Is this Syd Barrett’s best song with Pink Floyd?!

[@andyandalex]

A slight detour before showing him parts 6-9 of Shine on You Crazy Diamond, a little on context for him. What were your guys’ first thoughts on this song, what are your current thoughts?

[@MrMike4017]

I think you could have shown Alex a better example of Syd's better songs. Flaming, bike,astonomie domine jugband blues etc. This song is good but Syd's lyrics are epic.

[@stephenpriola4301]

Madcap laughs solo work still great song writer, but had help from Gilmore and waters, and you can hear the decay of him losing his mind . But always remember syd is the original songwriter and he owns the name of the band Trippy music, Lennon ( Sean ) and claypool was amazing!!!!!!

[@shyshift]

Jugband Blues is crap. I hate that song. Should have played Alex Astronomy Domine.

[@barrydehatchett8692]

Felt lost at first, but gradually was taken in, and eventually liked it...alot

[@deborahstrickland9845]

Yep, context and band/genre roots is huge.

[@ericwincentsen587]

It's a great instrumental and shows off Syd's guitar playing, but the best one with Syd is "Astronomy Domine".

[@JC-es5un]

“Astronomy Domine” is a great song; I love the Pulse version, it is more driving and forceful than the studio version, 🔥

[@misterkite]

See Emily Play.

[@montag4516]

I was thinking the same thing. Astronomy Domine is my preference. It stays on point and doesn't fall off into extensive meandering.

[@jimmyfortrue3741]

I like the Astronomy Domine version from the Ummagumma album.

[@FLASHAHOLIC_TV]

Dave Gilmour taught Syd all his tricks whilst at School. Gilmour was the Genius.

[@-Ricky_Spanish-]

Their early singles are my favorite stuff with Syd: "Arnold Layne", "Candy and a Currant Bun", "See Emily Play"

[@chesterparish3794]

Apples and Oranges as well.

[@danmcconnell5941]

"There's a fine line between genius and crazy." Lol welcome to Syd Barrett.

[@clintatk]

I think that line is called "stoned".

[@keef7224]

“There’s a fine line between clever and stupid”- Spinal Tap

[@williamosborne6866]

Syd straddled that line, then tipped over to crazy for good. This is what you get when a group does a jam session from different buildings, then throwing the results together without an edit session.

[@epearc]

Nailed it. Described Syd to a tee.

[@truthdweller3454]

Wait until he hears Syd's solo stuff.

[@nj1639]

The live versions of "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" , "Astronomy Domine " and "Careful with that Ax Eugene" from the Umma Gumma LP are musts. Musts, for breakout Floyd. Have I said "musts" for breakout Floyd?

[@montag4516]

Yes. I was reared on the live Ummagumma album. There is a certain murky aura and atmosphere to those recordings that is part of the appeal.

[@nj1639]

@Montag 451 , yep, I saw them at the Electric Factory, Philly 1970/71 and their live performance there and the LP were indistinguishable.

[@Joshuadgog]

agreed as heck all great songs get this comment likes so they see this

[@buzzbomb67]

The Umma Gumma material is pretty epic, for sure! I prefer the Pompeii versions of Controls and Eugene, but either way, phenomenal!

[@BlueGoat682]

nj1639 Umma Gumma = excellent choice for a Pink Floyd intro. It was my very first time listen to Pink Floyd. Side note: it was also the first time I had ever done window pane so it was an incredible experience to say the least. Good times for sure! :-)

[@parsleyqueen]

Hi Guys, I hope you haven't forgotten about Alice's Restaurant round Thanksgiving time! Crucial piece of '60s culture. Love ya and keep on keepin' on.💋

[@garyschill7923]

I second "Alice's Restaurant", a long story about Thanksgiving, Littering, and the Draft.

[@normanleroy1874]

Yup, listened to that with my parents every single Thanksgiving in the 80s driving from our home in Detroit to my grandparents place in the Thumb. It was a tradition back then.

[@David-iv6je]

Absolutely. A cultural touchstone for so many.

[@avlisk]

Take a seat on the Group W bench and wait for it to come around on the guitar.

[@garyschill7923]

@@avlisk Kid, have you rehabilitated yourself?

[@jcroston3266]

My favorite early piece has always been Astronomy Domine, definitely a shorter song but the vibe and chord progression grab and don’t let go.

[@gmcsrbosavl6964]

Yes. Also my favorite from that period.

[@jcroston3266]

I see that Andy actually reviewed this before A&A, definitely worth a revisit my dudes.

