Understanding "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts VI-IX)"

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[@Griimmyyy]

"Nobody in Pink Floyd attended his funeral" then the music comes in sent chills down my spine.

[@beastieboy9286]

The band probably didnt want media attention and to take away from syd and the family on such a tough moment and as they probably had many. So i think thats fair

[@elijahgiter9559]

I consider myself a life long and HUGE Pink Floyd fan, and in no way was this right. Maybe Gilmore didn't know him as well as the rest of the band due to the fact that he basically joined to replace Barrett. But Mason, Wright and Waters were there from the beginning and really longer I think they were friends from school. Without sid there is no Floyd, all these people probably never get together and with the exception of Gilmore possibly never even become musicians or at least not to the extent that we know them as in our world. They owe so much to sid in my opinion and not a single one attending his funeral is just wrong. Unless they didn't know about it, which I don't see how, there is very little excuse.

[@Griimmyyy]

@@elijahgiter9559 Roger and Syd were like best friends from what I understand before school. But Gilmore was friends of the band before he joined, Syd included. He helped Syd with some of his solo albums. None of them really had excuse to not show up unless Syds family didn't want them there. Then they'd have to respect the wishes of his family.

[@elijahgiter9559]

I did know that Gilmore was friendly with the band pre Floyd, I think he was in jokers wild at the time? Maybe...??, and I thought the same about waters and Barrett being friends back to their school days, and also I think Wright may have been school mates with waters but that may be college without sid 2 lazy 2 look it up. Just always made me sad how it all ended for sid one day. I guess physically, financially and psychologically almost all at once.

[@elijahgiter9559]

Kinda surprised no one has done some sort of biopic on Sid yet, or maybe I just haven't seen it, or maybe waters won't allow it... haha 😄 🤣

[@Kalprog]

As a life-long Pink Floyd fan I just want to thank you for all the content you create. Their story is completely unique as is the music. There will never be another like them ever again.

[@BoxSox82]

Ditto

[@poyakhajei2585]

Imagine how much love they had for a "friend", "bandmate" that even while he was unwell and not around; the band admired and loved him deeply and profoundly.... it just....make my eyes tear up

[@AndrewRisitano]

why not go to his funeral then?

[@Luxinam]

Yes, and in the end not a single one of them attended his funeral

[@analogue_smiley]

@@Luxinam It was a private funeral. The family didn't want anyone to be there and Pink Floyd dindn't attend out of respect for them and Syd

[@caroleann_2142]

Syd died 4 days after he was diagnosed with his Cancer....

[@xdef1ne]

The story of Syd just randomly turning up is just that, a story. He was invited to the studio by the bands manager at the time, he told Syd they were writing a song about him and he should come check it out. He also was with David on his wedding day around the same time. He also asked where he should plug his guitar in as a joke, he knew he wasn't in the band, i'm sure it's the last thing he wanted to do at the time anyway. He was very witty.

[@MrOctober44]

I'm not sure how you would know if Syd was joking or not

[@louise_rose]

...and your source is - the manager? (Steve O'Rourke was his name, I think)

[@magster1046]

Source

[@astra8308]

How do you know?

[@tme3305]

[CITATION NEEDED]

[@sherry7526]

idk why more people don't talk about this song, most people think of parts I-V when they think of shine one you crazy diamond but i think VI-IX is so massively underrated

[@garryiglesias4074]

Well, "real" Pink Floyd "fans", just listen the full album. It's a blasphemy to stop it. So there's a difference with "mundane" Pink Floyd chatting, almost evangelizing the yet to convert followers, and the actual fundamental cultists :).

[@MuffinEnjoyer]

@@garryiglesias4074 nah to hear the entire album at one time? You gotta plan this. Most of people don't have time to listen to full albums...

[@garryiglesias4074]

@@MuffinEnjoyer That's what I said...

[@MuffinEnjoyer]

@@garryiglesias4074 I'm a real pink floys fan and I don't listen to the whole album every time. You said it's a blasphemy to stop after one song

[@garryiglesias4074]

@@MuffinEnjoyer You missed the humorous tone. and, BTW you're not a 'real' PF fan if you don't listen to the whole album (from the golden arc) every time.

