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Pink Floyd — Shine On You Crazy Diamond
Album: Wish You Were Here
Avg rating:
9.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 10264









Released: 1975
Length: 13:17
Plays (last 30 days): 2
Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
You were caught on the crossfire of childhood and stardom,
blown on the steel breeze.
Come on you target for faraway laughter,
come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!
You reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Threatened by shadows at night, and exposed in the light.
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Well you wore out your welcome with random precision,
rode on the steel breeze.
Come on you raver, you seer of visions,
come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!
Comments (2081)add comment


The final songs on WBCN were Cream's "I Feel Free," the first rock song played on WBCN in 1968, and Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," followed by a much-used collage of songs with the line "They're really Rockin' in Boston..." and station bits and ID spots used over the years, which then slowed to a halt before the final words were delivered, borrowing the tagline of the late Darrell Martinie, the Cosmic Muffin: "Over and out." At 12:05 a.m. on August 12, 2009
This reminds me of high school. Need a few more bong hits of Mexican weed.  $20 a OUNCE, or a 1/4 lb. for $50!!! Awww the good old days of lousy pot. 
Roger was there, and he was sitting at the desk, and I came in and I saw this guy sitting behind him – huge, bald, fat guy. I thought, "He looks a bit... strange..." Anyway, so I sat down with Roger at the desk and we worked for about ten minutes, and this guy kept on getting up and brushing his teeth and then sitting – doing really weird things, but keeping quiet. And I said to Roger, "Who is he?" and Roger said "I don't know." And I said "Well, I assumed he was a friend of yours," and he said "No, I don't know who he is." Anyway, it took me a long time, and then suddenly I realised it was Syd, after maybe 45 minutes. He came in as we were doing the vocals for "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", which was basically about Syd. He just, for some incredible reason picked the very day that we were doing a song which was about him. And we hadn't seen him, I don't think, for two years before. That's what's so incredibly... weird about this guy. And a bit disturbing, as well, I mean, particularly when you see a guy, that you don't, you couldn't recognise him. And then, for him to pick the very day we want to start putting vocals on, which is a song about him. Very strange.
 skooba wrote:


Plink Floyd would be a great name for a cover band. 😁


No, better yet; Fink Ployd!
 strous wrote:

Reminds me to the high school time, winter 1977.
Used this music for a slide show which was made by me and some classmates acting in it.
I'm getting old....... 
Rated with a 10 



Same year 1977, while working for BSc finals, this reduced me to tears.  I suppose 1977 is 1900 and frozen over !
Es gibt Songs, die sind und bleiben für die Ewigkeit, und das ist einer davon!
Settle in - relax - enjoy the journey!
*
ode to Sid
Great song.  And like his contemporary Knopfler donated the guitar used to create this masterpiece (Brothers in Arms guitar sold yesterday).  Bravo MK and DG for making the music even that more special (if that is even possible).
too bad roger waters was still playing at this time 
Turn it up to 11! 
Magisterial. 10 plus.
 OlderGentleman wrote:

While I do love Dark Side of the Moon, for my money this is the best album they did.  Stop everything whenever it plays. 



I will second and third that my friend.
While I do love Dark Side of the Moon, for my money this is the best album they did.  Stop everything whenever it plays. 
 cdowning wrote:

This song always reminds me of my best friend that passed away to soon.


I hope that you still have fond memories of him (or her)!
This song always reminds me of my best friend that passed away to soon.
 skooba wrote:


Plink Floyd would be a great name for a cover band. 😁


Oh by the way, which one's Plink? 
 skooba wrote:


Plink Floyd would be a great name for a cover band. 😁


+1 for a cool band name, lol!
This sounds a lot like Pink Floyd.
 hightail wrote:

I’m a late becomer being a Pink Floyd fan. Really late. I was in my mid 40’s. I’m not ashamed to admit it. We grow, we evolve, we improve over time. I had to grow up to Plink Floyd. 



