IS THIS SONG ABOUT 'SOMEONE' OR 'SOMETHING'? First Time Hearing Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here!

[@danielmarshall3102]

The song and album was dedicated to their original band concept leader Syd Barrett who suddenly exhibited schizophrenic symptoms which crippled him mentally. The first verse was referring to asking him if he sees the difference between the topics mentioned anymore. Then the second verse is referring to the empathy and loss of him in their band as a person and friend. "Wish You Were Here"

[@danielmarshall3102]

The other sad thing is the long standing animosity in the band will give you different responses on a subject from different band members. I went to the Pink Floyd exhibition in Toronto and it was not only visually and sonically amazing, it was very informative on all albums with 100's of interviews with all band members then and now. If it comes by where ever you live be sure to check it out. @@philipbarnaba9105

[@robertmartin8565]

Syd @@philipbarnaba9105

[@psbarrow]

No, the song was not written about Syd. The only song on the album about him is "Shine On You Crazy Diamond". As Waters and Gilmour have said about the album: Waters: "There’s one song that’s about Syd, but the rest of it isn’t. It’s a much more universal expression of my feelings about absence. Because I felt that we weren’t really there. We were very absent." Gilmour: “Although “Shine on you crazy diamond” is the one that is specifically about Syd, and “Wish You Were Here” has a wider remit, I can’t sing it without thinking about Syd.” These quotes appear out of their own mouths at 14:08 and 53:17 on the DVD “The Story of Wish You Were Here”.

[@raymo6795]

great info Brother, Merry Christmas

[@psbarrow]

@@raymo6795 No worries, best wishes to you too.

[@markhodge7]

For me, this song is completely impossible to not listen to once I hear it start. A short and simple masterpiece of a song. It doesn't get much better. RIP Syd.

[@chrisjamieson3452]

One of RnR's most hauntingly beautiful songs.

[@torreyholmes7205]

"Shine on you crazy diamond" is also about Syd Barrett, and about how wonderful he had been, and about how he wasn't himself anymore. "Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun ... Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky."

[@psbarrow]

That's the only song about Syd; the title track wasn't written about him.

[@bjennings1067]

In 1965 I was 16 it was the beginning of a fantastic magical musical journey for my generation born in deganwy Wales in great Britain you can imagine there was so much musical talent emerging back then to name but a few pink floyd obviously zeppelin genesis moody blues kinks stones beatles the who queen the list goes on I'm 74 years young now and I still listen to most of them pink floyd I rarely go a day without listening to some of their incredible music I think we were a very lucky generation if you get to it I recommend you listen to echoes at the gdansk concert not to be missed you need to listen to it a few times to appreciate its complexity and musical prowess and genius goes without saying just one of my favourite tracks enjoy and rock on

[@Neil_BT]

The intro is basically someone in their home, or bedroom, looking for something to listen to on the radio. Hence the multiple stations run through because they're turning the tuning knob on the radio, until finally they alight upon a song they like, and then start to play along with their own guitar. That's why initially the guitar is mono and quite far away sounding.

[@VIDSTORAGE]

Short Wave Radio Band is what it sounds like to me even though I have hardly spent any time listening to SW Radio ..When that guitar comes in you can hear a surreal whine from the radio waves that goes along with the melody of the guitar and that is what makes it so good for a start .

[@stevedavis5704]

I give you folks credit for not knowing the sound of a rotary tuner. Most people under 40 don’t even know what a rotary tuner is much less what one sounds like. They also don’t know the range of barely there stations you can hear on one.

[@eneking2022]

The hum from short wave is spot on. You should listen to the WHOLE album.. each whole album. Someone posted that to play a Pink Floyd like a single is like opening a book and reading a page at random.

[@odavidsilvalima]

It's David Gilmour inside his car in the parking lot. They brought their entire recording equipment to capture this radio-style effects.

[@RushfanUK]

@@stevedavis5704 It's a cultural thing, being a kid growing up in the 60's and 70's you know exactly what the intro is, youngsters have no idea and don't get it.

[@jenos396]

Led Zeppelin sits atop the Pantheon of Rock Gods, but Pink Floyd is from another planet, like no other.

