Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
So, so you think you can tell Heaven from hell Blue skies from pain Can you tell a green field From a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil? Do you think you can tell? Did they get you to trade Your heroes for ghosts? Hot ashes for trees? Hot air for a cool breeze? Cold comfort for change? Did you exchange A walk on part in the war For a lead role in a cage? How I wish, how I wish you were here We're just two lost souls Swimming in a fish bowl Year after year Running over the same old ground And how we found The same old fears Wish you were here
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: David Gilmour, Roger Waters
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Composition"Wish You Were Here" is composed as an expression of Roger Waters' feelings of alienation from other people, drawing inspiration from his experience in the music industry.
|
Album TitleIt also happens to be the title track for the ninth studio album by Pink Floyd, released in September 1975.
|
Band Members ContributionRoger Waters wrote the lyrics, and David Gilmour worked on the music and sang the lyrics. It was their collaborative effort.
|
Acoustic Guitar BackgroundThe song is notable for its acoustic guitar opening performed by David Gilmour. He plays two slightly overdubbed guitar parts, which creates a seamless twelve-string effect.
|
Tedious RecordingThe intro section was recorded from Gilmour's car radio, where he was randomly turning the dial and recording the results. It was a painstaking process and took longer to edit down to the final version.
|
Former Band Member TributeThe lyrics are generally interpreted as a tribute to Syd Barrett, one of the original members of Pink Floyd, who left the band due to mental health issues. While not explicitly about Barrett, the song's themes of absence and disillusionment were certainly coloured by the band's experiences with their former bandmate.
|
Song's PopularityDespite never having been released as a single, "Wish You Were Here" is one of Pink Floyd’s most popular songs and frequently plays on classic rock radio.
|
Innovative TechniqueFor the opening sounds of the song, Pink Floyd became one of the first to use a synthesizer to simulate the sound of a twelve-string guitar.
|
Later ReferencesThe song was played at Live 8, Pink Floyd’s reunion with Roger Waters. It was their first performance together in over 24 years.
|
Cover VersionsMany have covered the song, including Alice Cooper, Wyclef Jean and Ed Sheeran. It has also appeared in various movies and television shows.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Wish You Were Here Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 Oct. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/24488857/Pink+Floyd/Wish+You+Were+Here>.
Discuss the Wish You Were Here Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In