[@derkommissar785]

the live version off Ummagumma is longer. One of their best, along with See Emily Play

[@jcroston3266]

@@derkommissar785 I agree. Andy actually reviewed that version as well (he loved it of course), before A&A.

[@johnbowen8238]

Fun Fact: Pink Floyd was actually recording Piper at the Gates of Dawn at the Abbey Road studio at the same time The Beatles were there recording Sgt Peppers. The Beatles did finish about a month earlier

[@hugomontoya9029]

Somewhere on youtube there's an interview from 67 or 68 with Paul McCartney where he's talking about how next-level Pink Floyd are.

[@David-iv6je]

@@hugomontoya9029 Regardless of what you think about Macca (people are mixed), the dude gave props to other tops bands and never stopped doing so. He was also full of praise for Supertramp in the late 70s. Me e I think he was a musical genius but his lyrics could be a little twee. Lennon was the perfect complement for him.

[@garryiglesias4074]

@@David-iv6je Paul seems more friendly to me that the super-egotic John... Anyway.

[@David-iv6je]

@@garryiglesias4074 Hmm, I think Paul cultivated that. But they were different people. And John was clearly depressed most of his life. I suspect Yoko was his only shelter in that regard. There are a few different types of assholes. There are people like CEOs who are sociopaths. They are your basic clods who can't think beyond the end of their own dick. And there are people who are struggling mightily and hate the world. And if one looks at it objectively, there's a lot to hate in the world. Unless one is asshole type #1 or #2, in which case all is copacetic.

[@djohnspangler]

In 1967, LSD was legal and “freakouts” were what young people were going to in Britain with psychedelic light shows. Pink Floyd was producing music/noise to accompany the experience. Similar things were occurring in San Francisco with bands like the Grateful Dead performing such psychedelic adventures like “Dark Star” and other long spacey jams that would incorporate into structured songs.

[@SecretAgentSuperDragon]

Pretty much this. "Tonight Let's All Make Love in London" documentary is a good watch to get some context for this song.

[@ChicoEscuela]

LSD was made illegal in USA in 1966 but in 67 obviously widely available and often far more potent than today. Dark Star was a poem and a song which had structure, leaving open passages between verses that became a great vehicle for Grateful Dead magic. Most early versions are somewhat shorter than some examples from 69-73 but that also is up to the listener. I happen to like the raw blues of 66 and the psychedelic explosion of 67-68 as much as more refined country tinged 70-72. Okay, maybe I enjoy most any era…

[@Dr3amtime]

Yeah, I was gonna suggest, if they like this sort of "let's put the acid in charge" music, they should try the Dead's Anthem of the Sun or Aoxomoxoa albums.

[@Dr3amtime]

@@ChicoEscuela , if I remember right, the federal regulation criminalizing it went into effect on June 6, 1966.

[@djohnspangler]

@@ChicoEscuela Hey Jim, long time no see. Fancy seeing you here. I second your remarks, sir

[@Cheryworld]

Syd Barrett set up Pink Floyd's sound, the band refined it later. The Crazy Diamond is Syd

[@garywallace171]

someone who enjoys this channel, just had a flash back. Hope it was a good trip. I enjoyed it guys, thanks for the under looked songs always.

[@HamiltonRb]

You don’t have to be stoned and sitting in a dark room with incense burning to really enjoy this, but it helps 🤫

[@kevinweakley2852]

Chocolate mescaline and Houses of the Holy 🤩. Oh boy

[@KealohaHarrison]

Interstellar Overdrive is my favorite song of early Floyd too! There’s a 16 minute live version that’s absolutely incredible, highly recommend that one as well. Love the channel!

[@TheFlowNetwork]

There's also a live version with Frank Zappa sitting in.

[@samcook1545]

Don't know if you saw Dr. Strange, but that was one of the best scenes...Benedict Cumberbatch speeing down the road to this song.

[@garyschill7923]

The guitar here is all Syd. This is the birth of the Floyd epic spaceout, and certainly Syd inspired. However, I think his best stuff is the short trippy singles like "Arnold Layne", "See Emily Play", and "Bike". Those are the songs that garnered them crowds and airplay, and the songs the band couldn't produce without Syd. David Gilmore may be a getter guitarist, but not a better songwriter.

[@europe7249]

Love all 3 songs you mentioned. Would love to see Alex's reaction to Several Small Furry.....etc, if he thought Interstellar Overdrive was difficult.

[@garyschill7923]

@@europe7249 First, send him some edibles

[@europe7249]

@@garyschill7923 I was thinking something a bit more psychedelic. Have they ever been experienced? Would make for an interesting live stream.