[@baronrogers806]

I love Syd so much I'm glad he's immortalized

[@paulnolan4971]

Dittos man

[@Sydney-Casket-Base]

same.

[@brandon1351]

Give me examples of his so called genius, using off the wall lyrics with odd ditties is hardly genius. Frank Zappa, Todd Rundgren now that's genius

[@mr.nazareth4501]

@@brandon1351 just admit you like virtuosos, Syd was a genius like Van Gogh was, tracks like Dark Globe, Flaming and Matilda Mother are great examples of his ability to construct vivid imagery with an almost fairytale soundscape. Not very many artists can do that. Zappa is great, but it's like bringing up the Beatles, everybody knows he's one of the GOATs.

[@baronrogers806]

@@brandon1351 The entire album "Barrett" is pretty genius, 'Dominoes' and 'It Is Obvious' are my favorite on that record currently, I think we like Syd for his eccentricity and unique take on Psychedelic folk. And I think Frank Zappa and Todd Rundgren are plenty genius believe me, but this is a different kind of genius.

[@feather3563]

Amazing analysis. I love how despite the music being so dark, they end on that beautiful happy, nostalgic note. It makes me so satisfied with the album as a whole. And thank you for portraying Syd honestly and crediting him for his art and the joy he brought, not just writing him off as some dark mysterious figure.

[@garryiglesias4074]

The problem is it's so well done that I can't help to cry listening to their golden arc. And I listen to them A LOT for a long time. But every time I stop and listen, emotion is growing in me, and I cry. Tears of "contemplations", like an ocean feeling (not sure of the translation).

[@joermnyc]

Roger Water’s quote (3:21) from the songbook about “extremes of absense” and withdrawing from modern life sounds a lot like what ended up in “The Wall.”

[@MrKillshot2]

i love how sid said "a bit old" like he's been working on that sound for years. A very unique take on it.

[@MrOctober44]

You're probably giving him to much credit. He probably meant it sounds old because Floyd sounded very operatic and classical.

[@dreamofyouandi]

he had synesthesia. 'old' meant something completely different to him

[@MrKillshot2]

@@dreamofyouandi we'll never know what he meant by it but I do know about his mental health. It was just a fun thought

[@kodas3366]

During guitar solo they started sounding like queen for a moment..

[@teddyfurstman1997]

This record is a powerful follow up to DSOTM. An instant Classic. RIP SYD.

[@paulnolan4971]

This doesn't follow DSOTM. It follows OBC. Now doesn't that make more sense ?

[@Paolo8772]

@@paulnolan4971 No, it doesn't. How do you think it makes more sense?

[@louise_rose]

Yes, when it was released the album got a good deal of mixed reviews - at least in the UK. Many critics seem to have felt the sound was too polished, too "laid back" and the vocals not soulful or punchy enough. Also, punk was just around the corner and there was already a sense of hostility to "rock dinosaurs", a class where the Floyd was felt to belong. So WYWH had a slow start with the critics and media. But in retrospect it's clear to most people who have any interest in the Floyd that the album is a masterpiece, superbly played, written and produced - and also an album that touched many people in a very personal inner space.

[@mtth6758]

I genuinely didn’t realise that Rick played the melody of See Emily Play at the end of part 6-10. That’s like actually crazy how subtle that is but I always hear it and think “oh, that’s lovely”. Tasteful nod to Syd.

[@awanderingtraveler1972]

Just amazing. Ever since you did your series om Dark side of the moon I had hoped you would one day give Wish you were here a series on its own. And now that you've finished it, I can say its just as amazing, if not more!

[@finnflash23]

Thank you for Understanding the whole "Wish You Were Here" album! Always been my favorite Pink Floyd album! What a great series, what a great album! :D

[@travisthornton1792]

This is impressive as it’s probably the best work you’ve done, and you did it with the most delicate of subjects. This album (and this song in particular) have been special to me for decades for reasons I cannot convey with language, but your video exorcised those emotions again, and I appreciate it.

