Wish You Were Here

Not a huge Floyd fan, but Have a Cigar and Wish You Were Here have always been good songs. So pretty easy to listen to this album

This is the first time I've listened to Wish you were Here since probably 1995 in its entirety. My Dad was/ is a big fan so I heard this album and the radio edit singles all the time as a kid. It's a great album but I can't go over 3 stars. My main criticism is that for all its jazzy pretensions ithe playing doesn't really blow you away. They were a great band and I appreciate their work but this doesn't hold up well for me.

How do you follow Dark Side of the Moon - Like this! Awesome!

man this rocks

This album is one of my constant and beloved musical companions. I first heard it in 1977 in my then new peer group - I was the New Kid on The Block - and was immediately hooked. I've been listening to the album ever since. I wouldn't have to listen to it at the moment as part of the project. The last time was not long ago. But, hey, why not? There's always time for great music. 5/5

Stone cold classic. Not a bad song in the bunch. Favorite: Wish You Were Here Would I listen to it again: Yes

All the stars. A great album and piece of musical composition. Gilmour plays the shit of that guitar throughout. the title track is a quintessential rock crowd pleaser, the diamonds are wandering, expansive and sad odes to their founder and a descent into a complicated mind. Have a cigar is a brilliant skewer of the music industry and welcome to the machine gives me terrible anxiety. I will day that I've always been surprised and impressed at the popularity of Floyd across the general population. The music is a lot weirder than most people.

I like lyrics man. This was painful for me actually I'm not a patient person

I love Pink Floyd and a lot of these songs are awesome. However it also contains a song I’ve always disliked “welcome to the machine”. I hate the droney nature of it. Overall a great listen

⭐ Review: 4.9/5 Spacey Existential Gut-Punches This album isn’t here to entertain you. It’s here to haunt you, hug you, and then gently whisper, “Remember when things meant something?” It’s only 5 tracks long, but somehow feels like a decade of your life flashing before your eyes while you stand in the rain at an abandoned carnival.

Amazing album. Of an an age with this classic

No to jest klasyk. Chociaż ja mam problem z progresywnym rockiem i utworami, które trwają rok. Mimo tego Wish you were here jak w liście przebojów trójki: u mnie wysoko, bo to piękny, pełen emocji utwór. 7/10.

Great journey all the way through

It’s not a bad album. But you know how time flies when you’re having fun? This album feels like every song takes half an hour (which it probably does…)

En bra vändning för pink floyd, att ha fyra låtar gör det mycket mer fokuserat.

a ouvir. PF é muito chato mas pode ser q mude de ideia

Overall it has a strong take on the instrumentals and feels like a ride to listen. However, lyrically feels very weak apart from the popular boy wish you were here

Never been able to get into PF. Nothing really wrong with the music. It just lacks something. No doubting the vision. This just sounds like it could be a soundtrack to Shoestring.

This album is a loving tribute to Syd Barrett (an ex bandmate who was forced to leave after continued use of LSD) which reflects how the band felt about him even after they hadn't seen him for years. The instrumentals are incredible with expert use of synths and incredible guitar riffs and solos. Everything just comes together creating one of Pink Floyd's best albums.

Wish You Were Here is the only Pink Floyd song I enjoy. This record did not change my feelings on that. I skipped ahead through most of these tracks. Even when I got stoned I hated this.

Listening to this is like “…are we sure Dark Side is really the best Pink Floyd album?” Because god damn is it an album of sheer perfection. Those without the patience for the opening and closing tracks are simply wrong. This is one of the easiest 5-star ratings I’ve given out yet. Must-listen #110.

Amazing

forever a classic :)

Very good

Ethereal I would say. I understand why it's on this list now. Pink Floyd is a legend for a reason. It's pretty cool to listen to this

The 70s were a wild time for music and these guys really pushed it. The production is remarkable and the patience required of the listener basically forces you to smoke a j, sit back and relax. Not a radio friendly unit shifter: but then Wish You Were Here pops up and shows that they have the ability to drop an absolute banger in amongst the jams. Remarkable.

Absolute classic of my teenage years. First listen in quite a while and still holds up really well, which is more than can be said for anything Pink Floyd put out after this one. Had forgotten how excellent the second half of Shine on you Crazy Diamond is in particular.

★★★★★★

This is a night album - it just hits harder after dark. I'm very familiar with Wish You Were Here, but it took me 3 tries to listen this time because I kept falling asleep before Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 1-5) even finished. It puts me in such a relaxed, meditative state; it's like a spell. I had incredibly restful sleep each time this happened. But I finally managed to stay awake for the whole thing, and it's as brilliant as ever. I don't love it as much as Dark Side, but that's a tall order. This album is so deliciously atmospheric, and it makes me feel like I've found refuge on some habitable planet after being lost in space for ages. Maybe there's no other life to be found, but at least there's solid ground and an opportunity to rest. To breathe fresh air. It's lonely, but there's music because I can still sing. There's curiosity for what comes next, and that fuels the will to continue on.

Three of the greatest songs ever written sandwiched in-between two of the greatest instrumentals ever. It's pretty good

It's Pink Floyd. It's one of their best albums. You are reading this. Do the math.

my top 3 favorite album of all time, a piece of fucking art. this album has the perfect runtime, perfect tracklist, perfect production, perfect writing, perfect vocals, perfect concept... perfect everything. it’s just 5 tracks, but all 5 are among my favorite songs ever. Shine On You Crazy Diamond is probably my favorite song of all time. no words for how good this is. the concept hits just as hard as the music. it’s about absence, alienation, the coldness of the music industry, and of course, Syd Barrett. but what makes it even greater is how universal it feels. Wish You Were Here doesn’t only mourn Syd, it provokes sadness for anyone you’ve lost. musically it’s unmatched. the guitar riffs are iconic. the synths on Welcome to the Machine feel like pure ascension, wrapping you in dread and wonder. starting and closing with Shine On You Crazy Diamond is genius it gives the whole album a cyclical, eternal feeling. Wish You Were Here itself is an anthem, both intimate and massive. Have a Cigar is the fun moment in the middle, but still sharp in its satire of greedy record execs plus it holds one of the best guitar solos ever. the acoustic playing is gorgeous, the electric work is pure genius. David Gilmour’s tone and feel are untouchable. every note is placed with so much emotion it hurts. in my opinion this is the most perfect album ever made.

5 - mastapiece although the send half of shine on wasn’t my favorite

I was took on a journey through time. This album feels like a nice drive on a Sunday. A walk through nature or a 70s movie. This album brought me some peace and I plan on buying this record on vinyl.

This is what listenable prog rock sounds like. Experimental within cohesive concepts and overarching themes. This isn't an all-the-time album for me but there's plenty to love from the inspired reflections in the lyricism, fantastic use of early synthwork, and epic overtones.

It's alright. Dreamy. No stand out song

Discazo, increíble

"Wish You Were Here" may not be the most memorable album of Pink Floyd's career, but it is still very well appreciated for its cohesion in terms of production and lyrics. It falls a little short of the band's great albums, but it is still an excellent work.

Is this sacrilegious? Cool album but probably wouldn't turn it on myself

Not a bad tune on it! One of my all time favorites and it flows like a novel! "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is an epic song with depth, insight and substance. "Wish You Were Here" is pushing a Billion Listens! Every song on here has over 70M listens which is a testament to it's longevity and popularity. Half the album still gets airplay on FM and streaming radio. You can't knock the musicianship, the influence and the popularity. This album deserves a spot in the Top 1001 for sure. 4 solid stars.

Another album I'd already listened to... Oh well, at least this one is great. Pink Floyd can be pretty hit and miss for me, but this record and Meddle are pretty undeniable. A beautiful sendoff to one of 60s rock's most mercurial figures. Sometimes I feel like this album sacrifices immediacy for atmosphere, but then I bowled over by the gorgeous melodies both acoustic and synthesized. Great record

Yellow

I don't think i can say anything that hasn't been said about this album. Opening and closing of AWESOME rock music - coupled with some of the greatest albums ever. 5/5. Pink Floyd is undeniably one of the greatest bands of all time. No questions asked.

Didn’t enjoy this as much as I’d have thought. Quite alternative 6/10

Beautiful album

Immaculate first half, great overall atmosphere

Approx. 10 years ago, Wish You Were Here was one of the few songs I learned how to fully play during my short stint as a guitar player

I don't really like Dark Side of the Moon. It's similar to that. YES I DONT KNOW EITHER

One of my favourite Pink Floyd albums. The entire album is brilliant, and I remember listening to the album in its entirety on the radio the night before it went on sale and I was completely blown away.

Yep this is still my favorite Pink Floyd album.

This is a nice follow up to Dark Side of the Moon. Super mellow and slow burning. Not my favorite Pink Floyd album, but it does have two of my favorites, Have a Cigar and the title track. I love the cover art. Normally, I'd give their albums a 5, but this gets a 4. The songs are too long, yet the album is too short. Not sure if that makes sense. I want more.

