Exploring the Depths: The True Meaning Behind "Wish You Were Here"

By: María Blanco

Photo by: Aubrey "Po" Powell

“Wish You Were Here”, one of the 500 greatest songs of all time according to Rolling Stone, transcends generations and connects people throughout the world. However, the true meaning of this song hides behind the lines of romantic connection and longing for a person who is no longer with you. This is a song about grief and mental health, specifically Syd Barrett’s. The song was written by Roger Waters, guitarist and vocalist of Pink Floyd, and Harold Rome, American composer and lyricist.

The song begins with a timeless intro originally recorded on a Martin D-35 12-string guitar. Then travels through a world of metaphors and complex lyrics that have deep-rooted meanings close to home for Waters. For many, this song is immortal, it holds a diverse meaning that is constantly open to interpretation with each listener giving it their own sentimental meaning. As it progresses, the volume intensifies, and you can feel the frustration and confusion that Waters is so desperately trying to share with the world.

Syd Barrett along with Roger Waters were the co-founders of what we now know as Pink Floyd, one of the most influential and successful rock bands of all time. But Barret’s harrowing fall from grace inspired Waters to create this masterpiece. Barrett spent most of his life between a fragile line, diving reality and addiction to LSD, a psychedelic drug. Eventually, that line would be permanently crossed, and Barrett would go into drug-induced psychosis. Although Barrett was physically there, he had left his mind and would never come back, leaving a deep scar in Water’s heart.

The heavy meaning of this song hides in plain sight, starting from the album cover. It portrays a man burning, and another man shaking his hand, watching as he burns. This represents Water's, watching the thin line that held Barret’s mental health, fade and, eventually crumble. Although Waters adds that this song is completely open to interpretation, and each can add their meaning to it, the real root is the grief he felt for losing Barrett. The song “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd, encourages us to read between the lines and to look for the deeper meaning in everything.