[@garryiglesias4074]

You cannot convey with language, I know the feeling, and what's nice it's THEY conveyed everything with their art. It's weird somehow, how Pink Floyd had such a huge impact on many people lives, many generations. I think their "golden arc" and the associated lore (and "together talents" of course) is so relatable. Although "superstars", they talked all people despite the grandiose imagery, and the "musical industry critic" support for the stories. Waters was also a conceptual genius, and was able to write very personal stuff in a way you everybody can dig into it.

[@nikkifish]

Thank you so much for making this series on my favorite album ever, I couldn’t have put it in any better words and you just captured all of them in my mind. I will always and forever cherish this album and the story of Wish You Were Here in my heart. Thank you Polyphonic and Pink Floyd for this gift 💚💚💚

[@nero3k]

How is this not the biggest music channel on KZbin. Every episode is note perfect. Pun intended. Seriously though. I look forward to every episode.

[@MrOctober44]

Because most people listen to music casually and don't want to take a deep dive into how it's made or analyzing lyrics.

[@bubbles3108]

Echos and wish you were here are by far my favorite songs. The “absence” is absolutely gorgeous to me

[@lulabecker]

the last part of this song, the funeral part, is absolutely beautiful. Makes me cry every other time.

[@louise_rose]

The intro at 1:06-.2:49 - the way two different rhythmic schemes with different time signatures (bass/drums/keyboards vs Dave's ominous, rumbling guitar) are introduced, slowly phased across each other, playing off at each other and slowly aligned until they unite at 2:49 - this is a signature part of the Floyd sound and a great way to suggest a wide, mysterious open space of dreams, night and darkness.

[@theguywhomakescheapvideosf372]

Honey wake up Polyphonic has a new video out!

[@axelcordova8262]

Part 9 always makes me cry like a lady when they're watching the ending of Titanic.

[@JakeMW]

Your analysis and editing are awesome man, an Animals series would be so dope.

[@ericpeggs9240]

I would love to see you do a similar series on "Animals"

[@MrByebyelove]

I remember my late father and I had recorded this album, played on local rock radio station one evening (they had a wonderful programming block every Saturday night where they played an entire LP in its entirety. Truly a holdover from the wild west days of FM radio politics), and the love my father and I shared for the very reasons you articulated so scholarly. Thank you

[@SuperStarr817]

You presented this absolutely beautifully, thank you Polyphonic. That first half of this part of the song, always sends a certain feeling through my spine. I really connect with this whole album and this series was a lovely journey.

[@LonkinPork]

This new video format of syncing your usual history, context, and analysis to the original track is utterly incredible.

[@gilbertocastelo8881]

I don’t know how people don’t like this album. It’s a masterpiece

[@blackskull8440]

I’d love to know who these people are because this is definitely in their top 3 best albums

[@garryiglesias4074]

@@blackskull8440 Those who are not patient enough, short attention span, or not curious enough to enrich their musical culture. I guess most are metalheads :). (Even the Beastie Boys gave a HUGE reference to Pink Floyd in their Gratitude video...)

[@anjieobasa1871]

As much as I like pink Floyd, calling an album a masterpiece is subjective.

[@dsxa918]

and itself, 'metalheads' is a loaded, if not ignorant, statement haha

[@MrOctober44]

@@garryiglesias4074 Actually you couldn't have sounded dumber by that statement. Most metal bands have extremely long songs with several time changes. But sure, keep regurgitating some silly stereotype because you're afraid to step out of your comfort zone. 👍

[@MysteryMedia2001]

This was an amazing ride. Thank you for this series. The editing and visuals you paired with Wish you were here are truly amazing. Thank you

[@LixFilipe]

I seriously hope you do the same for Animals and The Wall. Great work as always!

[@markbickford9092]

KZbin just recommended your channel to me. This is the third video I've watched. I'm very impressed. Your knowledge is very good, but your delivery, your choice of words, you're pausing for emphasis, is brilliant thank you so much.