[@garyschill7923]

@@europe7249 I have my doubts, maybe Andy. I would pay to watch that livestream on Patreon.

[@marileneboschofsky1418]

Syd was a genius

[@patriciawilliams1291]

This sound was like the most amazing abstract painting and I think I'll play this next time in my painting studio. Wow

[@lizroberts6257]

Black and white or all the colors?

[@marcobruno3110]

Syd was a painter. He once said that the C chord was yellow.

[@jaquestraw1]

You really need to cover the full album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn". The greatest psychedelic album ever recorded.

[@willem-janageling3907]

Andy did start the channel with this.

[@sirfriendzone1228]

Recorded in the same building around the same time as Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles.

[@edvonblue]

this song is like taking acid, its best if you just completely open your mind and you are unafraid to get swept away in something strange and uncomfortable, and possibly even frightening and challenging. The fascinating thing about Syd was the totally unique vision he was able to express through words and music. In that regard I put him in a very, very small group of artistic geniuses that includes the likes Kafka, Luis Bunuel and Modigliani. I recommend digging into some solo Syd next, for instance No good Trying, Opel, Wined and Dined, Dark Globe, Octopus, Terrapin, etc.

[@lizroberts6257]

Ahhh...Bunuel!

[@AmberPearcy]

My favorite with Sid is “Careful with that Axe, Eugene”. Just love the creepy scream part. So excited to see some of the early Floyd reaction!🤩

[@tommccafferty5591]

This is mine too. Such a calming start and then the screams come in. And then it goes back to a calming end. Mesmerizing.

[@DazzleMonroe]

Syd had departed before that was recorded. The scream is Roger.

[@ronnelson7828]

Syd Barrett was not involved in the writing or recording of "Careful With That Axe, Eugene".

[@tommccafferty5591]

@@ronnelson7828 I wasn’t commenting on Syd necessarily. I was commenting on the song I liked the best.

[@AmberPearcy]

@@DazzleMonroe thank you. I somehow got it mixed up throughout the years.

[@BB13131313]

Piper at the Gates of Dawn is arguably my favorite Pink Floyd album which is crazy considering the albums that came after.. there's no filler tracks and it shows Syd's brilliance as an artist.. every track is an A+ IMO.. it's hard to pick a favorite from that album but it would probably be Flaming or Bike... Vegetable Man is another Syd track that was completely ahead of its time.. so was Scream Thy Last Scream..

[@triciasomogyi5431]

I think he got ‘ Vegetable Man ‘ from a WC Fields movie. 😄👍

[@doscwolny2221]

And people think Floyd had no part in the start of punk and metal. The shallowness of the pop industry.

[@Kristina-jf4hd]

I LOVE bike! So catchy and funny.

[@normanleroy1874]

I always liked Syd's more whimsical psychedelia, Arnold Layne or See Emily Play. It doesn't have the kick of guitar workouts like Astronomy Domine or Interstellar Overdrive, but those songs are really strange in their own delightful ways.

[@barbarjinx3802]

Floyd was In The studio making this album and visited the Beatles while they were working on sgt peppers. Roger said he learned a lot watching them.

[@charliemac64]

Imagine, if you will, being in the Navy doing laps off the coast of Oman on an aircraft carrier, trippin' BALLS, listening to this on headphones while watching "The Fly" in your berthing compartment's lounge. Yeah, I did that. :D

[@lizroberts6257]

Hubby used to chill in the nets, Vietnam era.

[@alrivers2297]

You should show him Astronomy Domine and See Emily Play as well. They're still trippy but more "radio Friendly" than this one

[@chrisdelisle3954]

Those would probably be my 2 favorites.

[@shyshift]

See Emily Play is great.

[@tonycasey3183]

The very first time i got stoned is the very first time I heard this tune. Lying in a dark room, on the floor, wearing headphones, i listened to the entire album. I DEFINITELY got it in that environment.

[@GrotesqueGuac]

Definitely let Alex hear Astronomy Domine. Maybe that should be the last "piece of context" before the 2nd half of shine on.

[@LeChaunce]

Astronomy Domine and Bike. The beginning of the album and the end of it.

[@garryiglesias4074]

The "real" piece of context is Syd's solo "Dark Globe"... It is obvious to me that WYWH is a direct answer to THAT song.

[@maceomaceo11]

It's November, Thanksgiving right around the corner. Alice's Restaurant is mandatory listening on Thanksgiving day for a large segment of your audience. Join us in this grand tradition and record it and post it.