[@RoadDoug]

Well put. You gave both bands their due respect without belittling one from the other.

[@thomassanchez-oo6sb]

Any song from Pulse is 🔥🔥🔥 Remember it was 1994 and still to this day The greatest live Full Production concert Ever ❤️✌🏼

[@Mikes5276]

My Dad introduced me to Pink Floyd in the 80s with his record collection. Huge fan of The Wall album, and that eventuslly got me to this album. This now hits me emotionally after losing my Dad a couple years ago. Wish He Were Here.

[@conureron3792]

Love the line about exchanging a walk on part in a war for a lead role in a cage. So profound.

[@LordRahl1975]

Absolutely. That line has a deep resonance.

[@Christopher-Baltimore]

One of the greatest lyrics ever, no doubt.

[@SolarTiger]

a bit of foreshadowing from Roger's past, that comes back with full force on "The Wall"

[@JoeThornhill]

I never really got that line. I'm thinking now that the lead role in a cage is a P.O.W. But the walk on part? Was that going home or walking to where you'll be stationed/advancing on the enemy.

[@conureron3792]

@@JoeThornhill - I think the war part is a metaphor for chaos, and the walk-on part is mostly as an observer, in the background. But if it is about Syd, it’s about his mind - how chaotic and troubled his mind was (evidently). Perhaps the war is a metaphor for schizophrenia. And the cage are the drugs to try to quell the chaos.

[@kallsop2]

The intro is from the days when you had to actually tune to radio stations manually. This takes me back to when I was 14/15 years old in 1978 and was just getting into PF. This is one of my favorites and listened to it endlessly figuring out the meaning to the album. PF did such a good job with the spatial arrangements that always sound so good through headphones. I can spend an entire evening listening to in order Dark Side Of The Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall. They all have to do with the formation of Pink Floyd and Syd Barretts journey through drug addiction. Syd actually showed up at the studio while they were recording it.

[@flamarlamb]

The beginning was meant to be someone running through stations on an old radio and finally landing on the start of Wish You Were Here playing on the radio, interference and all. After a verse or so you hear David join in, playing along with the radio. Brilliant intro!!!!

[@zenhaelcero8481]

The wind at the end of the track blends into the beginning of Shine On You Crazy Diamond (VI - IX) which is the end of the record, and serves as a bookend with Shine On You Crazy Diamond (I - V). Those two tracks are super interesting and you should absolutely consider listening to the rest of the record.

[@i.marchand4655]

That wind you hear is the "steel breeze."

[@McShaganpronouncedShaegen]

They are all about Sid Barrett.

[@rebelvinny7661]

Shine on you crazy diamond live pulse concert, that's the one you need to react to

[@MichaelW969]

Dark Side of the Moon is a journey and I highly recommend as a full album review. It is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest albums all time.

[@calemobrien1139]

I love Pink Floyd, one of my favorite bands & Wish You Were Here on any given day is my favorite from them! It's even unique for Pink Floyd in terms of the tone & message...it's a beautiful tribute to Syd Barrett who was one of the founding members of the band. I wrote a paper in college about its meaning, significance & why it was written...that's how much I love this song!! Ive lost a lot of loved ones recently so this song always hits hard...gets me everytime I hear that opening & I just have to sing along with it! 😎😎😎

[@AlexSolomon91]

My dad used to sing this to me and my sister to help us sleep, I did the same for my son which is beautiful, but now has a somber tone as we we wish dad was still here, the memories will live on forever ❤ great reaction my dudes!

[@richardluevano8996]

For this album you really need to listen to the whole thing uninterrupted as it was meant to be. The songs flow into each other. Great reaction!!!!

[@Clarissa6]

It is the first song every guy in the frat house learned to play.

[@robbob5302]

This song is about “someone.” Namely their first lead singer. Syd Barrett. Who sadly got ahold of some bad acid, and spent the rest of his life as a vegetable.

[@Jan-xn3kz]

Syd was not a vegetable he had mental health problems but lived a quiet life in Cambridge.

[@scottlaughlin9897]

@@Jan-xn3kzhe was schizophrenic and he did OD on acid which sent him over the edge. But you’re right, not a vegetable.

