Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here (Song Review)

[@musicmademejester]

Lost my little brother on Aug 25th at the age of 32, not even two months ago. This was one of the first songs I listened to after his passing. I tried to listen to more up beat and positive music, but it just didn't feel right, so I throw this album on. It was quite the experience, the songs had new meanings to what I always originally enjoyed them for. RIP Bob, I miss you so much...

[@masterofparsnips5327]

Sorry for your loss Jack ... RIP Bob

[@snowdog87]

Sorry to hear take care of yourself Bob would want that

[@jcrichton7456]

Try Elegy by Jethro Tull, it is instrumental but quite emotional and helped me through a similar loss. I think it was written about a loss in the family also. Whatever helps you.Take care.

[@j.k.1963]

That is just awful. I wish you all the strength needed to deal with your tremendous loss, Jack. Isn't this what music stands for? To be there when needed and there always is a tune that connects with one's situation. I totally can relate to this song touching that inner pain, out of my own experience with losing somebody. R.I.P. Bob (and Anton in my case). ♥️🙏❤

[@Lightmane]

Hi Jack. I'm really sorry for your loss and the pain you're dealing with. Sending you good loving thoughts. May Bob rest in peace.

[@johnpbh]

Justin - You aren't as old as me so you won't remember the days before FM and digital radio like I do. In the 1950's we had MW, LW and SW radio and a feature of the radio then, especially if you had a weak signal was the way that the sound would get louder and softer. Not dramatically so but it was a feature. What I love about the start of this song, especially listening on the headphones, is the way that the "radio" part of the guitar is in the left stereo channel but very subtly drifts into the right channel and then back out again just like the real radio may have done. Then the "studio" guitar comes in loud and clear in the right channel. It's a very small thing but illustrates their attention to detail which makes these records such masterpieces. Stay safe and Keep on Rocking.

[@JustJP]

Very good point John, ty

[@neonpark1874]

@@jeslookn5470 I think that depends on where you lived. I grew up in NJ (NY radio market) and there was FM rock on the radio.

[@craigchalloner153]

Love the subtle piano that drops in occasionally. Beautiful

[@andreascala2663]

Ladies and Gentemen................Mr. Rick Wright!

[@TheRealGigatess]

@JustJp The sound you described in the intro & how it goes from *radio* to *live* is one of the best effects EVER. Simple, unexpected, effective, brilliant. The production, at that time, is SPOT. ON. It's also instantly recognizable. Lyrics are genius. "Did you exchange a walk on part in a war for a lead role in a cage?"

[@johntousseau9380]

The entire album is a masterpiece.

[@thelyricologist9568]

When you react to "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" - the last few parts - please note the last few notes that Wright is playing at the very end. Those last few notes are a theme from "See Emily Play", one of the earliest Pink Floyd songs (and made into a single) where Syd Barrett sings.

[@67Svenski]

Somebody made a comment I like about PF. "You do not need weed to enjoy Pink Floyd, but if are smoking weed anyway, you need Pink Floyd".

[@ScottDeBerg]

My favorite from their catalog. Sang this at a memorial service of a friend.

[@1nelsondj]

I've seen this sung by the Gilmour-led Pink Floyd and by a couple of tribute bands, it's always a singalong. The line about exchanging a walk-on part in a war for a lead role in a cage is obviously Waters thinking of his father and comparing his life to his own. A walk-on part is an anonymous extra, a foot soldier that's expendable. This is the 1st time I noticed that there's some slide guitar buried deep in the mix during the 1st verse, on the left channel. Never noticed it before. Oh, and the trick with the radio was already done by the Beatles in '67 with 'I Am the Walrus'.

[@neilhinks5734]

Less is more... Yep this song is an absolute masterpiece ❤️ Lyrically, emotionally.. The beautiful subtle acoustic guitar.. Just superb. 😊 No one can do this sort of opus like the Floyd butty. Just perfection Justin. Them lyrics are deep as the ocean Davies vocals are timeless, and so prophetic imho. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ This song, album.. Out of this world good. 😊 Great review as usual. Just class butty, thank you JP

[@shaunstuart4623]

The wind effect at the end of this song always made me imagine it was leading into “One of These Days”. Hard to believe those two songs are even the same artist 😃

[@JustJP]

And both so good!