Plink Floyd would be a great name for a cover band. 😁
feels like..i'm at the time of medieval period where holy wars broke loose every now and then.
Hearing alot of Floyd, how about some Yes to go along with it?
It sometimes makes me weep that someone could compose a piece of music so perfect. The mood and the phrasing on Gilmour's guitar notes are perfection. The music tells a story without any lyrics.  
 boxofrain wrote:

When my husband was in hospice toward the end of this life,  I played this for him and he passed on after about one hour.  He couldn't have been more at peace than hearing this album at the end.


That's put a lump in my throat. I too would willingly go into that dark night to this tune in the company of my life partner.

Not quite yet, mind :o)
 prs wrote:

What!  Again!  Had stop and listen!  This has to have the most perfect opening couple of mins - thanks to RW and that's BEFORE the guitar comes in - a couple of mins of DG perfection and then even more RW and eventually the vocal!!

Thank you PF and thank you Radio Paradise




Adding to my comment from a while ago - the RW refers to Rick Wright!
 boxofrain wrote:

When my husband was in hospice toward the end of this life,  I played this for him and he passed on after about one hour.  He couldn't have been more at peace than hearing this album at the end.


That's exactly it. Music has an ability to connect and sooth, encouraging rememberance and reflection. I hope someone does the same for me. 
 paloeguevo wrote:

I feel so sorry for the 83 people that gave this masterpiece a 1.



I don't!  
Some people can't have a great day (or listening experience) because they've made other plans.
just got back a few hours ago from a road trip including drive through Black Hills SD driving through needles park, with tune showing the way up and winding roads.

But watching out for bison wandering on to the road. 
 bimmerfan739 wrote:

Last song, 'BCN. If you know, you know.



Appropriate
Recorded: 13 January– 28 July 1975
 
Interesting to think that at the same time, the radio was full of Neil Sedaka's "Laughter In The Rain" and BJ Thomas's "Hey Won't You Play Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song".  I wonder if there were some DJ's saying "ah, that Pink Floyd, that's just a fad, it's not gonna go anywhere".
Feeling very much like that Crazy Diamond today. This is touching my insides. Sometimes you can only understand a thing when you experience it. Transcendent Excellence. 
Last song, 'BCN. If you know, you know.
I feel like my hand hurts when I try to put 9. But seriously, 10 is a masterpiece  and  first of  V parts of it  on a par with Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven from the point of view  of immersion in serene harmony
gotta be one of my fave tracks of all time by anyone 
I’m a late becomer being a Pink Floyd fan. Really late. I was in my mid 40’s. I’m not ashamed to admit it. We grow, we evolve, we improve over time. I had to grow up to Plink Floyd. 
 Stratocaster wrote:

8,379 ratings - more than 5,000 of them are "10". That says something about how this music affects many of us.



Add another 1,028. A year ater standing at 9407. Will probably be the first song on RP to reach 10,000 ratings. This song does  grab peoples attention either for good or bad.  Solid 10 from me. 
I crank this up every time...for the last 48years!
 bufallo wrote:

Roger's homage to Syd. How much love can you deal with?
Missing a genius you knew who falls before your eyes must be one of the worst of all human pain.


Saw this with my dad as he faded into the hell of Alzheimer's the last couple years of his life. A once brilliant man. Painful indeed.

Roger's homage to Syd. How much love can you deal with?
Missing a genius you knew who falls before your eyes must be one of the worst of all human pain.
Can it get any more 10 than this?  Hope the neighbors like the Floyd because they're going to be hearing this one (1200 watt PA system for a stereo).
I just keep clicking "10" but it doesn't increase...
This is one of those "I can name that tune in one note" songs, epic!
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Don't be so hard on yourself.


Ha!  Perfect response!
Arguably my favorite Pink Floyd song.  Wait?  Why do I need to argue with myself??  F@%& you, me!
Heard this live before they released it. That was some trip!
and shine!
It's an  AMAZING !!!!!!!!!  The older I get, the more 10 I become!!!!
WE will all shine on to The Great OUT There


 rhiangalthie wrote:

Clearly Pink Floyd's Magnum Opus!