[@dionisioiacobelli6689]

Well , it's before my time is not a valid excuse . High School kids today know that this song is about Syd Barrett .

[@fredshred5194]

NO he take good LSD just too much of it and he already had mental issues which didn't help. More like he was hanging out with a bad crowd, as Mason later said about SB.

[@psbarrow]

This song wasn't written about Syd, as both Waters and Gilmour have said.

[@jonhenke1504]

The instrument your hearing that's mimicking the guitar is not an instrument that's David Gilmour vocalizing along with the guitar! This is one you should definitely watch from the Pulse concert so you can see what I'm talking about!! For most it's a jaw-dropping moment when you see him actually vocalizing!

[@stevedahlberg8680]

To me that's just some incredible poetry. It's a way to use a small amount of words to evoke profound mixtures of feelings and emotions. Even outside of the context of them missing their former bandmate, it's powerful just as it is which is probably why it became yet another hit for them. I think it's kind of fascinating that you are going on this journey and becoming more knowledgeable about this era, and I've seen it happen with other reactors as well. It's really pretty amazing. I'm around 60 years old and have been a musician and a music lover my whole life, and even when I was very young I found myself always exploring music from before my time as well as the current stuff and the latest stuff. I always had a Fascination for it and it also involved trying to understand the culture of that era, whether it was my parents or my grandparents era.

[@gregroberts8240]

the opening is a person turning the dial on his radio settling on a guitar playing and he picks up his guitar and plys along.

[@CoolCoyote]

actually chicago do a good 'wish you were here' too not quite the rock gods of this but its just as chill and vibey but a more beachy feel.

[@markcole8698]

My first introduction to Pink Floyd was The Wall in 1979, was 6 years old and fell in love immediately, the movie is great too! 👍

[@OrangeMonkey2112]

The intro was a pre intro that leads into the nostalgic moment

[@AudioVile]

This is one of my top 3 bands all time (if I ever HAD to pick). I LOVE these lyrics. I also love that you two are exploring music from my distant past, when I was hearing it live or "just released." Great reaction!

[@beckiramsey9561]

I can never understand that intro…This is my second favorite Pink Floyd song! The 🎸 is just gorgeous in this whole song, actually this entire album, which my husband and I have in surround!!🔥🔥🔥🔥 We listen to this every Friday evening!!❤❤ Glad you reacted to it! Thanks for reacting to it!👍👍

[@CoolCoyote]

Best album ever , darkside is 2nd best for me.

[@paulocarvalho6480]

Merry Christmas to you Phil, Sam and family. May it be a peaceful and happy one.

[@TerenceDixon-l6b]

As others have said, it was the band member Syd Barrett who is the subject of the song, the 'Here' of the title is not just a physical presence but a healthy stable mind state. Syd became ill due to the extreme use of psychedelic drugs due to the corporate pressures to perform. The whole album is based around him, the effects of his drug use are referred to in the lyrics, as are the effects of the pressures put on performers by the music industry ('the Gravy Train', referred to in a later track). The 'cage' in the song referred to the restrictions imposed by the industry and performing night after night.

[@CatherinePearl100]

Probably the cruelest thing about their former bandmate Sid Barrett’s condition was that between the onset of schizophrenia and the psychedelic drugs he used, he was still there, but his mind was pretty well gone.

[@debrapugh6799]

Great SONG... IT REMINDS ME OF LOSS... IT'S 🔥🙌❤🖤😢🤜🤛🎊

[@paulpeterson4216]

Wish You Were Here is the best out of many many amazing songs

[@rxlxviii]

A song by Pink Floyd I think you'll like from the Pulse concert is One Of These Days.

[@midnightrambler7716]

As many have said, the beginning is an old analogue radio being tuned to different stations. First what sounds like a soap opera, then orchestral classical music, then the guitar. And the “whirring” sound in the background to the initial guitar (before Gilmore “listening” and playing along kicks in) on the radio was quite common back in the day, especially on A.M. radio and late at night. Especially if you were picking up a far off station. Sometimes it could be caused by nearby power lines or even your own alternator or other atmospheric interference like Northern Lights etc.

