}} The cow's owner identified her name as "Lulubelle III".{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=64}}{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=161}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.virginmedia.com/music/pictures/toptens/best-album-covers-ever.php?ssid=11 |title=Pink Floyd: Atom Heart Mother – The 20 best album covers ever – Pictures – Music |website=[[Virgin Media]] |access-date=26 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213182303/http://www.virginmedia.com/music/pictures/toptens/best-album-covers-ever.php?ssid=11 |archive-date=13 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> More cows appear on the back cover, again with no text or titles, and on the inside [[gatefold]]. Also, a pink balloon shaped like a cow udder accompanied the album as part of Capitol's marketing strategy campaign to "break" the band in the US.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=64}}{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=161}}<ref>{{cite magazine|first=R. Serge|last=Denisoff|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=42Wb1DeDZjcC&q=pink+floyd&pg=PA321|title=Solid gold: the popular record industry|magazine=Billboard|date=October 1971|page=16|isbn=9781412834797 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214171648/https://books.google.com/books?id=42Wb1DeDZjcC&pg=PA321&dq=billboard+magazine+october+1971&lr=&cd=16#v=onepage&q=pink%20floyd&f=false |archive-date=14 February 2017}}</ref> Looking back on the artwork, Thorgerson remembered: "I think the cow represents, in terms of the Pink Floyd, part of their humour, which I think is often underestimated or just unwritten about."<ref name="stormguitarworld">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/interview-designer-storm-thorgerson-reflects-pink-floyd-and-30-years-landmark-album-art?page=0,2 |title=Interview: Designer Storm Thorgerson Reflects on Pink Floyd and 30 Years of Landmark Album Art |magazine=[[Guitar World]] |date=10 August 2011 |access-date=5 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706131246/http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-designer-storm-thorgerson-reflects-pink-floyd-and-30-years-landmark-album-art?page=0,2 |archive-date=6 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the mid-1980s, a [[bootleg recording|bootleg]] containing rare singles and B-sides entitled ''[[The Dark Side of the Moo]]'' appeared, with a similar cover. Like ''Atom Heart Mother'', the cover had no writing on it, although in this case it was to protect the bootlegger's anonymity rather than any artistic statement.<ref name="heylin">{{cite book |last=Heylin |first=Clinton |title=The Great White Wonders – A History of Rock Bootlegs |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |year=1994 |page=197 |isbn=0-670-85777-7}}</ref> The album cover for [[the KLF]]'s concept album ''[[Chill Out (KLF album)|Chill Out]]'' was also inspired by ''Atom Heart Mother''.<ref>{{cite web |first=Stuart |last=Young |url=http://www.libraryofmu.org/display-resource.php?id=229 |title=KLF is Gonna Rock Ya! |publisher=Library of Mu |access-date=5 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126091307/http://www.libraryofmu.org/display-resource.php?id=229 |archive-date=26 January 2013}}</ref>

==Release and reception==
{{Music ratings
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1=Stephen Thomas |author1-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title=''Atom Heart Mother'' – Pink Floyd |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/atom-heart-mother-mw0000195290 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=21 May 2021 |archive-date=11 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511125047/https://www.allmusic.com/album/atom-heart-mother-mw0000195290 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
|rev2score = D+<ref name="CG81">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|year=1981|chapter-url=http://robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=1085&name=Pink+Floyd|chapter=Pink Floyd: ''Atom Heart Mother''|title=Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the '70s|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=089919026X|access-date=3 October 2018|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/christgausrecord00robe_1}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite news|last=McCormick|first=Neil|date=20 May 2014|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/8790376/Pink-Floyds-14-studio-albums-rated.html|title=Pink Floyd's 14 studio albums rated|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|access-date=27 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227153821/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/8790376/Pink-Floyds-14-studio-albums-rated.html|archive-date=27 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[MusicHound|MusicHound Rock]]''
|rev5score = 2/5<ref>{{cite book|editor-last1=Graff|editor-first1=Gary|editor-last2=Durchholz|editor-first2=Daniel|title=MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | publisher = Visible Ink Press | location = Farmington Hills, MI | year = 1999 | page = [https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612/page/872 872] | isbn = 1-57859-061-2 | url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578590612/page/872}}
</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev6Score = {{Rating|1|5}}<ref name="RSguide">{{cite magazine|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|author-link=Rob Sheffield|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/pink-floyd/albumguide|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217230328/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/pink-floyd/albumguide|title=Pink Floyd: Album Guide|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]], [[Fireside Books]]|date=2 November 2004|archive-date=17 February 2011|access-date=27 December 2014}}</ref>
| rev7 = Sputnikmusic
| rev7score = 3/5<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/39178/Pink-Floyd-Atom-Heart-Mother/ |title=Pink Floyd Atom Heart Mother |last=Tan |first=Irving |website=Sputnikmusic |access-date=26 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918215312/http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/39178/Pink-Floyd-Atom-Heart-Mother/ |archive-date=18 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev8 = [[Tom Hull (critic)|Tom Hull]] 
| rev8score = C−<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tomhull.com/ocston/nm/get_gl.php?n=pink+floyd|title=Grade List: pink floyd|author-link=Tom Hull (critic)|last=Hull|first=Tom|access-date=11 October 2020|website=Tom Hull – on the Web|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012232355/http://www.tomhull.com/ocston/nm/get_gl.php?n=pink+floyd|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev9= ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]''
| rev9score= {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/pink-floyd-atom-heart-mother-album-of-the-week-club-review|title=Pink Floyd: Atom Heart Mother – Album Of The Week Club review|date=25 March 2019 |access-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325171609/https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/pink-floyd-atom-heart-mother-album-of-the-week-club-review|archive-date=25 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