After Echoes!
 bimmerfan739 wrote:


Heard that final broadcast live, recorded it, then lost the recording. 

Highly recommended: Carter Allen's history of the station, "Radio Free Boston."


I had just posted "nearly four decades" but it was actually a little longer. Thanks for refreshing my memory.
As I've no doubt posted before, this was the last song WBCN played in 2009 after nearly four decades as "The Rock of Boston." 
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Don't be so hard on yourself.



Bahahaha!
maybe more of a clarion chant
the clarion call
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

nooooooooooooooooooooooooo

can't cut grass now
VERY rarely award top marks but this is 10/10 all day long
 misterbearbaby wrote:
The Crazy Diamons
The Crazy Diamond


Syd Barrett?
 slates13 wrote:


Also 61 and I also think this is one of if not the best Pink Floyd number.  Whole album is in my top 10 along w/Dark Side.  I remember when I first heard this album in my middle school days.  Nothing like it then nor now!
64 here and I remember the 8 track I purchased whilst in High School. One of my first 3 CDs I purchased at National Record Mart (RIP). 

The sax solo.....how it just soars.

The big 3, DSOTM,  WYWH and Animals.

What!  Again!  Had stop and listen!  This has to have the most perfect opening couple of mins - thanks to RW and that's BEFORE the guitar comes in - a couple of mins of DG perfection and then even more RW and eventually the vocal!!

Thank you PF and thank you Radio Paradise
EPIC...
Yeah, it may have become cliche, overplayed, the whole lot.

But the fact is, there may be nothing better than the classic era of Pink Floyd. They are musical bliss. This shit is transcendent. How did they do this? Again and again?  This band has so many songs that force you to drop everything and just get lost in it for the duration. The first time, or the thousandth time.

10, 10, 10.
 paloeguevo wrote:


More than that, how can you listen to RP and give this a 1? I understand it might not be of your liking, but give it a 1? Maybe I think too high of my fellow radioparadisers. Classics cannot be put into a scale, that's what makes a classic a classic


So, maybe they accidentally rated it 1, trying to make it an 11: and got truncated. This masterpiece is clearly deserving of the notional "11"
 paloeguevo wrote:

I feel so sorry for the 83 people that gave this masterpiece a 1.



They're all happy over there at the home.
 rockroll360 wrote:

R.I.P. - The last song played on the night Progressive Radio WBCN 104.1 in Boston, Massachusetts , was this classic by Floyd. This song said it all for it's 41 years on the air.

Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun
Shine on you crazy diamond
Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky
Shine on you crazy diamond
You were caught on the crossfire of childhood and stardom
Blown on the steel breezeCome on you target for faraway laughter
Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shineYou reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon
Shine on you crazy diamond
Threatened by shadows at night, and exposed in the light
Shine on you crazy diamond
Well you wore out your welcome with random precision
Rode on the steel breezeCome on you raver, you seer of visions
Come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine

WBCN signed off for the last time at 104.1 
July 29, 2009

P.S. Just for kicks "I Feel Free' by Cream was the 1st song back in March 15th, 1968 on Freeform WBCN 104.1. 



Heard that final broadcast live, recorded it, then lost the recording. 

Highly recommended: Carter Allen's history of the station, "Radio Free Boston."
Genius...
Totally Epic. 
 scrubbrush wrote:

Interesting how this track is simply named "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" on RP when it is, technically, just parts 1 through 5 of the full two-track "Shine On You Crazy Diamond".... I would argue that RP should either play all 9 parts under the  "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" title or rename this  track to include "parts  1-5" in the title


And I would argue that you should get out more
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Don't be so hard on yourself.



My brother passed away a few years ago and one of his close friends wrote a beautiful eulogy, taking the tone of this song and changing up the words to personalise it. 
My brother was a muso and this was a fitting tribute for sure. 
 timmus wrote:
Just for the record, 98 people gave this a "1".  I'm very curious what would lead someone to rate this the worst on the scale.