I listened to this late at night, in bed with headphones, in the dark. I probably shouldn't have because it was so late; I should have been sleeping. I figured I'd listen to a little before I nodding off, but once the album started, I was enthralled and made it through to the end, and I'm glad. This really is a complete and cohesive album that deserves to be listened to in its entirety. The songs flowed into each other with seamless, quirky transitions, kind of like Monty Python sketches linking one into the next. And I'm glad I got to listen to it so attentively, in bed, with my eyes closed. It was an incredible experience, and I could really focus on the simple lyrics that hit so hard on multiple levels. And I could focus on each little detail of sound, recorded so cleanly and clearly--yet still with human warmth--as it sparked feelings and images in my mind. It felt like a musical painting, with all sorts of sounds expertly evoking colors, shadings, dimensions, coming together not in the usual drums, bass, and guitar way, the usual verse-chorus-verse way, but in something more abstract yet vivid, precise, and deliberate. The creation of mood and atmosphere, the moments of beauty undercut with tension, and the often surprising audio techniques at times gave me chills. Is this because of the music itself or because I wasn't trying to listen to it while washing dishes or following GPS something, like I often do? Probably both. In any case, it is inspiring me to try to slow down and carve out some quieter time for some of these albums when I can.

Another great one by Pink Floyd. Those four notes in Shine On You Crazy Diamond are iconic. Wish You Were Here is such a great song. Just another solid album from these guys.

While I do think this band is overhyped occasionally, I can’t deny the brilliance of this record. Shine On has to be one of the greatest songs and guitar solos ever written, and it is captivating from start to finish.

weird but the actual title song is good

The title track is the best one on the album. Enjoyed this a lot, but for me it fell just a bit short of the transcendent experience of Dark Side of the Moon.

now this is podracing

Can it ass whole

Amazing songs/moments that still hold up even after being played a ton on the radio; best experienced as full album.

When the chorus on the title track hits... hoo boy...

This used to be my favorite Pink Floyd album, but I've come to discover Animals and Meddle, and it leaves this album paling in comparison. Still, their best that the generator has to offer, for sure.

Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd – 5/5 A timeless classic that I first listened to in high school, and it still holds up as one of the greats. The album is a reflection on loss, alienation, and the downfall of former bandmate Syd Barrett, whose struggles with mental health and the pressures of fame inspired Shine On You Crazy Diamond. It also critiques the cold, profit-driven nature of the music industry, especially in Welcome to the Machine and Have a Cigar. The title track, Wish You Were Here, is one of the most powerful songs about absence and longing. Pink Floyd’s music is forever, and seeing Roger Waters live eight years ago made me appreciate it even more.

I love this album. I have since the first time I heard it. The only (slight) black mark is the use of Roy Harper for lead vocals on "Have a Cigar". I have never been a fan of Roy's singing. Still, even that isn't enough to detract from a, very rare for me, 5/5 score. Pink Floyd at their very best.

One of my all time favorites, I just wish Roger Waters wasn’t such a dick

This was good to listen to in the background and I liked it all. Not my favourite but I appreciated the effort Pink Floyd

I liked it 👍🏾

great record

Great album!

So, so you think you can tell? Really great album, Shine on you crazy diamond part 72 is the only thing keeping it from 5 stars.

Not their best

Dull

Takes a while to get going, sounds nice while doing it though.

I was astonished the moment Shine On You Crazy Diamond started playing, the drop is completely unexpected. It's definitely an interesting listen, you're either gonna like it or dislike it. It goes down in quality at the end especially the title track.

I have never listened to Pink Floyd before. I now know why. This is not for me. No part of this connected with me in any way. Just endless noodling guitar parts and meh vocals.ugh.

WYWH was probably my first Pink Floyd album. I loved it, and unsurprisingly, I still do. Back then, the lyrics just made some kind of sense to me; the references to the music industry and Syd Barrett's departure evaded me. The context makes this album much more complete and nearly perfect, as the music reflects the lyrics and vice versa.

Ah, prog rock. Who else can get away with the opening track taking nearly nine minutes before a vocalist appears? Heck, let’s throw in the guitar solo too before the singer! But that’s the beauty and intrigue of Pink Floyd and prog rock. Rules are meant to be broken. I was late to the Floyd game. Sure, I knew the big hits off The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon, but the rest of their work didn’t get to pour their sonic vibes over me until much later. I have a confession, sacrilegious opinion even, this is my favorite Floyd album. While DSOTM and The Wall are fantastic, they are somewhat complex albums sonically. Wish You Were Here is an album that I can lay down on my couch, crank to 10 and enjoy the mood of the music as it washes over me. I don’t even care about the lyrics. I find it to be a sonic feast mostly in its simplicity. It’s almost not trying hard to grasp, but interesting enough that it is not quite letting you be lazy either. Shine on You Crazy Diamond is a tribute to Syd, a founding member of the band that was deemed a creative genius. He struggled with mental health issues and substance abuse and was eventually ushered out of the band. Lyrically it is simple and not hard to grasp. But musically it is a complex, multi part composition. I saw Floyd’s live performance via DVD from their Pulse album series. Shine On was the opening song. It’s a perfect buildup with synchronized lighting. I imagine it was a treat to experience live. Now I can’t say inserting Crazy into the title seems appropriate today, but I’ll that slide. I struggled with ranking it a 4 or 5. I could change my mind on a later date, but today, it’s getting a 5. If I could only pick one Floyd vinyl purchase, this would be the one.

I think I’m a point in my musical journey where I’m not all that interested in things that, on the surface, prescribe self importance. In our current day and age, if I see enough people talking about a rock album or band being “one of the greatest ever”, I hesitate to fully commit time to listening. This is due to a lot of things. Mainly being just how often non-straight-white-guys are left out of the canon of not only rock, but mainstream music as a whole. It’s kind of a conscious rejection of the Rolling Stone Magazine canon of western music. There are several albums that are left off of this 1089 album list that feel like no brainers considering their importance to non-rock genres of music. (I’m beyond baffled that D’Angelo has one album on this list and it’s not Voodoo). I’m mostly glad that poptimism has more or less beat out rockism in the current zeitgeist. Pink Floyd one of those bands that I could neatly place into this box of overly-praised rock music for me. Stuff that is usually pretty good, but since I don’t have an emotional connection and my favorite artists of today don’t often site as influences on their artistry, I tip toed around them. This group also included groups like Radiohead and The Rolling Stones. But just like Radiohead, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, etc. these groups often more than prove their worth and that they are 100% deserving, at least a little bit, of the heaps of praise that are tossed on them. It’s good, but not as impactful/influential as some would like you to believe. Wish You Were Here is great though. The guitar solos capture emotion better than many other noodlers of yesteryear. This album has way more SONGs than the 5 tracks that are listed here because each weave in and out of different, but related sonic motifs, making the overall runtime just fly by. Nothing drags. The vocals are really great. And to cap it off, the title track is making a really solid case for one of my favorite new-to-me songs of this project so far. It’s good. You got me. This one deserves the love.

Love it!

Warum gibt es hier keine 6 Sterne? Eines meiner absoluten Lieblingsalben. Klare 5/5

When I’m in the right mood & environment, I know I’d enjoy this. But I couldn’t listen to this every day. And it would never be a choice to play it. Their music for me has a time & a place. That time is at home in the evening. With narcotics.

einer meiner ersten alben ich liebe es.

Oh, to hear this again for the first time someday...

This experimental Rock reminds me mostly of Ambient while being too annoying for that. The tempo stays plodding and druggy with a somniferous vocal delivery to match while someone thought it would be a good idea to water it down with synthesizers.

Build up and transitions were flawless

Legend

Ya lo había escuchado ajjsjs, mis favoritas la primera y la última

No sé qué decir, 10

Wish You Were Here may be my favorite PF song, but the rest of this album is nowhere near some of their other work. Dark Side is the pinnacle.

Absolute masterpiece. One of the greatest albums of all time!

3.4.

One of the easiest 5's I've given. Personal enjoyment: 5 Relevance to this list: 5

Brilliant. So entrancing, and euphoric. The sublime encapsulated. So yeah it was alright

8.5/10 A deep cut for love for hx drug use and death of friends mixed with production quality I would get stuck in an elevator for 2 days with.

5 songs and 45 minutes long? Oh boy. But it's not bad. The two 12-13 min songs are complementing the other three songs well. "Wish you were here" is good

its not bad but not my taste also why are the songs so longg

A classic and has its place.

Loved it.

Beautiful.

в качестве фоновой музыки - отлично

Lots of instrumental. I’m surprised people like this so much. Maybe it’s really awesome when you’re high. Wish you were here is good but I just don’t really see the appeal to the rest of it. Maybe if i was really into guitars I’d like it more.

The best yet.

Feb 26th 2025 (Wed) | Day 3 - Fav song: Welcome to the Machine #1970s #1975 #spotify #'25 #feb '25 [4.5*]

Canción favorita: No podría elegir una en particular, es un álbum que se debe escuchar de principio a fin. Pink Floyd es una banda especial para mí, porque me conecta con mi hermano y papá.

Atmospheric and interesting.

Parece que estou desbravando novos mares. Que álbum bom. Mdssss

This is one of the best albums in the history of rock by one of the best bands in the history of rock. Of course, it's a bit pompous. Of course, it takes me back to off-campus college housing, a room full of guys, knocked back on the couch, listening, mesmerized, or late nights, falling asleep to it after partying. I liked it then because it's perfect. I like it now because it's still perfect. Five stars.

