Wish You Were Here. A warning for all who get involved in the music business and a tribute to a lost Brother, Sid.
Released in September 1975, *Wish You Were Here* is one of Pink Floyd's most celebrated albums, often regarded as a quintessential expression of the band's artistic vision. The album, both musically and visually, delves into themes of absence, alienation, and the pressures of the music industry, with a particular focus on former band member Syd Barrett. The album’s cover art, initial packaging, and the music itself all reflect the band’s introspective journey during this period.
Album Cover and its Meaning
The cover art for *Wish You Were Here* is iconic, filled with symbolism that resonates with the album's themes. The design was created by Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell of Hipgnosis, the British graphic design company responsible for many of Pink Floyd's album covers. The front cover features two men in suits shaking hands in what appears to be a business transaction, but one of the men is on fire, a powerful metaphor for the duplicity of the music industry and the band’s own disillusionment. The concept of the "burnt-out" artist is central to this image, symbolizing the destruction caused by the relentless demands of the music industry.
The cover originally came wrapped in a black, opaque plastic shrink-wrap with a sticker of a mechanical handshake over it. This additional layer served to obscure the artwork and suggested the theme of absence—a recurring motif in the album. The black shrink-wrap also represented the void or the unknown, inviting listeners to peel away the layers to uncover the deeper meaning beneath.
The Designers: Hipgnosis
Hipgnosis, the design studio behind the cover, was known for its surreal and often enigmatic album art. Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey Powell, the minds behind the studio, had a long-standing relationship with Pink Floyd, having designed covers for earlier albums like *The Dark Side of the Moon*. Thorgerson’s style was marked by its use of photographic manipulation and surreal imagery, which became a trademark of Pink Floyd's visual identity. Other notable works by Hipgnosis include Led Zeppelin’s *Houses of the Holy* and Genesis’s *The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway*.
Which Ones Pink?
The Songs and Their Meaning
*Wish You Were Here* is a relatively short album, with only five tracks, but each is rich in meaning and deeply connected to the band’s experiences at the time.
1. **"Shine On You Crazy Diamond"** - Written by Roger Waters, David Gilmour, and Richard Wright, this nine-part epic bookends the album and serves as a tribute to Syd Barrett, the band’s former leader who had succumbed to mental illness. The song reflects on Barrett’s brilliance and his tragic downfall, with the lyrics evoking a sense of loss and melancholy.
2. **"Welcome to the Machine"** - Written by Roger Waters, this track critiques the music industry and its exploitation of artists. The song’s mechanical, cold sound is achieved through the use of synthesizers, contributing to the theme of dehumanization.
3. **"Have a Cigar"** - Another composition by Roger Waters, this song is a scathing satire of the music business. The lyrics depict a cynical record executive’s dialogue, revealing the superficiality and greed within the industry. Vocals for this track were provided by Roy Harper, a folk singer and friend of the band, due to Gilmour and Waters feeling that their voices didn’t suit the sarcastic tone of the song.
4. **"Wish You Were Here"** - Co-written by Waters and Gilmour, this is one of Pink Floyd’s most beloved tracks. The song is a poignant reflection on absence, inspired by the band’s longing for Barrett’s presence and their own sense of alienation. Its acoustic intro and heartfelt lyrics make it a stark contrast to the more industrial sounds of the other tracks.
5. **"Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-IX)"** - The album closes with the continuation of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," bringing the tribute to Syd Barrett full circle. The haunting instrumental passages and the reprise of earlier motifs reinforce the album’s introspective tone.
Other Musicians and Production
The production of *Wish You Were Here* was a meticulous process, overseen by Pink Floyd members themselves, particularly Roger Waters and David Gilmour, along with the band’s longtime engineer, Brian Humphries. The album was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London, where the band spent months refining their sound.
Apart from Roy Harper’s contribution to "Have a Cigar," other musicians who contributed to the album include Dick Parry, who played saxophone on "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," and Stephane Grappelli, the famous jazz violinist who added subtle strings to the final mix of "Wish You Were Here," though his contribution was so subtle that it is barely audible.
The album's production involved complex layering of sounds, from Gilmour’s ethereal guitar solos to the innovative use of synthesizers by Richard Wright. The band used a variety of effects, including the EMS VCS 3 synthesizer and the Mini Moog, to create the album's distinctive atmosphere. The mixing process was equally detailed, with the band ensuring that every element contributed to the overall concept of the album.
Chart Success and Legacy
Upon its release, *Wish You Were Here* was both a commercial and critical success. It topped the charts in several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., the album reached number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold just six weeks after its release. It has since been certified six times platinum by the RIAA, underscoring its enduring popularity.
The single "Have a Cigar" was released with "Welcome to the Machine" as the B-side and achieved moderate success. Although it didn’t chart as high as some of the band’s previous singles, it received significant radio play and has since become one of Pink Floyd’s most recognizable tracks.
Floyd shows get big
The Supporting Tour
The tour in support of *Wish You Were Here* was a grand spectacle, marked by the band’s increasing use of elaborate stage effects and visuals. The tour began in the U.S. in April 1975, even before the album was released, and featured performances of much of the new material alongside older favorites. The shows were notable for their use of a giant circular screen projecting surreal visuals, a precursor to the elaborate productions that Pink Floyd would become known for in the years to come.
The tour was, however, also a period of increasing tension within the band, with Roger Waters beginning to assert more control over the band’s direction, a dynamic that would later lead to the fracturing of the group. Despite these tensions, the tour was a critical and commercial success, further solidifying Pink Floyd's status as one of the world’s leading rock bands.