[@dennispope1355]

Another fine Pink Floyd song. I also love the way "Have a Cigar" transitions into "Wish You Were Here" with the AM radio. Many young fans would have heard these pieces on inexpensive radios or record players. I do believe this transition is a metaphor for those fans listening on that equipment and not getting to enjoy it at its fullest. Like all of the Pink Floyd albums of this era, they serve best when listened to as an entire album and on excellent equipment. IE the sum of these is even better then the parts. Great review

[@JustJP]

You know, could be. So much meaning to be had in this album, ty Dennis

[@edwardmeradith2419]

The first example of using a ‘radio transmission’ and a roaming radio dial was the end of “I am the Walrus” by the Beatles, an it was John Lennon’s idea allegedly.

[@daneng3641]

"I am the Walrus" has a snippet from "King Lear" which I suppose was being broadcast on the radio. I always wondered what those two people talking were from in WYWH. I've speculated in the past that maybe it's from "The Little Prince" because it sounds like an older man talking to a child. More likely, it's just some random talk show.

[@silvertube52]

This is an incredibly intensely emotional song. It is Waters lament to loss of his father and losing his friend and band mate to mental illness.

[@GhostSound2]

This song always hits me right in the feels,no matter when and where I listen to it. It's almost inevitable that some people in your life disappear from it,either your life paths go in the different directions or they go into the afterlife. So this song captures this longing for someone that's hard to ignore. Having it performed on an acoustic only adds to it,cause it sounds more down to earth compared to other songs on the album,more personal.

[@realbser1956]

The attention to detail, engineering, lyrics and musicianship is hard to beat except maybe by SD. David is one of the GOATS. Wonderful review JP!

[@markoszervos924]

You have the best sound quality on KZbin!

[@JustJP]

Thanks!

[@BigC.]

This song really does showcase David Gilmore’s talents.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

Gilmour, not Gilmore

[@genecase9464]

As I'm re-introduced to these songs and albums by you and other reactors I'm reminded that these really are not single songs on the same album but a single song that stops and starts again until that side of the album is over. You get a lot listening to each individual part (song), but you get so much more when you listen to the whole side (album), or even better today, the whole album (cd) in it's entirety. I think it's the way progressive rock was meant to be heard. Same thing with concept albums from The Who's Tommy to Al Stewarts The Year Of The Cat. Great songs...better albums.

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

R.I.P. to family & friends who are'nt here, some day soon we will be there. PEACE & Rememberance.

[@Eric5M]

Great review JP, David Gilmour favorite Floyd album: wish you were here. If ever you’re doing a review of the wall, I would recommend using the movie for this review. But, and I don’t know why, they left out from the movie the second best song from the album: Hey You. You would still have to make a song review for that one.

[@bobdelp2023]

THE PHRASE THAT ALWAYS GOT TO ME: DID YOU EXCHANGE A WALK ON PART OF THE WAR FOR A LEAD ROLE IN A CAGE :( POWERFUL STUFF JUSTIN

[@JeromeDukes]

Nice reaction to a classic PF song. Learning to play guitar, this was one of the first PF songs I learned to play. It's also a fun song at a social gathering when you have a second guitar player to play rhythm or lead. Speaking of the lead parts, I love the old school Robert Johnson blues vibe. Thanks JP.

[@jimhardiman3836]

An interesting side note about the album artwork by Hipgnosis. The four photos on the cover symbolize the four elements: earth, fire, air and water. You’ll notice the wind sound effect coming in at the end of WYWH. The album was also sold in an opaque plastic wrap suggesting the album itself was absent (one of the album’s themes). The mechanical shaking hands on the label, a gesture filled with warmth and meaning, but more often reduced to a cold and empty ritual (Welcome to the Machine).

[@JustJP]

That's so interesting, ty Jim!

[@thelyricologist9568]

It would be absolutely amazing if you could react to the Pink Floyd catalogue going back backward and forward, i.e. reacting to "More", "Atom Heart Mother", "Ummagumma", "A Saucerful of Secrets", "The Piper At the Gates of Dawn" (because I think you have already reacted to "The Dark Side of the Moon", "Obscured By CLouds" and "Meddle"), but also reacting to "The Wall", "The Final Cut", "A Momentary Lapse of Reason", "The Divison Bell" and "Endless River" (I am not counting compilation albums and live albums that have been released in the meantime).