[@truthteller5426]

Rick was a full member by 1994 and he wrote significant material in division Bell and endless River. Pink Floyd only released two more albuns with this line up: animals and the Wall. By the final cut rick was gone.

[@MrByebyelove]

Wish my father was here to have seen this stunning video essay and all your entire ouvre, to be unabashedly simping for this channel lol. Cheers

[@leonordelamor]

I cannot stress enough how good this series was, great incredible outstanding work, Polyphonic! I hope you’ll cover more albums like this, I’m honestly so impressed. I’ll make sure to subscribe to you on nebula when I can, you deserve it. Thank you

[@ahoybutternutsETF]

This series was amazing! Thank you! I would love to see a series on animals!

[@ivanjimenez8608]

Hi Noah! I've been a fan of your channel for a couple years, but just now got to see this series in full. I just want to thank you for your work. As an aspiring creator (currently stuck in a boring, mindless job), what you do is inspiring both as a way to enjoy and think about art and life, and also for my own projects. Hope you are well!

[@thebelletriste]

That introduction was fucking PERFECT

[@Spindrift_87]

Parts I - V of Shine On usually occupy the limelight but, for me, VI-IX is where the real magic is. The building ominous rhythm of the opening, on which Gilmour's slide guitar wails ever more frantically. The final vocal eulogy. Giving way to a sombre funk jam which builds a foundation for Wright's plaintive, yearning keys. And then the mournful closing section of melodic flowers withering, ending with, if not hope, then at least lifting our gaze to eye level

[@rafe7678]

I've loved this series so much - thank you for doing it!

[@dominicmoisant8393]

Great series. Something interesting to me is that the whole album is arguably in a minor key, every song is in G minor or E minor. The title track is arguably in G major but the E minor is very prevalent throughout. The album ending on the picardy third of G major with See Emily Play is just something else. Well done

[@samhagman5958]

Almost to 1 MILLION! Good luck 😮!

[@grinnyp]

Still my favorite Pink Floyd album. Perfectly captures the soullessness of the music industry machine.

[@paulnolan4971]

How can u choose man lol

[@nadavneria7383]

You do such a great job! I can't even fathem how much time you spend working and reserching and collecting this information into one big show of visuals, sound and speach, with your own unique Polyphonic take which is indisputable. Really impressive stuff, keep on!

[@nzapa21]

What an incredible series! Thank you for putting so much time and passion into everything you make, these videos were amazing

[@maxp2305]

On nebula he uploaded it as one complete video and it's chilling. It's one of, if not, his best work

[@user-su6bf9pp6b]

In addition to the "See Emily Play" motif at the end of Part IX, Wright also briefly quotes "Send in the Clowns". A truly heartbreaking conclusion to this masterpiece.

[@gmt-yt]

Wow, you really outdid yourself with this series, thanks for the incredibly insightful videos lately! It's disheartening how artistic collaborations seem so often to fall to pieces as soon as they achieve greatness (even if this is mostly an illusion created by the "lens of history," which, the more I think about it, is probably the case).

[@lemonicity4834]

I never noticed See Emily Play at the end of Crazy Diamond, that is incredible.

[@AndersRomin]

These videos about Wish You Were Here are probably the highest quality material I have ever seen on KZbin. Truly remarkable and so respectful to the music. Thank you! ❤

[@microscopetimbs]

This my favorite song ever & this was uploaded on my birthday

[@the___dude]

This is the best and deepest analysis of Wish You Were Here. Thank you so much. It was an amazing journey

[@B---tw3kh]

For the number 4 discussion, it's also worth noting the album has 4 songs. While they're divided across 5 tracks, Shine on You Crazy Diamond is two halves of 1 20+ minute epic that was literally cut in half. Alongside Welcome to the Machine, Have a Cigar and Wish You Were Here (the 4th and title track), you get 4 songs

[@jamesstanfield7692]

Babe wake up, new Polyphonic vid dropped

[@chuckz2934]

Spectacular work as always Noah, much appreciated 🙏🏼

[@thompardoe8303]

Really masterful visual storytelling. Your passion for the material is evident. Well done. I've really enjoyed all of your Pink Floyd videos.