[@RockinMamaT]

This is my favorite Floyd Album. Have a cigar is bomb 🔥Much love from Canada ❤️🇨🇦

[@clayrsa86]

One of my favorite songs ever. Much love and respect from south Africa

[@Jim-i5g]

This such an iconic LP. Another Great Concept Album from the Greatest Band Ever. If you venture back to live pulse 94 give The Song High Hopes a Listen.

[@jasonrichardson1208]

You've stumbled upon my absolute favorite Floyd album. Just like you mentioned before listening, this album is best digested as a whole piece. Brilliant from beginning to end.

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

The last time when Pink Floyd played live in 2005, for the “Live 8”charity concert, in London, this was one of the four songs they played. Roger, David, Richard, and Nick had not played together since 1981, the Wall tour. Animosity and conflict between. Yet three did two more albums, and epic tours - Roger did his own work. This charity concert, live Live Aid, brought the four to play, together, for Workd hunger. It was an amazing performance! At the start, Roger says into the mic’, “This is for Syd”. Syd B’ died like the next year. Richard died soon after.

[@davisclerk6731]

I like how you noticed the space of the guitar in the begining. He is playing along to the radio, because he misses his band mate.

[@clivehope8409]

I was born in 66 so i have all there songs although I've listened to them 1000 times

[@willfromyadkinville]

yes listening to this whole album from start to finish is an eye opening experience to say the least!

[@glennbrock6560]

He's tuning the radio, then the guitar comes on the radio, he plays along with it

[@JefferyJaynes]

I love seeing you guys enjoying great music. I didn't know about Pink Floyd until 1974, I was turning 14 and just starting to get into music. The Darkside of the Moon had just come out and I was hooked.

[@coreydean6540]

The voices at the beginning and the first guitar were being played on the radio. Then the second guitar comes in signifying someone picking up their guitar and playing along. That is why you hear the spacing.

[@maureenwagg5305]

The beginning sounds like someone tuning in a radio station and he/she finally hits this song clearly. Sounded like an old radio serial or an old movie.

[@richardlaswell463]

2:57 That intro is meant to represent someone scanning through an old analog radio dial. When it settles on the guitar, there is still the 'scratchy' sound until the second guitar comes in. It's a bit of a callback to an earlier song on the 'Atom Heart Mother' album called 'Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast'.

[@glass_of_brandy]

I love this song. Its my favorite Pink Floyd song and second is 'Hey You.'

[@SIXX2772]

Thank you guys for the Pink Floyd...we all feel different things during holidays....I appreciate you two very much.

[@hartspot009]

Happy Holidays Phil & Sam ! Sending you health and peace for 2024, and continued success on the channel. Killer review and reaction to the Floyd !

[@barsandbarbells2022]

Thanks Hart! 🙌

[@uwetessenow985]

I am a PF fan since 1977. I bought this album in 1978 in the GDR for 160 DM ! Wish you where here is for me one of the best songs of all time !!!

[@norkannen]

My first self bought cassette as a kid Pink Floyd Wish you were here. I was 12 ish 74 ish.😈😎🇧🇻

[@mikefetterman6782]

Syd Barrett, the founder of Pink Floyd suffered from schitzephrenia and during the "legal" period of LSD in London in 1965-66 he had spent a very long time taking massive LSD doses. He eventually eroded into madness, not being recognizable to his own band mates and friends. David Gilmour (guitar master) was brought in to replace him.

[@mikefetterman6782]

Pink Floyd uses tons of effects, even just a clip from the television as background noise. It is not meant to be analyzed it is just sound effect.

[@ChrisJones-cs2zd]

Glad you guys found this. FWIW the weird sounds at the start are what it used to sound like changing channels on a TV (or maybe a car radio). Imma go sit in the corner and be old now...

[@gerrydantone6834]

The Pulse concert version of Wish You Were Here is outstanding.

[@harpergras]

My favorite rock band...Thanks for reacting...IMO the goat of rock bands.

[@keymack2477]

A number from the Pulse concert? My suggestion is "Run Like Hell"!