''Atom Heart Mother'' was released on 2 October 1970 in the UK and 10 October in the US.{{sfn|Povey|2006|p=344}} It reached number 1<ref name="ukchart">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/pink%20floyd/|title=Pink Floyd – UK Chart History|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=30 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313171507/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/pink%20floyd/|archive-date=13 March 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and number 55,<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web |author=Pink Floyd |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pink-floyd-mn0000346336/awards |title=Pink Floyd – Awards |website=AllMusic |access-date=4 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407174948/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pink-floyd-mn0000346336/awards |archive-date=7 April 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> respectively in those countries' charts. It was released in the [[quadraphonic]] format in the UK,{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=64}} Germany{{efn|UK EMI Harvest/HÖR ZU SHZE 297 Q}} and Australia.{{efn|Australia EMI Harvest Q4SHVL-781}} A remastered CD was released in 1994 in the UK and the US. [[Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab]] released a 24KT gold CD in the US in 1994, while an LP version was released in the US in the same year. A remastered edition was released in 2011.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=DeCurtis |first=Anthony |date=11 May 2011 |title=Pink Floyd announce massive reissue project |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pink-floyd-announce-massive-reissue-project-187577/ |access-date=26 February 2023 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US}}</ref> It was reissued again in 2016 on the band's Pink Floyd Records label.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Pink Floyd Records To Release "Atom Heart Mother", "Meddle" And "Obscured By Clouds" On September 23, 2016|publisher=Legacy Recordings|date=18 August 2016}}</ref>

Critical reaction to the suite has always been mixed, and all band members have expressed negativity toward it.{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=160}} Gilmour has said the album was "a load of rubbish. We were at a real down point ... I think we were scraping the barrel a bit at that period"<ref name="rubbish">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nQ1f7Vasrv8C&q=alan%27s+psychedelic+breakfast&pg=PA20 |title=Guitar World presents Pink Floyd |isbn=9780634032868 |access-date=5 September 2012 |last1=Perna |first1=Alan Di |last2=Kitts |first2=Jeff |last3=Tolinski |first3=Brad |year=2002 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |archive-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521212932/https://books.google.com/books?id=nQ1f7Vasrv8C&q=alan%27s+psychedelic+breakfast&pg=PA20 |url-status=live}}</ref> and "a good idea but it was dreadful... ''Atom Heart Mother'' sounds like we didn't have any idea between us, but we became much more prolific after it."<ref name="mojo2001">{{cite web |url=http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t1456-david-gilmour-have-pink-floyd.html |title=Have Pink Floyd Split Up? |publisher=Mojo Magazine |date=October 2001 |access-date=16 August 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909210351/http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t1456-david-gilmour-have-pink-floyd.html |archive-date=9 September 2012 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> Similarly, in a 1984 interview on [[BBC Radio 1]], Waters said "If somebody said to me now{{snd}}right{{snd}}here's a million pounds, go out and play ''Atom Heart Mother'', I'd say you must be fucking joking."<ref name="theword">{{cite web |url=http://www.davidgilmour.com/press/2008/july/TheWord_July08.pdf |publisher=The Word |title=Dear Diary |date=July 2008 |access-date=5 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027203212/http://davidgilmour.com/press/2008/july/TheWord_July08.pdf |archive-date=27 October 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In a 1970 review, Alec Dubro of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' appraised ''Atom Heart Mother'' negatively, stating "if Pink Floyd is looking for some new dimensions, they haven't found them here."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/atom-heart-mother-19701210|title=Atom Heart Mother|last=Dubro|first=Alec|date=10 December 1970|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=22 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721084953/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/atom-heart-mother-19701210|archive-date=21 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]'' (1981), [[Robert Christgau]] said the suite was easier to digest than the second side of songs: "Yeah, they do leave the singing to an anonymous semi-classical chorus, and yeah, they probably did get the horns for the fanfares at the same hiring hall. But at least the suite provides a few of the hypnotic melodies that made ''Ummagumma'' such an admirable record to fall asleep to."<ref name="CG81" /> The album is ranked number 990 in ''[[All-Time Top 1000 Albums]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/virgin_1000_v3.htm |title= Rocklist |access-date= 22 July 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120513223452/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/virgin_1000_v3.htm |archive-date= 13 May 2012 |url-status= usurped}}</ref>