[@markspooner1224]

Another Mary Poppins song: practically perfect in every way. How many songs of today will still be revered in 45 years time? Lovely stuff, thanks for this.

[@jimmyfortrue3741]

My favorite song on this album is coming up next .... Can't wait!

[@-davidolivares]

S word, S tier maybe. Just so big and enveloping, it’s just part of one’s DNA now. Glad you didn’t skip it. So much space in the song, I found myself picking up my guitar and playing (poorly) a duet. Fun time was had for... me. Zappa, now this (going backwards) good stuff. Yer saving my weekend bra. Peace and Music

[@swimrski]

I always loved the lyric "walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage". It begs the questions did you get more but become less? What was taken from you to get where you are? Did you willingly surrender, or was it out of your hands?

[@alireza-vq6ul]

Wonderful. Just Pinkfloyd.

[@robertjewell9727]

This song has a reverberating everlasting quality that does not happen often in the music industry. It's placed perfectly, doing away with Floyd's cold alienating flourishes and being soft, concerned, direct.

[@glennbrock6560]

As a Floyd song, I; like you, was never a huge fan of this song, but it has grown on me through the years, now it's in my top 7 lets say, lol. I can truly appreciate how simple but textured it is. Very emotional song. love when you're on Floyd. That didn't sound right, lol.

[@JustJP]

Lol! I understand 😄

[@adamkallin5160]

”So you think you can tell heaven from hell” Maybe one has a seemingly great life but they know there is something missing. Or conversely, struggle is necessary for us to grow and achieve sustainable happiness. There is no distinct line between good and bad. Just what it means to me. ”Did you exchange a walk on part in a war for a lead role in a cage” Don’t put artificial limits on your life because of outside pressure. I really dig quite a few of Floyd’s lyrics. They just vibe with me.

[@j.k.1963]

I always felt like it was a person getting acquainted with another soul, who has the potential to become a soulmate if they can relate, based upon shared values.

[@MrFtoudalk]

I kinda envision Syd Barrett playing the the "radio part" in David Gilmour's mind, he then plays along to his thoughts and memories of Syd... I know.. it takes weed, but..

[@Tonyblack261]

I love the very obvious BBC English at the start of this song

[@ErickMcNerney]

Maybe I've just listened to this song so many times that I'm numb to it.

[@ErickMcNerney]

@ron marninks Yeah, feel the same way. I can still appreciate the sentiment. Just for whatever reason I get nothing from listening to it. Well written though. That's undeniable.

[@jcrichton7456]

This is how I feel about all Pink Floyd since I quit smoking dope 30 years ago. Some bands have the energy to make you feel a natural high, others you need to be high for.

[@ErickMcNerney]

@@jcrichton7456 haha, I personally wouldn't go that far. I've never done drugs in my life but remember playing Pilot Wings 64 with no sound, and playing Dark Side Of The Moon instead. That was my high lol This and many songs on The Wall just don't do a damned thing for me. However, The Final Cut is something that has aged well with me. And Animals, and many others. I don't even know why some songs don't impact me anymore.

[@jcrichton7456]

Yeah I went a bit overboard but I just prefer bands with more energy. When one band monopolizes a week It just seems sad for people waiting to hear other bands get some notice. So many great bands out there and not enough time for all of them, take care

[@ErickMcNerney]

@@the-NightStar Yeah, I've heard it a lot more probably. Another aspect is that this was a staple in my band's cover set list. That's an important tidbit I forgot to mention lol

[@philshorten3221]

Another thoughtful reaction. One of the great things about the music of Pink Floyd is that like many artists they bare their own emotions in a way that others can relate to. Floyd just do that better than most. BTW I believe there's a "cough" just before Gilmour jams along to the radio which I think a read was Richard Wright who said hearing that on the playback was a trigger for him giving up smoking??? Maybe someone can correct that if it's not true🙄

[@jimmyfortrue3741]

Back when I bought this it came with a round sticker ( different copy of the vinyl record label ) and a postcard of the guy doing handstand in the water.

[@robertwilloughby8050]

Hey JP, when you get to 20k, do the whole "666" album by Aphrodite's Child - it's wonderful! Also, "Bike" by Pink Floyd is a good one, an early Syd Barrett number. It sounds like a kiddie song, but when you realise that Syd's girlfriend had just left him when he wrote it, the line "I've got a bike, you can ride it if you like" takes on a whole new meaning.....