[@susanklasinski1805]

You've hit some seminal albums from the 60s of this psychedelic pop/rock realm - "Piper, Odessey & Oracle, Pet Sounds, and Sgt. Pepper". May I suggest a couple more? "Forever Changes" by Love and "SF Sorrow" by the Pretty Things. The Pretty things may be too deep cut for the channel, but I highly recommend this album for listening at your leisure. "Sorrow" is believed to be the first rock opera. Like "Odessey & Oracle", "SF Sorrow" was also recorded at Abbey Road, and the Pretty Things borrowed instruments left over by the Beatles. The Pretty Things started on par with all the other top British beat/blues bands, however, they favored the drink and hooliganism too much damaging their reputation. By the time they sobered up a bit, changed up band members, and took a more progressive and serious tone, it was too late to hit great heights like their contemporaries. Their album Parachute is also really worth checking out. Love were slated to be as big as the Doors, but they made some bad decisions when they got their record contract. In my opinion, "Forever Changes" and "Da Capo" are their best two, and like O&O again, "Forever Changes" didn't hit the ground running, even though it was well received by the critics. It took a while to stew in peoples' consciences, and now is considered among of the best of the sixties. Cheers!

[@susanklasinski1805]

@Joan In Florida I've been asking for 7+7 for a while now. A really rocking and proper tune. Sickle Clowns grew on me, and is among my favorites by the Pretties.

[@kcronin7211]

The Love boxset was quite the revelation for me in the 000s or whenever that came out. The cover of Alone Again Or by Calexico is pretty stellar. I love Singing Cowboy. Arthur Lee was a pretty great songwriter, but just egocentric and self-destructive in a way that didn't give him any breaks at all.

[@susanklasinski1805]

@@kcronin7211 I'll have to check out Calexico's version. Didn't know there were other covers besides the Damned's, which is a very good version as well.

[@garyschill7923]

they are looking for influences and The Pretty Things are as big a one as the Velvet Underground. A&A should check them out, and I also vote for Love "7 And 7 Is"

[@susanklasinski1805]

@@garyschill7923 I agree Gary. I hear a lot of influence especially in 90s Brit pop.

[@rustyshackleford4761]

This was THE song that made them. Blues riff mixed with Free form jazz over oil and slide projectors in a pre sgt pepper universe. Absolutely blew people away in 66

[@gp8209]

Aside from this track and Astronomy Dominé (which is another one you should check out ASAP) I didn't really get the Syd Barrett stuff. I understand the significance of Syd's contribution at the beginning, but I thought the material created by Waters and Gilmour was more technically sound and at least as creative. Syd may have set PF in motion and provided their foundation, but the other four are who made them one of the best bands ever.

[@David-iv6je]

A lot of people, including top peers, think you are wrong. Me, I am torn on it. Syd's voice, writing and guitar work were unique at the time. Really, nobody else remotely like him. But we have only this tiny snapshot. In contrast, for the rest of Floyd you have 15 years of peak production plus their middle age projects. Is that a fair comparison? What would have happened if Syd had had 15 years to develop? It's like a peak athlete whose career is cut short by injury. Clearly would have been a hall of famer but never had the chance. Think Derrick Rose, if you follow NBA.

[@brianevenson9655]

Agreed. I can't or won't take anything away from him in his playing ability, but I have tried and tried to get into his music. I just can't. Sorry.

[@scottlaughlin9897]

Agreed, the early stuff was psychedelic and after he left the band they became more Prog. Don’t think they’d of been as successful had he even stayed away from drugs. Taking nothing away from Syd.

[@edvonblue]

you said that the stuff that Waters and Gilmour did was 'at least as creative'. What is your definition of 'creative'?

[@aquatarkus2022]

Apples and oranges my friend. You're talking about two different animals.

[@alan73795]

Don't forget to check out "There's No Way Out Of Here" from Gilmour's 1978 solo album (titled David Gilmour). Other standouts: "No Way", "I Can't Breathe Anymore", "Cry From The Street", "Short and Sweet". You'll swear you're listening to Pink Floyd from the Wish You Were Here-Animals era. Reportedly, at this time, Gilmour was getting a little frustrated that his musical talents were being underused by Pink Floyd, so he used this first solo album to showcase his guitar playing and songwriting. Not surprisingly, all of them sound like prime Floyd. Incredible guitar work throughout (including three instrumental songs).

[@randybaker6042]

Great album.

[@alan73795]

@@randybaker6042 Have you checked out the remastered version? It sounds great and has longer (and sometimes different) guitar solos.

[@randybaker6042]

@@alan73795 I haven't but I will. I need to add There's No Way Out Of Here and I Can't Breathe Anymore to a playlist on my page.

