Pink Floyd Wish U Were Here Album

So, You Think You Know Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here"? Think Again!

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to tell about a little album called "Wish You Were Here" by those wacky, wonderful chaps from Pink Floyd. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Oh, here we go again, another boring music history lesson." But hold onto your hats, because this is no ordinary story. We're talking time-traveling pigs, secret messages, and more guitar riffs than you can shake a stick at.

Welcome to the Machine

Let's set the scene. It's 1975, and our heroes, Pink Floyd, are fresh off the success of "The Dark Side of the Moon". They're sitting pretty at the top of the charts, but they're feeling a bit... well, mechanical. They've been on the road for what feels like a thousand years, and they're starting to feel like cogs in a giant, soulless music machine. So, they decide to do something about it. They hole up in the studio and start tinkering with some new tunes.

Enter "Wish You Were Here", an album that's equal parts tribute to their late friend Syd Barrett, and a big ol' middle finger to the music industry. It's a masterclass in existential angst, wrapped up in some of the most beautiful, haunting music you've ever heard. But don't just take my word for it. Let's dive in, shall we?

Shine On, You Crazy Diamond

Kicking off the album is "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", a nine-part suite that's basically a love letter to Syd Barrett. Now, Syd was the original frontman of Pink Floyd, but he'd left the band a few years earlier after a mental health crisis. He was a genius, a madman, and a total sweetheart, and this song is their way of saying, "Hey, Syd, we miss you, man. You were crazy, but you were our crazy."

And the music? Well, it's like they took every guitar effect they could get their hands on and said, "Let's see what happens if we throw them all in a blender." The result is a sonic landscape that's equal parts beautiful and bonkers. It's like they're trying to recreate the sound of Syd's mind, all swirling and chaotic and brilliant.

Welcome to the Great Gig in the Sky

Now, let's talk about "The Great Gig in the Sky". This is the one with the wordless vocals, right? Well, here's a fun fact for you: the woman singing that part, Clare Torry, improvised the whole thing. Yep, you heard me right. She just walked into the studio, they told her to sing like she was dying, and out came that haunting, otherworldly wail. It's like she's singing the song of the universe itself, and it's both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here ( 2016 remaster HQ vinyl record LP

Oh, and did you know that the title is a euphemism for death? Yeah, Pink Floyd were nothing if not subtle. They were like the Beatles, but with more existential dread and less mop tops.

Have a Cigar

Alright, let's lighten the mood a bit with "Have a Cigar". This one's a dig at the music industry, with David Gilmour singing in the voice of a record exec. It's a hilarious takedown of the whole business, with lines like, "I don't know what's worse, trying to tell you or trying to convince you." It's like they're saying, "Hey, we know this is all a bit silly, but we're stuck in it too, you know?"

And the best part? The song was originally going to be called "Have a Cigar, But Not a Benson and Hedges". True story. They changed it at the last minute because they didn't want to endorse a specific brand of cigarettes. Because even when they're being sarcastic, Pink Floyd were still classy.

Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here Album Cover

The Pig That Flew

Now, I couldn't talk about "Wish You Were Here" without mentioning the album cover. It's an iconic image: two hands shaking, one on fire. But did you know that the hands belong to Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell, the designers who created the cover? They set fire to a handshake as a symbol of the band's desire to distance themselves from their record label.

But wait, there's more! Remember that inflatable pig that flew over Battersea Power Station? The one that's on the cover of "Animals"? Well, it was originally meant to be on the cover of "Wish You Were Here"! But the pig got away (literally, it flew off and caused a power outage), and they ended up using the handshake instead. Talk about a close shave!

So, Were You Here?

And there you have it, folks. "Wish You Were Here" is an album that's equal parts beautiful, bizarre, and brilliant. It's a testament to the power of music to express the inexpressible, and a reminder that even when things feel mechanical, there's always room for a bit of madness.

So, the next time you're feeling like a cog in the machine, do yourself a favor and give "Wish You Were Here" a listen. It might just remind you that even in the darkest times, there's always a little light to be found. And if all else fails, just remember: have a cigar.