Comments on: The story of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" (video) http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 08:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Roi Truax http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1504910 Roi Truax Sat, 11 Aug 2012 23:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1504910 I really liked (place any given bands name here) before they "sold out"... It's always fashionable for some to say things like this. Usually though, the pontificator wasn't even born while the band in question existed. I really liked (place any given bands name here) before they “sold out”…

It’s always fashionable for some to say things like this. Usually though, the pontificator wasn’t even born while the band in question existed.

]]> By: Roi Truax http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1504903 Roi Truax Sat, 11 Aug 2012 23:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1504903  Well how could she?  Well how could she?

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1504765 Xeni Jardin Sat, 11 Aug 2012 16:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1504765 For avoidance of doubt: I do not agree that the Wall is the band's best record just because it sold a ton of copies. Couldn't reply further down in this thread because of Disqus' threading limitations. What sells isn't necessarily what is of the greatest quality. And like other commenters, I think I probably just hate it because it was so overplayed on radio during my teen years. It's like hating a food you were force-fed as a child. But by no means should my musical preferences dictate what you enjoy! For avoidance of doubt: I do not agree that the Wall is the band’s best record just because it sold a ton of copies. Couldn’t reply further down in this thread because of Disqus’ threading limitations.

What sells isn’t necessarily what is of the greatest quality.

And like other commenters, I think I probably just hate it because it was so overplayed on radio during my teen years. It’s like hating a food you were force-fed as a child.

But by no means should my musical preferences dictate what you enjoy!

]]> By: Xeni Jardin http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1504759 Xeni Jardin Sat, 11 Aug 2012 16:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1504759 Damn, that is amazing! Thanks, Donald! Damn, that is amazing! Thanks, Donald!

]]> By: skeptacally http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1504241 skeptacally Fri, 10 Aug 2012 20:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1504241 you can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/user/rweghg3 though there is some copywrite blockage.  you can see it if you are in brazil.  or APPEAR to be in brazil. of course, here in canada, i definitely can't see it. you can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/user/rweghg3

though there is some copywrite blockage.  you can see it if you are in brazil.  or APPEAR to be in brazil.

of course, here in canada, i definitely can’t see it.

]]> By: TheMudshark http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1504133 TheMudshark Fri, 10 Aug 2012 18:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1504133 I´m sorry about your brother. I´m sorry about your brother.

]]> By: Paul Cooke http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1504074 Paul Cooke Fri, 10 Aug 2012 18:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1504074 Dead video... someone snitched and got it pulled... Dead video… someone snitched and got it pulled…

]]> By: ljonesfl http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1504026 ljonesfl Fri, 10 Aug 2012 17:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1504026 Video is gone :( Video is gone :(

]]> By: Justin http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503587 Justin Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503587 La Vallée was such a godawful movie, too. Shame. La Vallée was such a godawful movie, too. Shame.

]]> By: Justin http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503582 Justin Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503582 Final Cut was basically a Roger Waters solo album. And it's excellent. Final Cut was basically a Roger Waters solo album. And it’s excellent.

]]> By: Justin http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503581 Justin Fri, 10 Aug 2012 10:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503581 THANK you. It's my favourite too. Stay is a near-perfect song. THANK you. It’s my favourite too. Stay is a near-perfect song.

]]> By: x jeremy jarratt http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503559 x jeremy jarratt Fri, 10 Aug 2012 09:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503559 somebody stone me somebody stone me

]]> By: Patrick http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503463 Patrick Fri, 10 Aug 2012 05:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503463 So many memories.  I was born in '62, so while I remember the buzz around the album, I guess I wasn't ready for it until the early '80s, when I discovered it and Animals during an acid-eating period.  Cassettes on a boombox in a very altered state. Meddle, DSOTM, WYWH and Animals are nearly perfect, in my view. I like parts of The Wall, where the others were allowed to contribute, but I agree that it was the beginning of the end, which manifest itself in Final Cut, as a sort of Waters solo project.  I find that record unlistenable, and gave up on them at that point.  I thought they did some interesting songs on later records, but can't remember listening to any of them all the way through.  Thanks for the post, and the other comments.  Floyd had that weird, evocative way of making you feel isolated, and seeing others' memories is kinda cool.  So many memories.  I was born in ’62, so while I remember the buzz around the album, I guess I wasn’t ready for it until the early ’80s, when I discovered it and Animals during an acid-eating period.  Cassettes on a boombox in a very altered state.
Meddle, DSOTM, WYWH and Animals are nearly perfect, in my view. I like parts of The Wall, where the others were allowed to contribute, but I agree that it was the beginning of the end, which manifest itself in Final Cut, as a sort of Waters solo project.  I find that record unlistenable, and gave up on them at that point.  I thought they did some interesting songs on later records, but can’t remember listening to any of them all the way through. 
Thanks for the post, and the other comments.  Floyd had that weird, evocative way of making you feel isolated, and seeing others’ memories is kinda cool. 

