*Remember when you were young, You shone like the sun, Shine on your crazy diamond, **and Syd you always shone on the crazy diamond! Practically you must have lost some tracks in your life and perhaps you could have sung the song, "Coming back to life"! This is Syd Barret’s life. An Insight to the legendary rockstar Syd Barrett [ Pink Floyd 1965-1968 ].
He lead an eccentric loner’s life who had been to a’comfortably numb’ stage. I admire Syd, not because he was into the Psychedelic rock. You might be thinking what’s all about this word "Psychedelic Rock". Its nothing but "**Psychedelic rock** is a style of rock music sometimes inspired by or attempting to replicate the mind-altering experiences brought on by drugs such as cannabis, psilocybin, mescaline, and especially LSD."
Now when we observe his personal life, Syd did have a good education in Cambridge and moved due to the music track which influenced him much. Perhaps the only person who was an all rounder in his time who sang, lead a life not bringing his personal life into his work. But, 1968 made this’madcap’ laugh by quitting the band and let the world numb for not knowing why and what made Syd quit the band. Many believe that it was due to his ill mannered behavior which made his band members kept a distance. Real life and reel life differs. I have been an eccentric loner for quite some time and when I have studied Syd Barrets life, I was against for what they have written on him since when we lead an eccentric life, we not only look for something different but also to shapen our character to bring out something new. They say Barrett’s erratic behaviour forced his colleagues to eventually replace him with guitarist and singer David Gilmour. But was that the real reason? Or was it because he had some other plans in his mind? Could be egoistic nature of Syd but I feel every man have their own perceptions towards life and should treat with great respect with his or her. We often tend to listen and forget the great lyrics Syd have portrayed. But if you analyse its meaning, then you have found yourself in them. I appreciate David Gilmour, to write and sing "Wish you were here" and "Shine on your crazy diamond" as a tribute to Syd. He never had feelings over anything, and he never had intentions to get into the fame light and that could be the only reason Syd is been an icon for millions. There was a growing army of admirers who would see him as some sort of living legend, even though his total recorded output consists of little more than three albums. Is it because I happened to get influenced by Syd? or is it because life is full of actions? Perhaps this lyrics by Syd influenced me so much that I had to paste it here and let the world know the creative mind.
On a distant shore, miles from land
Stands the ebony totem in ebony sand
The dream in a mist of gray
On a far distant shore
A pebble that stood alone
Driftwood lies half buried
Warm shallow water sweeps shells
So the cockles shine
A bare winding carcass stark
Shimmers as flies scoop up meat
An empty way and dry tears
He was drowning, and he never knew that he was drowning. A personality who could have turned every stone into gold have drowned & faded away. Pink Floyd probably the most admired band in the’rock’ category but how many of us have really thought about the back bone of this band? Not many & I wish he was here. A character who spoke a little and showed all his anguish through his https://lyrics.
And before I stop this review, let me take you to the lyrics which he must have meant for himself not knowing the fact that, his life was a’deja’ vu’.
Last night I had too much to drink
Sitting in a club with so many fools
Playing to rules
Trying to impress but feeling rather empty
I had another drink Drink - a - drink - a - drink - a - drink
What a way to spend that evening
They all turn up with their friends
Playing the game
But in the scene I should have been Far far
Away - away - away - away - away
Getting up, I feel as if I’m remembering this scene before
I open the door to an empty room
Then I forget
The telephone rings and someone speaks
She would very much like to go out to a show
So what can I do - I can’t think what to say
She sees through anyway Away - away - away - away - away
Out of the front door I go
Traffic’s moving rather slow
Arriving late, there she waits
Looking very angry, as cross as she can be
Be - a - be - a - be - a - be - a - be
Getting up, I feel as if I’m remembering this scene before
I open the door to an empty room
Then I forget.
We might have seen many Syd’s in our life but do we really think about their pains? and just knowing the fact that pain is just behind the gain! You never know when its going to enter our path! So before I stop, let me tell one thing. Syd was a person who had an eccentric character in him. Assuming the fact that, nobody can match him and I say Syd "Shine on your crazy diamond"!