By Andrew Sansone

Wish You Were Here is the seminal masterwork of Pink Floyd. Originally released in 1975, it stands the test of time as one of the best records ever released. From the first guitar riffs of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” to the haunting sounds of “Welcome to the Machine,” Wish You Were Here hits on all cylinders and gives the listener an amazing sonic experience. It is highly recommended to any Pink Floyd buff or any fan of classic rock. Wish You Were Here exemplifies Pink Floyd’s musical talents in an album that remains one of the most critically praised albums of all time. Drawing inspirations from jazz and rock, it melds a brilliant symphony of sound in Floyd’s conceptual follow up to Dark Side of The Moon.

Every song on the album is a classic in its own right. “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 1-5)” combines brilliant lyrics with some incredible guitar work. Next up is the classic “Welcome to the Machine,” with its dystopian lyrics and haunting mechanical sound. The title track, “Wish You Were Here,” is an amazing track that combines musical wizardry with lyrical prowess. Finally, the album closes with “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 6-9).”

The album is dedicated to Syd Barrett, the founding member of Pink Floyd, who left the band in early 1968. Barrett, the musical genius who spearheaded Floyd’s incredible first release (The Piper At The Gates of Dawn), became mentally unstable and unable to continue with the band after a swift rise to fame and the resulting drugs and insanity. Wish You Were Here can be interpreted as a chronicle of Sid Barrett’s meteoric rise and fall. The lyrics in each song reflect a part of Barrett’s life, from his early genius (“Shine On You Crazy Diamond [Pts. 1-5]”), to his rising fame and entry into the music industry (“Welcome to the Machine/Have a Cigar”) and eventually his downfall (“Wish You Were Here”/”Shine On You Crazy Diamond [Pts. 6-9]”). In an ironic twist, Barrett’s replacement, David Gilmour, is featured heavily; especially in the opening track.

Wish You Were Here is one of the greatest albums ever released by one of the greatest bands of all time. While the album has only five songs, it is no lightweight by any measure. Wish You Were Here is infinitely replay-able, and will provide any music fan with hours of pleasure.