Just beautiful

Excellent

Sublime and majestic! Perfect!

Taustamusiikkia, ei hassumpaa, mutta en itse perusta kymmenminuuttisista kappaleista albumilla.

One of my absolute favorite albums of all time.

Great album and one of my favourite songs

I mean, if not for one other pink floyd album, this would be the bands greatest accomplishment.

What an album - 5 songs but almost 45 minutes, and it was such an adventure listening to all NINE parts of Shine On You Crazy Diamond. I think that this album is great, but it's not for all occasions - you can't really listen to it and party, it's more for when you're in a relaxed mood and want to have this playing in the background.

Favourite songs: - Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 1-5 - Welcome to the Machine - Wish You Were Here - Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 6-9

I don’t get it

As with all the albums on this list, it really doesn't matter what I say...but like, extra on this one. I could tell you this album is a masterpiece, the GOAT, well mixed, well written, contains one of the best songs ever written, etc., or I could tell you that it's an overblown slog of self-indulgence that takes too long to get through. The fact is, you've more than likely heard all those things about it by the time you see this. The only thing I want to tell you is, if you've never sat down and listened to it all the way through, do that, and please make up your own mind. It's well worth it to be part of the conversation. That and, timestamp 6:26 into SOYCD Pts. 6-9 = perfection.

I had a cigar of my own (hats off to Roy Harper) and took a solo stroll through mossened trails—blanketed by downed Douglas firs following some nasty wind—with this album, setting a scene that helped me unlock yet another layer of appreciation for an album I've heard 10,000 times.

A classic in all shapes and forms. Explendid atmosphere, performance and production. I don't give it 5 stars because I don't think is perfect, but is almost up there.

I like PF a lot but I find this one a bit smug and dare I say it , a bit boring. Still a 4 though.

Masterpiece

Fantastic psycho- Rock!

Great

A cinematic listening experience. It’s dramatic and sweeping and feels like one whole piece of art instead of a collection of pieces. This album is best listened to in its entirety, but the middle tracks are great on their own as well.

A fantastic album. WYWH has, at several points, been my favourite record of all time. There's something so surreal, satisfying, soul-wrenching about the Pink Floyd sound, especially this timeless stuff from the 70s. Shine On You Crazy Diamond, in all of its nine monumental parts, is a master class in musical restraint, motif development, instrument layering, production, synth technique, guitar technique, chord progressions... I mean, seriously, what's not to love here? The four resounding notes ringing out at the beginning of Part 2 that changed the world of progressive rock forever. The lush choral delivery of the song title that sends the listener into a heady euphoria. The incredible chords, matching Roger Waters' indescribable poetry to Syd Barrett. (SOYCD may well have my favourite chord progression in any song.) Then we have a heady transition into the mind-blowing guitar-synthscape of Welcome to the Machine, the groovy, heavy electric jam of Have a Cigar ("Oh, by the way, which one's Pink?), and the mesmerising acoustic anthem Wish You Were Here. All of these songs could easily have a feature-length documentary on their genius, their power, their general excellence in pretty much every regard. I'll restrain myself from writing the equivalent of two phone books about WYWH. It's great – as close to "objectively great" as music can get. Everything else I want to say has been said already by critics, fans, or your local Joe. I will, though, highlight one of the best lines in rock history: "We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year." Damn. 5/5 Key tracks: all

Um dos meus discos favoritos de todos os tempos

Had this one on CD in highschool. Enjoyed it then, and still enjoy it now.

The psychedelic factor definitely takes it up a notch. I was staring at my ceiling and wondering why the walls looked so funny. THAT is why I listen to music.

I feel like I enjoyed the music more than I should have. It was pretty chill and simple. Would have preferred more vocals

periodt, the song ate and i love the track so much but it could do better JKK

A fantastic album. A complete joy to listen to.

I don't listen to Pink Floyd as much as I used to and this was never my favourite album but I still like it a lot. Giving it a 5 despite that speaks a lot for how good some of their other stuff is. Kind of had me forgetting how good it actually is I think of the album's biggest strengths is the variety in styles. Between the spacey, long winding SOYCD, the bluesy, rocking Have a Cigar (with one of Gilmour's best ever solos, imo), the sombre, folky title track and the sort of eery, electronic Welcome to the Machine, each track clearly stands apart and has its own identity. That with the order of vocalists (Waters-Gilmour-Roy Harper-Gilmour-Waters) adds to that and, to me, helps give the album a clearer structure The title track is a bit overplayed but I would never say I don't like it. I just never really feel like putting it on Stellar stuff 4.5 Highlights: Have a Cigar, SOYCD (Parts 6 - 9), SOYCD (Parts 1 - 5), Welcome to the Machine

compuesto por Dios.

lo voy a volver a escuchar pero ya se cuanto es, para qué mentirnos.

I normally hate albums which are all about how hard it is to be a rock star, so that oughta tell ya how unbelievably amazing this one is. Epic and astoundingly personal at the same time. A monumental achievement. I hope all those people who keep buying Floyd t-shirts actually give the music a listen some day.

This is one of those albums you must listen to all the way through in one sitting. Favourite Songs: ALL OF THEM.

I love this album. Shine on you Crazy Diamond is such a great song. I love how it flows. This album as a whole flows so well with songs leading into one another. 5 stars.

Great album. 5/5

Love the funky synth sounds

Another one that I haven't listened to a ton other than Dark Side of the Moon. This one is pretty solid. One or two that I enjoy

It is utterly ridiculous to include this on here but not Animals. The author of this book should be shot against a post for making that call. This (and Animals) is one of the best albums of all time. End of review.

I get that on a 1001 albums list you are going to get some critically acclaimed and universally beloved albums but it always feels weird when it comes time to writing stuff for it. I really don't know what to say. banger fucking album

POTENTIAL JOJOS BIZZARE ADVENTURE REFERENCE?????

Attention seeker music 9/10

This album has two themes going on here, one is spelled out in the title and the other illustrated in the album art. The two themes being: 'General longing/missing someone' and 'we fucking hate the music industry'. Pink Floyd were not a band that was on the track to stadium-packing, merch-peddling stardom. In fact, in the mini-doco attached the Live At Pompeii, during the recording of Dark Side of the Moon the interviewer lays out the mood that rock is dying and Pink Floyd with it. And then DSOTM came out and made these guys a household name. With fame came way bigger demands from their studio and the creative pressure to top their last album. This got them thinking about their old bandmate, Syd, who lost his mind as they began to achieve success and they just decided to not pick him up for rehearsal one day. It is often interpreted that Shine On You Crazy Diamond is a personal tribute to Syd, but rather it is a song about people who have withdrawn entirely being unable to cope with modern life. Having said that, after the famous visit to the studio that Syd made where Roger Waters was moved to tears, Richard Wright added in the keyboard riff from See Emily Play to part 9 of SYCD as a small personal tribute to Syd. Syd thought the song sounded old and did not like it, it would be the last time any band member interacted with him until his death in 2006. Welcome to the Machine is an angrier song (a sign of things to come as Waters became the leading creative force in the band), and was my favourite song growing up as a child and the first Pink Floyd song I had ever heard at the age of 10. The message seems cliche and trivial now but when I was a kid and it clicked that this song was taking aim at industry coopting youthful rebellion and exploiting artists transformed this song into a lot more than 'a Floyd deep cut I adored as a kid'. This album, Waters' lyricism and this song specifically; when I really listened to the lyrics is what really got me into music made me look at music in a different way. Side B opens with Have a Cigar which is a delightfully sleazy song. The opening riff and keyboard makes you think of an overly-carpeted 70s conference room where it smells like cigarettes and music industry ghouls with fat ties and kitschy glasses. Getting Roy Harper to sing while Waters was unwell was a happy little accident and adds to the bite of the song as a critique of the music industry. What can be said about the title track? The production here is unreal, the little effects, the radio intro and Gilmour's cough over a faded version of probably one of the most iconic rock riffs of all time. As with SYCD, a lot of people have said this song is about Syd but what makes this song brilliant and beautiful is that it's not. Waters' lyricism, Gilmour's guitar, Mason's drumming and Wright on the keys all come together to make this pretty vague song about distance, loneliness, alienation and missing something personal for so many people. It really is the peak of Floyd as it's one of the last times that Gilmour and Waters would really collaborate so wholly on a track (the next time would probably be Dogs and Comfortably Numb which are also two of the best songs that the band ever made). The song fades into a return into parts 6-9 of Shine On You Crazy Diamond, closing out an album that is incredibly near and dear to my heart. Even without knowing the context and story behind the band and the album and being a kid who did not have the best grasp of the English language, I loved this album. I am extremely passionate for my love for this album, it never gets old for me. I could listen to this entire album in my head from memory, it's the reason I don't have an internal monologue. To me, this is the best album ever made. Highlights: What do you think?