[@alan73795]

@@randybaker6042 You'll love it. "I Can't Breathe Anymore" is one of the songs with a longer solo on the remastered version.

[@David-iv6je]

great stuff musically. Lyrically not so much. As much as I love Floyd, neither Waters nor Gilmour could put it all together by themselves. Waters brought the wit and vision, Gilmour (and earlier on Wright) brought the "sonic grace," as I saw it put once.

[@V7avalon]

Syd Barrett a man ahead of this world👏 . 🌎🪐 the cosmos is not something you can grasp..

[@mouseshadow5828]

This song always reminds me of a Scooby-Doo chase scene. edit: Alex's confusion is priceless. Floyd was much more...abstract with Syd.

[@marklozano493]

For it's time... this is the pinnacle of psychedelic rock. The challenge with this tune... it would either enhance or mentally crush the listener's LSD trip. I have experience with mental illness and psychedelic drug use / abuse within my circumference of family and friends. We must appreciate the thin line between illness and genius. Sometimes... the journey to genius requires a trip to the ward and vice versa. Thank God for Sid as he provided great music and became the inspiration for generational art that's timeless. Well done men.

[@mattleppard1964]

Jugband Blues. His last song with Floyd and he basically says I’m going insane and the band is excluding me. Heartbreaking yet a brilliant pop song.

[@michaeldrennan9932]

Syd Barrett was Badassed!! Couldn't have evolved into the band they became without Syd!! RIP SYD!! Thanks SOOOOOO MUCH For reacting to this!!

[@Shadowrider1872]

GOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY!! ☮️❤️♾️

[@jonniequickblade3176]

In the early days of Floyd, it is important to consider their music was performed live, at events called 'Freak Outs' where the audience has imbibed the psychedelics of the '60s. Floyd had an early form of light show with trippy colours projected across the stage and audience. The combination of the sound and the music was at the heart of the Pink Floyd Sound (the word Sound was later dropped from their name). Their live shows were ahead of their time and a precursor to their future live shows that included projected film and puppetry. As a result, this song was often performed live as an extended version, sometimes up to 30 minute long jam session. It was highly regarded by many fans and artists at the time. It was included on the soundtrack to 'Tonight, Let's All Make Love In London', a movie about the swinging London scene in the 1960s.

[@CaptainNemo1701]

I would suggest you try 'Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun' which is, IMHO, the first clue that PF were trying as artists to 'reach' for something bigger. It's a great track & inspired their friend, Douglas Adams, to alter the ending of an episode of the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy by introducing the galactic rock band 'Disaster Area' (Floyd) whose stage act involves sending a spaceship through the heart of a star. Adams played with PF on stage in one of the Pulse gigs.

[@PK1971PK]

Yep, that's the thing with experimental music, Alex. The experiment doesn't always have to work. I don't know, maybe "Bike" would be a better representation of Syd in his prime. You hear him sing lyrics he wrote and it has the experimental section at the end that is much shorter and works better to my ears--and reminds me a little of King Crimson's "Moonchild".

[@Richarddraper]

Definitely right there. Psychedelia at the time wasn't all freak out songs like this; a major part of it was about recapturing a sense of childhood innocence. "Bike is a key example of that and is a great song.

[@David-iv6je]

Kudos for a very wise observation! I had a radio show for 4 years in college, mid 80s, playing "experimental" music. Obviously this got featured a few times. Also Tangerine Dream and various synthesizer acts.

[@jaquestraw1]

Piper & Pepper were recorded at the same time in the same studios together.

[@NotData]

I always thought of this song as an amusement park ride for the ears. In fact, I think it would be cool if somebody created a VR experience set to this music.

[@VenusDeMilitant]

I always thought of this as noodling around ,while playing with all the toys in the recording room.

[@cherinoelke]

That's why I feel in love with Floyd so early....music for creation's sake not commercial success. But have to be honest it did help to be in an alternate state to ride the sonic wave.

[@glenndespres5317]

Andy, you are the ultimate Floyd Tourguide! You knows ya Floyd! Nice one guys. The audio/recording technology at the time was poised to take off leaps and bounds but clearly had not. They and others tried their best to simulate and convey ‘trippiness’ with the basic instruments and a few gizmos.

[@sallysharp3845]

This is what an acid trip sounds like. Trippy Man.

