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List of songs about or referencing Syd Barrett

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Syd Barrett was an English singer, songwriter, musician and painter who co-founded the rock band Pink Floyd in 1965. He was known to be reclusive.[1][2][3] Reclusiveness may coincide with mental disorders and some persons may have speculative diagnoses of schizophrenia (see List of people with schizophrenia), but this does not mean that Barrett's songs, and the songs about him, concern reclusion: for example, the instrumental "Interstellar Overdrive" exemplify Pink Floyd's early psychedelic period.

Barrett left Pink Floyd less than a year after the release of their first single, "Arnold Layne". He played with the band only on their first two albums (The Piper at the Gates of Dawn and A Saucerful of Secrets), contributing the song "Jugband Blues" as the closing track on the latter, before recording two albums in 1970 (The Madcap Laughs and Barrett), the latter of which failed to chart. In 1975, the Pink Floyd album Wish You Were Here became a popular screed against music business with its theme the loss of Barrett.[a]

With the decline of the record industry[b] and changes in the music business,[c] Barrett's alienation remains relevant.[4][5] The following list is indicative of Barrett's legacy.[6]

Songs

[edit]
Released Title Writer(s) Artist Notes
1996[7] "What's the New Mary Jane" Lennon, JohnJohn Lennon Beatles, TheThe Beatles Aug 1968 outtake, supposedly inspired by Barrett,[8][9] released in 1996
Apr 1999 "Incarceration of a Flower a Child" Roger Waters[10] Marianne Faithfull 1968 composition supposedly about Barrett,[11][12] or perhaps a revision of it[13]
Oct 1970 "If" Roger Waters Pink Floyd Supposedly about Barrett[14][15][16][17]
Sep 1978 "Pink's Song" Richard Wright Richard Wright Visibly about Barrett
Nov 1972 "Oh! Wot A Dream" Kevin Ayers Kevin Ayers About Barrett[18]
Mar 1973[19] "Brain Damage" Roger Waters Pink Floyd References Barrett[20]
Sep 1974[21] "Mr. Barrett" John Steele [22] Flaming Star From a self-produced album dedicated to Barrett[22]
Sep 1975[23] "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" Roger Waters, Richard Wright, David Gilmour Pink Floyd About Barrett[24]
1978[25] "Psychedelic Punkeroo" Twink[26] Twink And The Fairies About Barrett[27]
Jan 1981[28] "I Know Where Syd Barrett Lives"[29] Dan Treacy Television Personalities About Barrett[30]
Apr 1981 "The Man Who Invented Himself"[31] Robyn Hitchcock Robyn Hitchcock Wrongly supposed to be about Barrett[32][33][34]
May 1984[35] "Song For Syd Barrett" Martin Newell The Cleaners from Venus About Barrett[36][37]
1986[38] "Stolen Letters" Magic Y, Uncle T[39] Peter Sellers and the Hollywood Party About Barrett[40]
1987[41] "Spun Out Of A Mind" Magic Uncle[42] Peter Sellers and the Hollywood Party Barrett lyrics in title (of the 7" single)[43]
June 1992[44] "Song For Randy Newman Etc." Martin Phillipps[45] The Chills Barrett mentioned[46]
Mar 1994 "High Hopes" David Gilmour, Polly Samson Pink Floyd Refers to Barrett[47]
1995 "Syd's Wine" Steve Peregrin Took Steve Peregrin Took 1972 demo. (Original 1971 song title was "Beautiful Deceiver")
Release title refers to Barrett whom, Tony Secunda alleged, performed on the track.[48]
Feb 1996[49] "A Star Too Far (Lullaby for Syd Barrett)"[50] Genesis P-Orridge, Larry Thrasher Genesis P-Orridge and Psychic TV[51] About Barrett[6][49]
May 1996 "My Man Syd" Anton Newcombe, The BJM [52] The Brian Jonestown Massacre About Barrett[53]
Oct 1998[54] "1974"[55] Robyn Hitchcock Robyn Hitchcock Refers to Barrett[56]
Nov 1998[57] "Hyperdrive Reprise" Brock, DaveDave Brock Hawkwind Instrumental for Pink Floyd book, partial cover[58]
2000[59] "Anyday-Anyway (Encore)"[60] Kevin Coyne, Achim Goettert[61] Kevin Coyne From a self-distributed live album about Barrett[62][63]
Dec 2000[64] "Ya znayu, gde zhivet Syd Barrett" Umka & Bro[65] Umka & Bro Russian version of "I Know Where Syd Barrett Lives"[64]
June 2004[66][67] "Syd Barrett Blues" Rod Webber Rod Webber About Barrett[68]
Oct 2005[69][70] "Gente de Barrett" Sidonie Sidonie About Barrett[71]
Feb 2006[72] "Syd Barrett" Alain Pire[73] Michel Drucker Experience About Barrett[74]
Sep 2006[75] "Scarecrows In The Rain"[76] Mystery Jets Mystery Jets About Barrett[77]
Oct 2008[78] "Oranges and Apples" The Trash Can Sinatras[79] The Trash Can Sinatras About Barrett[78]
Nov 2008 "Dark Asteroid"[80] The Damned[81] The Damned Dedicated to Barrett[82][83]
Dec 2008[84] "Nobody Home" Phil Judd, Rod Leith Phil Judd Refers to Barrett[85]
2009 "We Know Where Mr. Barrett Lives"[86] Michael Svidén[87][88] Michael Swidén Revision of a July 2006 MP3 about Barrett,[89] released in 2010[90]
Sep 2010[91] "Morts-Vivants" Katerine[92] Katerine Mentions Barrett (in French)[93]
Mar 2012[94] "When Your Garden's Overgrown"[95] Paul Weller, Simon Dine[96] Paul Weller About Barrett[97]
Oct 2012 "Agnus Dei" Fred Fortin Gros Mené Mentions Barrett (in French)[98]