]]> By: Larisa http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503407 Larisa Fri, 10 Aug 2012 02:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503407 What a coincidence! I’ve been listening to WYWH over and over again (for the first time in ages) since Romanian gymnast Sandra Izbasa performed her floor routine to Shine On You Crazy Diamond last week. She did okay until, er, the faceplant at the very end. (Hoping someday some gymnast or skater will use Barrett's "If It's In You") What a coincidence! I’ve been listening to WYWH over and over again (for the first time in ages) since Romanian gymnast Sandra Izbasa performed her floor routine to Shine On You Crazy Diamond last week.

She did okay until, er, the faceplant at the very end.

(Hoping someday some gymnast or skater will use Barrett’s “If It’s In You”)

]]> By: Jeffrey Burka http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503404 Jeffrey Burka Fri, 10 Aug 2012 02:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503404 Ooooh, synchronicity.  Yesterday walking home from work I was impressed to see a tattoo on someone's calf of the two men, one on fire, handshaking from the cover of this album.  Made me want to listen to it again for the umpteenth time.  And now Xeni posts this.  Thanks! Ooooh, synchronicity.  Yesterday walking home from work I was impressed to see a tattoo on someone’s calf of the two men, one on fire, handshaking from the cover of this album.  Made me want to listen to it again for the umpteenth time.  And now Xeni posts this.  Thanks!

]]> By: pjcamp http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503371 pjcamp Fri, 10 Aug 2012 01:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503371  Saw the same show in Atlanta.  Saw the same show in Atlanta.

]]> By: George Neal http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503204 George Neal Thu, 09 Aug 2012 22:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503204 Agreed.  I think Obscured is their first album that is solid from beginning to end. Agreed.  I think Obscured is their first album that is solid from beginning to end.

]]> By: smotherbrother http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503191 smotherbrother Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503191 Damn, the firsthand account of Syd Barrett's re-appearance in the studio was chilling.  I keep holding out hope that "Remain In Light" gets the full-length doc treatment one of these days.  Damn, the firsthand account of Syd Barrett’s re-appearance in the studio was chilling. 

I keep holding out hope that “Remain In Light” gets the full-length doc treatment one of these days. 

]]> By: David Telford http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503178 David Telford Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503178 You do know Comfortably Numb is a track from The Wall, don't you? Doesn't mean you have to like the rest of the album, just sayin ;). The Division Bell will always hold a painfully special place in my hart, as my older brother chose to end his life and leave this world while listening to it, 18 years ago as of Aug 7th. We miss you Nigel. You do know Comfortably Numb is a track from The Wall, don’t you? Doesn’t mean you have to like the rest of the album, just sayin ;).

The Division Bell will always hold a painfully special place in my hart, as my older brother chose to end his life and leave this world while listening to it, 18 years ago as of Aug 7th. We miss you Nigel.

]]> By: TheMudshark http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503145 TheMudshark Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503145 I dislike "The Wall" which may be partly due to the fact that the titular song has been annoying the living frigg out of me ever since I first heard it. I quite enjoy "The Division Bell" though, so it´s not such a clear cut to me. The whole album reminds me somewhat of "Comfortably Numb", which is one of my favourite Floyd songs. In any case, WYWH is by far my favourite album of theirs. I dislike “The Wall” which may be partly due to the fact that the titular song has been annoying the living frigg out of me ever since I first heard it.

I quite enjoy “The Division Bell” though, so it´s not such a clear cut to me. The whole album reminds me somewhat of “Comfortably Numb”, which is one of my favourite Floyd songs.

In any case, WYWH is by far my favourite album of theirs.

]]> By: Eric http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503117 Eric Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503117 Great Album but I remember at its height being so overplayed on the radio we all just got sick of it. The greatest payoff was telling my two year old daughter that if she did not eat her meat she would not get any pudding Great Album but I remember at its height being so overplayed on the radio we all just got sick of it.
The greatest payoff was telling my two year old daughter that if she did not eat her meat she would not get any pudding

]]> By: David Telford http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503038 David Telford Thu, 09 Aug 2012 20:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503038 Shall we argue semantics? How should I interpret Xeni's statement about their "point of decline" if not in the context of popularity? It most likely wasn't applied to the actual quality of the album, since arguably the material is quite stellar. Also, as I was not contradicted by Xeni, I will continue to assume that was the intent. Shall we argue semantics? How should I interpret Xeni’s statement about their “point of decline” if not in the context of popularity? It most likely wasn’t applied to the actual quality of the album, since arguably the material is quite stellar. Also, as I was not contradicted by Xeni, I will continue to assume that was the intent.