[@danstewart8218]

For Syds solo work i would suggest "No Good Trying" from Madcap Laughs and "Dominoes" from the album Barrett. My personal faves from Floyd era are the stereo version of Flaming from the first album and Jugband Blues from the Second - also See Emily Play was a great single. I'm from UK and have met people who personally knew Syd - even one guy who shared a flat with him and was there when he painted the floor the stripes you see on the cover of Madcap - he painted himself into a corner and couldn't get out till the paint had dried! 👍❤

[@cityslacker6221]

this album was recorded in Abbey Road down the hall from the Beatles recording Sgt. Pepper and it had a huge influence on John and Paul.

[@magicbrownie1357]

Floyd with Cyd Barrett is a completely different band than Floyd with David Gilmour.

[@joshkeheley8568]

There are like 10-12 different bass lines that Roger does in this song. Can really hear them wearing headphones.

[@scottmoyle879]

There’s about 100 killer riffs in this song. But Syd just tosses them off and throws them into this chaos. The music is meant to be about outer space and I think it actually sounds like it.

[@bobmessier5215]

Probably his best instrumental space rock tune, in which there are two on "Piper", with "Astronomy Domine". Syd's lyrics were whimsical and child-like. That said, I liked "See Emily Play" and "Lucifer Sam" best.

[@TheBlackQueen]

This song actually BEGINS Side 2, which at that time would have been an incredibly dangerous move, but because of Britain's growing psychedelic scene in addition to the similar scenes in New York City and San Francisco, it had the positive reaction. Though definitely not a "commercial" song, this was actually used in the MCU movie Doctor Strange.

[@kaafromoz]

Wow what a flash back this was, I recall having this album "Piper at the gates of dawn" which has long since disappeared so will have to do some digging online and repurchase this again. The early days of Floyd with Syd were such a journey to what they would ultimately become, all the years of finding their own sound their own road paid off with them being one of the greatest if not the greatest bands in music history. Glad you exposed your mate to this epic song from PF. Keep Safe Keep Strong Keep Rocking🦘🦘🦘🦘

[@sixbladeknife44]

There is no Pink Floyd without Syd, his influence cannot be underestimated.

[@TTM9691]

Nah, this isn't Syd's best Floyd song...it's a great psychedelic band jam though! I've dosed to it! :P I'd say "Jugband Blues" is a pretty good snapshot of Syd's genius and madness both captured in equal measure in one song/recording. "Astronomy Domine" and "Lucifer Sam" are good "rockers". "Flaming" and "Scarecrow" are personal favorites, I wish I could go live in those songs. And then there's "Bike"......!

[@edwardmeradith2419]

The “Jugband Blues” video is excellent

[@JoseChavez-rf4ul]

"Jugband Blues" is a mutha-friggin' masterpiece... As far as I'm concerned, it's the universe in a single grain of sand.

[@TTM9691]

@Mas Dito LOVE "Vegetable Man"!

[@edwardmeradith2419]

@@JoseChavez-rf4ul yes!!

[@CapAnson12345]

I think you have to be in a certain frame of mind to get the S-tierness of this song. Of course drugs.. but just in a darkened room.. relaxing on the bed.. Just relax and let Pink Floyd take you on a trip amongst the stars .

[@knightyyz]

Astronomy Domine would be my favorite with Syd, and a close second would be Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun. Bike is good for a laugh as well

[@johneemaguire2471]

Yea this is a song my parents would come into my room and would say what in the name of god are you listing to. I am 54 now but feels like yesterday.

[@Basil_Funkenstein]

Definitely recommend Astronomy Domine next lads. Will really be a great introduction to Syd's genius. 👌

[@ronaldrivas2241]

The Floyd Syd Barrett era has so many masterpieces, choosing "Interstellar Overdrive" without the previous songs on "Piper" kind of takes away the continuity of the experience, anyway: great pick. For more Syd contributions might want to try something like "Astronomy Domine" , "See Emily Play" (Bowie covered it), "Arnold Layne" or a personal favorite: "Flaming" which is basically a 10 year old Syd playing hide-n-seek with his subconscious, surrounded by unicorns, dandelions and some Mozart-like piano embellishments from Rick Wright.

[@robertherring9277]

"Careful With That Axe, Eugene" and "One of These Days" are probably some of my favorite early Floyd, although this song (the whole album really) is awesome!

[@TheFlowNetwork]

Pink Floyd and the Beatles both recorded at Abbey Road studios and were often there recording at the same time. There are some great bootlegs out there of John Lennon and Syd collaborating. Check out "What A Shame Mary Jane".

