My first listen of Shine on You Crazy Diamond remains one of my most cherished memories of my adolescence. There was a voracious and charismatic Danish exchange student at my high school called Hans who put a whole group of us onto this song in grade 11 cerca 1989. During a night-out at his exchange parent’s home, he had us lie down on the living room. After slight murmurs and curious giggles silence ensued and he put on today’s featured track. I had no idea that his little social-music experiment would almost send me off into a trance. Music had never had that transcendental affect on me before. The experience felt like we were following some special rights passage of his proud culture which he had left behind.
This is not a song, this is a spiritual experience
The following was extracted from the Wikipedia article below:
Shine On You Crazy Diamond is a nine-part Pink Floyd composition written by David Gilmour, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright, which was first performed on Pink Floyd’s 1974 French tour and appeared in Pink Floyd’s 1975 concept album Wish You Were Here. This song is the 4th Pink Floyd piece to showcase here after their previous entry On the Turning Away.
The song is written about and dedicated to founder member Syd Barrett, who departed from the band in 1968 after dealing with mental problems and substance abuse. The track was originally intended to be a side-long composition, like “Atom Heart Mother” and “Echoes“, but was ultimately split into two parts Parts I–V and Parts VI–IX and used to bookend the album, with other newly composed material acting as a bridge. The song would be the first song to be started and the last song to be recorded for the album.
[Verse 1: Roger Waters]
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 in 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
Threatenеd by shadows at night
And exposed in the light
Shinе on (Shine on), you crazy diamond (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
Nobody knows where you are
How near or how far
Shine on, you crazy diamond
Pile on many more layers
And I’ll be joining you there
Shine on, you crazy diamond
And we’ll bask in the shadow of yesterday’s triumph
And sail on the steel breeze
Come on, you boy child, you winner and loser
Come on, you miner for truth and delusion, and shine!
References:
1. Shine On You Crazy Diamond – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
I love that track, Matt, even though it’s long – sometimes, I find it challenging to keep my attention when listening to long songs. Not so with Pink Floyd, one of the bands who go all the way back to the beginning of my music journey as a 7-year-old growing up in Germany.
My six-year-older sister had the “Wish You Were Here” album on vinyl at the time, and while listening to it in her room unknowingly introduced me to this incredible music. To this day, it remains one of my all-time favorite albums!
There is nothing quite like the atmospheric sounds of a Pink Floyd track and ‘Crazy Diamond’ couldn’t represent that transcendental sound any better. It’s pure musical genius to my senses.
You do indeed have a profound and long association with their music. I imagine I’m not nearly across their music as you, especially their earlier career. I can see why you consider the record one of your favourites. Thanks for commenting Christian.
A thoroughly entrancing song!
That which it is.
I love this song
Yes, it’s something else. I think ‘Shine on you…’ is one of my favourite atmospheric and transcendental songs. My name is Matt btw in case I haven’t introduced myself to you. Cheers.
It’s lovely to meet you Matt. You have some amazing music here.
Oh, that’s so gracious of you to say. You made my day! Thank you.
I love your musical presentation, it’s very uplifting. 🎶
I feel fortunate to have such a loyal even if very small readership including your good self. I’m honoured.
I love music of all genres and often use it as illustration at my own blog. I sincerely appreciate your sharing some very fine music!
What’s your first name, if you don’t mind sharing it?
My names Rene.
Hi Rene. Great name!
Thank you Matt.
Matt, I’m a huge fan of Pink Floyd , I think Crazy Diamond is brilliant. I never get tired of that. Cheers!
Sweet. I can’t say I’m across all of their discography but for me it has always been between this and ‘Learning to Fly’ as to my Desert Island Floyd keeper, perhaps this by a smidgen because of the memories. What’s your favourite song by them?
It’s a toss up between Crazy Diamond and Comfortably Numb. 😊
I really love the blissful state of Comfortably Numb. Great choice.