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of ''[[AllMusic]]'' called the album "the most impenetrable album Pink Floyd released while on [[Harvest Records|Harvest]]," and said it was "often intriguing, more in what it suggests than what it achieves." He suggested that the album's 23-minute long opening track could prove to make the album an "acquired taste" to even hardened fans of the band.<ref>{{Citation |title=Atom Heart Mother – Pink Floyd {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/atom-heart-mother-mw0000195290 |access-date=2025-03-23 |language=en}}</ref>

== Live performances ==

The band were initially enthusiastic about performing the suite. An early performance was taped for the San Francisco television station [[KQED (TV)|KQED]], featuring just the band, on 28 April 1970.{{sfn|Povey|2006|p=131}} Two major performances were at the [[Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music]] on 27 June and the "Blackhills Garden Party" in [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], London on 18 July. On both occasions the band were accompanied by the John Alldis Choir and the [[Philip Jones Brass Ensemble]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pinkfloyd.com/history/timeline_1970.php |title=Timeline : 1970 |publisher=Pink Floyd – The Official Site |access-date=5 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815051613/http://www.pinkfloyd.com/history/timeline_1970.php |archive-date=15 August 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Later, the band took a full [[brass section]] and choir on tour just for the purpose of performing this piece.{{sfn|Schaffner|2005|p=163}} However, this caused the tour to lose money, and the band found problems with the hired musicians, which changed from gig to gig as they simply took who was available, which, combined with lack of rehearsal and problems miking up the whole ensemble, made a full live performance more problematic. Reflecting on this, Gilmour said "some of the brass players have been really hopeless".{{sfn|Povey|2006|p=122}} According to Mason, the band arrived at one gig in [[Aachen]], Germany, only to discover they had left the sheet music behind, forcing tour manager Tony Howard to go back to London and get it.{{sfn|Mason|2004|pp=135–138}}

A later arrangement without brass or choir, and pared down from 25 minutes to fifteen by omitting the "collage" sections and closing reprise of the main theme, remained in their live repertoire into 1972. The first live performance of ''[[The Dark Side of the Moon]]'' suite in [[Brighton]] was abandoned partway through; after a break, the band played ''Atom Heart Mother'' instead.{{sfn|Povey|2006|p=164}} Pink Floyd's last live performance of the suite took place on 22 May 1972 at the Olympisch Stadion, [[Amsterdam]], Netherlands.{{sfn|Povey|2006|p=168}}