[@mightyV444]

This is THE song most guitarists instantly start playing when they come across a 12-string acoustic guitar 😁 The intro (including that 12-string guitar that seems so far back in the mix) is meant to resemble someone turning a radio's dial 😉 Their song 'Us And Them' is very good, too! 😊👍

[@kentnottingham9635]

So about the intro. Listening to a radio, changing the channel to the guitar riff and playing to it. Anyone learning guitar can relate to playing to a song. I imagine (in black and white) David Gilmour on a porch playing this.

[@michaelbarnes4403]

you could spend the next two months doing NOTHING but Pink Floyd, and still be amazed, great video, thank you.

[@scott3744]

For many people, this song is the pinnacle of Pink Floyd. They have so many great songs, but whenever I think about what song might be their best, for me, it's almost impossible to not choose this one... 😁

[@ES-wb2do]

Very cool that you've started down the Pink Floyd road, hope you keep following it to see all the wonderful twists and turns. Just for grins and giggles one day check out "The Dark Side Of The Rainbow "

[@JtClaypool]

Great gig in the sky. You'll love it.

[@spatulagames9881]

Just watching two people experience this song makes me cry.

[@scottallen6160]

I agree, concept albums are difficult to react to a single song when it connects with another. I also agree that Pink Floyd keeps us engaged throughout their songs. The Machine is another good and unique song from them to check out. Love the reactions and the trivia! Merry Christmas to you both! 💕💗💕

[@psbarrow]

Contrary to what many think, this song was NOT written about Syd Barrett. And here are the quotes from the band to indicate this: Waters, who wrote the lyrics, has said: “There’s one song that’s about Syd (“Shine on You Crazy Diamond”), but the rest of it isn’t. It’s a much more universal expression of my feelings about absence. Because I felt that we weren’t really there. We were very absent." Gilmour also added: “Although “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” is the one that is specifically about Syd, and “Wish You Were Here” has a wider remit, I can’t sing it without thinking about Syd.” These quotes appear out of their own mouths at 14:08 and 53:17 on the DVD “The Story of Wish You Were Here”.

[@danielmarshall3102]

If you look for and attend the Pink Floyd exhibit touring many cities you will find that it features hundreds of opinions from all 4 members on the Syd tragedy and 1 song is specifically about him, while several songs, lyrics and albums are "inspired" by his tragedy but meant to apply to anyone touched by this kind of issue, and this is one such song. Their flow through theme is "Empathy".

[@DimidrolTravels]

Watch David Gilmour “In any tongue” live at Pompeii . Magnificent

[@poo-e7e]

if you haven't seen the whole pulse concert, you should.And yes,wish you were here was played (partially) in the pulse concert

[@9Ballr]

My favorite song by my favorite band.

[@ChelseaDaz]

It's about Syd ❤

[@danielroach1241]

You are correct on the concept thinking. Best band ever live.

[@williamgood1402]

The very beginning sound byte is from a British ww2 movie, Floyd does various sound bytes in many of their songs

[@dvsreed]

First song I learned to play on guitar

[@calvinheadley5218]

You have to watch, The Wall, in order to understand the words at the beginning. The voices are actually the voices of actors on a TV program running in the background, if memory serves.

[@steveboyes2090]

Money live pulse is great with an extended version. The whole pulse concert is fire. High Hopes is amazing

[@danb2020]

There has been iconic pieces of music from all time, from every jonre, from every type of other classifacation you can put on music. From start to finish Wish You Were Here is definitely one of them

[@katelynmeaghan3410]

Richard Wright was using, I believe, a Moog synthesizer. Also, a Hammond organ would be pretty standard for that era.

[@EVGUITAR1975]

“Coming Back To Life” by Pink Floyd is awesome too!

[@MikeBurgoon-d5v]

I was introduced to them in 1967.

[@jim5247]

In 1975 I bought a quad receiver and right this album on right out of the box, The song before this the ended, the front channels drop off . I'm Piss!!! As this song comes on you can hear them bring the front channels back in ( Acoustic) . brilliant > but that is the Floyd. FYI: when recording this in Abbey Road Studios a man can in and stood there for a a while . Nobody at first recognized it was Syd who they have seen him in yrs. The song "Shine on you Crazy Diamonds " is all about Syd.