Other songs

[edit]

The above list may be incomplete, and subtle references may be found in songs not included above, especially Pink Floyd songs such as "Fearless",[12] which would be more explicit in "Brain Damage"[20] and songs in The Wall such as "Hey You" and "Nobody Home".[99] Some claimed Barrett references turn out to be spurious.[100][101] The Shamen credit their song "It's All Around" to Barrett[102] and some bands, like Jennifer Gentle, are named after Barrett songs (in this case, from a line in "Lucifer Sam");[103] two bands are known as Baby Lemonade. Italian band Birdy Hop is named after a Syd Barrett song;[104] the title of their debut album, Welcome To The Insanity Ride, recalls a line from "Octopus"[105][106] and producer and singer-songwriter Amerigo Verardi[107] has been compared to Barrett.[108] Los Prisioneros's "Concepción" mentions Barrett in the chorus, referencing the rumors about him living in Chiguayante, and how supposedly the 2 cities he ever made a concert in were London and Concepción.[109]

Cover versions of Barrett songs

[edit]

Of the many cover versions of Syd Barrett songs,[13][110] the best-known are David Bowie's 1973 "See Emily Play",[111] The Jesus and Mary Chain's 1984 "Vegetable Man",[112] R.E.M.'s 1989 "Dark Globe" and the Smashing Pumpkins' 1991 "Terrapin".[113]

Internet songs

[edit]

Sharing and streaming over the Internet has resulted in a number of unreleased Barrett tributes, including the 1999 mp3 "Elephant" by Rex Tangle on his website,[114] the 2000 instrumental MP3 "A Tribute to Syd" by The Worms on disc 18 of Have You Got It Yet?,[13] a 2007 video of "There's A Man In Cambridge (Song for Syd Barrett)" by "Alec" on YouTube,[115] and a 2007 parody cover video ("Pink Floyd – Paying The Piper") by "Pauldullson", also on YouTube.[116]

Notes

[edit]

The following are references cited in order to link to explanatory information. The references not cited in specific parts of the article are in the External links section at the bottom of the page. The other sources are in the next section.

  1. ^ Lasri, Hemza (18 December 2009). "Top Ten: Songs about other artists". ClashMusic.com. Clash Magazine Limited.
  2. ^ Evangelista, Benny (16 June 2003). "Music industry changing its tune / Teenagers who download from Internet finally forcing record industry to adapt". SFGate. Hearst Communications, Inc.
  3. ^ Wolff, Michael (10 June 2002). "Facing the Music". NYMag.com. New York Media LLC.

References

[edit]

Where not otherwise specified, the retrieved dates in the reference section are assumed to be 28 March 2014.