== Legacy ==

[[Stanley Kubrick]] wanted to use the album's title track in ''[[A Clockwork Orange (film)|A Clockwork Orange]]''.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=64}} The group refused permission, primarily because Kubrick was unsure of exactly which pieces of music he wanted and what he wished to do with them. In retrospect, Waters said "maybe it's just as well it wasn't used after all".{{sfn|Povey|2006|p=122}} Nevertheless, the album is visible behind the counter in the record store scene of the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/2006/04/13/alex-in-the-chelsea-drug-store/ |author=John Coulthart |title=Alex in the Chelsea Drug Store |date=13 April 2006 |access-date=5 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705200102/http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/2006/04/13/alex-in-the-chelsea-drug-store/ |archive-date=5 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On 14 and 15 June 2008, Geesin performed "Atom Heart Mother" with Italian tribute band Mun Floyd over two nights as part of the Chelsea Festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/pink-floyd/37015 |title=Dave Gilmour to perform 'Atom Heart Mother' with tribute band |author=New Musical Express |website=[[NME]] |author-link=New Musical Express |date=2 June 2008 |access-date=7 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107121553/http://www.nme.com/news/pink-floyd/37015 |archive-date=7 November 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Geesin introduced it with a history and slide show. The performances featured the chamber choir Canticum,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canticum.org.uk/reviews-testimonials.htm |title=Canticum – Testimonials |author=Canticum |access-date=7 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723075802/http://www.canticum.org.uk/reviews-testimonials.htm |archive-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> brass and cellist Caroline Dale, who has worked with Gilmour. The second night saw Gilmour join Geesin on stage for the performance, which was extended to 30 minutes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/concerts/ron-geesin-atom-heart-mother-cadogan-hall-london-june-14th.html |title=Ron Geesin – Atom Heart Mother, Cadogan Hall, London – June 14th 2008 |author=Brain Damage |date=15 June 2008 |access-date=7 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617051110/http://www.brain-damage.co.uk/concerts/ron-geesin-atom-heart-mother-cadogan-hall-london-june-14th.html |archive-date=17 June 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, Geesin produced a book, ''The Flaming Cow'', which documented his experience with working with Pink Floyd, including the making of this album from his point of view.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rongeesin.com/all-the-latest-news/58-atom-heart-mother-book|title=Ron Geesin – The Flaming Cow (book)|date=9 May 2013|access-date=18 June 2013|author=Ron Geesin|author-link=Ron Geesin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140612075709/http://www.rongeesin.com/all-the-latest-news/58-atom-heart-mother-book|archive-date=12 June 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

Music critic [[Jim DeRogatis]] called the album the "strongest offering from the mid-period Floyd."<ref>{{Cite book |last=DeRogatis |first=Jim |title=Turn On Your Mind |publisher=Hal Leonard |pages=132}}</ref>

==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| headline        = Side one
| extra_column    = Lead vocals
| total_length = 23:44
| extra1 = [[John Alldis Choir]]
| title1          = [[Atom Heart Mother (suite)|Atom Heart Mother]]"<br />
:I. "Father's Shout" (2:50)
:II. "Breast Milky" (2:33)
:III. "Mother Fore" (4:50)
:IV. "Funky Dung" (5:15)
:V. "Mind Your Throats Please" (2:30)
:VI. "Remergence 
| writer1         = {{flatlist|
*[[Nick Mason]]
*[[David Gilmour]]
*[[Roger Waters]]
*[[Richard Wright (musician)|Richard Wright]]
*[[Ron Geesin]]}}
| length1         = 23:44
| note1 = 5:46
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Side two
| extra_column = Lead vocals
| total_length = 28:22
(52:06)
| title2 = [[If (Pink Floyd song)|If]]
| writer2 = Waters
| extra2 = Waters
| length2 = 4:31
| title3 = [[Summer '68]]
| writer3 = Wright
| extra3 = Wright
| length3 = 5:29
| title4 = [[Fat Old Sun]]
| writer4 = Gilmour
| extra4 = Gilmour
| length4 = 5:22
| title5 = [[Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast]]"
:I. "Rise and Shine" (3:33)
:II. "Sunny Side Up" (4:12)
:III. "Morning Glory
| writer5 = {{flatlist|
*Waters
*Mason
*Gilmour
*Wright}}
| extra5 = ''Instrumental, speech by Alan Styles''
| length5 = 13:00
| note5 = 5:15
}}

==Personnel==
Taken from sleeve notes.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Atom Heart Mother |title-link=Atom Heart Mother |author=[[Pink Floyd]] |type=gatefold |publisher=[[Harvest Records]] |id=SHVL 781}}</ref> Track numbers noted in parentheses below are based on CD track numbering.

