The 1971 Bob Harris BBC Session That Preserved 'The Return of the Son of Nothing'

On September 30, 1971, Pink Floyd recorded a session for Bob Harris’s BBC program Sounds of the 70s—distinct from their earlier John Peel sessions. The standout track was an early version of Echoes titled The Return of the Son of Nothing, which features lyrics that were rewritten before the Meddle album was finalized. The song’s opening line in this session, “Sunlight in a room without a view,” was later changed to “Overhead the albatross hangs motionless upon the air,” and the “return” title was dropped entirely.

This session also included One of These Days, another Meddle track, making it a rare snapshot of the band’s evolving sound just before the album’s November release. The Return of the Son of Nothing recording was released decades later on the 1965–1972 compilation (2011) and later on The Early Years 1970–1972 box set. For Floyd fans, it’s a fascinating glimpse into how one of their most ambitious pieces took shape—with rougher edges, alternate lyrics, and a title that hints at a lost concept.