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Rating:
(Please excuse me, but the other reviews of this album are very short and, in my opinion, not very objective)
In 1975, after the success of 'Dark Side of the Moon', Pink Floyd released the album which, according to David Gilmour, is the best in their discography. Let's start by saying that I do not agree with Gilmour. This album, while beautiful in some parts, is infinitely inferior to the previous works of the four, starting from the two masterpieces of '67 and '68. Evidently, this is the album where David's hand is more evident compared to the others, and perhaps that's why he thinks so. But let's leave it at that.
The album is composed of 5 tracks. The opening and closing are entrusted to the superb suite Shine On You Crazy Diamond, divided into 9 parts, dedicated to the former Pink Floyd member recently deceased, Syd Barrett. The track perhaps best represents the ethereal sound of the "new" Pink Floyd: expanded structures, space effects, psychedelia no longer distorted and dark but clean and radiant, lyrics that praise Barrett as Crazy Diamond. The emotions given by Gilmour's guitar are impressive and indescribable. To be listened to at dawn. 5/5
The next track, Welcome To The Machine, cold and vibrant at the same time, is marked by inhuman mechanical rhythms and driven by the small chords of an acoustic guitar, it is the voice of a monstrous automaton probing the desires and dreams of the young Syd. Against the system. 4/5
Have a Cigar is the only Pink Floyd song sung by an outsider to the band, blues and folk singer Roy Harper. It's a rock piece against illusions and the fear of the future. The first delusions of Waters' omnipotence begin to be seen. Not essential. 3/5
And finally the title track, Wish You Were Here, the cherry on the cake. Acoustic ballad themed on absence (of Barrett). Sad and emotional. 4.5/5
The album then concludes with the second part of Shine On You Crazy Diamond, which in my opinion remains the most important reason to purchase this CD.
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
02 Welcome to the Machine (07:26)
Welcome my son,
Welcome to the machine.
Where have you been?
It's alright we know where you've been.
You've been in the pipeline, filling in time,
Provided with toys and Scouting for Boys.
You bought a guitar to punish your ma,
And you didn't like school,
And you know you're nobody's fool,
So welcome to the machine.
Welcome my son, welcome to the machine.
What did you dream? It's alright we told you what to dream.
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.
So welcome to the machine.
03 Have a Cigar (05:08)
Come in here, dear boy, have a cigar,
you're gonna go far,
you're gonna fly high,
you're never gonna die,
you're gonna make it if you try,
they're gonna love you.
I've always had a deep respect and I mean that most sincere;
the band is just fantastic, that is really what I think,
oh, by the way, which one's Pink?
And did we tell you the name of the game, boy?
We call it "Riding The Gravy Train".
We're just knocked out.
We heard about the sell out.
You're gonna get an album out,
you owe it to the people.
We're so happy we can hardly count.
Everybody else is just green,
have you seen the chart?
It's a hell of a start,
it could be made into a monster,
if we all pull together as a team.
And did we tell you the name of the game, boy?
We call it "Riding The Gravy Train".
04 Wish You Were Here (05:40)
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
What have we found?
The same old fears
Wish you were here
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Other reviews
By charles
A few words on the matter are necessary to describe five tracks of rare perfection, of pure psychedelia.
When the stereo starts playing, it becomes clear why this album is a true milestone in the history of rock.
By Big D
Pink Floyd, what are they? They are a ray of sunshine in a messy room.
Only when you hear the four notes of 'Shine On' do you understand... that you have arrived... and have only just begun.
By Casacci91
Pink Floyd has never let us down.
Tell me, isn’t this the real music?
By Em
"Wish You Were Here can be defined as a concept album about absence: of the word, but also of the individual and thought."
"Pink Floyd were, are, and always will be the group that achieved pure perfection, both musically and ‘textually’."
By SydBarrett
It was as if he had never left the group; indeed, he hovered like a ghost, bringing sad memories that then influenced, more or less, the songs and themes of Pink Floyd.
A masterpiece, giving chills even today, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful songs of all time.
