Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here is a prog rock album by Pink Floyd, released on September 15, 1975 (see 1975 in music). The album is a homage to former bandmember Syd Barrett, whose mental ill health had made it impossible for him to continue as a useful member; this makes the album more melancholic than most of their previous records, though there are notes of optimism and joy throughout. The title track Wish You Were Here is said to be as much about the thoughts they have that they are falling apart as a band, as a tribute to Syd. The suite "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" is divided into nine parts and begins and closes the album (parts one through five open it, parts six through nine are the final track).

Wish You Were Here peaked at #31 on Billboard's USA Pop Albums chart.

Track listing

"Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 1-5" (Gilmour/Waters/Wright) - 13:34
"Welcome to the Machine" (Waters) - 7:31
"Have a Cigar" (Waters) - 5:08
"Wish You Were Here" (Gilmour/Waters) - 5:34
"Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 6-9" (Gilmour/Waters/Wright) - 12:31

Personnel

Roy Harper - Vocals on "Have a Cigar"
Roger Waters - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Nick Mason - Drums
Richard Wright - Keyboards, Vocals
Venetta Field - Background vocals
Pink Floyd - Producer
David Gilmour - Guitar, Vocals
Brian Humphries - Engineer
Dick Parry - Saxophone
Carlena Williams - Background vocals

plus

Peter Christopherson - Design Assistant (see Hipgnosis)
Peter James - Engineer, Assistant Engineer
Hipgnosis - Design, Photography
George Hardie - Illustrations
Richard Manning - Design Assistant
Howard Bartrop - Design Assistant
Jeff Smith - Design Assistant