'''Pink Floyd'''
* [[David Gilmour]] – [[electric guitar]] (1, 2, 4, 5), [[slide guitar]] (1, 2), [[pedal steel guitar]] (4, 5), [[acoustic guitar]] (3–5), [[classical guitar]] (3), bass and drums (4), [[vocals]] (4)
* [[Nick Mason]] – [[drums]] (1–3, 5), [[percussion]] (1, 3, 5), sound effects (1, 5)
* [[Roger Waters]] – [[Bass guitar|bass]] (1–3, 5), classical guitar (2), vocals (2), [[sound effect]]s (1, 5)
* [[Richard Wright (Pink Floyd)|Richard Wright]] – [[piano]] (1–3, 5), [[Farfisa organ]] (1, 4), [[Hammond organ]] (1–5), [[Mellotron]] (1), vocals (3)

'''Additional musicians'''
*EMI Pops Orchestra – [[Brass instrument|brass]] and orchestral sections (uncredited)<ref name="theword" />
*[[Hafliði Hallgrímsson]] – [[cello]] {{small|(1)}} (uncredited){{sfn|Geesin|2013|p=41}}
*[[John Alldis Choir]] – choir {{small|(1)}}
*Alan Styles – voice and sound effects {{small|(5)}} (uncredited)

'''Production'''
*[[Ron Geesin]] – orchestration and [[musical composition|co-composition]] {{small|(1)}} (uncredited){{sfn|Schaffner|2005|pp=161–2}}
*Peter Bown – engineering
*[[Alan Parsons]] – engineering (misspelled as "Allan Parsons" on the original sleeve)<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Mark|last=Cunningham|title=The other side of the moon|magazine=Making Music|date=January 1995|page=18}}</ref>
*[[Doug Sax]], [[James Guthrie (record producer)|James Guthrie]] – 1994 [[Audio mastering|remastering]] at The Mastering Lab, L.A.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Atom Heart Mother |author=Pink Floyd |year=1994 |type=Booklet |publisher=Capitol Records (CDP 0777 7 46381 2 8)}}</ref>
*James Guthrie, Joel Plante – 2011 remastering at das boot recording<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Atom Heart Mother |author=Pink Floyd |year=2011 |type=Booklet |publisher=Capitol Records (50999 028940 2 7)}}</ref>

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+1970 weekly chart performance for ''Atom Heart Mother''
! style="width:20em;"|Chart (1970)
!Peak<br />position
|-
!scope="row"|Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St. Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|edition=Illustrated|page=233|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
|align="center"|30
|-
{{Album chart|Canada|39|chartid=3735|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2016}}
|-
!scope="row"|Danish Albums ([[Tracklisten]])<ref>{{cite web |url=http://danskehitlister.dk/?song_id=6335 |title=LP Top 10, December 7, 1970 |access-date=30 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410005445/http://danskehitlister.dk/?song_id=6335 |archive-date=10 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|align="center"|8
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|5|artist=Pink Floyd|album=Atom Heart Mother|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2016}}
|-
!scope="row"|French Albums ([[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|SNEP]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Album_P.php |title=Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste – P |publisher=Infodisch.fr |access-date=24 April 2013 |language=fr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507235832/http://www.infodisc.fr/Album_P.php |archive-date=7 May 2013}}</ref>
|align="center"|4
|-
{{album chart|Germany|8|id=6658|artist=Pink Floyd|album=Atom Heart Mother|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2016}}
|-
!scope="row"|Italian Albums (''[[Discografia Internazionale]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VAgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=atom+heart+mother+pink+floyd+billboard&pg=PA54|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|title=Hits of the World|via=Google Books|page=54|date=24 April 1971|access-date=16 July 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|9
|-
{{album chart|Norway|13|M|artist=Pink Floyd|album=Atom Heart Mother|url=http://norwegiancharts.com/weekchart.asp?cat=a&year=1970&date=197048|title=Norwegian charts portal (48/1970)|work=norwegiancharts.com|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|UK|1|artist=Pink Floyd|album=Atom Heart Mother|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|55|artist=Pink Floyd|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2016}}
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+2011–2012 weekly chart performance for ''Atom Heart Mother''
! style="width:20em;"|Chart (2011–2012)
!Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|France|66|M|artist=Pink Floyd|album=Atom Heart Mother|url=http://lescharts.com/weekchart.asp?cat=a&year=2011&date=20111001|title=Les charts francais (01/11/2011)|work=lescharts.com|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Spain|79|artist=Pink Floyd|album=Atom Heart Mother|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2016}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|81|artist=Pink Floyd|album=Atom Heart Mother|rowheader=true|access-date=9 June 2016}}
|}
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+2023–2025 weekly chart performance for ''Atom Heart Mother''
! style="width:20em;"|Chart (2023–2025)
!Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Hungarian Physical Albums ([[Association of Hungarian Record Companies|MAHASZ]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Album Top 40 slágerlista (fizikai hanghordozók) – 2025. 41. hét |url=https://slagerlistak.hu/album-top-40-slagerlista-fizikai-hanghordozok/2025/41 |publisher=[[Association of Hungarian Record Companies|MAHASZ]] |access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref>
|align="center"| 34
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|64|artist=Pink Floyd|album=Atom Heart Mother|rowheader=true|access-date=17 December 2023|refname=swi-2023}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance for ''Atom Heart Mother''
! scope="col" | Chart (1971)
! scope="col" | Position
|-
! scope="row" | Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1971&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 1971|publisher=Hung Medien|language=nl|access-date=27 July 2023}}</ref>
| 62
|-
! scope="row" | German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1971|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|date=1971|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment Charts]]|language=de|access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref>
| 43
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|award=Gold|certyear=1994|type=album|artist=Pink Floyd|title=Atom Heart Mother|access-date=24 April 2013|relyear=1970}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|award=Gold|type=album|artist=Pink Floyd|title=Atom Heart Mother|access-date=24 April 2013|relyear=1970|certyear=1977|refname="SNEP"|source=infodisc}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|award=Gold|certyear=1990|type=album|artist=Pink Floyd|title=Atom Heart Mother|access-date=24 April 2013|relyear=1970}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Platinum|relyear=1970|certyear=2018|type=album|artist=Pink Floyd|title=Atom Heart Mother|access-date=21 May 2018|note=(since 2009)}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=United Kingdom |artist=Pink Floyd |title=Atom Heart Mother|award=Gold |type=album|relyear=1994|certyear=2013|id=12143-1497-2|note=1994 release|access-date=16 July 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|certyear=1994|type=album|artist=Pink Floyd|title=Atom Heart Mother|access-date=24 April 2013}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==References==
'''Footnotes'''
{{Notelist}}