The song Wish You Were Here is my favorite Pink Floyd song, love the guitar in it and the way it builds up. The other songs on here were alright. Shine on You Crazy Diamond is good but too long for my tastes. 8/10

This is one of the most significant albums in my early musical development. My earliest concrete memory of viscerally feeling music, and of synesthesia was with Welcome to the Machine. In 6th grade, my mom took me to a play about Syd Barret and a guy trying to keep his Western rock records safe from the Soviet secret police (to actually explain is is beyond the scope of this review). Periodically they would kill the lights and play a piece of a song very loudly. When they played the giant synth line of Welcome to the Machine, I remember feeling like something was filling up inside my chest, and in the dark of the theater I was half seeing these thick green bands of light (kind of like a waveform visualization). I listened to Wish You Were here non-stop after that. Shine on You Crazy Diamond is one of my most perfect pieces of music (except for the guitar fill at 9:19, that always seemed like it didn't fit). Welcome to the Machine has a special place for me because of that moment in the theater. Wish You Were Here is one of the first songs I learned on guitar. I like it less now that I did then, but I'm always happy to hear it. Have a Cigar is cool, but not as transcendent as Diamond or Machine. Also Jesus Gilmour's slide playing on Diamond pts 6-9 is as good as any guitar I've heard (that is what is on while writing this sentence, hence the call out). Album Cover: (A+) They actually set that guy on fire. That's real.

WTF is wrong with you people??? It can't be anything but a 5. It flows together perfect, absolutely iconic album. Actually gives me goosebumps during certain parts.

This album is sweet. I listened to it as one long song. This is far from my first time listening to it, so I don't have a lot of new listener takes to provide. It's the kind of album you just fall into. It makes me feel like I'm in bed and high. I have a memory of listening to a live performance of this entire album with my friend Dan in his truck. It was almost ten years ago and I remember it, so it must have affected me. Not a lot of individual moments stand out, but the entire thing blends in to one rocking song. "Wish You Were Here" is legendary. 8/10

I was the biggest Pink Floyd fan when I was freshman in high school. This might be their best. Returning to this album 20 something years later, I’m able to hear more clearly how it ties into other musical movements throughout history. Overall it’s funkier and groovier than I remember. “Welcome to the Machine” is a Kraftwerk track. “Wish You Were Here” is country. “Shine On” has elements of Albert King and the jazz. And darn, the whole time I was marveling at the musicianship of David Gilmour and Richard Wright, and at Roger Waters’s lyrics. And the amazing engineering and production value. I got a lot of love for the eclecticism, the concept and the personal feel to the work. Great.

Great album, almost a 5. I think Animals and Meddle might be better though

Following Dark Side is a daunting task, considering it is one of the highest bars and most successful rock albums of all time. The songs here are long and it has a feel of its own compared to their other most commercially successful work. I have grown to appreciate this album more over time considering the bands history and where their thoughts must have been at that point in time. Only 5 songs but this packs quite a punch. Not quite a 5 banger but it’s close IMO. This is a perfect example of why this excersize needs a 10 point scale. Rounding up here… 4.5/5

Doesn’t quite rise to the level of Dark Side of the Moon or The Wall, but comes close. The title track alone helps push it there and to this day is simply timeless.

The structure of this might cause it to lose points with some people, but I love this one. A great album for anyone who’s ever lost a friend, whether to madness or the Los Angeles Lakers. Luka forever.

Always have love for David Gilmour. His guitar is so distinct and bends are one of a kind. When “shine on…” kicks in it is an iconic hook. The groove on have a cigar is great. Wish you were here was one of my early (and fav) songs to learn on guitar. Shit, I was leaning to a 4 since there’s not a ton on the album (really just 4 songs with heavy jamming). But after writing this I gotta give love and round up by the tiniest of margins.

Not sure why I hesitated on giving this a 5 bomb... it's great and came on the heals of a terrible week of albums. Not to mention helping us cope with the loss of a loved one (RIPIP Luka). Bookends can get a bit tiresome, but there's simply too much goodness here not to give it the highest grade. 4.5/5

Flows together well

Not their best album but still good. The title track is probably the best one.

I went into this expecting to enjoy it - I like a bit of psychedelic rock, and Dark Side is obviously a banger. I expected to enjoy the title track and a couple of others. I didn't expect to be blown away by this album - honestly, it's amazing! I've listened to it three times already, and will probably again in the very near future. The guitar lines swoop and soar, the atmosphere is incredible, and I love every single track. I didn't think I could be surprised by something 50 years old, but here we are - what a blast this was :)

Favorite Track: Have A Cigar

My favorite Pink Floyd album. They are, generally speaking, not really my jam, but I do listen to this album semi-regularly, especially the title track

Their best album

Fantastic album.

I've always had a bit of mixed relationship with Pink Floyd in that whilst I love Dark Side and a fair chunk of The Wall, they've never properly clicked outside of that. Wish You Were Here kind of exemplifies that for me as across the 5 tracks there are some really strong moments, but equally there's stuff in here that just doesn't quite land for me. For me Wish You Were Here really shines in its opening and closing tracks. I really love how these tracks meander between genre, opening the album in a more ambient mode before shifting into prog-rock and building anticipation for what's to come. There's a really great sense of progression and narrative that I think is lacking from stuff like Have a Cigar and the title track (which honestly I've always found a bit dull compared to other Pink Floyd tracks)

Not Again

It's not too terribly often I think about Syd Barrett. I mean, as I've said before, the early years of Pink Floyd aren't exactly my thing. Even as much as I can say I do like those first two albums, that kind of psychedelic space rock isn't usually what I want out of the band (or in general, but that's besides the point). It might be a bit typical, but the run of albums from THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON to THE WALL is way more my speed — alongside records like MEDDLE and (yes, really) THE DIVISION BELL. I've even listened to THE FINAL CUT more; it's honestly not really that bad. And if I don't often listen to THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN, you can imagine how much I've listened to something like THE MADCAP LAUGHS. Now that's an album that requires just a bit too much serious consideration than I'd like for a casual listen. Goodness, it's gonna be fun when my group gets to that one... But all the same, I'd never dare speak ill of Syd Barrett. And frankly, whenever I do end up thinking about him, it's pretty common that I end up coming to the conclusion that he's the most important member of the band. Absolutely, they would not be the same without his influence — even if, specifically and tragically, that influence came from his absence... Like, if it weren't for Syd, would we have "Brain Damage"? Or large swathes of THE WALL? I know for a fact we wouldn't have today's album, that's for sure. Syd and the shadow where he used to be loomed so largely over the band, it's hard not to have respect for him. And there's nothing they ever did where you can feel how much respect they had for Syd, and how much they missed him, as WISH YOU WERE HERE. Let me lay this down right now: this is my favorite Pink Floyd record. Full stop. DARK SIDE OF THE MOON and THE WALL both make good cases for coming close, but in the end, nothing can. Not really. I mean, if I haven't listened to it as much as I have THE WALL, that's only because I'm trying not to lose any part of its magic to overplay. It's... It's just special, y'know? Honestly, for most of the day I was worried I wouldn't have anything to say about it. I was excited as the dickens when my group got it; it was the fastest I'd hopped on listening to an album since ACE OF SPADES. But as for actually talking about it... Well, as I've discussed back when I talked about MY AIM IS TRUE, there are just some albums so deeply entrenched in my soul that it's hard for me to find the words to say about them. And if that's true for MY AIM IS TRUE, then it applies a thousandfold to this album. Part of me can't even really fathom articulating the words. To me, this album's greatness goes without saying. If this album doesn't just speak for itself, then no other does. But if I could try... Well, it's just like I said: there's nothing else in their whole body of work where you can feel how much they loved, respected and missed Syd like this album does. The fact that half of the album is dedicated to a song celebrating Syd should tell you enough all by itself. And... Gawd, "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is beautiful: all nine parts, and all twenty-plus minutes. If it hadn't been split up to bookend the album, it'd beat out "Echoes" as the greatest single track of their entire career. It aches for Syd, and it's very sad that he's gone, but at the same time it doesn't forget to be happy about who he was and what he did for the group. It kind of plays to me like a memorial service, honestly. Like, it's not the funeral, where you're actively mourning someone, but... It's the memories. It's looking back on all the times you had with someone, good and bad. And there's just this... This hole in yourself where they used to be. And I don't think that feeling is better encapsulated on this whole album than those three guitar notes. Like, it's incredible that just those three notes can evoke so much and so many feelings. I'm in awe every time. Chills, seriously. "Wish You Were Here" evokes largely the same feeling, albeit in a smaller setting. If "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is a large-scale celebration of a loved one, surrounded by family and friends, then "Wish You Were Here" is when a song comes on the radio that quietly brings everything back. Like, you're just about to get out of your car, stressed out about some bullshit or whatever, when you hear those notes come over your radio and — and suddenly, you're out of place. You just can't bring yourself to leave until the song's over. You just can't. They're too important to ignore. And, y'know, whoever you're thinking about, they don't even have to have passed on — Syd wasn't when this album was released, and he wouldn't until a few decades later. It's just, whoever you couldn't have imagined living without, but have had to face that reality anyway. And it tears you up inside, because you don't know when you're gonna see them again, but the idea that eventually, some day, you will — that's what gets you through. And speaking of that bullshit that stressed you out, that's what the other half of the album is about — music industry bullshit, specifically. About a cold, unfeeling, mechanical industry that chews up and spits out any talent unfortunate enough to try and get too close. About executives and management who care so little about you compared to the bottom line they can't even be assed to remember your damn name — and yet when the big bucks start pouring in, they act like they had anything to do with it. Well, beyond trying to crush your soul into just another cog, anyway. They're an empty suit in the desert, selling you dreams but leaving you with nothing but burns from broken promises. These songs aren't as clearly angry as the ones on ANIMALS are, but you can still feel it beneath the sarcasm and haunted warnings. "Have A Cigar" is the only other song in the band's discography to have a guest vocalist (here it's Roy Harper), and it says so much to me that someone outside of the band ended up singing these words. It's not exactly a happy album, if you somehow couldn't tell. Honestly, put all together, I can't help but imagine a story. One about someone who tried to hack it in the music industry, but ended up getting so lost in the shuffle and burned out that only the memories of their loved ones could carry them forward. And even that couldn't last forever — after all, that's not them singing "Shine On You Crazy Diamond". Whether or not this reflects Syd's story, I'm not enough of an expert on him to say. But that story, and its emotional resonance... If that ain't one of the big reasons why I keep coming back. And I haven't even gotten around to mentioning the musicianship yet! It's all top form, across the board. Like, I wanna highlight Wright's keys on "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" specifically. They're the star of the song, and most of the reason why it's as good as it is. From the opening solo over those ambient glasses, down to the slow funeral march, followed by the "See Emily Play" that closes the album... Everyone else is amazing, especially Gilmour for playing those three notes on "Shine On" and that opening solo on "Wish You Were Here", but Wright especially deserves credit. Absolutely insane that Waters would later fire and demote him to session musician come THE WALL, goodness. If all my blabbering hasn't made it evident, this is an absolute 5, among the strongest I've ever given. Across 44 minutes, it just does not miss. It's simply the most stunning and beautiful music they'd ever make. Like, I understand why THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON is often held up as the greater achievement. It came first, it has the hits, and people probably generally resonate more with its songs about aspects of life than they do this album and its themes of alienation. And don't get me wrong, I hold DARK SIDE in the same high regard; this isn't a competition about which one is better. I just agree whole-heartedly with Richard Wright and David Gilmour when they say that this is the best Pink Floyd record — 'coz it is. It might just be my favorite album of all time, honestly? If it's not, then it's certainly top 5 — or, heck, top 3, actually. And I still don't know if I've used enough words to express how I feel about it. It's just that big in my mind. And, y'know... I can't imagine being any of them on the day during recording when Syd came to visit — during "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", of all coincidences. Where they couldn't recognize him for minutes because he'd lost all of his hair and grown overweight. I've seen the picture — it's a little hard to look at. Roger Waters was so distressed by how Syd looked he was reduced to tears. And there's this one I've read — I don't know how true it is, but there's one anecdote about the visit I've always remembered. It's when Syd stands up and says that he's ready to play, only for the rest of the band to have to tell him that there's nothing for him to play. It breaks my heart every time I think about it. And that's pretty often when I'm listening to this album. Bless it, for everything it's worth.

