Customer Reviews

Wish You Were Here

5 star:		(593)
4 star:		(51)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

The biggest problem with Pink Floyd is that they aren't radio friendly (and, in Waters's solo albums, downright hostile). Besides Dark Side of the Moon and maybe some of The Wall, most of the songs are either too long, too deep or just not "catchy" enough for modern radio. The sad thing about this is that, although both great abums, these are by no means Floyd's best. "So, what is?" I hear you asking. Well, this is it. "Wish You Were Here" is the magnum opus, the absolute epitome of that which is Pink Floyd. And here's why:

Pink Floyd started out under the direction of a man named Syd Barrett. Unfortunately, soon after the band's first album ("Piper at the Gates of Dawn") came out, Syd started heavily experimenting with drugs. As he became more and more unstable, the rest of the group was forced to let him go so that he could seek the mental help that he desperately needed. Soon afterward the band's bassist, Roger Waters, took over. Roger followed in the similiar vein of long, meaningful songs; but inserted a bit more energy and occasionally a few extremely cynical commentaries. After the commercial success of Dark Side, Pink Floyd as a group became wary of moulding into the shape of the 5 minute singles band that Dark Side seemed to suggest. So, for their next outing Roger decided that he would take Floyd back to their roots, and subsequentely wrote "Wish You Were Here", an ode to the band's original frontman Syd.

While by no means the commercial success that Dark Side was, WYWH was pure Pink Floyd. Featuring a single 25 minute long song (Shine on You Crazy Diamond pts 1&2) and a few 5-8 minute long ones, this album was far closer to what longtime Pink Floyd fans were used to. The first song besides Shine On is "Welcome to the Machine", a song about the music industry and how focused it seems on simply pumping out premade hits, whether they be the all-too familiar boy bands or the other side of the spectrum, the more varied appearing but still preformatted heavy metal and punk bands (from the song: "You bought a guitar to punish your Ma; you didn't like school, and you know you're nobody's fool"). The next one is "Have a Cigar", a song from the point of view of a music company executive trying to buddy up to the band that he thinks will make him millions, while showing that he has no actual deep interest in them beyond their monetary income (from the song: "And by the way, which one's Pink?"). The last of the shorter songs, and by far the best, is the title song "Wish You Were Here". This song features a rare tear-bringing solos by Gilmour on an acoustic guitar. This song is by far one of the most heartfelt songs ever written by Pink Floyd, an honest, heartfelt message to Syd (from the song: "How I wish, how I wish you were here. We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year. Rinning over the same old ground. What have found? The same old fears, wish you were here."). Then, of course, there is "Shine On", a song about perserverence throughout the hardships of life.

Musically, the album is just as incredible as the lyrics. It contains stunning synth compositions in "Shine On", incredible bass riffs (far superior to "Money") in "Have a Cigar", and heartstring pulling acoustics in "Wish You Were Here". Floyd is in better than top form here, and show just why they're one of the greatest bands ever.

Well, to wrap things up, I can say nothing better than to take me on faith and get this album. .... Rock has it's own unsung heroes, and none greater than "Wish You Were Here".

"Come on you raver, you seer of visions, come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner and shine!"

