Pink Floyd aims for top 20 charts with Ukraine benefit single

Forty-two years ago, psychedelic rock architects Pink Floyd released ‘Another Brick In The Wall’ and soared into top 20 chart territory for the very last time. But the progressive rock heroes are facing a potential comeback now following the physical rollout of their Ukraine benefit song, ‘Hey, Hey, Rise Up!’

Released in March in hopes of bringing attention toward the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and raising funding for those affected by the toils of war, all proceeds from the digital-only release were donated toward Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief. The single also marked the first new, original material from Pink Floyd since their 1994 record, The Division Bell.

The song was recorded during the initial invasion of Ukraine and features vocals from Andriy Khlyvnyuk of the Ukrainian band Boombox. The recording on the track is of Khlyvnyuk singing a patriotic Ukrainian anthem entitled ‘The Red Viburnum’ in the nation’s capital city square.

The band’s lead guitarist, vocalist and songwriter David Gilmour was pushed to write the song as the musician also has Ukrainian family and loved ones. He further expressed, in a statement concerning the track, that the band hoped the song would raise much-needed funds for humanitarian efforts.

“We, like so many, have been feeling the fury and the frustration of this vile act of an independent, peaceful democratic country being invaded and having its people murdered by one of the world’s major powers,” said the Pink Floyd frontman.

He added, “The band Boombox are Ukrainian people that I already knew, not well, but from some time ago. It’s an enormously difficult, frustrating, and anger-making thing that one human being could have the power to go into another independent democratic nation and set about killing the population. It’s just obscene to an extent that is just beyond my belief.

The band further removed their music from streaming services in Russia and Belarus, displaying support and allegiance to Ukraine.

‘Hey, Hey, Rise Up!’ emerged on digital streaming platforms only, sitting comfortably at number 49 on singles charts in April of this year.

Physical rollout of ‘Hey, Hey, Rise Up!’ began last week in the UK and Europe, when it was released as both a CD single and seven-inch vinyl alongside an aptly reworked version of The Division Bell’s ‘A Great Day For Freedom.’ Pulled from the band’s last original material, the new version on the tape’s B-side is reimagined by guitarist David Gilmour.

With physical copies now entering the hands of listeners, the track has high hopes of occupying space under top 20. As of now, according to Billboard’s ‘First Look’ survey, the single sits at number 18.

The Official UK Singles Chart is published every Friday evening. Crazy diamonds, keep your eyes and ears peeled for a skyrocketing return. You can order the vinyl or CD of ‘Hey, Hey, Rise Up!’ featuring Andriy Khlyvnyuk and a re-worked ‘A Great Day For Freedom’ now via Golden Discs.