Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (REACTION) 

A short story to tell you regarding this song: a couple of years ago my nephew (who is a guitarist) was asked to get a band together to play at his Dad’s (my brother’s) 70th birthday party. Me, being a drummer, was asked to be a part of it together with some other musician friends of my nephew. He asked me what songs that I would like to play and of course I immediately said ‘Pink Floyd’ please! I chose this number (‘Wish You Were Here’) and also one of my all time favourites ‘Coming Back To Life’ (hoping Daniel will review that one day). Not long after we had started playing ‘Wish You Were Here’, a guy in the audience suddenly burst into tears and ran out of the hall in a distraught state. Now I didn’t think our version was THAT bad, but no that wasn’t the reason. We found out later that some weeks previously this guy’s mother had died and in the taxi on the way home from seeing her in the hospital just after she had passed away, the taxi driver was playing this number on his CD player in the taxi cab. Us playing the song brought all the memories back on what had happened that day. It just shows you the power and the subsequent effect that this music can have on some people.

Never fails to impress however many times you hear it.

My favorite track on the album. The whole album is just incredible.

I always thought besides Syd as a subject of the song Roger Waters' father who died in WWII was as well. He had a walk-on part in the war but Roger had a lead role in a cage (being a rock star on stage). This was more fleshed out in "The Wall" and "The Final Cut". Seems he never got over the loss of his father.

Good Day Daniel, this is my second favorite Pink Floyd song because, once again , the reason is a personal experience from my long well lived life. It speaks to my heart as well as my brain and now that I'm older the memories flood back. It can be bittersweet but I wouldn't want it any other way. No regrets... I'm grateful for having the good fortune to stumble upon your channel, not only for the music and memories but because of your insight. I learn something new from you with every song you have presented so Thank You. ❤

You know the best part about your reactions is seeing you smile when you play a song you really like...I find Pink Floyd music to be just a flow of these incredible master pieces..each so individual of the other yet the one unmistakable quality is they were created by Pink Floyd..the passion and drive for perfection is always so evident

Daniel - I've listened to this song probably more than a hundred times over the past 30 years, and I still react exactly in the same way you do each time I hear it. It has become systemic with me - a sort of short addiction, nevertheless real as the oxygen I breathe.

Good morning, Daniel, it's 6:15am- wish you were here ☺

I can really only listen to this once a year --- on the anniversary of the death of my eldest niece at the age of 26.

Iconic musicians and performers

I never get sick of this song or the album. Awesome . Very good Daniel 😃👍Pink Floyd 😃👍👍👍

A worthy title-track (and against what one would expect from the band it's not a space-y epic, but a heartfelt straight forward campfire tune), and one of the warmest, tender moments in Pink Floyd's entire discography. I never tire of this one :-)

I don't know how many times I've listened to this song over the past 40+ years but even today my eyes swell up at; "how I wish you were here." Roger said in a interview while they making a special about this album; "People think this song is about Syd. It's not!" David said in a interview for the same special; " Roger says' this is not about Syd, I can't play it without thinking about him." So, there you go! Well written lyric touches the specific listener. It means different things to different people because it touches something unique to that person. A song for the ages.

Love this song . Lost my father in 2000 this was our song . Damn I miss him .. a senior citizen who loves music reactions. Thanks for letting me enjoy it again

Wish You Were Here is an iconic song. We know this about Sid Barret. However, people including me can adapt this song to their own life for relatives, friends or people they knew who are no longer here. That to me is the real power of this song. Great reaction and analysis.

This is by far my favorite Pink Floyd song

No one could make their guitar play the player's soul as David Gilmour could.

I always thought, walk on part in war for cage was rather than being drafted they went to jail... I'm glad I heard this perspective.

I learned from another comment that since wish you were here was the common phrase that most people wrote when they wrote a postcard... That's why the postcard was included in the album It was to Syd... I never knew that before..

Wonderful. Brings back so many memories.

