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After the enormous success of Dark Side of the Moon, the pressure was on to produce a followup. Thankfully Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here is considered by many, including some of the band themselves, to be their greatest album. The showpiece is the epic Shine On You Crazy Diamond, dedicated to original frontman Syd Barrett, and the record also features Welcome to the Machine, Have a Cigar and the iconic title track. So does JT think Wish You Were Here is better than Dark Side?
For more extensive interviews with Pink Floyd, check out JOHN EDGINTON DOCUMENTARIES:
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And thank you Guy Pratt for your musical insight to this album. Check out his podcast with Gary Kemp - The Rockonteurs:
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Released in 1975, Wish You Were Here became Pink Floyd's fastest selling album, coming off the heels of Dark Side of the Moon's success. The road was not easy though. After the 1973 album hit Number 1, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Richard Wright and Roger Waters set out on a length tour where their audiences and venues changed dramatically, with the circular screen and more theatrical elements being implemented. Gone were the days of artsy crowds sitting down quietly and listening to lengthy versions of Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun, Saucerful of Secrets, Careful With That Axe Eugene, Echoes or One of These Days from Meddle. The arena and stadium audiences were screaming to hear the hit single Money. Tensions between the band were growing with Roger Waters seeking to expand the lyric and conceptual side of things while Dave and Rick were musical purists. They also were coming up empty in the studio, reverting to their abandoned Household Objects idea - although the piece, Wine Glasses, would be utilized. In a rehearsal at Kings Cross, the band came up with several idea, two of which would later appear on the album Animals, and one originated from a 4-note guitar arpeggio David came up with. This would become the launching point for Shine on You Crazy Diamond, dedicated to their estranged leader and songwriter, Syd Barrett. Syd had pioneered their beginnings with Piper at the Gates of Dawn, but a breakdown involving Acid forced him to leave the band. Roger's lyrics celebrated his legacy. The long piece would also feature Rick Wright's signature soundscapes while David Gilmour's lengthy solo remains one of the best in rock history. Welcome to the Machine and Have a Cigar, the later featuring vocalist Roy Harper, were a sharp attack on the greedy music industry. The acoustic driven Wish You Were Here, originated from a 12-string acoustic guitar riff, would be directed both at Syd and the band themselves, feeling their camaraderie was no longer there. The ending of Part 2 of Shine On closes with a quote from Syd Barrett's See Emily Play.
Indeed band tensions would prove more apparent on the 1977 release Animals, featuring the songs Dogs, Pigs and Sheep. 1979's The Wall is when tensions came to a head with Roger firing Rick and his professional partnership with David completely breaking down (although they co-wrote Comfortably Numb, Run Like Hell and Young Lust - some of their finest songs). After The Final Cut, Roger left the band leaving David as the new front man (and recruiting Rick back into the lineup). 1987's Momentary Lapse of Reason was challenged by Roger's lawsuit but went onto to kick-off a successful tour. 1994's The Division Bell was seen as a return to form and on the tour to follow, the band performed Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. Breathe and Money would be played for their final performance together at Live 8 2005. Syd Barrett died in 2006, Rick in 2008. Dark Side of the Moon continues to inspire so many to this very day, myself included.