Once again, we reach back into the archives of our Wednesday series to cover Pink Floyd’s classic album, and a salute to their old bandmate, Syd Barrett. This show will not air on our live Friday show “How Music Changed” , but instead is a special insert for the website series.

Pink Floyd’s ninth album is significantly different from anything else that the band had done up this point, mostly because it is their first album as acknowledged superstars, due to their incredible success with “Dark Side of the Moon.” Their newfound fame triggered a strong aversion to the business that elevated them so suddenly.

“Wish You Were Here” represents the beginning of the ‘cynical’ songwriting themes that would become a major part of the band’s subsequent work. In particular, Roger Waters unleashed his anger, writing all of the album’s lyrics and taking aim at the ignorance and shallowness of the very people who were allegedly responsible for supporting the band’s career.

Thankfully, the main portion of the album has a tenderness that counteracts the misanthropy, due to the overriding theme of honoring their ex-leader, Syd Barrett. As a result, “Wish You Were Here” is thematically schizophrenic, which only adds intrigue to the mostly plodding musical themes.

Featured Tracks:

Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1–5)

Welcome to the Machine

Have a Cigar

Wish You Were Here

Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 6–9)