Early Versions and Alternate Names
The piece had its genesis in a collection of musical experiments written separately by each band member, referred to as "Nothing, Parts 1–24". Subsequent tapes of work in progress were labelled "The Son of Nothing" and "The Return of the Son of Nothing"; the latter title was eventually used to introduce the as-yet unreleased work during its first live performances in early 1971.
During this stage of its development, the song's first verse had yet to be finalized. It originally referred to the meeting of two celestial bodies, but perhaps because of Waters' increasing concerns that Pink Floyd was being pigeon-holed as a space rock band, the lyrics were rewritten to use underwater imagery instead.
The title "Echoes" was also subjected to significant revisions before and after the release of Meddle: Waters, a devoted football fan, proposed that the band call its new piece "We Won the Double" in celebration of Arsenal's 1971 victory, and during a 1972 tour of Germany he jovially introduced it on two consecutive nights as "Looking Through the Knothole in Granny's Wooden Leg" (a reference to The Goon Show; the phrase appeared in an episode titled "The £50 Cure") and "the Dam Busters", respectively.
Read more about this topic: Echoes (Pink Floyd Song)
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