  1. ^ Feldman, Elliot (16 July 2007). "Famous Celebrity Recluses: Johnny Carson, Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett, Author Harper Lee and More". Yahoo Voices. Yahoo Contributor Network. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  2. ^ Bailey, Jason (6 September 2013). "10 Notorious Pop Culture Recluses". Flavorwire. Flavorpill Media.
  3. ^ Jensen, K. Thor (18 February 2014). "11 Most Famous Celebrity Recluses". IFC.com. AMC Networks Inc.
  4. ^ Indar, Josh (7 November 2013). "Is Rock 'n' Roll Dormant, Dying or Already Dead?". PopMatters.com. PopMatters Media, Inc.
  5. ^ David (8 June 2012). "Must See: Lauryn Hill Warns Artists Against 'Dangerous' Music Industry". That Grape Juice. PlayBigMedia.com.
  6. ^ a b Palacios, Julian (2010). "Foreward [sic]: Genesis Breyer P-Orridge". Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd: Dark Globe. London: Plexus. p. 7. ISBN 9780859654319.
  7. ^ "Beatles, The – What A Shame, Mary Jane Had A Pain At The Party (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com.
  8. ^ Laughing Madcaps (September 2003). "Notes: v1.1". HYGIY 19: Apocrypha. Open publishing.
  9. ^ Jones, Cliff (September 1996). "The Crazy Diamond: Syd Barrett". Mojo. London: Emap. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  10. ^ "Incarceration of a Flower a Child – Marianne Faithfull". AllMusic.
  11. ^ Millan, Mark (24 September 2009). "The Daily Vault Music Reviews : Vagabond Ways". Mark Millan and The Daily Vault.
  12. ^ a b Palacios, Julian (2010). Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd: Dark Globe. London: Plexus. p. 392. ISBN 9780859654319.
  13. ^ a b c Laughing Madcaps (2003). "random notes". HYGIY #18. Open publishing.
  14. ^ Sullivan, Jim (17 April 2019). "Nick Mason's Flying Saucer". Rock and Roll Globe. Sea of Reeds Media.
  15. ^ Blake, Mark (22 September 2016). "Pink Floyd: The Story Behind Atom Heart Mother". Louder Than Sound. Future Publishing.
  16. ^ Abdi, Sanati, Young, Stephanie (May 2017). "'The eyes have it': Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd". The British Journal of Psychiatry. 210 (5). Royal College of Psychiatrists: 314. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.117.198135 – via ProQuest.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ Jean-Michel, Guesdon; Philippe Margotin (2017). Pink Floyd: All the Songs – The Story Behind Every Track. Running Press. p. 243. ISBN 978-0316439237 – via Google Books. 'If' tackles a theme that had haunted Roger Waters at least since Syd Barrett's forced departure from the band, and one that runs through several of his other major compositions, such as 'Brain Damage' ...
  18. ^ Cavanagh, John (2003). Pink Floyd's the Piper at the Gates of Dawn. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 121. ISBN 9781441125682.
  19. ^ "U.K. Pink Floyd LP Discography". The Pink Floyd Archives.
  20. ^ a b Palacios, Julian (2010). Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd: Dark Globe. London: Plexus. p. 400. ISBN 9780859654319.
  21. ^ Rick Salsman, ed. (2006). Terrapin: The Magazine of the Syd Barrett Appreciation Society: the Complete Collection 1972 to 1975. Central Studios. pp. 146–147. ISBN 9781585051502.
  22. ^ a b "Flaming Star – In The Piper's Magical Kingdom – album insert". Discogs.com.
  23. ^ "Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com.
  24. ^ Macan, Edward (1997). Rocking the Classics: English Progressive Rock and the Counterculture. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 113–114. ISBN 9780195098877.
  25. ^ "Twink (4) And The Fairies* - Do It '77 (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com.
  26. ^ "Images for Twink (4) – Psychedelic Punkeroo / Seize The Time". Discogs.com.
  27. ^ Trueman, Ivor (5 December 1985). "Interview with Twink". Opel #11. London: Self-publishing.
  28. ^ "Television Personalities – ...And Don't The Kids Just Love It (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com.