[@OriginalMergatroid]

Another awesome song from an amazing band. Can't find the rest of Farewell to Kings. Did I miss it?

[@JustJP]

Still working on it😃

[@OriginalMergatroid]

@@JustJP Can't wait. More Pink Floyd will sooth the itch somewhat though.....

[@gbcrowne271]

I agree with you, this is a beautiful song that conveys the feeling of yearning, but I like the other songs better, especially the three previous ones, they create such a nice flow while being different.

[@andreascala2663]

it took me a few years and a lot of plays to realize that in the final verses (from how i wish how i wish you were here ..) there is a second voice .... I presume Wright

[@johnjedennett2206]

The concept of the album is about Syd Barrett( the original frontman and writer) and also about the group as a whole

[@onemerlin]

This is notable as the only (post-Barrett) Pink Floyd song that started with the lyrics and built the music around them. All their other works started with the instruments, and added lyrics as a layer of the composition.

[@Camothor10]

My favourite Floyd song

[@modmary1]

This song is a decision, whether or not to sign up for The War. Draft dodging would end you up in jail. “A cage”. I’ve always thought of it that way.

[@rhwinner]

For many years, I used to enjoy the song for it's arrangement. However, I just recently started to zone in on it's feeling - it's really quite an emotional song....

[@BigMacIain]

Wright's playing towards the end presages what he's going to do next.

[@Lwize]

I used to get confused between Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here and Chicago's Wishing You Were Here. How did Chicago know Sid Barrett??

[@edwardmeradith2419]

Hey they’re more than ocean apart:) Song titles can’t be copy written, so they’re totally different songs with the same title but I think you know that! Trivia note - The Beach Boys do the harmonies on the chorus of the Chicago song, (same manager at the time, toured together - the BB’s Dennis Wilson and Chicago’s Robert Lamm’s wife Karen fell in love - another kind of collaboration ensued:)

[@Lwize]

@@edwardmeradith2419 So, it was The Beach Boys that knew Sid Barrett?

[@edwardmeradith2419]

I’m not sure there was any connection between Chicago/Sid Barrett and Pink Floyd/Sid Barrett. Just two different song compositions with the same name:)

[@Lwize]

@@edwardmeradith2419 Sid Barret and Brian Wilson - both brains fried by psychedelics. There's the connection....

[@edwardmeradith2419]

Lwize - absolutely!

[@barknktc]

hi whats the name of your spotify playlist ?

[@Alohaadi]

Its simple and perfect, for the next 2000 years and many Generation

[@jeanleveau7904]

Hi JP, I really would like you to listen to Archive's songs. They are in a way linked to pink floyd with the experimental sounds, long and slow built-up songs. They evolved in 25 years from Trip hop to progressive rock, to electro .... you have so much to find out there even if they are really confidential in the US. They are quite popular in France, Germany and Eastern Europe

[@bobdelp2023]

THE ONLYYYYYYY COMFORT I RECALL IN THE 70'S WAS SOUTHERRRRNNN! LOL :) WE CALLED IT DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION AS TEENAGERS JUSTIN

[@snowdog87]

This song is in the dictionary next to the word "classic" Thoughtful lyrics? That is Roger

[@bobdelp2023]

THE LYRICS ARE DEEP ON THIS ONE JUSTIN AS THEY ALLLLLLL WISH SYD WAS THERE!

[@mariobaert8346]

Fairly "simple" song. This kind of song did not work for me on Meddle, but here it just fits perfectly, melody, lyrics and instrumentation. And of course whatever the meaning is they intended, just the lyric part "how I wish you were here" hits you square if you've lost someone dear. It does for me vey much so each time I hear this song.

[@Darkkfated]

Just listen to the start of the song and then ponder the chorus to Steely Dan's FM (No Static At All).

[@BigMacIain]

Also, Rogers Waters thinks the title is indicative of the state of the band at that time, post Dark Side, and they weren't really there.

