Roger Keith “Syd” Barrett, an original member of Pink Floyd who set the creative direction of the band in its early years, passed away a few days ago. (Thanks for letting me know, Doobie.)
He wasn’t the greatest guitarist in the world, but he had a unique imagination that I really enjoyed. Pink Floyd was never the same since he had to leave the band, as anyone who has listened to Shine On, You Crazy Diamond should know.
Here’s the last song he wrote for the band, Jugband Blues. It’s actually incredibly sad, and shows the workings of a mind that was almost completely gone, thanks to excessive drug experimentation:
It’s awfully considerate of you to think of me here
And I’m most obliged to you for making it clear
That I’m not here.
And I never knew the moon could be so big
And I never knew the moon could be so blue
And I’m grateful that you threw away my old shoes
And brought me here instead dressed in red
And I’m wondering who could be writing this song.
I don’t care if the sun don’t shine
And I don’t care if nothing is mine
And I don’t care if I’m nervous with you
I’ll do my loving in the winter.
And the sea isn’t green
And I love the queen
And what exactly is a dream?
And what exactly is a joke?
I love Floyd, but admittedly never got into much of their work before “Meddle”. It wasn’t even until a few years back (when Napster was rampant) that I even heard “Piper at the Gates of Dawn”. Even then I wasn’t too overwhelmed by it…although I do like “Bike”.