Faced with the impossible task of following up The Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd returned to their experimental roots before touring refocused the band — and hardened Roger Waters’ growing disillusionment with the music industry. Recorded at Abbey Road in early 1975, the album is haunted throughout by the ghost of Syd Barrett, whose unexpected and unrecognised appearance in the studio during sessions seemed to crystallise the quiet desperation running through every track.
The centrepiece is the majestic, 25-minute “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” a nine-part eulogy to their lost leader that bookends the record and contains David Gilmour’s most iconic four-note guitar figure. Between its two halves sit three equally essential tracks — the biting industry satire of “Have A Cigar,” the churning dread of “Welcome to the Machine,” and the achingly bittersweet title track. Released to indifferent reviews, it shot to No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic regardless, cementing Pink Floyd as one of rock’s most powerful and emotionally resonant forces.
At the beginning of the recording sessions most of us didn’t wish we were there at all, we wished we were somewhere else.” — Roger Waters, 1993
Track Listing: Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)
| # | Title | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Shine On You Crazy Diamond (1–5) | 13:38 |
| 02 | Welcome to the Machine | 7:31 |
| 03 | Have a Cigar | 5:24 |
| 04 | Wish You Were Here | 5:17 |
| 05 | Shine On You Crazy Diamond (6–9) | 12:29 |