Considering the ridiculous expectations Pink Floyd had to reach after Dark Side of the Moon, it's hard to imagine that they could have done better than Wish You Were Here. Although far more personal than any other Floyd work to date, this album bristles with anger, self-loss, confusion, and hope. Finally confident in their own ability as artists, the group sought to tackle the demons of its troubled past. "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" is probably the best song Floyd ever produced, as it attempts to pay tribute to the group's original front man Syd Barrett, who was at one point the most important member of the band. This song also aims to make a public statement about Barrett's tragic decline into madness. The use of the word "piper" in reference to the subject of the song is a clear allusion to Barrett in that it conjures up memories of Floyd's debut album, "Piper at the Gates of Dawn," of which Barrett deserves most of the credit. The music perfectly suits the feeling of the song which, all at once, expresses its gratitude and appreciation for what Barrett did for the group, while also explaining why they couldn't have possibly continued making music with him as their leader. "Welcome to the Machine" can also be applied to Barrett, in that it tells the story of a child prodigy who was seemedly groomed from childhood to become a rock star (this isn't Barrett's exact story, but the common theme of a person not ready for fame and pressure is relevant). While "Machine" is certainly not one of Floyd's better pieces of music, it works well with the rest of the album. "Have a Cigar," on the other hand, is a superb song in which lyricist Roger Waters unleashes some of his most venemous sarcasm seen as of yet. The song is a speech by a fast-talking record executive out to make a quick buck on a hot new musical act. Waters was unable to lend his vocals to this one due to the fact that he had ruptured his voice while singing the demanding "Shine on." Guitarist David Gilmour wouldn't sing it either because he felt the lyrics were too complaining. So, the band brought outsider Roy Harper in to give a voice to Water's angst in an episode that foreshadowed the horrible tension that would exist between Waters and Gilmour during the making of subsequent albums. With "Wish You Were Here," though, the band experienced no such problems. The perfect contrast to "Cigar," "Wish You Were Here" was originally conceived as a poem by Waters. Gilmour then wrote a great piece of music to compliment Water's words, and an instant Pink Floyd classic was born. This song also marks the first time Waters would use the group's music to make a personal inventory of his own character. Though the words are relatable to Barrett, this is more about the absence of one's better nature. What Waters is saying here is that he has become too controlling and too meglomaniacal and wishes to make a quick return to his older, better self. Most Floyd fans (and even non-fans) would agree that the result of the lyricist's soul-searching is one of Floyd's most beautiful ballads. The album is rounded out well by the second version of "Shine on." This album is clearly not as strong as Dark Side of the Moon, but then again, what is? Wish You Were Here is a great album, however, and should be considered among the best 20 or 25 in rock history. The album flows remarkably well and, though most of the songs stand out well all by themselves, their effect when put together is a truly rewarding product, much like the songs on Dark Side.

If DARK SIDE is about insanity, and ANIMALS and THE WALL is Waters working out his own neurosis brought on by fame, WISH YOU WERE HERE could be the most sentimental thing the band ever recorded.

After DARK SIDE broke in 1973, the band surely must have felt the pressure to record that monster's followup. So what did they do in light of all the success they recieved? Why, revisit their roots of course, and issue a concept album about the loss of their first lead singer. And while "concept album" has so many negative connotations, or at least pretension, self-important "art", WISH YOU WERE HERE is none of these things. While certainly self-styled as a tribute, it doesn't get as bogged down in its "concept" as THE WALL, and is truly one of Pink Floyd's most personal, most honest albums that the band ever cut.

WISH YOU WERE HERE returns to the longer song format dominant on the earlier PF records. At only five songs, two of them take up around 27 minutes of the album's 40 minute running time.

Lyrically, WISH YOU WERE HERE is primarily a tribute to the band's now long departed lead singer, Syd Barrett. His story is well known. He had a long history of mental illness, peaked with the Floyd's first album PIPER AT THE GATES OF DOWN, did some singles and two unreleased songs (Scream Thy Last Scream and Vegetable Man), and had some participation on SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS. After that, Barrett was out and Gilmour was in full time. Barrett then went on to release two solo albums (Madcap Laughs and Opal), and then, like Graham Parsons and Nick Drake, his career was cut tragically short. While the other two died, Syd Barrett became a recluse, and for the last thirty plus years of his life (he died summer 2006) lived as a recluse with his sister in England (my mother country).

Much of the remorse and sorrow on WISH YOU WERE HERE is regarding Barrett's fate. Here's a man who was in Pink Floyd, one of the biggest bands ever, and now he's gone. The Illness took over. Some of Waters' most poignant lines come from the title cut, especially the lines about trading a walkon part in the war for a lead role in the cage, meaning he left fame and rock life to become something much more reclusive.

