anonymous January 26th, 2006 12:18AM  

I agree with it being about Syd.
Dissecting the song doesn't ruin anything. Songs are meant to be dissected. If anything, it helps you to truly appreciate the artist and spark a thought. Take your own meaning from the songs and apply them to your life. Maybe you'll see something in a way you've never thought of before.

anonymous February 13th, 2006 04:29PM  

According to an interview with Roger Waters, none of the songs were about Syd Barret. He stated that they were written to describe the current state of the band and the music industry. Only after the public presumed that the album was about Syd did the band decide to dedicate it to him. This "Urban Legend" only adds to the difficulty of interpreting the song.

In the literal sense, I believe that the song is directed to a dead friend or family member. Only after shooting a video tour of a family cemetery and setting it to the music of Pink Floyd did it hit me.

In the middle of a big green field is a small cemetery plot surrounded by a white wrought-iron fence. The only trees nearby were the ones inside. It was a hot summer day and a cool breeze was blowing. Inside the fence were several markers. Among the lead role were the headstones of the few who had died in battle - the heroes. The fence is a cage, coffins have cold steel rails, and the veil hides the face of the widow. The clincher for me was this inscription on one of the headstones: "Stranger CAN YOU TELL is this where individuality ceases or does it exist beyond."

The band had reached its peak with the success of DSOTM, and Mr. Waters was conveying the band's feelings after their two-year hiatus. I'm still not sure if the band is speaking to the public and music industry from the grave or if the public and music industry are speaking to the band in the grave.

anonymous February 16th, 2006 01:03AM  

The phrase "two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl" may refer to Roger Waters' and David Gilmore's feelings about the band's uncertain future and having to live their lives under public scrutiny.

"Living in a fish bowl" means to live life under public scrutiny. The word "living" may have been changed to "swimming" to make it more metaphorically correct. The number of souls could have been changed from "four" to "two" to make it more personal (one on one) rather than revealing that the band is the subject in the song.

anonymous May 4th, 2006 02:22PM  

I can't believe how wrong most people are about this one. The album and "Shine On..." were definitely directed at Syd. But this song is not about him. It's from the point of view of the band (or anyone in their position) who has gone from a living a normal life in obscurity to sudden super-stardom. "Wish You Were Here" is a statement directed to the person the song writer USED to be.

A band or songwriter spends so much time honing their skills and striving for fame and fortune, and then all of a sudden when they achieve it, they're surprised to find out that they don't feel like themselves anymore. Fame can be very hazardous to your health and well being (see any of these for a perfect example: Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin). It would be nice to enjoy the success and fame and still be the same fun-loving person as you used to be, but that just doesn't happen often.

On the 30th Anniversary DVD for Dark Side of the Moon, David Gilmour makes a comment about the follow up album, and says "That's what the next album is all about -- Wish You Were Here...because we weren't". That's the key right there -- WE WEREN'T. It's got nothing to do with Syd.

anonymous October 11th, 2006 01:15AM  

I personally think that this song is about whatever you want it to mean.. I mean the group could have directed it towards syds departure, but I also think that they wanted listeners to link the goups views to yours, so you can also personaly relate to the song andnot just syd.

killabee123 January 7th, 2007 10:34PM  

It could be about syd but I think it's about choosing between good and bad.

swestvballplyr27 February 22nd, 2007 03:29PM  

Syd Barrett died July 7th 2006 in Cambridge, England at age 60

anonymous June 19th, 2007 01:20PM  

This song is about the band coping with sudden superstardom.

The difference between a green field and a steel rail, is the price of the ticket, and the seat that you get at the concert.

The difference between a smile and a veil, is if the band is really happy to be their, or just putting on a happy face for show.


The whole next verse is about offering to exchange places with the fans, actually that is what the whole song is about.

The fish bowl is the stadium that we, (fans and the band, ((2 lost souls)), ) keep swimming through year after year, going over the same songs.