What more is there to say on this asides from What An Album. Solid 5 Stars.

That’s a 10. Going into this, I only had ever heard “Wish You Were Here”, and even then, I mainly knew it from, oddly enough, the Ninja Sex Party cover, which I’ve listened to more times than the original. It’s a great cover, sue me. However, listening to it on this first runthrough of the full album, with the context of everything that surrounds it… yeah, the original is miles ahead. The whole album is a masterpiece. Grieving someone who is still alive is a curse afforded only to those with such empathy for the wellbeing of others that it affects them personally. (Yes, this includes Roger Waters, despite how much of a dickhead he is nowadays.) It is a curse that I have held a few more times than I’d care to admit, and it’s a curse that this album displays in a way that I haven’t necessarily heard captured in musical form. Granted, this is grief with a tinge of celebration, and perhaps some relief that Syd Barrett didn’t truly get caught up in the machinations of the machine & the executives that the rest of the band so artfully complain about on this album… but it’s still grief. It’s grief that other people can & likely will put into better words than I ever could – I’ve been trying to write something for maybe 30 minutes now, in an effort to put my full thoughts into words, and I keep staring at this blinking text cursor rattle my brain. All I know is that Pink Floyd knew how the hell to put that grief into musicality that may never ever be touched or replicated. There’s not a missed note, beat, or lyric through the 44 minutes this album goes for, and it feels like a privilege that I get to listen to such a grand representation of a cruel, cruel curse. It’s a fabulous album, and it certainly ranks within the top 5 of all the 401 albums we’ve now gotten, at least for me. It’s a 10 – just go listen to it. No words can do it justice.

This one is really a masterpiece. In my mind, it’s always overshadowed by Dark Side of the Moon, but in all reality, they’re both amazing.

Says something when you know every track without ever hearing the album as a whole. And it is better as a whole. “Shine On…” is my go to for destressing. Obviously 5 stars.

This is obviously a pinnacle of the prog/rock genre, and it is beautifully made. Really amazing sounds and progressions. And amazing that this was just a few years after the Beatles. But on the other hand... this is kind of clinical and detached. I feel like I'm watching the prefects put on a concert.

Sååå godt

Just brilliant.

Absolutely brilliant album from start to finish. Beautiful moving music. Gilmour's guitar work simply incredible. Lyrically poignant.

3 5 stars. wish you were here, have a cigar

Outstanding

Fkn banger! 11/10

I have never been so happy for an album to mercifully end.

This one’s a 5. I’ll take any opportunity to listen to it with purpose though My experience here is tainted, but this is the good sad. Like five eulogies at an Irish funeral in an album. A farewell too soon, but more importantly an appreciation for the struggle, a celebration of the good times & a triumphant send off to close it out. One song added to my playlist, whole album’s in the 1001 playlist - even though that butchers the design of the album itself.

Pre: Never been a Pink Floyd fan, but admittedly I'd never listened to an album the whole way through, which really is their whole deal; I imagine this is the prog equivalent to having never seen Star Wars. Post: Almost exactly as I expected. Nothing I hated, nothing that compelled either. Highlight: Have a Cigar (in particular the vocals for "ride the gravy train")

Pre: Well first of all I've listened to the album dozens of times so not sure I can remember a pre-listen. Though going into this it is my least favourite of the 'Top 4' of Dark Side to The Wall, though this does still place it as an amazing album. My memory of this is basically some amazing songs and some lengthy intermissions between that vary in quality (I'll leave any ideas of what that means to me up to you). One issue that does kinda bother me about the idea of this site/book is that you don't really need to listen to this album I think. It certainly wouldn't be my Floyd number 1 recommendation and if I'm being honest you don't need to listen to all the Pink Floyd albums before you die, 2 or 3 would certainly do with more if you actually like them. Funnily enough as a background to this, I received this for Christmas this year and hadn't listened to it yet, so it's one of my most recent albums I've gotten. That's a nice contrast to Kind of Blue which I saw on sale the weekend of that appearing in this list (not that I've listened to it yet but cmon I've been busy!) Post: Okay I thought I preferred Animals but this may feature David Gilmours best work. Both halves of Shine On has some of the best guitar work around. The other side of this though is that I think this has some of Waters' weaker singing even when his songwriting is strong. The same could also be said for Wright and his synths which can be interesting like on Have a Cigar but ultimately I think the album is worse off for them. Welcome to the Machine really does cause so much momentum to stop that it could be fine on another album but the quality of everything surrounding it shows too big a gulf on pretty much every front. Speaking generally of Shine On, but this does cover the whole album, one of my favourite parts of this record is listening to each instrument not in the lead role and appreciating how often they will deviate from the same timings or pace of the song in a way that stills feels sonically cohesive. It's not unique to the record, especially from Floyd, but it is quite noticeable here. Ultimately I'm giving it a 5 but it feels like a forgiving 5 because of WttM. Sucks that for me this album has such a weak spot but as a whole it just hits too good for me to deny it. Highlight: Wish You Were Here (c'mon now, it's crazy to think another track here could top that!)

Much like the iconic album cover, this goes hand in hand with the memory of founding member Syd Barrett to whom this album was inspired by and in tribute to.

Love everything about this. Contemplative, moody, great to listen to while working.

Great to listen to more Pink Floyd, I think musically it’s amazing and to hear it live would be incredible, but the lyrics don’t mean much to me and ad much as I enjoyed it I’m not sure I’ll be going back to it

It's hard not to hear this through the lens of film and TV of a vaguely spacey/SciFi flavour, almost more like a soundtrack to an idea than an album. I am conflicted really. I like this that are languid, spacey, meditative. But the melodies just don't snag me, and it's like the band is alergic to hooks, except for the chorus of 'shine on'. Did they ever snag anyone who wasn't also listening under the influence of something?

Masterpiece

An album of love songs to a best friend going through a mental health crisis.

Do you think you can tell?

I won this album on vinyl and it's one of my favorites. Such a great variety of awesome sounds from Pink and the boys. I listened to it twice. Five stars easily.

Best enjoyed as one continuous listen rather than listening to each song individually. Comes together brilliantly, and wish you were here has to be one of the best songs of the 70s

3.5/5 - good rock album

Wish you were listening to this album right now as it is a continued masterpiece in the Pink Floyd collection.