As far as being a followup to DARK SIDE, though there aren't that actual many songs on WISH YOU WERE HERE, there is some great aural qualities. "Welcome to the Machine" really points the way to Waters' paranoia that would culminate in ANIMALS and THE WALL. "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", both parts, is vintage Pink Floyd, and some of the best Floyd around. Great instrumentals, great lyrics, heart-felt tribute to Barrett. "Have a Cigar", sung by Roy Harper (you Led Zeppelin fans would now him by the song off LED ZEPPELIN III, "Hats Off To Roy Harper"), is all about the music business, and how clueless record executives can be in regards to the bands their companies represent. Of course, I'm referring to the classic question of which person in the band is named Pink Floyd, not realising that's the name of the band, not a person in the band. Deep respect indeed.

Ironically enough, Syd Barrett showed up for an afternoon in 1975 during the recording of this album. He listened to the band play "Shine On You Crazy Diamond". He was fat and bald, and the band didn't recognize him. His appearance really shook everyone up.

For me, Strom Thorenson's cover art truly captures the spirit of the album. The man, representative of the band, is shaking the truly incendary man's hand. The band must continue on, and though the other man is on fire and a brilliant star, he simply cannot continue on their world. And so they bid adieu.

Overall, this is one of Pink Floyd's better post DARK albums, and serves as a great followup to a fantastic album. It's a nice concept album, and a very fitting tribute to one of rock's great lost icons, Syd Barret. We all wish you were here Syd.

Yes, you read that right. Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" is not only their best album but it is also the best of the decade. Rating just above Zepplin's "Houses of the Holy". It is perfect, ever song, the sound and tempo of the album fit together so well. They reached their artistic peak with Wish You Were Here. Shine On Your Crazy Diamonds and the title track, both are haunting ode's to Syd Barret, shows the strength of both Waters and Gilmours musical abillities. Water's painfully sad lyrics with Gilmours best guitar work ever, making the songs so personal. You feel the bands love for their ex-bandmate and friend. The other 2 songs on the album are directed at the pitfalls of the music industry as a whole. I feel the album is a coming to terms with the bands success, even though this would be the last true album Pink Floyd would ever record together as a complete band. They had 5 classic LP's in the 70's, and this middle one is the jewel in the crown.

Wish You Were Here is a great album. I can also understand some of the comments on how it seems boring, overrated, etc. The truth is when I first got this album, I didn't like it, so I gave it up. I bought it again recently and now since I listen to a lot of progressive rock (Yes, Genesis, ELP, Rush), I've come to enjoy this. Most of the album moves at a relaxed and absorbing pace. Also the majority of it focuses more on instrumentation. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part One) is a very emotional piece. Both parts and the title track are dedicated to the original frontman, Syd Barrett. The ending of this part is somewhat sad and almost painful to listen to. Then it segues into the sheer creepiness of Welcome To The Machine. Very innovative use of the synthesizers on here. Listen to this on headphones and feel the vibrations. Have A Cigar is wickedly funny. It features some pretty daring lyrics. The title track is arguably the easiest listening on here and needs no explanation. Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part Two), features some intense 12 minute jamming and once again, most of it is instrumental, featuring only one vocal section.

A true work of art. I now know what Pink Floyd is all about. Not a hard rock band, but a band that takes you on an emotional journey.

This album, made in the glow of the superstardom that the band earned with "Dark Side of The Moon", was a call to former guitarist and band founder Syd Barrett. Whether Roger Waters' wishes that Barrett was here in the sense of "back in the band" or just back on the music scene and able to function in normal life is uncertain but whichever, it is clear that he feels the loss of his friend.

Read the lyrics to "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" and imagine Roger Waters writing that as a letter to Syd and you can understand what the album is about. Roger misses his friend.

"Wish You Were Here" is another message directed straight at Syd. One line in this song, "We're just two lost souls" together with the words "Pile on many more layers and I'll be joining you there" from "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" indicate also that Waters feels closer to Syd than do the rest of the band.

The other two songs on the album are anti-music business diatribes which fit into the pattern of Roger hates "whatever" and will now write a song about that. They are not as strong as the two songs to Syd but they do form a sort of musical bridge back to "Dark Side of the Moon."