[@davidboivin7996]

Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun live at Pompeii

[@keithschofield1158]

I bought this album In tenth grade in 85 used to smoke weed and listen to this used to smoke weed and listen to the Who Stones Doors Skynyrd Tull Clash ECT... Those were the days go to a friend's house put on some great music

[@flyinpigmusic331]

There are a few theories on why Syd went crazy. He was already a gentle, fragile person before all the drugs. Family, friends, and band members believe he already had some kind of mental illness, and when he overdid the drugs, it acted ad an accelerant, or catalyst. It did something to him that he never recovered from. On top of that, they also say that Syd was never truly into the popular music scene. He wanted to start a band and play music, but once they took off and were getting pressure from the label for "hits," he got over it all and wanted out, and being crazy and not contributing was his way of quitting the scene, at least according to Nick Mason. Or it could be that he did too much LSD and his brain got fried. Could be one or a combination of reasons.

[@garyschill7923]

I vote for a combination of those reasons. I found a good telling of the Syd story with the band in the book "A Saucerful Of Secrets".

[@df5295]

All of the above!

[@johntree6425]

B vs S? Sums it all up right there. Great reaction, gents :)

[@greenacreshomestead8302]

You should check out the music video of that was the live performance of this song played over spliced pieces from 3 different concerts in Stockholm, December 1967.

[@davidt9238]

This is 1967 boys! This is amazing music - yes, on the edge of crazy but maybe that is the entire point. Later on Pink FLoyd revisit the theme of craziness many times but only through the lyrics, not the music. The guitar itself is so incredible and Floyd never attain the same level of controlled madness again (as much as I like Gilmour’s playing).

[@spacey9707]

always bang this song when I'm on acid back in the day, this song is my anthem of tripping balls. the visuals was like I was an astronaut stranded in the space bcs of a rocket crash and just completely lost in there, wandering the unknown- i can remember vividly. but astronomy domine for me was his best, it was just a perfect opening song for a phenomenal album and the built up was just simply crazy, IO is the no.2 best for me.

[@DrNothing23]

Every time I hear this I expect Damo Suzuki to chime in at any moment... VERY Can-esque tune.

[@davethewave62]

Arnold Layne, See Emily Play and Bike are my faves!

[@CliffordLake]

There is a video of Frank Zappa jamming with PF on this song at a festival.

[@stephenpriola4301]

The whole first album all written by SYD .,,, seen him preform it with the clapping Lennon Delirium, VIP got me both of them shits and giggles…

[@normanleroy1874]

Seeing Syd in command of his faculties and leading the band must be a priceless memory. You're very lucky to have witnessed it. I've heard he was a very sharp, charismatic and sweet man.

[@timpreston459]

I’m sure you will get Astronomy Domine The opening track of their first album Piper at the gates of dawn 1967. To really feel the impact this album made when it first arrived you have to try and go back to that time in your imagination. This was a very new sound and came along in the swinging “summer of love“ as a prime example of Far Out

[@danmcconnell5941]

Love Syd, so glad to see some attention to him

[@MrCthur]

I was totally surprised (and exceedingly happy) when this showed up in Dr. Strange. The early singles and relics are great.

[@brettv5967]

I’m with Alex on this. I don’t enjoy most of the Syd era stuff. I understand that it’s probably my fault, not theirs. But I just don’t dig it. I feel like the Floyd are learning their craft, but they’re not great yet. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun is about the earliest of theirs that I like. But it’s cool that the guys are checking this out.

[@GioSinatraFan]

I'm like Tom Hanks in that movie BIG where he's in the meeting about a skyscraper that turns into a robot. Tom says... "I DON'T GET IT"

[@johnblackwell8646]

This was their "signature piece" when they were one of the house bands, with Soft Machine, of the UFO Club in London.

[@johnbeardshall2898]

If I was doing a film on a lsd trip this is the track I'd use

[@simongoodman7486]

When it comes to Syd Barrett's Pink Floyd, Interstellar Overdrive is certainly indicative of his 'sound painting' approach to musicianship, it's overtly free form and enormously expressive! However, I think either See Emily Play, Matilda Mother, Flaming or Bike best illustrate his peculiar gift for melody and wordplay. Nobody wrote tripped out Pop like Psychedelic Syd, back when he 'Shone like the sun.' kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5inlYJjnbJripI

[@Katehowe3010]

The influence for the riff came from a combination of 'The Theme From Steptoe' and Love's 'Little Red Book'!

[@jasonking2976]

Shortly before Gilmour joined Floyd, they recorded Scream Thy Last Scream and Vegetable Man; two Barrett songs, but these were not released until fairly recently. Syd went on to make 2 solo albums, which are good, especially the first one; The Madcap Laughs. The track Octopus is worth a listen.

[@paulparker1565]

'B' is generous for this song. 'Bike' would've been a much better choice.

