Pink Floyd

Lyrics

[Part 6 (0:00 - 4:38): Instrumental]
[Part 7 (4:38 - 6:02)]

[Verse 1: Roger Waters, with Richard Wright]
Nobody knows where you are
How near or how far

[Refrain: Roger Waters & David Gilmour]
Shine on, you crazy diamond

[Verse 2: Roger Waters, with Richard Wright]
Pile on many more layers
And I'll be joining you there

[Refrain: Roger Waters & David Gilmour]
Shine on, you crazy diamond

[Chorus: Roger Waters]
And we'll bask in the shadow of yesterday's triumph
And sail on the steel breeze
Come on, you boy child, you winner and loser
Come on, you miner for truth and delusion, and shine!
[Part 8 (6:02 - 9:00): Instrumental]
[Part 9 (9:00 - 12:27): Instrumental]

Pink Floyd is one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, known for their abstract lyrics, experimental sound, and epic tracks. One of the songs that perfectly encapsulates their style is Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 6-9, the closing track from their ninth studio album, Wish You Were Here. Filled with haunting melodies, exceptional musicianship, and poignant lyrics, this song remains a masterpiece of rock music, loved by fans and critics alike.

About Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 6-9

Shine On You Crazy Diamond is a nine-part song that pays homage to Syd Barrett, one of the co-founders of Pink Floyd, who left the band due to mental health issues. The song is divided into two parts, each comprising four subsections and an ending. While parts one to five were released on the first side of the album, parts six to nine were reserved for side two, forming a sublime coda to the musical journey.

The opening of Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 6-9 is filled with gentle, spacey sounds that slowly build up to a grand instrumental section, featuring soaring guitars and keyboards, pulsating rhythms, and ethereal sound effects. The band shows off their exceptional musicianship and creative energy, mixing different tempos, moods, and textures to create a kaleidoscopic sonic landscape.

As the song progresses, the lyrics start to emerge, painting a picture of a ghostly figure of a man, lost in his memories and dreams, haunted by the shadows of his past. The lyrics pay tribute to Barrett and his unique persona, his creative vision, and his tragic decline into mental illness, which led to his departure from the band in 1968.

The metaphor of a diamond, shining brightly but also cracked and flawed, runs throughout the song, symbolizing both the brilliance and the fragility of human nature. The lyrics are open to interpretation and invite the listener to reflect on the meaning of life, creativity, and insanity.

The instrumental section of Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 6-9 is one of the highlights of the song, showcasing the band's ability to create hypnotic, immersive, and emotionally charged music. The guitar solos by David Gilmour are particularly impressive, conveying a sense of yearning, nostalgia, and transcendence. The interplay between the instruments and the sound effects creates a cinematic ambiance that evokes both the vastness and the intimacy of the human experience.

Overall, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 6-9 is a masterpiece of progressive rock, combining artistry, originality, and emotional depth. It showcases Pink Floyd's musical genius as well as their poetic sensibility, making it a quintessential song of the 1970s and a timeless classic of rock music.

Conclusion

Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 6-9 is a song that defies categorization, blending elements of rock, jazz, blues, and psychedelia into a unique and powerful statement. With its mesmerizing melodies, haunting lyrics, and virtuosic instrumentation, it captures the essence of Pink Floyd's vision and influences countless musicians to this day. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the band or a casual listener, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 6-9 is a song that deserves to be heard and cherished, for its beauty and its mystery.

• Release Date: September 12, 1975
• Artist: Pink Floyd