[@joaolucassimplicio9081]

Incredible videos, man!! I'm going to listen to this album a lot more different from now on .

[@emperorlelouch7820]

your editing is top notch man! the music and visuals are interleaved so beautifully!

[@paulnolan4971]

Ahhh 6-9 The space bit. From the spacey to the mellow to the funky to the requiem for Syd.

[@triskelion2056]

It's worth noting that Syd himself hated being seen as just another silly, quirky psychedelic era musician. Plenty of his music even with pink floyd was dark- Not just "Jugband Blues" or "Vegetable Man" or "Scream Thy Last Scream", but even songs from the Piper days like Bike(about someone who can't feel right without a girl he likes), Candy and a Currant Bun(Similarly about a shy or anxious person afraid of even talking with their partner) and Astronomy Domine(about losing oneself to the excesses of religion, particularly new age astrology and the fruitlessness of war). Even Lucifer Sam is an absurdist tragedy about someone whose cat is so cool/wild the owner's girlfriend cheats on him over the cat.

[@pomodoro6004]

I truly cried 😭 Nice work 👍😢

[@jamesvisceglia3971]

The lp came with a third picture on a postcard. They r hard to find but breath taking. It really fits the theme of the album as I always imagined who I could send it to. it simply said “wish you were here.”

[@toutvabien5642]

This was so beautifully depicted. I’m spellbound to hear out such deeper talks like loneliness and all. And deep down, I’ve been constantly triggered out about memories from the past, and how things have gradually turned out to be. Keep up the good work, man.

[@rochat]

The first lyrics in Part VI-IX just gave me huge goose bumps now that I know Syd was unknowingly there.

[@rizope4281]

Absolutely love your stuff. This is the best Floyd related content out there! This series was fantastic! (Also the Dark Side series) I hope you do one for Animals too🙏

[@xXRabidGrannyXx]

Polyphonic you have outdone yourself, I’ve heard this album a billion times but you’ve completely changed the way I listen to it

[@dgrn101]

Bro! With the goosebumps though wow that was better than the first time I experienced that album 35 or so years ago. In my 40's with more than one elaborate Pink Floyd tattoo. Let's just say I'm fan. But you took me on a ride I ain't been on since I put the drugs down 20 years ago. That was awesome

[@renemies78]

Beautiful conclusion and video. I hope someone shows the band members this series.

[@TheDamianvain17]

Others have said what I've wanted to, in far better and more articulate ways than I ever could, so, I'm commenting and sharing to continue supporting this channel. Also, speaking of which, I am so grateful to have found it and I've enjoyed everything I've watched. Thank you, sincerely, for giving us these works of art.

[@KhanadaRhodes]

thanks for putting this series together, it is excellent, along with the dsotm one you did. lowkey hoping you make a series on the rest of the classic era pink floyd albums that come after it.

[@TheRoyalGuardian]

What a journey it's been, thank you for making this.

[@guilhermefabbri6294]

Woah! Watched right now your video about Shine On You Pts. I-V and you uploaded this right now, lucky me! I'm really glad that your channel exists and does that type of content for free. Thank you!

[@theevildalek5425]

“Emily tries, but misunderstands…ah ooh…”

[@jakeleibowitz165]

So happy you finished so I can watch all of them back to back!

[@karabearcomics]

This and your Dark Side one are great. Of course I'd want to see more, especially since Pink Floyd is my favorite band, but understand if you'll leave the Pink Floyd album analyses at this. But I'll be keeping some sort of eye out for Animals videos, and possibly hoping for some such on the Wall (my favorite album), though I'll understand if it doesn't happen. Especially the Wall, since that album is so long, your Nebula video could take so incredibly long to make, and KZbin would take even longer to get the split up videos.

[@zachstennes2569]

I know is old but damn this is next level. I love all of your content but this concept is super unique and it could totally be something published on a netflix or bigger documentaryish streaming service

[@garryiglesias4074]

Wow... Wonderful piece of work... You have done the BEST introduction material to give to people so they can discover why Pink Floyd is such a fantastic band. You unroll the lore over the tunes in the perfect manner... Great evangelizing tool ;).