Of course, with these two songs, Waters is pointing the finger of blame for Syd's failure at the music industry. To an extent, this is unfair as the other members of the band seemed to stand by and watch Syd's decline and then they just walked away from him.

But what about the music? Well, this album captures Dave Gilmour at his very best. His guitar packs just as much emotion as do Roger Water's lyrics. Those lyrics give Gilmour the platform from which to make his musical statements and he certainly has someting to say. In the solos on "Shine on" he developed his personal guitar style to its purest form.

What of the other members of the band? Rick Wright's keyboard work is just as good here as on the previous album. He does not feature as strongly as Gilmour but he certainly earns his keep here with a solid performace. I'm afraid that the drumming of Nick Mason fails the "session musician" test. He does not appear to contribute anything more than would have the average hired gun on this album.

Picking a favourite on an album like this is impossible. It stands as a single work and, with the predecessor and successor albums, really does mark the finest work of the band.

This coming from a guy who also cites 'Meddle','Dark Side Of The Moon' and 'The Wall' as his other three all-time D.G./R.W -era Pink Floyd albums. That and the live disc on 'Ummagumma'..

This album is in quite a few ways a bridge between 'Dark Side Of The Moon' and what would happen later on with 'The Wall',if not 'Animals': the band unity of 'Dark Side' is prevalent here on the masterful,timeless 'Wish You Were Here' as well as the anger and genuine heartfelt gamut of emotions that would fuel 'The Wall'. The beauty,the intensity,the occasional wry humor and sometimes spooky/scary vibes pop up on this fascinating,fascinating album...

First off,this is the album that houses four of FM radio's biggest staples: "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part One aka Pt.'s I-V)","Welcome To The Machine","Have A Cigar" and the wistful,gorgeous title track.

This is a very intense album that gels and flows from track to track. The band was still getting along at the time,and it shows. David Gilmour's finest,if not some of his finest guitar playing and contributions can be found on this album. Same goes for Roger Waters as well as Rick Wright's and Nick Mason's... What makes this album so great is the gravity it possesses: after going on a sonic trip with 'Dark Side Of The Moon',this album is the landing back onto terra firma and surveying what you've seen and where you've been and how you felt about it. Case be it here,the Floyd's monumental success achieved with 'Dark Side' as well as its repercussions... But under all of that as well,their wistfulness at their friend Syd Barrett still being unable to rejoin them either as a friend or as a bandmate,if not both. The sentiments in this album are stirring,genuine,sometimes whimsical and humorous,but never anything less that true greatness. About the songs:

"Shine On You Crazy Diamond(Part One: also known as Parts I-V)":

This masterpiece may very well be Pink Floyd's all-time finest post-Syd Barrett hour. Everything that ever made Pink Floyd what it is is contained within the thirteen and half-plus minutes of this song: sumptuous,bluesy,longing,celestial guitar playing by David Gilmour; some of Roger Waters' finest lyrics ever (if not his best vocal turn in Pink Floyd) ; terrific keyboard work by Rick Wright as well as Nick Mason's steady,swinging,sober drum work... In what would be some of their last songwriting collaborations between David Gimour,Roger Waters and Rick Wright,this song is unreal in its greatness. It can move you to tears sometimes-that's how genuine it is. Then...

"Welcome To The Machine": A phalanx of spooky,churning industrial synthesizers usher in this cynical yet insightful take on the music business... Creeping into the mix is a strumming acoustic guitar which balances out the proceedings perfectly. This song actually scares me sometimes: its spooky,but in such a potent,great way... Whimsically enough,the song ends with a vaudeville-ish crowd applause to lighten up the mood some before launching into this album's most light-hearted as well as rocking-est number...

"Have A Cigar" : Once again,a showcase for David Gilmour's fantastic guitar playing as well as some awesome Roger Waters lyrics... The lyric couplet of "The band is fantastic and that's really what I think/and oh,by the way,which one's Pink?" sums up the groove and humor of this song. Sung by friend/guest vocalist the English folk guitarist/singer/songwriter Roy Harper.. Like the previous two songs,longtime staples of FM/classic rock radio..