The song is about not having fun as a superstar, and I kind of get the feeling that they don't want us to keep filling up the fish bowl.

anonymous July 6th, 2007 04:11AM  

Everyone who says Syd Barrett left the band because he went "insane" is ignorant the song is about him and his leaving the band. However, he left do to power tripping so to speak and yet the band still "wished he were there."

anonymous November 30th, 2007 12:35AM  

O.K I'm going to start by stating the fact "I am not, nor have ever claimed to be a Pink Floyd expert" but would love to share my opinion on the meaning of the lyrics to my all time fav song. First and foremost I agree partially with killabee 123, I think its is about good/bad, or what is right and what is wrong, but mainly how it's your responsibility to choose fro yourself, and the song is asking if you yourself even know what is right or wrong...ok..."so so you think you can tell, heaven from hell, blue skies from pain"...all I get out of this is (and it might not be this simple) can you personally tell/know what is wrong or right, aside what you have learned to believe and do you really know happy from sad. Now the rest I have probably misinterpreted greatly but like I said just my opinion..."can you tell a green field, from a cold steel rail, a smile from a vail, do you thik you can tell"...i think this is expressing physical changes metaphorically, be it the band or the earth itself, a green field, which is something natural an unaltered by man, a cold steel rail, something totally man made, in some peoples eyes an improvement, either on the band or like, the construction of a railroad, where a green field once was. A smile, the way people want to seem, which is happy when their hiding their true feelings behind a mask (vail)."Did they get you to trade, your heroes for ghosts, hot ashes for trees, hot air for a cool breeze, cold comfort for change, did you exchange a walk on part in the war, for a lead role in a cage" ok "heroes for ghosts" instead of being happy for who and what you have (heroes) you want to meet other people and have unreal things (ghosts)..the effect society has on people always wanting better things. really no idea on hot ashes for trees, or hot air for a cool breeze...but cold comfort for change I think is, something your used to and can live with a way of life persay (cold comfort) for a new outlook on things everything, life in general feeling you need to improve, (change)..ok I'm thinking this as far out as it is is talking about people dodgong the draft, " WALK ON PART IN THE WAR" and being put in jail "lead role in a CAGE"

anonymous November 30th, 2007 12:35AM  

O.K I'm going to start by stating the fact "I am not, nor have ever claimed to be a pink floyd expert" but would love to share my opinion on the meaning of the lyrics to my all time fav song. First and foremost I agree partially with killabee 123, I think its is about good/bad, or what is right and what is wrong, but mainly how it's your responsibility to choose fro yourself, and the song is asking if you yourself even know what is right or wrong...ok..."so so you think you can tell, heaven from hell, blue skies from pain"...all I get out of this is (and it might not be this simple) can you personally tell/know what is wrong or right, aside what you have learned to believe and do you really know happy from sad. Now the rest I have probably misinterpreted greatly but like I said just my opinion..."can you tell a green field, from a cold steel rail, a smile from a vail, do you thik you can tell"...i think this is expressing physical changes metaphorically, be it the band or the earth itself, a green field, which is something natural an unaltered by man, a cold steel rail, something totally man made, in some peoples eyes an improvement, either on the band or like, the construction of a railroad, where a green field once was. A smile, the way people want to seem, which is happy when their hiding their true feelings behimd a mask (vail)."Did they get you to trade, your heroes for ghosts, hot ashes for trees, hot air for a cool breeze, cold comfort for change, did you exchange a walk on part in the war, for a lead role in a cage" ok "heroes for ghosts" isnstead of being happy for who and what you have (heroes) you want to meet other people and have unreal things (ghosts)..the effect society has on people always wanting better things. really no idea on hot ashes for trees, or hot air for a cool breeze...but cold comfort for change I think is, something your used to and can live with a way of life persay (cold comfort) for a new outlook on things everything, life in general feeling you need to improve, (change)..ok I'm thinking this as far out as it is is talking about people dodgong the draft, " WALK ON PART IN THE WAR" and being put in jail "lead role in a CAGE"

anonymous January 7th, 2008 02:01PM  

I think that it is about Roger talking to Syd, but he is warning him about drugs, " a smile* from a veil^" ( *Roger being happy with him...^ Roger sad because he's dead..) There is a small indication in each lyric- " so you think you can tell Heaven ( on drugs and happy) from hell (dead). Some is also about what the band thought of Syd- "Trade your heroes(Syd alive) for ghosts(syd dead)" And I am barely touching the surface.