5 songs, 43 minutes, one incredible album. I know “Wish You Were Here” is a great standalone trick, but this album demands to be listened to from front to back.

One of the great classic rock albums of all time

My favorite Pink Floyd album.

not up to my appeal but it is good for it's own right

I really think this is Pink Floyd's sharpest work, a perfect union between the pop sensibilities of dark side and the ruminations of animals

This is great. It's sounds like I'm floating around in space. And things just happen around me. And I wasn't even under the influence while listening to it. The engineering on this album is really impressive. Listening on headphones is quite a wild experience.

Need to listen to this on shrooms

The emotion of Syd Barrett's absence adds to this. I am not as violently opposed to prog as I was in younger days. But my old view that this is still the slow, noodly music that punk was sent to destroy still holds in part.

GOAT album

Best album ever? Less universal lyrics than Dark Side of the Moon but an echoey, gooey, spacey sound that delivers on every listen

This is my favorite Pink Floyd album and probably the only one that I still love now. It is truly a perfection. I don't need to say anything else, straight to 5/5.

More intentionally ambient than the wall, and more cohesive and shorter (even though I suppose shine on is like 15 minutes lol)

Sensational album. I've listened many times before this and I'll listen many times after. 100 out of 5 stars.

Absolute unit masterpiece of an album. Would absolutely listen again

So much beauty in this album. I feel like Welcome to the Machine drags it down just enough to miss out on five stars. But not to worry Pink Floyd will reach that summit.

This one is just obvious. Good first pick.

Hhh

I know this is a classic, but 5 songs and no interesting lyrics?

this is boring. also I consistently think that "Wish You Were Here" (which is boring but I still kinda like it, definitely more than the rest) is "6th Avenue Heartache."

The best

I'm bored of this album now. Great when I was thirteen and did not have wide musical tastes. Best song: Have A Cigar. Worst song: Welcome To The Machine. All a bit self-indulgent. It's all a bit slow. WYWH is a good song, but now a bit too twee.

Sublime

The follow up album to DSOTM could've easily have been a dud, but not in this case. Leaning more on the bluesy guitar riffs and bends of Gilmour and the sublime musical landscape of Wright, this is a masterpiece. Added poignancy of Syd Barret turning up to the recording sessions of SOYCD. Wish you were here is surely Water's finest hour. Must say I can't fault this. Five stars.

Wish You Were Here is both an absolutely incredible album and title track. Just an incredibly cohesive album.

This album is great. I think the guitar work Pink Floyd puts into their music is probably the best it's ever been. I like it more than Hendrix, Clapton, and Zappa. The atmospheric composition just speaks to me and I haven't even gotten into the themes and content of any of the albums other than The Wall. I'll definitely put some energy into a deeper dive because Pink Floyd is quickly moving up as one of my favorite bands.

I love this album, and have for a very long time. I think “Shine on you crazy diamond” is one of the best musical tributes to anyone and anything ever written. It’s not bombastic or overly wordy. Just a memory of someone the band clearly loved (who wasn’t even deceased at the time). The other three songs are all special in their own way, though “welcome to the machine” isn’t as good of a standalone song as the others. This album shows what I would consider the two sides of Floyd. The diamond suite is their much less commercial, virtuoso and psychedelic side, while the three middle songs show their capability to write thoughtful accessible music for anyone. Few bands have been able to bridge the two worlds so easily, and even fewer have since. It’s a masterpiece, I like it even more than dark side of the moon and the wall. One of my all time favorites.

Great album. I knew the title track before but I hadn’t sat down to listen to this album. Needs more listens but a great introduction to Pink Floyd (if necessary).

One of the greatest albums of all time

You can see a lot of studio work on this album where everything seems to come together at the right time and well in tune. This is a tribute to Syd Barrett. Each song on this album manages to transform into a pure and sad portrait of longing.

wanna eat this album

Wish it was better.

i wish you weren't

really long songs. Lots of cool instruments, its like songs for staring at the ceiling at night thinking of how cringe was what you said at middle school that one time. I love the guitar in Have a Cigar, its so melancholic.

Better than i expexcted 3.5 to 4 stars good background music rock album

Have not really listened to much Pink Floyd as had previously dismissed as wanky toss when i was in my punk phase and never really revisited this opinion. Roll forward 30 years or so and its much more up street and very much enjoyed large parts of the album - unfortunately there are some wanky bits like the sax solo - but still happy to give it a solid 4.

Wish You Were Here Pink Floyd are on the list of ‘Bands I really must get into someday’. Today (and yesterday) is that day. Obviously I’ve heard a lot of Pink Floyd songs in the ether and I know many of their songs by cultural osmosis, but listening to this on repeat I can see why people love them, and how people might think that listening to it stoned out of their minds at 3am might give them ‘the answer’. I don’t know what that question is that might lead to a drug fuelled psychic awakening, but this does answer my question of ‘What’s a Pink Floyd album like?’. Listening to this it’s a meticulously built 44 minutes of brilliantly layered, slow tempo sonic atmosphere, movingly structured around a loose concept. Although there are distinct songs it’s really about experiencing the whole thing, the feel and movement of the full run time, with synths, solos, melodies all unfolding at a languid pace, all with an occasional disquieting undertow. The solo on Have a Cigar is particularly good. I don’t know if this is prog rock, I suppose in a way it is, but it’s far richer and far better than the Yes and ELP albums we’ve had. It may share the same seriousness, but it never crosses into unintentional pompousness or silliness, it feels self contained and self possessed in a way those other albums don’t. Having never listened to a Pink Floyd album before, but having been keen to give them a listen I’m glad this lived up to expectations - perhaps today (and yesterday) were supposed to be the day I liked it, the psychedelic mystery of Pink Floyd was fated to reveal itself on this very day (and yesterday). 💎💎💎💎💎 Playlist submission: Shine on You Crazy Diamond (all IX parts)

Despite the album being languorous, indulgent, bloated, there is such a commitment to it - something completely imperious about this album. I don't think it has the warmth of Dark Side - it feels a lot more clinical. But there is an ambience to be enjoyed, and you can cast aside the pretension of a song in 9 parts. An album which conjures a mood and does it really well. And included one of the greatest tracks of all time, in the title track. It's so close, but it gets to a high four.

who is pink ???

Good!

This is my favorite Pink Floyd right now. I listen to it every day as I row. As dark as they are (and it is), I feel so much joy when I listen to it.

Top Floyd album for me.

I don't have to listen to this , this album is the soundtrack to my life.

Banger!

Amazing album! Only five songs, half of which are a multi-part tribute to Syd Barrett. To top it off there's Welcome to the Machine and Have a Cigar. "By the way, which one's Pink?" This and Dark Side of the Moon are probably as close to perfect Pink Floyd as you can get.

Veldig, veldig bra. Det meste sier vel seg selv. Kreativ og eksperimentell musikalsk stil, med fornuftig mengde saksofonsolo og gitarsolo. Mer sofistikerte tekster og tema enn Dark Side of the Moon, men kanskje litt vel ordfattig til tider. Noe misfornøyd over at de antatt improviserte delene på Shine on You Crazy Diamond er litt vel repetitive. De kan finne andre ideer. 9.1/10

To my mind, this pales in comparison to The Dark Side of the Moon, but still a great album.

Wasn't bad but not Pink Flloyd's best....

Enjoyable - wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I think you need to be in a nothing mood to listen to it. Not a stand out - was excited when I saw the Band, left a little "meh"

Masterpiece. Enough said.

Very good

First recommend album, funny as it’s one of my favorite albums already

Love this album.

Classic album. Not my favorite (that would be Piper at the Gates of Dawn) but its still worthy of 5 stars.

Pretty solid if you’re in the mood for it, which I wasn’t necessarily but I can see why people like it.

My favorite Pink Floyd album. Scathing commentary on the record business. The best lyric on the album -- "By the way, which one's Pink?"

What an epic suite and touching tribute to a fallen friend. The whole thing was great. David Gilmours guitar solos and Richard Wrights keys parts were out of this world. “Have a Cigar” is absolutely chilling, and the title track hits differently in the context of the full album.

First of all, I really don't know how this stacks up against other Pink Floyd albums, as I think Dark side of the moon, animals and this are the best, but none really stick out as the best out of the 3. I thought before listening that this was my clear favorite, but I'm really not so sure now. The long songs at the start and end if counted as one (or maybe even if not) could possibly be one of my favorite songs (let alone Pink Floyd). Conceptually as well, while not being as frontal as Dark side of the moon, still works out really well. However, I do think that some of the synth elements are a bit too much, or too overpowering, like on the second song and generally I think they are done better on dark side of the moon. I do also think that the title song is a little bit overrated. Favorite songs: all of them except the welcome to the machine. Score could easily be a subject to change, as I might totally rethink upon hearing another Pink Floyd album for perspective but... Overall around 9/10

Frickin perfection. Ventures into every style you could imagine flawlessly and at full speed. Naturally SOYCD are the standout tracks, but the middle stuff it also perfection. Damn. Fav Songs: All of em

Floyd doesn't produce songs, they make albums that are a whole experience and just the songs never sound right without that context as amazing as they are. Making albums like this is a lost art.