[@christianm7220]

Roger Waters has said his favorite line he ever wrote was: Did you exchange a walk on part in the war, for a lead role in a cage. Let your mind dig deep into that line.

[@jkorshak]

The "mish mash" at the start was a recording of radio broadcast signals while tuning across and between radio stations. At the time this album was made the sound of a radio being tuned to find a station or move on from a station was a very commonly experienced and familiar soundscape.

[@ninemirrors]

NO NO NO! You don't stop when the best instrumental Pink Floyd (or anyone) has ever done is coming on! Shine On You Crazy Diamond parts 6-9!

[@georgelynch6139]

The live version of “Mother” is a must see. Enjoy

[@johntrickey7182]

Floyd is arguably one of the 5 most important bands of the post WW11 English rock bands. Started has a trippy, avant garde project, after Syd Barrett left in '67, and Dave Gilmore became a permanent member they moved more twords introspective and progressive themes. They are regarded has essential listening.

[@tristanrl1940]

Haphazardly - the intro of switching of radio stations, landing on the first riff and the playing of the single note melodies

[@bobdam4478]

my fav band!

[@TheCornishCockney]

Pink Floyd,like Jethro Tull,p or Alan Parsons Project,should be listened to by album only,you wouldn’t open a thrilling and complex book a few pages in,read 15 pages and hope to understand what’s going on would you. Animals by PF is an excellent example,from 1st note and lyric to last,the story unfolds and makes sense. My favourite Floyd album among many favourites. The track “Dogs” is a masterpiece tour de force that has to be listened to from that album.

[@tkengathegrateful4844]

Back in high school, I translated this song into Latin: Qui volo, qui te adesse volo Sumus animi duo natantes in aquario Annum post annum Currentes super idem solum Quid impetavimus? Idem metus. Te adesse volo.

[@rickwestic746]

On the idea of concept albums, if you may want to listen to the moody blues "days of future passed" album.the songs were structured from one song to another. I think you've reacted to nights in white satin and maybe Tuesday afternoon, they were on that album. Take care and Merry Christmas

[@concernedcitizen-1958]

Merry Christmas, Phil & Sam! Would you please tell me if, and if, possibly when, are you going to check out Frank Marino "It's Begun to Rain Live At the Agora Theater"? You are truly missing out on an amazing performance. Love your reactions, stay safe, and be well! ✌️ ☮️ 🔥🎵🎶🎸🎄❤️

[@brucebailey6688]

Founded is 1965, I'm watching this at 6:30 pm cst, still at the intro.

[@brucebailey6688]

First started listening to Pink Floyd in 1969 ( Ummagumma album ) then by '71 with the "Meddle" Album I was hooked. I was able to see them Live in '77 and '79. They are a sit down listen to the full album start to finish. Same with the "Moody Blues"

[@mikeb36240]

Pink Floyd - "High Hopes"🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@darylabbott2032]

Wish you were here from pulse is really good! Good reaction

[@sailinbob11]

Most people don't realize, until they see a live version, David is vocally harmonizing with the lead guitar parts. With Floyd you often have to remember context of time. The Vietnam War hadn't been over that long before.

[@greygreen5610]

in memory of syd barrett,one of those that took LSD and was never normal again, it effects some people that way, there is also another song on this album in his memory, "shine on you crazy diamond "they always play this song first at their concerts i

[@psbarrow]

Contrary to what you think, this song was NOT written about Syd Barrett. And here are the quotes from the band to indicate this: Waters, who wrote the lyrics, has said: “There’s one song that’s about Syd (“Shine on You Crazy Diamond”), but the rest of it isn’t. It’s a much more universal expression of my feelings about absence. Because I felt that we weren’t really there. We were very absent." Gilmour also added: “Although “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” is the one that is specifically about Syd, and “Wish You Were Here” has a wider remit, I can’t sing it without thinking about Syd.” These quotes appear out of their own mouths at 14:08 and 53:17 on the DVD “The Story of Wish You Were Here”.

[@tomstory9424]

“Have a Cigar” is a favorite

[@stevepincombe3836]

Playing with a song on the radio at the beginning,