[@bobmessier5215]

Virtually EVERY Pink Floyd tune from "Piper at the Gates of Dawn" in 1967 to "Endless River" in 2014 "feels" like a tribute to Syd Barrett; the real MUSE and SPIRIT of the band. People tend to overlook the early tunes and the post-Waters Pink Floyd songs. All of their tunes are great and evoke Syd. Perhaps the ONLY Pink Floyd album that did not feel influenced by Syd was "Final Cut" which was more like a Roger Waters solo album and tribute to his WWII hero father. It was also the least commercially successful and the final time Pink Floyd recorded with Roger Waters. It took a few years for Gilmour to snap out of depression and remake Pink Floyd in the 1980's and continue making legendary music.

[@palantir135]

I love the start of the song. Scanning through radio stations, this song pops up. It’s all about Syd Barrett I think but Roger Waters said it is about him. The albums The Wall and The Final Cut are completely about him. A bit selfish but luckily he is also very concerned and critical about the world, humankind.

[@bigbadbubbajoe583]

Someone talking to the artist, who sold out to the record execs... What did you trade, and do you understand what you gave up? Was it worth it?

[@sicko_the_ew]

Those voices on the radio at the beginning always make me think of the Goon Show. You might find the following explanatory clip amusing (it stars Henry Crun, and Minnie Bannister - who was once the darling of Roper's Light Horse) kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYDKpIGOaJiVr80

[@Alohaadi]

Listening little Tool stuff, „ Pneuma“ is Masterpice

[@pranavp386]

Song review? Wow. What's next?

[@gablen23]

Wish you were beer! ;-)

[@JustJP]

🍻

[@rayquirk4947]

Floyd’s “Anthem” song.

[@mandrillion2524]

The live version in Pulse is even better than the original IMHO

[@delorangeade]

I think I've reached saturation point with this song, maybe with all of Pink Floyd except for The Final Cut, which gets less attention than most of the band's catalogue.

[@EdwardGregoryNYC]

Did you exchange a walk on part in a war for a lead role in a cage? -taking the easy way out.

[@joemaurone7923]

See, at the risk of being called a "snob" * again, this song is why I say it's optimal to listen to the album in its entirety. Not that the individual songs can't be enjoyed on their own, but the sum is really greater than the parts. And those parts ARE pretty great, to begin with. But THIS song itself is SO played out on radio that I can't listen to it. (Ironic, given the radio effects at the beginning.) And that's a shame, because I DO think it's a great song. BUT...when I listen to the whole album, it still takes me away in a way that the constant radio play can't, because of its context within the whole. And one's listening context is a big deal, I think, in how one reacts. Just my 2 cents. (*Not an actual "snob" about it. It's not "one-size-fits-all". Your experience may vary. Void where prohibited.)

[@barriehull7076]

How about supercalifragilisticexpialidocious adjective INFORMAL extraordinarily good; wonderful.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

Farpo glurp shmiffies.

[@richardfurness7556]

The best of a rather mediocre bunch. Maybe I was expecting too much from this album - when it was released I'd just finished going through the band's back catalogue and couldn't believe they were capable of bringing out anything that didn't brim with innovation, excitement, atmosphere and energy. Would this song have made the cut for Dark Side Of The Moon? Probably, but only just.

[@jcrichton7456]

So, is this the Pink Floyd Channel now?😠 Seriously though, even if they were my favorite band I would feel bad for the people waiting patiently in line while Pink Floyd is done most of the week. So languorous and unemotional. As I understand it from documentaries most of these "deep" songs are just about their old band members Syd Barrett.

[@MrVortexpro]

"Is this the Pink Floyd channel now". What an ignorant statement.

[@jcrichton7456]

It was a joke. I think a fan of almost any other band would have gotten it!

[@jcrichton7456]

BTW I do like this song. I'm just sick of hearing Pink Floyd! I said the same thing when Justin was going Genesis for most of the week and I love Genesis their fans weren't so defensive chill out!

[@shimahero]

As it is a song by song listen of an album. They have to follow up consequently fast in my opinion. Just patience, maybe next time music you are liking.

[@jcrichton7456]

His channel his choice, he does a really good job on his channel I only check out one other and they just did Pink Floyd. Justin really is the best as far as I have seen so I'll just be patient.

[@prestonpresley6885]

That 25-minute epic was famously written as an elegy for founding member Syd Barrett - who had suffered a drug-induced breakdown in the late 1960s - but his descent into mental illness also haunts “Wish You Were Here”