]]> By: IronEdithKidd http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1503030 IronEdithKidd Thu, 09 Aug 2012 20:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1503030 Obscured By Clouds is,and will always be, one of my favorite recordings of all time.  It never gets a mention when Floyd comes up.  I can only guess it gets ignored because it was recorded as a film soundtrack. :/ Obscured By Clouds is,and will always be, one of my favorite recordings of all time.  It never gets a mention when Floyd comes up.  I can only guess it gets ignored because it was recorded as a film soundtrack. :/

]]> By: cleek http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1502987 cleek Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1502987  i had that summer, too. except it was winter, and i had the Pretenders' first record in the #3 slot.  i had that summer, too. except it was winter, and i had the Pretenders’ first record in the #3 slot.

]]> By: cleek http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1502985 cleek Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1502985   my appreciation for Syd-era has gone up considerably after decades of listening to Robyn Hitchcock. but, that's probably not a typical path..   my appreciation for Syd-era has gone up considerably after decades of listening to Robyn Hitchcock. but, that’s probably not a typical path..

]]> By: Erik Denning http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1502964 Erik Denning Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1502964 Piper at the Gates of Dawn was a completely different band in some ways, so it's kinda hard to compare that to most of their other, agreeably fantastic albums. Piper does have a fresh, lively, playful sound to my ears and that is a kind of psychedic. Syd, Roky Erickson, Arthur Lee, Skip Spence, Nick Drake, Brian Wilson. I'm sure I'm forgetting others. Sigh. Piper at the Gates of Dawn was a completely different band in some ways, so it’s kinda hard to compare that to most of their other, agreeably fantastic albums. Piper does have a fresh, lively, playful sound to my ears and that is a kind of psychedic. Syd, Roky Erickson, Arthur Lee, Skip Spence, Nick Drake, Brian Wilson. I’m sure I’m forgetting others. Sigh.

]]> By: wysinwyg http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1502965 wysinwyg Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1502965 @facebook-100000252750881:disqus You are the only person in this subthread to even mention popularity. Edit: You should interpret it however the hell you want while allowing for the fact that other people might have other interpretations. I actually think The Wall sucks and so I interpreted "decline" as "decline in quality". As far as Xeni's intent, I suspect it's to avoid getting in a stupid argument like this one. @facebook-100000252750881:disqus You are the only person in this subthread to even mention popularity.

Edit: You should interpret it however the hell you want while allowing for the fact that other people might have other interpretations. I actually think The Wall sucks and so I interpreted “decline” as “decline in quality”. As far as Xeni’s intent, I suspect it’s to avoid getting in a stupid argument like this one.

]]> By: David Telford http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1502959 David Telford Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1502959 We weren't discussing quality, but the decline of their popularity, which can easily be tracked by album and concert sales. We weren’t discussing quality, but the decline of their popularity, which can easily be tracked by album and concert sales.

]]> By: Donald Petersen http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1502953 Donald Petersen Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1502953 Coincidentally enough, that cover photograph was taken directly outside my office here at Warner Bros, mere yards from where I'm currently sitting.  The slightly diagonal buttresses to the far left are the lower walls of Stage 16, the big stage with the WB badge that you see in the "underwater" sepia logo at the head of recent WB movies.  I'm in the eastern end of Building 44, immediately behind the camera and to the left. Other than a slightly more attractive paintjob and a bit of landscaping at the far end of the street, the location is still perfectly recognizable. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/smaugjr/7748059674/in/photostream/lightbox/" rel="nofollow">Here's how it looked</a> seven minutes ago. Coincidentally enough, that cover photograph was taken directly outside my office here at Warner Bros, mere yards from where I’m currently sitting.  The slightly diagonal buttresses to the far left are the lower walls of Stage 16, the big stage with the WB badge that you see in the “underwater” sepia logo at the head of recent WB movies.  I’m in the eastern end of Building 44, immediately behind the camera and to the left.

Other than a slightly more attractive paintjob and a bit of landscaping at the far end of the street, the location is still perfectly recognizable.

Here’s how it looked seven minutes ago.

]]> By: wysinwyg http://boingboing.net/2012/08/09/the-story-of-pink-floyds-w.html#comment-1502947 wysinwyg Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:48:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=175666#comment-1502947 Why is the assumption that whatever sells the best has the highest quality?  Is there any other variety of art where this argument is made with a straight face?  I'd say the fact that it's 23x platinum is actually more evidence for their decline considering the quality of most multi-platinum records. Why is the assumption that whatever sells the best has the highest quality?  Is there any other variety of art where this argument is made with a straight face?  I’d say the fact that it’s 23x platinum is actually more evidence for their decline considering the quality of most multi-platinum records.

]]>