mariusbaldrey January 31st, 2008 04:14AM  

The song is probably about Syd Barrett, but who can know for sure? (Does it matter?)The point is, most lyric-writers are deliberately vague about the meaning of their lyrics due to the fear of potential triviality being revealed. Most don't discuss lyrics openly; some words/phrases are chosen simply because they rhyme or 'sound good.' Nick Mason's book about the band says that Syd's visit to the studio during the recordings contributed a certain poignancy to the songs, but how would he know? How much did he contribute creatively anyway? He isn't even a very good drummer if we're honest, so maybe his memory isn't that accurate either. Who cares?

I guess it might be best just to enjoy this composition for the great piece of music that it is, although the mystery is undeniably intriguing. No offense to Syd's fans, but I believe Syd leaving Floyd enabled the band to hire someone like Gilmour who knew something about melody and harmony. Water's lovely poetry helps the song be a big hit, but the credit goes to David Gilmour for knowing how to get the music across. Lyrics are always secondary, and if you disagree, go and study poetry.

anonymous February 2nd, 2008 12:40PM  

Firstly for all those who said Syd walked into the studio when they were recording this song.. It was actually for "shine on you crazy..". This song I think is about the pain you feel for someone whom you really love are no more, either dead or just gone. It has certain tone of anger initially where he asks if the person has made the right choice in leaving and taking the easier way out.

anonymous March 16th, 2008 03:47AM  

It WAS written about Syd Barrett, and he WASN'T dead at the time.

The end.

anonymous March 24th, 2008 09:02AM  

As with all art, the lyrics are interpretive, and the listener/viewer finds their own personal meaning/symbolism.

I feel strongly that when a song is written it is personal(syd barretts departure from band/their lives; grappling with fame; pressure expectation> loss of privacy/simplicity of life before fame)but the intention is that it is still illusive enough that the listeners will relate, and therefore enjoy, the song.

Consequently, they have the capacity to become anthems of a particular year, or even generation, and musically/lyrically/melodically have the power to inspire future generations. Other examples of this rarity are Hotel California and Don Mclean's American Pie

It can be as simple or as complex as we, the listeners, decide.

To dissect: So, so you think you can tell, Heaven from Hell-meaning right from wrong. This is alluding to the spiritual element of what is in us, the more we seek/grow...
Blue Skies from Rain- meaning happiness/contentedness from depression/misery...
Green Field from a COLD Steel Rain- what is natural/REAL, from what is artificial, "created", fabricated-FAKE...
A Smile from a Veil-meaning the warmth of a genuine smile which is a beautiful thing, compared with a veiled, camera ready and forced smile that further fuels the facade

Then it kicks up a notch and directly asks did "they" get you to trade... basically, all those things for lesser things... essentially alluding to "selling out"!

I especially love the lyric "And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?"

I think that's pretty clearly about Celebrity/Fame, being in the Spotlight, the "cage" being another word for "fishbowl", to soon follow- AND I think from that time it could have been about actual "part in the war", but could be poetically referencing the war on accepting the way things are and greater good of humanity, etc....

Wish You Were Here- because the music is so emotive here, I do believe it is about missing somebody, who has either passed away or ceased to exist as you once knew them- but agree that it could be the songwriter talking to his former self, pre fame, celebrity, wealth, power, etc....!

A masterful, beautiful mystery, to be sure!

