A look back at Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here

       Nearly 40 years ago, Pink Floyd released their ninth studio album, Wish You Were Here. The concept album was created as a tribute to the band’s founding member, Syd Barrett, who left the band after their first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn due to his decline in mental health. When Barrett left the band, the bassist, Roger Waters became the frontman and was responsible for the creation of the majority of Pink Floyd’s concept albums, including Wish You Were Here. Sharing the vocals with Waters was David Gilmour, the guitarist. The remainder of the band included Nick Mason on drums and Richard Wright on the keyboard.

Track 1: Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V)- The first half of “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” lasts nearly fourteen minutes and is split into five parts. The first part greets listeners with synthesizers that are followed by a screeching guitar solo. The second part is very similar to the first part with synthesizers and a similar riff. After a while into the second part. Mason’s drums enter and give the song new life. The third part once again starts with a synthesizer solo from Wright, however this time Gilmour does an entirely new guitar solo, which sounds almost bluesy. Part three fades into part four, where Waters finally sings his lyrics along with female backing vocalists, who make the song sound very theatric. “You were caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom, blown on the steel breeze,” Waters sings referring to Barrett. The fourth part is followed by a saxophone solo and fades into the next song.

Track 2: Welcome to the Machine- The track beings with a door opening and a few strums of Gilmour’s acoustic guitar. Soon after, synthesizers enter in typical Pink Floyd fashion, and give the song soaring highs and lows. The lyrics relate are a direct criticism of the music industry and their “machine”. “You dreamed of a big star, he played a mean guitar/ He always ate in the Steak Bar. He loved to drive in his Jaguar,” sings Gilmour while Waters takes a break from vocals. The song continues with the same riff as the beginning of the track and segues into a party to complete the first side.

Track 3: Have a Cigar- Starting out the second side is guest vocalist, Roy Harper on “Have a Cigar” This song once again criticizes the music industry with a very catchy guitar riff and of course -- synthesizers. “And did we tell you the name of the game boy, we call it riding the gravy train,” Harper sings in an almost sarcastic tone. The song fades out with an electric guitar solo from Gilmour. 

Track 4: Wish You Were Here- The title track is undoubtedly one of Pink Floyd’s most popular songs. It begins with a radio being tuned from one station to another and finally settling on “Wish You Were Here”. With a simple riff that is repeated throughout the whole song and no synthesizers, the song showcases Waters reflecting on Barrett. “How I wish, how I wish you were here”, proclaims Gilmour. The end of the track continues with the repeating riff and the sound of wind.

Track 5: Shine on You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-IX)- The final track of the record is a continuation of the first track, beginning with the wind from “Wish You Were Here”. Parts VI-IX of “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” are similar in composition to parts I-V. The entire final track lasts a total of twelve minutes. After the wind, comes Water’s bass guitar, which is showcased for the first time. The most notable section of the song is section six, when Gilmour does a brilliant bluesy guitar solo. Part seven has Water’s vocals, following the same exact tune and featuring similar lyrics to the first track of the record. “Come on you boy child, you winner and loser, come on you miner for truth and delusion, and shine,” Waters sings to his fallen friend, as a great tribute to his once healthy friend.