  29. ^ "I Know Where Syd Barrett Lives-Television Personalities", Allmusic, retrieved 18 January 2016
  30. ^ "I Know Where Syd Barrett Lives – Television Personalities". AllMusic.
  31. ^ "The Man Who Invented Himself-Robyn Hitchcock", Allmusic, retrieved 18 January 2016
  32. ^ Harris, Will (2 November 2011). "Robyn Hitchcock". The Onion.
  33. ^ Alden, Grant (January 1995). "The Rhino Reissues".
  34. ^ Shea, Stuart (2009). Pink Floyd FAQ: Everything Left to Know ... and More!. Milwaukee: Backbeat Books. ISBN 9781617133947.
  35. ^ "Martin Newell Discography: Martin Newell". Idiot-Dog.com. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  36. ^ dinahmoe0. "All comments on Song for Syd Barrett". YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  37. ^ "Under Wartime Conditions – Cleaners from Venus". AllMusic.
  38. ^ "Peter Sellers & the Hollywood party – Peter Sellers meets Syd Barrett". Estatica.
  39. ^ "Syd Barrett / Anthony Moore / Peter Sellers & The Hollywood Party – Where Is The Madcap Called Syd... (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com.
  40. ^ Ferrari, Luca (1989). Syd Barrett. Where is the madcap called Syd... Viterbo: Stampa Alternativa. p. 87. Archived from the original on 7 May 2006.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  41. ^ "Peter Sellers And The Hollywood Party / Pinky Silence And Mad Horses – What Exactly Is A Joke.... (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com.
  42. ^ "Images for Peter Sellers And The Hollywood Party / Pinky Silence And Mad Horses – What Exactly Is A Joke..." Discogs.com.
  43. ^ "Pink Floyd – Jugband Blues Lyrics". MetroLyrics. Archived from the original on 30 July 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  44. ^ "Soft Bomb – The Chills". AllMusic.
  45. ^ "Martin Phillipps", Allmusic, retrieved 18 January 2016
  46. ^ "THE CHILLS – Song for Randy Newman Etc. Lyrics". ReleaseLyrics. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014.
  47. ^ Palacios, Julian (2010). Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd: Dark Globe. London: Plexus. pp. 422–423. ISBN 9780859654319.
  48. ^ Syd Barrett & Pink Floyd: Dark Globe By Julian Palacios, Plexus 2010
  49. ^ a b "Trip Reset – Psychic TV". AllMusic.
  50. ^ "'A Star Too Far' Lyrics", LetsSingIt, retrieved 18 January 2016
  51. ^ "Images for Genesis P-Orridge* And Psychic TV Featuring "The Angels Of Light"* – Trip Reset". Discogs.com.
  52. ^ "My Man Syd – The Brian Jonestown Massacre". AllMusic.
  53. ^ Spencer, Charles (9 August 2008). "Tortured genius". The Spectator. London: Kimberly Quinn.
  54. ^ "Storefront Hitchcock – Robyn Hitchcock". AllMusic.
  55. ^ "'1974' Lyrics", LetsSingIt, retrieved 18 January 2016
  56. ^ Walsh, Keith (October 2006). "The Barrett/Hitchcock Connection". Perfect Sound Forever.
  57. ^ "CD Singles – Hawkwind – Exclusive Tribute CD – The Pink Floyd Encyclopedia – Collector's Guide Publishing Inc. – Canada". 45worlds.com.
  58. ^ "Hawkwind CD Singles". Starfarer's Hawkwind Page. Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  59. ^ "Setlists: Kevin Coyne". Live Music Trading. www.yellow-tigerduck.de. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  60. ^ 'Anyday-Anyway (Encore)', retrieved 18 January 2016
  61. ^ Achim Goettert, retrieved 18 January 2016
  62. ^ Opera for Syd, retrieved 18 January 2016
  63. ^ Regis, Pascal. "Albums". Pascal's Kevin Coyne Page. kevincoynepage.tk.
  64. ^ a b Умка – Я знаю, где живет Сид Барретт (in Russian). UmkaBase.
  65. ^ "Umka: Albums: Weltschmerz". www.umka.ru.
  66. ^ "SoundClick artist: Rod Webber – page with MP3 music downloads". SoundClick Inc.
  67. ^ "FLOYDSTUFF.COM : MUSIC FROM BIG PINK". FloydStuff.com.
  68. ^ "About Rod Webber". Sonicbids Corporation.
  69. ^ "Sidonie – Fascinado (CD + DVD, 2005)" (in Spanish). Musicoscopio.
  70. ^ "Split – Musica – The Vegetable Man Project vol. 3 (Rock, Alternativo, Post-Rock)". Rockit.it.