'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}

'''Sources'''
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Blake |first=Mark |title=Comfortably Numb: The Inside Story of Pink Floyd |year=2006 |publisher=Da Capo Press |isbn=978-0-306-81752-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/comfortablynumbi00mark}}
* {{cite book |last=Geesin |first=Ron|title=The Flaming Cow: The Making of Pink Floyd's Atom Heart Mother|publisher=The History Press|year=2013|isbn=978-0-750-95180-7}}
* {{cite book|last1=Guesdon|first1=Jean-Michel|last2=Margotin|first2=Philippe|title=Pink Floyd All the Songs – The Story Behind Every Track|publisher=Running Press|year=2017|isbn=978-0-316-43923-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Mabbett|first=Andy|title=[[Pink Floyd: The Music and the Mystery]] | publisher=Omnibus Press|year=2010|isbn=978-0-857-12418-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Manning |first=Toby |title=The Rough Guide to Pink Floyd |year=2006 |publisher=Rough Guides |location=London |isbn=1-84353-575-0 |edition=1st}}
* {{cite book |last=Mason |first=Nick |title=Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd |year=2004 |publisher=Widenfeld & Nicolson |isbn=0-297-84387-7 |edition=New}}
* {{cite book |last=Povey |first=Glenn |title=Echoes : The Complete History of Pink Floyd |year=2006 |publisher=Mind Head Publishing |isbn=978-0-9554624-0-5 |edition=New}}
* {{cite book |last=Schaffner |first=Nicholas |title=Saucerful of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey |year=2005 |publisher=Helter Skelter |location=London |isbn=1-905139-09-8 |edition=New}}
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|title=A Brief History of Album Covers|first=Jason|last=Draper|publisher=Flame Tree Publishing|location=London|year=2008|pages=94–95|isbn=9781847862112|oclc=227198538}}
*''The Flaming Cow: The Making of Pink Floyd's'' Atom Heart Mother by Ron Geesin, (19&nbsp;November 2022), The History Press {{ISBN|9780750951807}}.

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*{{Discogs master|12676}}
*{{musicbrainz release group|e2f503d7-5488-3fe1-b3ac-f236d9f1b44c}}

{{Atom Heart Mother|state=expanded}}
{{Pink Floyd}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1970 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by David Gilmour]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Nick Mason]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Richard Wright (musician)]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Roger Waters]]
[[Category:Albums with cover art by Hipgnosis]]
[[Category:Albums with cover art by Storm Thorgerson]]
[[Category:Capitol Records albums]]
[[Category:EMI Records albums]]
[[Category:Harvest Records albums]]
[[Category:Pink Floyd albums]]
[[Category:Experimental rock albums by English artists]]