Brain Damage?
A deep and unfaltering love for the music of Michael Bolton?
Okay - you win - heard those perfect opening notes and just HAD to stop - turn up the volume and listen - Thanks RP
 jjbchansen159 wrote:

Great song,  but maybe play some lesser played Floyd songs?



More Floyd in general is always a good thing...
Obviously a 10, absolutely a 10.
Imprinted in my brain!! What a great time it was-an absolutely great song - thank‘s Bill for remember …!!!
Great song,  but maybe play some lesser played Floyd songs?
The last song WBCN played in 2009 after thirty-nine years on the air as The Rock of Boston, before fading to static. When I went to look for a cover image to recommend Carter Allen's book on the history of the station I found a SECOND book devoted to the subject, this one by Bill Lichtenstein!

Is there any other rock station that's ever rated TWO books celebrating its legendary status? Hardcover, no less!
This was the golden age.  When a new Floyd album was released the (formerly) cool FM station would play it first to last, and my girl and I would be lying in front of the fire with candles around and the lights off sipping wine.  
Of course then one year we were hanging out with a new one that seemed off, and when the snotty nosed brats started their whining the lights came on, the radio want off, and I moved past them.  (but later albums were still excellent!)
 memoryboxer wrote:

And to think Gilmour was 29 when he wrote this.  What were we all doing at 29? I certainly wasn't carving a permanent niche in the pantheon of music (or anything else for that matter).  Godlike indeed. 


What a wonderful example of his feelings about Syd...
my daily dose of the Floyd! Thanks Bill!
Timeless
The lyrics are great...and they are the worse part of the song.
 timmus wrote:
Just for the record, 98 people gave this a "1".  I'm very curious what would lead someone to rate this the worst on the scale.


More than that, how can you listen to RP and give this a 1? I understand it might not be of your liking, but give it a 1? Maybe I think too high of my fellow radioparadisers. Classics cannot be put into a scale, that's what makes a classic a classic
This is song is actually shorter than it should
its a clarion call 

maybe to be virtuous
oh my...

those first four guitar notes

Ill see you after this song brings me back
Just for the record, 98 people gave this a "1".  I'm very curious what would lead someone to rate this the worst on the scale.
 maxvonevil wrote:



Yes, unfortunately it does.


If only the next song was allowed to fade in. 
Head phones are a must!
Listening while working  at home and can't resist stopping and just cranking this up!  Some songs just get imprinted on your brain. 
 sylvaincorneau wrote:

This song is probably my preferred one since so many years. I’m 61 now and still have so much impact on my feelings. Thanks Radio Paradise



Also 61 and I also think this is one of if not the best Pink Floyd number.  Whole album is in my top 10 along w/Dark Side.  I remember when I first heard this album in my middle school days.  Nothing like it then nor now!
This song is probably my preferred one since so many years. I’m 61 now and still have so much impact on my feelings. Thanks Radio Paradise
One hundred years from now, when we're long gone, I am confident that this song will still be relevant then as it is now.  Can't say there are too many songs / albums from the today's music, that will have this kind of impact that this song / album has had.   I rediscover it every time I hear it.  Thank You RP.
Pure blues
 Chwkbud wrote:
does it ever...end?


Sadly, yes 😉
Ok. It’s a “10” now. I was 19, and this was my world.
 paloeguevo wrote:

I feel so sorry for the 83 people that gave this masterpiece a 1.




Agreed, but as of right now there are 97 ones, and 5105 tens !!  

R.I.P. - The last song played on the night Progressive Radio WBCN 104.1 in Boston, Massachusetts , was this classic by Floyd. This song said it all for it's 41 years on the air.

Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun
Shine on you crazy diamond
Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky
Shine on you crazy diamond
You were caught on the crossfire of childhood and stardom
Blown on the steel breezeCome on you target for faraway laughter
Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shineYou reached for the secret too soon, you cried for the moon
Shine on you crazy diamond
Threatened by shadows at night, and exposed in the light
Shine on you crazy diamond
Well you wore out your welcome with random precision
Rode on the steel breezeCome on you raver, you seer of visions
Come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine

WBCN signed off for the last time at 104.1 
July 29, 2009

P.S. Just for kicks "I Feel Free' by Cream was the 1st song back in March 15th, 1968 on Freeform WBCN 104.1. 

Stops me in my tracks every time it comes on.
Wow.

Today is New Year's Eve. 

Late afternoon. Dark and cloudy. Rain and snow coming down. 

Hark...there is the clarion call from Pink Floyd. It will explain it all. 

  
THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE ALBUMS that I used to put on, intending to flip and hear every bit of it, hungrily soaking up the feelings that it induced. To me, this band, in all its phases, was staggeringly good at creating a powerful spell within every song within an album with a concept within a Universe of entirely Floydian co-ordinates that I can never resist diving all the way into, so that I may receive the benefits of some kind of quantum transformation, every time. I loved their unflinching willingness to be as vulnerable, as passionate, and as artistic in their music as possible, in every way, at every level. I love that I can still have all those feelings come and carry me away from the madness of the world, as always was, is now, and ever shall be, thanks to RP. Amen.
8,379 ratings - more than 5,000 of them are "10". That says something about how this music affects many of us.
GREAT TUNE!  
First time on weed. 14 y.o. steering at this white celing. I still can asure that each reef turns into ligth crossing the white emptyness. I was with my best friend who passed away this year. I havn't had a puff (or sip) in 27 years. And I still can see the light on each cord.
I have to say "Echoes" is my favorite Floyd song but I have enjoyed much of their compilations. 
Sublime.
Also, my personal favourite album cover.
Interesting that this song and Wish You Were Here are both tributes to Syd Barrett. They both seem to have such tremendous affection for him.
This record is a big part of the soundtrack of my childhood. It was one of a handful of 8 track tape's on rotation in my room in high school...timeless!!!
 25demayo wrote:

In great company as one of the top 3 rated songs on RP. A mere 0.013 separates them.

Jimi Hendricks- All Along The Watchtower 9.652
Beethoven- Moonlight Sonata 9.65
Pink Floyd- Shine On You Crazy Diamond 9.639



Nice to see in 2021 that this masterpiece is still at the top of RP's Top Classics, second only to Wish You Were Here, another PF masterpieces. That's pretty darn impressive!
 spensnook wrote:

I remember perfectly when i listen this song for the first time! I remember when i was young more than 35 years ago and shine like the sun! I remember the chills down the spine. Today happens the same. Thank you Pink Floyd!

Ditto - in the school dormitory when Nicky Horne (Capital Radio - Your Mother Wouldn't Like It) played it in its entirety a week before its release, after quipping on the track before 'set your (recording) volume levels up now'... Mindblowing then on an AM transistor radio (can't call it a tranny now...!) under the bedclothes - still magical. The perfect answer to 'how do you follow DSOTM?'

Sublime. Just sublime.
Me too - still get the chills when those four notes sing out!
I remember perfectly when i listen this song for the first time! I remember when i was young more than 35 years ago and shine like the sun! I remember the chills down the spine. Today happens the same. Thank you Pink Floyd!
The most perfet opening for a track - heard it, STOPPED working, and enjoyed!
Clearly Pink Floyd's Magnum Opus!
 smorgan wrote:

I can’t listen to this and not feel just a wee bit stoned. Remembering the huge Koss headphones from my young days. Happy times



Koss Pro Triple A's...?-) Best worn with a neck brace...Those suckers were hefty...

Tony in NJ
W.A.S.T.E.
I love this track.  Shine on Syd wherever you are in the universe. 
How can one describe how good this song is? Doesn’t matter how many times its played still is awesome
This deserves an easy 10, but that leaves me with a dilemma. I can't rate "Wish you were here" with an 11. 
 Chwkbud wrote:
does it ever...end?


If you were ever making out to this, you wouldn't want it to end