This was one of the 70's greatest line up of talent. Elton, Bernie, Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson. Legendary.

Greetings from my goldfish bowl.

:) Even after knowing what this song references... it still takes me on my own journey. Fleeting images of loved ones no longer here... a peaceful feeling... a nostalgic longing... and it all folds & blends so wonderfully in my consciousness. :) I just wish it was longer. This song is in my top 5 of Pink Floyd favorites. Great reaction, Daniel. Thank you for doing this full album. (I hope your schooling is going well.) :)

Finally, someone appreciates one of the best intros in rock.

I have been lucky enough to see them 3 times live. Cried like a baby each time. So many emotions

Boom! One of PF's best. Puff, puff, pass at Ole Miss in the mid to late 70s.

The methodology you used for this album--listening to whole album and then breaking into parts for your reactions--seems to have worked out well, suggest you use it when you react to other albums. Like that you referenced lyrics from DSOTM in your analysis, that indicates that you are taking what you do seriously, not just recording reactions assembly-line style.

Such a beautiful song.

"Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?" That line always reminds me of Wall St. And look what they are doing right now - Gamestop episode etc.

As always I enjoy the research you do to learn different facts and opinions. So sad many people get stuck in their rut and not looking to, or willing to, change to improve their situation.

Another good morning! What a wake up call!

Young man you are doing some fine fun music keep up the good work I always like to hear what you have to say you are wise beyond your years love you

This song has always been one of my favorite Floyd songs. In some way or another it speaks to and for all of us.

How do you follow a classic album like Dark Side of the Moon? Simple! You record another classic album. I remember eagerly awaiting the release of this album, first thing I noticed before I put it on the turntable was it had side one label on both sides of the record. I must admit that I wasn't a 100% sure at first it was as good as DSOTM, but like all the best albums, it takes a little while to appreciate how good it is. It's an album which has that 'magic' where you never tire of hearing it, and enjoy it as much every time you play it. Shine on is a wonderful start to the album, and is as good as it gets when it comes to listening to any band you can name. Superb.

One summer I was working at a youth hostel in New Orleans (during the World's Fair). I had a summer relationship with a woman from South Africa, an Afrikaner, during the Apartheid period. When we both went home, I made a mix tape, mostly of music not available in the country at the time. This was, of course, the lead song on the tape. It also had Floyd's "We Don't Need No Education" (which had just been banned), a lot of Bob Marley including "Small Axe," ... when I think some of the other songs, I'll update this post. I spoke to her often by phone and she said she used to blast this tape out of her jeep as she would drive around Randburg.

This song seems to speak to many peoples pain, thus making it hard for many of us to listen to it. I'm not following this man, or practicing his 'method', but Joe Dispenza really helped me with something he said, when I tried listening to one of his meditations. I'm paraphrasing: You can live your life defined by the problems of your past, or you can live it defined by a vision of your future. Hearing that totally changed my perspective and really helped me deal with my depression, that has plagued me my entire adult life (my dad suffered from the same). That 'shift' really helped, along with a Guided Meditation I listened to that took me on a trip through my past where I dealt with all of it in an unconscious way. Now, about a year and a half later, I'm still not living life the way I want to, but thankfully I'm no longer mired in anger and depression and misery. Now I just need to acquire the powers of a Jedi Master. Then I'll be good 😀

The guitar in the beginning sounds like it’s playing along to a distant radio station, very cool and poignant effect.

Gooood reaction 😍...and now Shine on you crazy diamond part 6/9...Amazing!!!

When I hear that guitar intro, I can’t help but think that the guitar on the radio symbolizes Syd Barrett (not here but ever-present) and the guitar in real life symbolizes David Gilmour (here now, but acknowledging and building upon Syd’s foundation).