Pretty good on a distracted first pass! The shine on first section was brilliant, second section less so (though I enjoyed the fade), title track was nice. Already knew the lore and was a nice tribute. Will relisten with full attention in the future

Wish You Were Here feels less like an album and more like a shared silence with weight behind it. From the opening mechanical churn into “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” it immediately establishes a sense of absence, loss, and quiet grief that never fully lifts. Nothing here is rushed or showy. Every note feels considered, patient, and heavy with meaning, as if the band is choosing restraint because anything more would cheapen what they are trying to say. What makes it hit so hard is how personal it feels without ever spelling everything out. The themes of disconnection, exploitation, and mourning seep into the music naturally, carried by slow builds, spacious arrangements, and melodies that ache rather than soar. David Gilmour’s guitar speaks in long, mournful sentences, and the band leaves enormous gaps where emotion is allowed to breathe. Even the title track, simple on the surface, lands with devastating clarity because of its honesty and lack of sentimentality. By the time it ends, Wish You Were Here leaves you sitting in the aftermath rather than offering closure. It does not resolve its sadness, it honours it. That is what makes it so powerful and endlessly replayable. This is music made with empathy, patience, and deep understanding of loss, both personal and artistic. Five out of five feels inadequate, because this is one of those rare records that goes beyond rating systems altogether.

Pink Floyd's second best. Close to their best, but not their best. Second best if you must. This album's incredible. Opening up the first track, you get a fade-in, which I feel like I so underappreciated because they're one of the best ways to start an album. Then, the guitar is introduced. The notes are a bit all over the place but they still manage to be somehow pretty memorable. It's kind of pretty. Then, the iconic riff comes in. It's so empty, like something's missing, like you're speaking to a ghost and it's saying something you can't understand. Then the beat comes in makes it weirdly upbeat. It's not happy, though, it's more mysterious. The riff even changes every now and then to even more ominous notes. Then, ANOTHER guitar starts a solo, and it flows so well with everything else happening. It's also kind of mysterious, like you're looking for something, but then it goes fucking off. Kind of frustrated, kind of like you're searching for something, or someone. Quickly, things calm down and the beat, bass, and guitar loop a basic instrumental while a synthesizer gives a spooky yet empty melody. And that's exactly what that part is: empty. And then, boom fucking guitar solo again. It has the same sort of mysterious vibe to it. It's weird, like, you can bob your head to it but then if you really pay attention, it's kind of horrifying. Then, the vocals come in. I will admit, the vocals are a little bit lackluster, at least the impact of them is. When the "SHINE ON YOU CRAAAAAAZY DIIIIIIAMOND" part happens, it sounds like it's trying to be reminiscent of the Us and Them but it feels a little empty. Not in the way I've been talking about it either, just weirdly empty. I do want to give massive props to the lyricism here though because they're fucking gorgeous: "You were caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom Blown on the steel breeze Come on, you target for faraway laughter Come on, you stranger, you legend, you martyr And shine" They're simple and there's not many layers besides that second line, but it works. It's not supposed to connect with everyone, it is about who the song was written about and that's it. I also really like "Well, you wore out your welcome with random precision." I could give a couple of other examples, but that'd go on for too long and not really add anything. I'm not the greatest fan of the saxophone part at the end. I usually like when Pink Floyd adds a saxophone to their song if it fits well, but here I fear it just doesn't. I guess the first part is fine, but--and I may be wrong-- I believe they switch types of saxophones a bit through the solo. I think it either changes from a tenor to an alto or a bari to a tenor. I don't know for sure though, I'm no expert about saxophones, it's not like I play the instrument. Actually, I do play the instrument, it's like right behind me, but that's besides the point. The guitar and the synthesizers are sick as hell on Welcome to the Machine; goosebumps. Not really, people who say they get goosebumps from music are kind of stupid, but you get what I mean. I guess the vocals are a bit out of range to the point where it would probably hurt at least a little bit, and the lyrics are definitely layered but not the best layers I guess. Like sucking on a monkey brain-flavored lollipop so you can get to the gum in the middle. Not really worth it. "What did you dream? It's alright, we told you what to dream." Sure, maybe my meaning would be a little more vague, but I could definitely write something like that and then look back at it as "pretty mediocre." There are some good bits, and I like the storytelling but they aren't nearly as good as some of the other lines on the album. The instrumental part after the first verse, which I think also happens after the second one (update: it doesn't), where everything is building and building is just absolutely fucking crazy. It feels something like you're quickly trying to escape something extremely dangerous, or meeting up with an evil you slowly realize is dangerous. Have a Cigar is a masterpiece in its field because of how goofy, yet extremely biting it is. The synths introduced harmonizing with the guitar is catchy but changes things up every now and then, which fits the "fuck the industry" idea. Try singing this song how you imagine the character singing this song would sing it. Did you sing in a lower voice than your usual voice? Did you sing like your alcoholic uncle talking about his fourth wife that divorced him and smoking a ciggie around a campfire? Now listen to the song. Boom, it's just that. The vocals are exact, almost too perfectly fitting that it sounds like a mockery. And the lyrics are fantastic too, they're so over-the-top, you can tell they're mocking the industry rather than sympathizing with it without even thinking. Like I never thought someone could think otherwise until I wrote that sentence. Of course, I have to give a nod to one of the all-time greats: "The band is just fantastic, that is really what I think Oh, by the way, which one's Pink?" Now comes easily the best song on the album and what's a good contender for best song in the Pink Floyd catalogue (Dogs and Great Gig in the Sky are other good choices) and what's even a good contender for best song ever. Which, funny story: when I first listened to this album, that was my third time listening to this song. And I still couldn't find the appeal. I wasn't a Pink Floyd fan on the first listen, which makes sense, but the second time, I enjoyed most of their music and the third, I was basically becoming a fan. Reason why: the melody. It's gotten trapped in my mind a couple times since but it's very much not a "catchy" melody. It goes all over the place, up down down up down up down down blah blah blah, and it adds to the rawness. The instrumental is detailed so perfectly, the piano plays at the perfect time, the guitar and the snare fit perfectly hand-in-hand, everything about the instrumental is genuinely perfect. The lyricism is top-notch too. You know, I made a Reddit post trying to figure out the lyrics to Wish You Were Here once. Okay I copied what I said and put it on a Doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/118W_jHs0RHheZiCZn7P4zLEDGffiMCG2d-BB8gOttOE/edit?usp=sharing Back to the lyrics. They're fucking fabulous. Dense, textured, yummy. "Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?" is a good example of a 10/10 which is insane considering it's nowhere near the best lyric on the song. Argument can be made over what the best lyric on the song is, but personally for me, it's easily the first line of the chorus: "How I wish, how I wish you were here." It's direct, but it's raw. It's heartbreaking. It makes you think of someone YOU miss. It makes you remember things, it makes you regret things, and it makes you bawl your eyes for hours in the corner by yourself. Then, of course, the rest of the chorus is beautifully crafted lyrically as well. Each line on that part is just so fucking gorgeous that I can't do it the justice it deserves, so just go read them if you haven't already. And read them thoughtfully. I will add this, though, I do love the circle back to the start of the chorus, "...wish you were here." It feels like a desperate plea. It feels so full of hope, yet hopeless at the same time. Genuinely one of the best songs I think I've ever and will ever listen to in my life. And I didn't even get the chance to fully digest it on the first listen. Or second. Or third. Until like maybe the ninth or tenth idk. Admittedly, this song is the one on the album I come back to the least, Shine On You Crazy Diamond 6-9. If I had to guess, I've probably listened to it somewhere from 5-9 times. Wait. 6-9 times. And it's not the song's fault, I think it's a great song still. It just doesn't move me the same way 1-5 does. The latter half of the sixth part is basically a jam-out section, which isn't the only one on this song. It's kind of similar to the first track, where it's very fun at times but weirdly on edge. Like running from the cops on foot. Actually, maybe that's not fun. I don't know, I've never tried. That's not the point. The guitars and bass goes off and the beat is repetitive but works well. Then, another guitar (or just a guitar, I think the leads in the upbeat part are guitars but they may be synths) comes in and introduces the same riff right before the vocals in 1-5. And it's smooth. Really smooth actually. Kind of reminds me of Two-Headed Boy Pt. 2's (by Neutral Milk Hotel) transition, except that one's 10x smoother. And that's exactly what it does, welcome the vocals. If I had to choose between this vocal part and the first one, I would honestly choose the first one pretty fast. The first one has way better lyricism and vocal execution, but I do still enjoy this one. And then the waiting room music time. Hell fucking yeah. No notes on this part really but that the playing is lively and fun. You don't like fun? Fuck off, you fucking pussy. And now, the last part, similar to the intro of the album but different melody-wise. And honestly, yeah, this part is way better than the intro. I don't know if I would consider it melancholic, but it feels a bit uneasy. It's kind of gorgeous now that I'm really paying attention to it. Anyway, yeah that's my review on Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd. Now fuck off you fucking loser. Favs: Wish You Were Here, Have a Cigar, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 1-5 Least fav: Welcome to the Machine EDIT: 4>5 certain moments grew on me

Absolutely beautiful. Just last night I was lying in my bed, under the covers in a bliss listening to this song, wondering when will this appear in the generator.