"Wish You Were Here" : Man,what can be said about this that hasn't been said or covered already? This song is perhaps The Floyd's finest ballad: lyrically as well as musically. A peaen to their (unfortunately) now-deceased friend/one-time Floyd leader/bandmate/genius Syd Barrett.. Also,like any truly great

song,it's interpretation lends itself to anyone's ears and eyes... At one time,aside from some 'Wall'-era staples like "Run Like Hell","Another Brick In The Wall Part Two" and the like,I wasn't into Pink Floyd. This song turned things around for me. And things went on from there. Now I can count this album,'Dark Side','Meddle','Ummagumma','Animals','The Wall' and 'The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn' as being part of my musical life. You never know when the bug will bite you there... Even so,the song "Wish You Were Here" is as emotional and yet serene as anything... Masterpiece. Bringing things around full circle is...

"Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part Two aka Part's VI-IX)":

With a bit more of a bluesy,swinging vibe to it,this song in its sweeping terrain sums up not only the previous four songs musically /vibewise,but the overall effect this album will have on you: as the song carries you into all sorts of places sonically and emotionally,it winds down with a more optimistic,conciliatory,warm vibe as the song fades out. Brilliant. Even after all of the success,the pain,the ambivalnce,the fear and the distress,this album closes on a gently-serene note that's even-keeled and positive.. As any great album always does.

'Wish You Were Here' may not always get the same amount of attention or press as 'Dark Side Of The Moon' or 'The Wall',but it's nonetheless as great and as crucial to not only any Pink Floyd fan's collection,but Anyone's musical collection. The themes and the emotions on this album are so strong and universal that it'd be criminal to deny yourself this masterpiece being in your possession to soak up time and time again... Indeed; aside from 'Piper At The Gates Of Dawn',which was their only completely-full-length album with Syd Barrett's songs/singing and guitar-playing,'Wish You Were Here' remains -by being but one person-my favorite all-time Pink Floyd album. The atmospherics and the magic of 'Dark Side Of The Moon' remain as well as the storytelling and the emotional performances of 'The Wall'. 100 stars out of 10.

Do yourself a favor please and check this album out. It's everything that's been said about it in here and more.

Thank You For Your Time,

Tim Goyer

Albany,NY

USA

When people say Pink Floyd they think oh Dark Side... and The Wall. The truth is the best Pink Floyd album ever is their first for Columbia here in the States, 1975's Wish You Were Here(the follow up to Dark Side of the Moon). This is the best album they ever did, even David Gilmour and Rick Wright of Pink Floyd can back up on this fact. Shine on You Crazy Diamond(Parts 1-5) has a nice synth feel from Rick, great guitar solos from Dave and vocals sung passionately by Roger Waters. the sax at the end by Dick Parry is great too. Welcome to the Machine is awesome with its use of the VCS3 synth and multiple David Gilmours singing the vocal and nice acoustic guitar touches from Dave as well and nice tympani flourishes by Floyd drummer Nick Mason. Have a Cigar a biting commentary on the record biz is sung with humor and fun by Roy Harper and Dave's guitar work was killer. Next, the title track which has become a singalong at Floyd shows to this day features a great vocal from Dave and nice acoustic work as well and great keyboard work from Rick also. The wind at the end of song segues into Shine On...(Parts 6-9) and features this time great lap stell guitar work from Dave and great use of the Moog and ARP synthesizers by Rick and Roger sings the last section of the epic(which only has one verse anyway in part 7) that began the album and continued on side two. Part 8 was a great jazz/blues jam and Part 9 was a somber though beautiful synth solo from Wright. If you love Floyd, buy this album. Great lyrics by Waters(he wrote all the lyrics for this album) and musical contributions by Wright and Gilmour.