For those that don’t know, the beginning of the song is someone playing along to a song on AM radio. Back in the day you could get FM radio during the night when all of the communication traffic Over The Air died down. During the day there was AM radio. Most of the radio stations had that whining sound. If you were in a car the whining would change frequency and amplitude. Yeah kids, look up amplitude.. Something no one talks about. Imagine driving in your car, picking up this frequency that is playing this song that you here for the first time. As you are driving the music starts to fade and the whine becomes more prominent than the music. In that era, music meant so much more than it does today.

So happy to see a younger generation enjoying the jewels of past music....i subscribe to many reactions...different age cultures styles and I really love your point of view. Keep the faith and rock on🙃

I know this was a year ago or more but it's my song to my father. I love & miss you so much DADDY

This song will take on different meaning for you as you age and you experience more of life. There is not one note too many, not one word in excess. It is perfect for the moment.

When I first heard this, not knowing much about the band, it struck me as a poetic way to describe a simple phenomenon - somebody, maybe the hometown boy, has moved away to the big city. The comparisons, to me, are obviously between country life and city life - green fields vs. cold steel rails, etc. I could picture an old girlfriend saying this to the big, famous band member. The walk-on part can't be anything related to the band, since they were some of the biggest names in music. Maybe one of the musicians gave up a simple life with an important part in changing the world for the lead role in a steel contract that kept him endlessly away from home.

That opening lick was one of the first things I taught myself on the guitar.

Their words but as always it is how it makes you feel.

Beautiful! My favorite PF song! Thanks Daniel!

Well, well, well, you finally got to Pink Floyd sir, you have just graduated...Congrats

Syd Barrett Songs: _Jugband Blues_ - last appearance by Syd on a Floyd record _Wouldn't You Miss Me?_ off his first solo record.

Thank you for reacting to this great Pink Floyd LP, Daniel! While I have your ear I am going to plant a little post-hypnotic suggestion in your brain that some day you will want to react to Queen II by Queen, the greatest rock album in the history of the world, that very few people know about. You can hear the roots of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' all over Side Black of that record. Thanks again, Daniel!

This song reminds me of "Wish You Were Hair" by Punk Fluids.

This is a tough one me. I went to see The Dark Side Of the Moon in 1976 or so. This song has very deep meaning to me I won’t depress everyone here with the details.”did you exchange a cage for a walk on part in the war.” This whole album was a tribute to Sid Barrett who unfortunately had a mental breakdown after many acid trips, that’s what I read many years ago. Sid founded Pink Floyd and he had become a pear shaped unrecognizable guy by this time. 😞

Good job Daniel. Love your reactions, keep it up! As a teenager in boarding school where sometimes there was not a lot to do, DSOTM and WYWH were two inseparable albums we would listen to over and over, and I can't express the teenage angst it spoke to. Now, so many years on, it is just as powerful, and I'm loving your take on it. Freedom is a very nebulous concept. You can consider yourself "free" but you're addicted to psychedelic drugs. Or you believe every FB/IG conspiracy theory. But are you really?

The steel rail was a lyric of Barrett’s

Makr sure you listen to the follow up album Animals....The Pink Floyd greatness continues!!

Good day Daniel. Well done, again I am learning things from watching you . One track left on this album and I know you are planning on doing The Wall. Excellent, however I hope you will consider not skipping ANIMALS. It is a Masterpiece and a personal Favorite. I am also of the opinion that discovering all the animals out there in the world is part of the reason a person may build The Wall. Thank you to Roger Waters for his concepts and ideas and Pink Floyd as a whole for these incredible albums. Thanks Daniel. Peace and Love.

I can't listen to this song anymore... too many painful memories.

Essa música é linda,bem vindo ao mundo PINK FLOYD 👍🇧🇷

You have to do "The Wall Live in Berlin -1990".

One of the aspects of David Gilmore that I haven't seen anyone comment on: he has the amazing gift to sing the last word/note of a phrase, and then slide down to another note, without sounding sloppy or out of tune. Of course, we already know about his immensely insane guitar prowess - the best IMO (along with Jimi Hendrix - wish there was more of his music available on RU-vid.)