[@FloydianFreak13]

I agree, this is Syd at his best! Expanding the boundaries of music

[@XFLexiconMatt]

Syd tenure was short lived, but he defined Pink Floyd.

[@musicluvr70]

This was just a couple years before I started listening to Pink Floyd, but Andy was sitting there grinning like I do when I see someone react to Angelina Jordan at 9 years old doing Screaming Jay Hawkins version of "I Put A Spell On You" from 1956.

[@simply_psi]

Listening to Nick Mason's incredible jazz fills on this track underline, what a great drummer he is and deserves his collection of very rare and expensive Ferarris (one of the few people to have a 250 GTO, F40, Enzo and La Ferrari) I think he's sold the Enzo now. And the 250 GTO (now worth $40m) was remortgaged to fun the Division Bell Tour that spawned the Pulse recordings, ah good ole Nick, what a legend.

[@bobbabai]

Love Pink Floyd. I was 10 years old when that song came out. I thought it was interesting and a little fascinating back then. I think it's pretty tedious now. I was definitely always more attracted to melody and rhythm Pink Floyd, with David and Roger doing most of the songwriting and arranging.

[@Critical_Thinker858]

The bass carried the "melody" if you can call it that. Waters's bass line gave Syd a foundation from which to experiment with the guitar. It's kinda cool because it does kind of give you a sensation of floating in interstellar space. But with the word Overdrive in the title, it seems like it needed to be more fast paced and aggressive. The felt like an experience that influenced a sort of passive musical response as opposed to a piece of music that elicits an experience.

[@suzetteanne]

Well said. Roger Waters has come up with many epic and melodic bass lines over the years!

[@Lwize]

See Emily Play is my favorite Syd-era Floyd song.

[@patrickquinlan67]

Syd composed the guitar riff that begins this after hearing Floyd's promoter humming the tune of "7&7 is" by West Coast band, Love.

[@christinawhittier]

I really dig Syd Barrett he was in entirely class of his own! Syd was very intelligent he was very handsome of course when he was young! He was Pink Floyd with out Syd Barrett there truly would be no Pink Floyd! His ability to redefine experimenting with music was out of this world beautiful! Syd Barrett inventing psychedelic sounds in London and becoming what would be termed as the underground at the UFO club and what was also to be called Middle Earth! Syd Barretts Pink Floyd were named Londons little darlings of the underground music scene in 1966 and 1967! There was only one Syd Barrett and no one has ever come close to such poetic melodic experimental music that was very new for the baby boomer generation and which would also become to be called the love flower children generation!

[@ThailandTed]

Who needs drugs when you have Pink Floyd! Blowing minds for over 50 years.

[@gameswithoutfrontears416]

I like Syd's Floyd songs and his solo albums, they're a whole different thing from the later Floyd albums but I love them. He had a lot of character in his voice and lyrics - like weird trippy folk music. The post Syd Floyd was more stadium friendly proggy stuff that sold by the bucketful but was more pompous and self important.

[@garryiglesias4074]

"Dark Globe".

[@billvanveghel6784]

Pipers at the Gates of Dawn is such a stellar album...you need to check it out in its entirety

[@thethesaxman23]

It would be cool if you did See Emily Play. A little more pop, but definitely has that psychedelic feel!

[@MidwestSirenProductions]

This, followed by Astronomy Dominé and Lucifer Sam are my personal favorites from PATGOD. Truly an album to experience.

[@seiraeiramasil2302]

YOU ARE SO RIGHT!, This is how it was back then for "Pink Floyd". They loved Sid and knew something was REALLY OFF, but, they seemed to be curious about where it was going to take them, so they allowed him to do his creative thing, til one day I guess they figured it was just too much and had to replace him, really sad.

[@mikeymckinnon5778]

Jeezo… All this Floyd feels like a step back in time to the beginnings of the channel. Fantastic 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@malcolmwood5676]

I think Saucer full of secrets gives the best example of he transition to post Sid. I saw them do it live , they had speakers all over the auditorium so that they could pan sounds all around and there was a long line of drums for nick Mason to run down during the drum part. It was incredible!

[@buzzbomb67]

I dunno if its his best, but its probably my fave, along with Astronomy Domine. And yes, the HARD experimental psychedelic era of Floyd can be a bit hard to process initially … I had trouble too … but now I almost prefer it and other pre-Dark Side vs post. I cant remember how much of a role he had on Saucerful Of Secrets, specifically Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun, but thats the other of my top 3 Syd-era Floyd, in no particular order. The At Pompeii version of Set The Controls is absolutely phenomenal!