Let's be honest, the only thing Roger Waters has ever written about since THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON is how f**ked-up his life became after he made more money than most small nations have in their treasuries. You begin to wonder why he stayed with working in the music business if he hated it so much. That said, WISH YOU WERE HERE is one truly great Pink Floyd album and contains Waters' best sets of invective against the crassness of the pop industry. While Syd Barrett may be the silent presence throughout this album, the music and the subject matter are timeless. Dave Gilmour displays some of his best guitar-work throughout, with phrases that cry in ways not heard on a Pink Floyd album before. Richard Wright and Nick Mason turn in solid journeyman performances as well. And when you hear the simple beauty of the title cut, it's easy to speculate that Waters has stayed the course because those moments and those songs CAN occur, in spite of the garbage around that gets in the way. Of course, in the mid-80's, the garbage DID get in the way for this band, but WISH YOU WERE HERE still finds them pulling together to create a masterpiece.

Coming off the success of one of their greatest musical achievements, Dark Side Of The Moon, Pink Floyd were faced with the challenge of writing and recording a follow-up. In 1975, the Floyd crew did exactly that and came up with some of their most innovative music ever.

Wish You Were Here was released in 1975 and was met with strong sales and positive feedback. The band's music was continuing to evolve from their early days of psychadelic rock. But this album also takes a look back to a specific part of the bands roots: Syd Barrett. Waters relationship with Barrett was strong and the casualty (not death) caused by Barrett's over-usage of LSD struck Waters emotionally. Three of the songs on this album are dedicated to him.

Roger Waters leads the band as bassist and primary songwriter. The simplicity of his bass lines is overshadowed by his incredibly personal lyrics and he sings them with pain to his fallen friend. David Gilmour resides over guitar and plays the usual slow, grooving notes you can find on albums like Dark Side Of The Moon and The Wall. Although he may not play incredibly fast, his work is inspiring and definitely as good as any guitarist out there. Drummer Nick Mason plays slow, solid and consistant beats that give the music a nice background and soft rhythm. Keyboardist Richard Wright plays incredibly on this album as he lends his keyboard wizardry to compliment the grooves created by the rest of the band.

The opening song, Shine On Your Crazy Diamond Pt. 1, is the first of the three songs to Syd Barrett. The song starts off very slow and quiet. Gilmour's guitar work is masterful as he lays down slow, soothing notes while the keyboards set the backdrop. The song eventually develops, bringing in drums and bass. The vocals come in quiet and and then hit a crescendo during choruses. Quite an awesome song. Welcome To The Machine is a little bit creepy because of the use of a sythesizer. The synthesizer is overbearing as it plays over Gilmour's chords and Waters struggle while doing the vocals. There aren't any drums on this song but in a way, the guitar makes up for that. The shortest song on the album, clockin in at over 5 minutes, Have A Cigar is basically about the music industry and Waters' feelings toward it. The combination of guitar and keyboards is very interesting here. The guitar has an effect on it that makes it sound like a low toned wah while the keyboard mimic and compliment it. The bass seems to go off in its own world while the drumming is slow and grooving, providing the perfect rhythm to this spaced-out song.

Wish You Were Here is probably the most emotional and personal of the three songs Barrett. It is also the simplest of the songs found on this album. Gilmour provides acoustic guitar for this song and plays a soft piece and Mason lays down a simple beat. The lyrics are wonderful here, expressing a great deal of pain. The keyboards here not heard as well as in other songs but it still is very much evident and very excellent. The final song, Shine On You Crazy Diamond Pt. 2, picks up where the first one left off but is a bit different. The guitar is a bit faster and more frantic. Also, the end breaks down into a soft and sleepy deal and continues for a few moments. A very nice ending to such an emotional album.

Pink Floyd is definitely one of the greatest rock groups ever. This album was a further transition of Pink Floyd's sound from psychadelic rock to something I can't define. They have influenced and inspired a number of bands and any fan of Pink Floyd obviously knows why. This is for every Pink Floyd fan and even fans of softer rock music. I feel that anyone can get a kick out of Pink Floyd, even if it is only one song.