You should now listen to Syd Barret songs, especially his solo albums "Barrett" and "The Madcap laughs". For instance my favourites: "Octopus" an "Baby lemonade".

Best song ever explaining how they have stolen the God particle from us. Thank you for share.

Daniel, I love the Whole Album concept, I understand why you broke up the songs. I Hope you react to the Wall next, if you do, I Hope you somehow find a way to play One Whole side of this Double Album at a time, 4 sides all together. It was made to be listen to in it's Entirely. and Should be listen to that way. I Hope you can figure it out, I know you will, I have faith in you ! I know there are many Pink Floyd fans out there, and each of them have their own favorite Album. The Wall is mine, followed closely by DSOTM. But in the meantime, I would Love for you to react to the song " Poles Apart " off their Album " The Division Bell " the music in this song is so Beautiful done, it should be against the law ! lol Keep them coming Daniel, I truly enjoy the Journey my Friend !

Classic

77th Fonzie!! 👍

You are doing a fantastic job on this album Daniel. Maybe finish up with “See Emily Play” one of Floyd’s early hit singles with Barrett, it doesn’t appear on any proper album and is a fun song.

Good Reaction!

You remind me of Snoopy. Thanks for reviewing prog rock though.

Never sure if Gilmour is using a slide on this or just mimicking the style of slide guitar. Anyone know?

❤️😀👍❤️✌️🌼

Comfortably Numb next

😎👍🎸🎶 next one from Pink Floyd - Coming back to life ( Pulse concert 1994 )

I pretty much disagree with much of the page's interpretations of the lyrics (telling a smile from a veil means being able to tell if someone is genuinely smiling with joyful feeling or smiling to cover true feelings that are not joyful). There's a lot in these lyrics, but I think not only was this song directly about Syd it was about all of the band. I think they had conversations that had these questions between themselves and Syd. Syd burned out, was unable to express his talent at the same time he needed to be collaborative and pay some attention to the business part of the band. He chose to do his own thing, the band got it together and played the game, but they did actually manage to express their talents and make what they wanted to make. Mental illness and self medicating addiction is not something anyone else but the person experiencing it can solve. I think the conversations between him and the band probably involved them telling him how they could make it towing the line, and he insisting he could only see what was really going on (and it probably sucked the life out of him). Most of these poetic examples of philosophical questions were most likely things they did ask each other. I think it was 100% personal. More personal than even die hard fans and lovers of their music could even begin to connect with, although through it they allowed a peek into their personal tribulations. It was straight up an indulgent, public, but fortunately shared recounting of their experience. JMO.

2mins20sec:....you're welcome.

THANK GOD you didn't react to the most popular video on this song, that one has an image for every word, it's ridiculous 😂

Interesting that Waters having possibly berated Syd for his selfishness in this song subsequently decided to go it alone in the ‘the lead role’ of a solo artist rather than retain a ‘walk on part’ in the band.

English Magic song..!!!

Quote from Roger Waters: "In a way it's a schizophrenic song. It's directed at my other half, if you like, the battling elements within myself. There's the bit that's concerned with other people, the bit that one applauds in oneself, then there's the grasping avaricious, selfish little kid who wants to get his hands on the sweets and have them all. The song slips in and out of both personae, so the bit that always wants to win is feeling upset and plaintively saying to the other side, wish you were here. "

Duane Allman , Died in a motorcycle accident ,in 1971, I don't no who died first ,but there was a band member of the Allman Brothers that died in a motorcycle accident to, in the same place almost to the day Duane died. Look it up its a true story.

I came across a guy playing this on a guitar, so i joined in with the lyrics but could not remember all the wordso slightly good, slightly sad memoryi did not live up to my enthusiasm.

You know, people talking about an old soul... you just might be one of them,,,, Just saying..

You look so similar to my buddy who is half Filipino half Norwegian. The hair, the mannerisms. It so uncanny. You don't sound like him tho so I know you ain't him haha