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Rating: I know, it's already the fifth one on "Wish You Were Here", but for this album, they are never too many.
It was 1975 when this beautiful album, "Wish You Were Here", was released. Like many other Pink Floyd albums, this is also a concept album, centered around the absence of a person. This person who was missing for Pink Floyd was Syd Barrett, the “crazy diamond,” who left the group after a short time, ruined by stress and drugs. But 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.
Even though it did not achieve the commercial success of “Dark Side Of The Moon”, in my opinion, this album is the best of the Floydian production. In fact, it was the last record on which they all worked together as a group, taking their music to very high levels.
THE RECORD
The record opens with the first part of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, a true masterpiece that still moves us, even after 30 years, with Wright's splendid synths, and Gilmour giving his best with the guitar, making us dream. It is followed by “Welcome to the Machine”, a gem of electronic music with a sharp Waters and Wright consistently excellent with the synths, as he is throughout the album. “Have a Cigar” is the only Pink Floyd song sung by an outsider. The singer, in fact, is Roy Harper, a folk singer and friend of Gilmour.
It is then time for the wonderful "Wish You Were Here". A crackling radio and then a cough, and Gilmour seems to be sitting next to us with the acoustic guitar, dueting with the radio. A masterpiece, giving chills even today, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful songs of all time.
The last song is the second part of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, where, at a certain point, the crazy diamond begins to shine, and the music seems to reflect on its thousand facets.
In a few words, it is an album absolutely worth having because it offers unique sensations, as only they know how to do.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
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 Fausto91
The emotions given by Gilmour’s guitar are impressive and indescribable. To be listened to at dawn.
The album concludes with the second part of Shine On You Crazy Diamond, which in my opinion remains the most important reason to purchase this CD.
