Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd

About Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here" is a classic rock song by the iconic British band Pink Floyd. Released in 1975 as the title track of their ninth studio album, the song was written by Roger Waters and David Gilmour, two of the band's founding members. It has since become one of Pink Floyd's most beloved and enduring compositions.


Year:
2011
5:05
293,981 
#731

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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

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Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd were an English rock band formed in London. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. more »

59 fans

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 Title
It also happens to be the title track for the ninth studio album by Pink Floyd, released in September 1975.
Band Members Contribution
Roger Waters wrote the lyrics, and David Gilmour worked on the music and sang the lyrics. It was their collaborative effort.
Acoustic Guitar Background
The 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 Recording
The 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 Tribute
The 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 Popularity
Despite 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 Technique
For 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 References
The song was played at Live 8, Pink Floyd’s reunion with Roger Waters. It was their first performance together in over 24 years.
Cover Versions
Many have covered the song, including Alice Cooper, Wyclef Jean and Ed Sheeran. It has also appeared in various movies and television shows.

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