Media Analysis: Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here”

In Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here,” the band centers its focus on the leaving of Syd Barret, their original lead singer and songwriter. Before diving into the song itself, it is best to indicate the reason why the song was written. Prior to leaving the group, Syd Barret became consumed in his use of LSD and psychedelic substances. This eventually fueled the growth of his underlying mental illness and his extreme erratic actions and disconnectedness from reality. His use of these substances had gradually caused him to grow apart from the band, with him ultimately leaving the group. The whole album is actually a tribute to him, but this song specifically mourns the departure and “loss” of their former band member. 

The song starts off with a melancholy guitar riff, followed by the words “so you think you can tell.” This is followed by numerous comparisons, such as “Heaven from Hell,” and “smile from a veil.” At first, it may be a bit hard to identify what exactly the song is talking about. As the song continues on, the end of the first verse states “do you think you can tell” which is a repetition of the first line. This is actually extremely significant, as it is signifying the use of LSD and how psychedelics took over Syd Barret”s mind. The band is simply asking if Barret is able to tell the difference between two things, each representing either a positive or negative connotation. Heaven from hell, blue skies from pain, a green field from a cold steel rail, all of which are near opposites of each other. The song is centered around these comparisons, as there are 23 lines and 10 of which are used to identify the positives and negatives. Also, the words “you think you could tell” are being used twice in the first verse, but the very first line actually starts with the word “so,” with the full first line being “so, you think you could tell.” The simple two lettered word “so” can actually be used as a form of resentment, showing the disappointment the band members feel toward Barret. One of the most impactful lines being “did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage” in the second verse, implies how he chose death (metaphor, “walk on part in the war”), over being a lead role in a band. The lyric describes the band as a cage, as the music industry, fame, and label had caused them to be locked into some type of enclosed environment for themselves. Yet even though they despise what the music industry has done to them, they still have deep disappointment in the road that Barret chose. The final verse rolls along with them finally admitting to their feelings despite all the anger they have toward the situation. The first line of the last verse being “How I wish, how I wish you were here” showing the deep feelings they truly have for Barret and how they miss him as a band member. This verse, similar to “you think you can tell ” is actually repeated once again but as the very last line of the song, showing an emphasis on how much they miss Barret. These are all significant because the song goes from displaying the band’s anger toward Barret, to displaying their sadness toward the loss of their friend, which has a direct correlation to the 5 stages of grief. 

This song is open for many interpretations, as this is just mine. This song is popular for those who are mourning the death of a loved one by its ability to display the stages of grief. Although Syd Barret did not die, his abandonment of the band took a large toll on the members, as they felt as if he truly did die.