[@cloudbloom]

I'd love to see videos on their album Momentary Lapse of Reason, it's my favorite pink floyd record

[@ChrisGarmon]

Thank you so very much for this series

[@dyldog]

I’ve watched this channel from the beginning, I loved all of your videos (especially those on Pink Floyd and other 60s artists)… HOW ARE YOU NOT OVER A MILLY YET?

[@xerotonin6776]

"Our pain is self chosen" - Layne Staley

[@Juancho-2024]

richard wright in the last minute this song says goodbye to his friend with those harmonies on the keyboard, note after note, the keyboard speaks for itself... incredible and very sad...

[@amberallen2994]

Absolutely amazing series!! This is my favorite Pink Floyd album and I'm so thankful that you did the story of this classic true justice!!! Shine On!!

[@fearsomename4517]

I think we all have a dark side, I know I do. I'm generally happy, just never content. You raise the blade, you make the change, you rearrange me till I'm sane. Rest in eternal peace Syd Barrett.

[@garryiglesias4074]

My head kissed the ground, I was half the way down... Please lift a hand, I'm only a person...

[@aidanglass8389]

i’ve been watching ur videos for a while brotha. LOVE THEM! why don’t you take a unfamiliar strange trip down James Douglas Morrison lyrics. would be a SICK VIDEO!

[@amstotz]

Thanks so much, man. Great analisys, text and motion art. I really hadnt realised that the end of the album had that homage to Syd.

[@rktshop]

So well done!

[@joemccall8991]

Long time subscriber and admirer, hands-down the best work you've ever done.. Congratulations and thank you, a fantastic look into one of my favorite albums

[@kennynolan736]

This is my favourite album of all time, it means a lot to me and I very much enjoyed hearing your thoughts on it. Thanks Polyphonic.

[@gjs9366]

Love the collage illustrations, on top of the other great content!

[@fokker2344]

Lowkey the best song on the album

[@CGR0620]

You don’t know how lucky I felt when I went to Rogers tour and he played 6-9. So incredible

[@beemelonhead1]

I don't think that's very "low key" dude. Pretty popular opinion.

[@Frip36]

Lowkey worst song in their entire catalog.

[@Westlover808s]

@@Frip36😂

[@Westlover808s]

@@Frip36maybe you dont know “A Spanish Place”

[@fatbelly27]

Rather than feel sad about what Syd might have been, just be grateful for what he was and what he produced in that brief period.

[@SodiumWage]

My. God. This is amazing! What Summoning Salt has done for video games and Secret Base has done for sports, you've done for music. We need something above S tier for how good this is.

[@RussellJones144]

Loved the series man, great work on a great album.

[@FederinzC]

Great video, thanks! Pink Floyd avoided contact with Syd also at the request of his family, since his music career had been a big factor in his illness. They did not want a reminder to show up. And Syd's funeral was a private ceremony for his family.

[@chasejensen899]

Shine on you crazy diamond is not only my favorite song(2 songs?) but in my opinion a perfect song. I can listen to their other long songs but typically only while I am doing something else. I cant sit through these without giving my full attention to them.

[@juanortiz9123]

Thank you so much for this man!

[@justindevoe9556]

Loved this series, especially considering this is my favorite Floyd album and one of my favorite albums of all time. I even have a tattoo of the robotic handshake, and own an original copy of the album that still has the shrink wrap on it (just a slit in the side to let the record out)

[@wgb01001]

Just beautiful, man. Job well-done.

[@toomuchmustard3067]

This is just reminding me that I would kill and die for a Polyphinic video about Fishmans

[@promethean8232]

i can't imagine a piece that would more justice to pink floyd than your work on both albums so far this moved me to tears and I hope you have the chance to cover animals and the wall as well

[@andreasheld2362]

Simply astonishing work.

[@nikoskalog8862]

Amazing work, sir. Well done.