I think this is relaxing in a way. It reminds me of what it feels like to follow your own path. That it gets lonely but thats is not the reason not to take it. It gets better… The entire -ballad? Should I say?- is a preparation for that. It is an auditory example of the say “good things take time to fester”. You have to be patient. One more thing, it feels somewhat foreign, this feeling, unknown or better yet, unexplored. Yet this is not the first time I have been at this place. It has been quite some time though. That might be my queue, my signal to go on. To start this other new part of my journey and tread lightly, every corner has a new mystery.

Top

This is the second Pink Floyd album that's been generated for me in a four-day span. I can do without the intro, and the outro, but other than that, it's an excellent example of Progressive Rock, and the peak of Pink Floyd. I just wish it was a bit longer. When I use this generator, I need to welcome the machine, and take whatever I get thrown at me. Favorite song: "Wish You Were Here".

Enjoyable prog rock. Standout is the opening first pat of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" which brings the listener on an ethereal ride. Other standout is the title track which sounds like a more mainstream rock song with the vocals sounding a little like folk 60's singers.

Wonderful! An absolute essential and classic.

Kinda fun, and "Wish You Were Here" might be my favorite Pink Floyd song. I appreciate the rest of the album for what it is, but I don't love it. 3.3

Perfection

I prefer Animals, but this is still a perfect album

Excellent, not as well rounded IMO as Dark Side of the Moon, but still magnificent for the most part.

Bit of a strange album. It's a few good songs sandwiched between 12+ minute long jam sessions. I liked it, but it's nowhere near The Wall.

The length of the tracks daunted me at first. But this is a wonderful, relaxing album to listen to. I can see why Pink Floyd has such a legendary status - the album's autobiographical themes gives it power enough to stick out.

Beautiful playing that remains relevant to this day. It tugs at the heartstrings with its opening and the poetic lyrics have not ceased to be applicable. Shine on and wish you were here are the standouts. But the long jams in between had me reaching for my guitar too to learn those riffs. Wish you were here is amazing, everyone should have listened to it.

Ça partait mal, avec l’intro de la première chanson, où on se sent comme dans une séance de massothérapie, jusqu’à ce que la guitare embarque, un peu mieux.je ne suis pas un fan des chanson instrumentale de 15 minutes, je vais essayer de rester ouvert 😊Fiou ! il y a de belles harmonies vocales vers 9 minutes. Les paroles et la musique de « Welcome To The Machine » n’accrochent, comme dans « La Maudite machine » d’Octobre en 1971, le système qui nous avale est un thème fort qui me rejoint et qui est très bien exploité ici aussi. Thème qui se poursuit dans la très bonne « Have A Cigar », dans laquelle on dicte à un jeune garçon comment être un bon soldat et comment plaire et faire de l’argent facile. Et la transition vers « Wish You Were Here » est juste parfaite, avec le sampling d’une conversation ou un adulte puissant semble donner la morale à une personne qui semble en douter en lui disant « disciplinary romains mercifully ». Je connaissais ce gros tube, mais j’avais j’avais jamais pris le temps de lire les paroles si belles et qui sont comme un appel à l’espoir d’un possible meilleur dans ce monde si formaté et aliénant. En bref, un très bon album concept qui se tient et dont je reconnais qu’il ne peut être noter que par 5 étoiles. Je souligne aussi la très belle et forte pochette d’Hipgnosis, un collectif qui aurait signé les pochettes de plusieurs groupes progressifs du temps, dont plusieurs autres albums de Pink Floyd.

Je n’arrive pas à croire que je n’avais jamais écouté cet album! J’ai pourtant eu une période Pink Floyd à l’adolescence, mais j’avais décidé de consacrer mon 20 $ à l’achat de Dark Side of The Moon que j’ai écouté jusqu’à plus soif. Et la phase Pink Floyd est passé et je n’y suis jamais vraiment retourné. J’avais aussi un préjugé négatif pour la chanson titre qui, dans mon esprit, avait été contaminé par tous les apprentis guitaristes de mon école secondaire! C’est un disque exceptionnel, je l’ai écouté plus de cinq fois durant la journée. Ce sera mon premier 5 du défi !

I got so immersed in this album that I didn't realize that the sirens I was hearing were not part of the music

10 ★★★★★

A top 3 Floyd album for me. I love "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" and the title track, but not as high on the two other songs. High 4.5 stars

Perfect album. Every song is a highlight. 5 stars.

3.5

A pretty gargantuan gold-plated 5 star for sure. The first 8 minutes of Shine On You Crazy Diamond are grander than 1500 Mozart symphonies and maybe is the finest stretch in all of recorded music and the rest of the album is pretty great as well. Like a tumultuous epic voyage filled with the scrummiest mountain-sized pangs of sadness and regret and a great statement from the band about the music industry after the all-out success of Dark Side Of The Moon. Only 4.3 on the global charts… wish it were higher!

5/5 Yeah, this is stunning

Tastes like good wine. A very satisfying album experience. Fave Tracks: Shine On (all the parts), Wish You Were Here 4.5/5

Excellent

Lots of instrumental parts and pretty mellow

It was fine. Nothing really stood out for me and it wasn’t the best of Pink Floyd albums, in my opinion.

shine on, pts 1-9 is like 30 minutes.

One of the greatest Album of all time and my personal favourite.

Fuck yeah

4.5/5. Great record

Loved it

Without hesitation, one of my top 5 albums of all times. Serious. It is Pink Floyd ash their truly musically best. Amazing. Get wept away with "Shine on you Crazy Diamond parts 6 - 9?" its a 10 not a 5. Darkside is also top but more so for the production and creativity; I prefer this to Darkside.

Very remarkable album, I feel I need to listen it once more

Nice to listen to but not my go to genre

What a beautiful album.

5 Stars, and in my opinion, the best Pink Floyd album. For me, this release arrived at a most impressionable age. I used to put it on, sit on the floor and stare at the burning man, read the lyrics on the liner, and just listen. In later years, with a little grass, i’d spin it and run wild with imagination. Now, many years later, it still stops me cold. Music is truly an amazing medium. It has seeming endless reasons and uses, and is ever evolving. Many tracks are there to add or enhance your current experience, like dancing or driving or fucking. For most, it’s just to provide background. This album tells a story, using lyrics, but mostly with music and sound. To truly experience, listen at night, alone, by fire or candlelight, preferably as a storm rages outside. Use good headphones…. you’ll want it loud, to catch notes and sounds played so quiet and delicate. If you enjoy recreational drugs, definitely use them here. And just listen. And imagine. Damn near Spiritual. God Bless Pink Floyd.

Really enjoyable prog rock album. Their musicality really shines. Another reviewer mentioned that Pink Floyd is best enjoyed as a whole album, and I completely agree. This album is a vibe on a Sunday afternoon. Highlights: shine on you crazy diamond (both), wish you were here

Even though I’m very familiar with this album I’ve still given it a good listen. In many ways this is like the difficult second album, coming as it did after DSOTM. Having said that they still put in a good show and Rick Wright did some great keyboard work. Not their best album for me personally but still a very solid album and deserves its place on the list

It's interesting to comeback to what I thought at age 16 was my favorite PF album, back when I wasn't all that into listening to albums or judged just based on what songs were cool but I was *almost* there in listening to all the songs in an album. It's almost been a decade since (ouch) and it's weird to realize how much I still remember about this album (and also enjoy) but also how much I didn't remember like the smaller details to the instrumentals, particularly the synth work on the Shine on You Crazy Diamond suite orthe foils in Welcome to the Machine. It's the kinds of things that make me realize that there is still a lot that I can dig into these older albums that I didn't realize initially now that I'm more conscious of these things. Anyway, unlike other prog albums I heard before this one is one of the best, maybe it's how emotional and mechanical/space inspired it can be, there's no grand concept beyond being an ode to Sid Barrett and struggles with being a band but it's just really good at acompaning this instrumentals thay fit just what they wanna communicate and I love that about it I'm glad I could return to this one with a fresh outlook on it and still come out of it enjoying it a ton

найс, вайбово, претензий нет. подойдет для вечернего прослушивания, немного напомнило группу space

Could never go wrong with Pink Floyd. Awesome album!

Sparse but filled with emotion. Zero filler songs. This album says what it needs to say and that's it.

So good. Not their best but pretty close.

Thus took me back to high school and a friend back then that sat me down to listen the album start tk finish in its entirety. That is truly how it is best experienced although a song like Wish You Were Here does stand in its own. This album deserves a five just for Punk Floyd having the vision, the concept.

My favourite Pink Floyd album - the title track is one of the best rock songs ever, poignant and yearning with a beautiful guitar riff. Shine on You Crazy Diamond is an epic tribute to their former friend Syd Barrett, that manages to entertain and build to great moments despite it's length across two tracks Every track is good of course, Have a Cigar and Welcome to the Machine have some great, cynical lyrics and I like the synths too. Love this one even better than The Wall / DSOTM

While beautifully produced and played, this was a lot of window dressing just to get to the title track and then an outro of equal spatial masturbating. Not my jam. Math blues rock I could get high to and stare at velvet paintings for a few hours. At this point in my life I will pass. Still it is a highly influential band at their height.