  71. ^ Ros, Marc (4 October 2011). "El alma rota de Pink Floyd, por Marc Ros (Sidonie)" (in Spanish). RollingStones.es. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014.
  72. ^ "La Médiathèque : Détails du média". La Médiathèque. Archived from the original on 5 April 2014.
  73. ^ "Alain Pire — Radio Bodink" (in French). Radio Bodink. Archived from the original on 5 April 2014.
  74. ^ Jalet, Claudy (11 February 2007). "Michel Drucker Experience" (in French). Devor-Rock.
  75. ^ "Mystery Jets – Diamonds In The Dark (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com.
  76. ^ "'Scarecrows in the Rain' Lyrics", LetsSingIt, retrieved 18 January 2016
  77. ^ Colothan, Scott (28 July 2006). "Mystery Jets Write Song About Syd Barrett". Gigwise.
  78. ^ a b "Trashcan Sinatras – In The Music". Paris DJs. 28 July 2009. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  79. ^ "Oranges and Apples – The Trash Can Sinatras". AllMusic.
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  82. ^ Freedman, Stefanee (15 May 2013). "Punk Pioneers 'The Damned' Bring It Back To The OC". OC Concert Guide.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
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  89. ^ Moccia, Vittorio; Cunningham, Corey. "Dolly Rocker". www.pink-floyd.org.
  90. ^ "Michael Svidén – Musik" (in Swedish). www.michaelsviden.se.
  91. ^ "Philippe Katerine". Katerine Website.
  92. ^ "Katerine – Philippe Katerine (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com.
  93. ^ "Morts-Vivants paroles Katerine". MyRebirth.fr. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014.
  94. ^ "iPaul Weller – Sonik Kicks (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com.
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  96. ^ "Simon Dine", Discogs, retrieved 18 January 2016
  97. ^ Murray, Robin (17 April 2012). "Paul Weller Unveils New Single". ClashMusic.com. Clash Magazine Limited.
  98. ^ "Agnus Dei | Gros Mené". Bandcamp. Retrieved 29 November 2024
  99. ^ Shepard, Eric. "An Analysis Of Roger Waters' Opus The Wall". REG Issue #18.
  100. ^ Watkinson, Mike; Anderson, Pete (1991). Crazy Diamond: Syd Barrett and the Dawn of Pink Floyd (2006 ed.). London: Omnibus Press. pp. 242‒244. ISBN 9780857121226.
  101. ^ "Focal Point". Technicolor Web of Sound – 60s Psychedelic Internet Radio. www.techwebsound.com.
  102. ^ "Images for Shamen, The – Strange Day Dreams". Discogs.com.
  103. ^ Kelly, Jennifer (13 June 2005). "Jennifer Gentle's Joyful Psyche". Neumu.net. Insider One LLC.
  104. ^ Birdie Hop
  105. ^ Palacios, Julian (30 September 2009). "Untangling the Octopus v3 by Belbin/Palacios". Syd Barrett Pink Floyd. www.sydbarrettpinkfloyd.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  106. ^ "Insanity-The Ride at the Stratosphere". VEGAS.com.
  107. ^ Tammone, Francesca (27 June 2011). "Birdy: più di vent'anni di Musica, successi e passione". Brindisi & Italia News (in Italian). Italia News.
  108. ^ Fanizza, Alfonso (28 September 2009). "Intervista Amerigo Verardi: Re Di Una Generazione" (in Italian). Mescalina.it.
  109. ^ "Desglosando 'Concepción' de Los Prisioneros - El Gran Concepción". elgranconcepcion.tumblr.com. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  110. ^ Palacios, Julian (2010). Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd: Dark Globe. London: Plexus. p. 419. ISBN 9780859654319.
  111. ^ "Pin Ups - David Bowie". AllMusic.
  112. ^ "Jesus And Mary Chain, The – Upside Down (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com.
  113. ^ MonteLDS (29 June 2012). "Flashback Friday: Mashed Potatoes". Crestfallen.com.
  114. ^ "Rex Tangle – Pipe Dog". Rextone Productions. Archived from the original on 8 June 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  115. ^ "There's A Man In Cambridge (Song for Syd Barrett)", YouTube
  116. ^ "Pink Floyd – Paying The Piper", YouTube
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