anonymous May 5th, 2008 04:46PM  

For me, it is definitely about "selling out" and giving up your dreams - about people who, gradually, gave up their ideals and forgot who they truly are, because they couldn't make the difference between true and false values, while trying to be successful in life, and they ended up in a self - made "cage". It is about not being able to tell between what is real and what is just a pretty imagination that is actually malicous and bad for you. It is like a well known truth that the devil isn't red and ugly,with a long tale and sharp teeth - he is usually wrapped in something nice, sweet and unbelievably attractive that promises you all the fun and all the happiness you can imagine....until it destroys you. You brought to this world as a free man, as an innocent child, able to see people who they really are, but, eventually, as the years go by, and your apetite for wealth and security goes stronger, you go under influence of media and "mainstream" opinion , and you start to give up your
"I did it my way" philosophy, you abandon everything that is too different from general behaviour and accepted opinion, in order to fit in, to live in comfort: " did they get you to change your heroes for ghosts? .....cold comfort for change...DID YOU EXCHANGE A WALK ON PART IN A WAR FOR A LEAD ROLE IN A CAGE ? ". Did you exchange an opportunity to fight for your ideals, to take "a part in a war" , for a better position at work, a bigger car, popularity and fame ? Because, that kind of matrix world has thousands of rules, takes your individuality and orders you how to look, how to eat, how to have fun, how to have sex !
So , when you, eventually, come to the point that you have all those things you wanted so bad, that you have your "heaven", your " blue skies" and your green field", suddenly, you can't realise why you are not as happy as you thougt you would be, and you can't tell anymore if your heaven is actually hell, and your blue skies are actually pain.... and you wish that the person you once were is back. You miss the free man you once were, the free man you killed, and all that is left from a rebel you once were, is a silent fish, swimming in a cage made of glass...everybody is looking at you, you are the star - the beautiful exotic fish, your bowl is luxurious and the glass is the best glass money can buy, but you are completely exposed, your every move is detected,under shiny lights you have no privacy.... AND THERE IS NO HOPE FOR ESCAPE.
I keep these lyrics on my wall, to remind me, every morning,not to make that mistake.

anonymous May 17th, 2008 06:14PM  

Waters said in the pink floyd reunion tour when they started to play wish you were here "this is for everyone who's not here but particularly of course for Syd" so it's at least partially written for Syd barrett

anonymous May 26th, 2008 10:41PM  

I think songs are meant to be interpreted by each listener, and this song, for me personally, reflects my brother's death due to drug addiction/overdose. "So you think you can tell..heaven from hell..." To me, this speaks of the attraction to using drugs, thinking you are experiencing heaven, or maybe hell. Good vs. Evil, all that kinda stuff. How drugs alter your perceptions, blurring the line of reality. "Did they get you to trade..your heros for ghosts..." I like this line, It makes me think of my brother, and how drugs made him trade his hopes and dreams, and all the good things in his life, for "ghosts": sadness, bad people, death, addiction, despair. Finally, "did you exchange..A walk on part in the war, for a lead role in a cage" Makes me think of "war" as "life". As if, just living, all the day to day stuff is a struggle, a "war" if you will, and turning to drugs means you give up your part in life, to be a prisoner to drugs, "living" your life in a cage, and, eventually, in a box(coffin).

So, I guess this has nothing to do with the history of this song, but it just seems to speak so much to me and my situation right now, that I had to share.

anonymous June 11th, 2008 07:56PM  

Another one who agrees that the song was inspired largely by the band's rise to super stardom and the changes that entailed, & probably also reminiscing about the early days of the band. Here's a breakdown of the way I interpret the lyrics more generally.

______________________
So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell,
blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
______________________
This first verse is coming from a place where nothing is as it seems - there's perhaps a slightly jaded/sarcastic tone to the idea that the subject of the lyrics can tell the difference between the seemingly clear-cut opposing concepts. What you think to be the case is not really the case - and that's made more powerful by the fact that the concepts are polar opposites. Hints at a deception. The lyrics could be self-reflexive (someone questioning their own beliefs) or ideas which apply to people in general.
_________________________________________
And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
__________________________________________
This second verse moves it up a level, now asking if the deceptions were acted upon, suggesting that they have. The last line hints at a past spent struggling in insignificance, only to find that when elevated to a position of fame that the fame itself is more constraining than the difficult past was.
______________________________
How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have you found? The same old fears.
Wish you were here.
__________________________
I'd read this as applying specifically to Syd Barrett, but the song can be read more generally. The lyrics suggest that despite the changes that have taken place, it hasn't made any difference to happiness or the feeling of being trapped somewhere (either trapped in insignificance, or trapped by fame). Ultimately the song is saying: wherever you go, there you are, and suggesting that we go through life blinkered to a certain extent only to find that what we thought would make us happy actually doesn't. These are sentiments which apply to most people as well as to the specific situation with the band at the time, which is probably one of the reasons for its enduring appeal.