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Grammy Songwriter Realizes Pink Floyd Reached Something Beyond Technique

Listen In Colour with Rachel Walker Mason

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Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" just stopped me cold — and I've written songs for a living for over two decades. My first-time reaction to this timeless masterpiece reveals everything I wasn't expecting: David Gilmour's achingly beautiful acoustic guitar, the haunting high notes shadowing his voice like a second ghost, and an unresolved minor chord ending that refuses to let you go.

As a Grammy Voting Member and award-winning songwriter with a Master's in Songwriting, I go beyond the reaction — breaking down the tender songwriting craft, the ocean-blue visual lightness wrapped around a grief so deep it barely needs words (a tribute to Syd Barrett hiding in plain sight), and why Pink Floyd albums feel like complete emotional worlds in a way the singles era simply can't touch. No tears this time. Just pure, breathless awe — and deep gratitude to the Pink Floyd community who've walked me through Time, Comfortably Numb, and Shine On You Crazy Diamond.

Original Video Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (PULSE Restored & Re-Edited): Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (PULSE Res...
‪@pinkfloyd‬

Timestamps:
0:00 - Welcome back to Listen In Colour
0:15 - Music intro
1:43 - Thanks for your welcome to My Pink Floyd Journey
4:55 - First reaction: "Oh my goodness, what a beautiful song" – Gilmour's acoustic & voice
7:20 - Music continues then Deep dive: Syd Barrett inspiration, grief, understated lyrics
9:57 - Silent respect for the iconic guitar solo
11:31 - Analysis: Guitar as wordless heartbreak, high-note magic, unresolved ending
13:25 - Closing thoughts: Ocean-blue colors, music industry realities, support shoutout If this moved you or sparked thoughts on Pink Floyd's genius, drop a comment with your favorite line/lyric/moment—I read them all!

Fair use for criticism/commentary under Section 107. No infringement intended.

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#Pink Floyd #WishYouWereHere #FirstTimeReaction #DavidGilmour #SydBarrett #ClassicRock #MusicReaction #GrammyMemberReacts #ListenInColour

20 Comments

@Listenincolourwithrachel Creator 5 months ago Pinned

That unresolved minor chord at the end — I genuinely didn't move for a moment. As a songwriter you know what's coming harmonically, and they still make you feel it anyway. That's the mark of something truly special. 🎸Pink Floyd community — I need to know: is "Wish You Were Here" a tribute to Syd Barrett, a farewell to a lost era, or something even more personal? Drop your interpretation below — I read every single one. 👇(And if you've been here since Time — thank you. You've changed how I listen to music.)

@flowerdew77 6 months ago

Anyone else feels sadness every time Richard Wright is shown? Gone too soon 💔

@FishNotGhOTi 5 months ago

A single malt scotch, a balmy sunset and a Pink Floyd album. Closest thing to heaven on Earth that I've ever experienced. Just relax and let it all wash over you.

@Scouse1301LFC 6 months ago

You don't listen to Dave Gilmour play his guitar, you feel him play it.

@leixiang 6 months ago

Cannot wait for you to hear Great Gig in the Sky. Both the studio version and the Pulse version are life changing.

@jasongiles7897 6 months ago

Rest in peace for Richard Wright and Syd Barrett

@Andy_Ross1962 6 months ago

Richard Wright was so important to the Pink Floyd sound.

@noodles169 6 months ago

You are now officially a crazy diamond. Welcome to the family 😎👍

@caribbeanchild 4 days ago (edited)

Listening to them for over 50 years. Been to 3 concerts. Their live performances were an absolute blowmind.

@DanielSmith-DannieD 6 months ago

Amazingly, David, now 80 years young, was recently touring Europe with his Luck and Strange show. Joining him was his daughter, Romany Gilmour, who is also very talented in her own right. She very much looks like a young female version of David. They and the band perform many new David Gilmour pieces as well as some of the old Pink Floyd hits. I hope, when you have time, you will check it out. It's amazing.

@Dougn57 6 months ago

I owned a cemetery memorial company and a 20 year old guitarist died in a car accident. We carved the first notes to this song with WISH YOU WERE HERE under the music notes. It is a large beautiful stone. Sad.

@prestonpastor9503 6 months ago

David Gilmour's Black Strat sold at auction yesterday for $14.55 million. All time high for a guitar.

@raiskis1 6 months ago (edited)

Floyd are masters of leaving space in the song to let it breathe.

@bobv586 2 months ago

There is always room for more PinkFloyd fans.. I have been listening for 50 years I will be 63 soon... I can still listen to them every day ...

@Jagg3h 6 months ago (edited)

I was a steward at Earl's Court when filming the Division Bell tour. As we were being shown around, told the codes they might announce etc, we were told not to acknowledge any member of the band. When we crossed directly in front of the stage in the empty arena, Mr Gilmour was centre stage tinkering with his guitar. I just shouted "Dave, you're a legend!" and gave him two thumbs up. Of course, head security bloke glared at me but I didn't care because Dave looked up directly at me and did his little smile.
That's something I'll never forget.

@richardsuter2816 6 months ago

David Gilmore has a voice & plays guitar as a gift from the gods !

@SoupDragonish 6 months ago

A saw the album Wish You Were Here described as: I miss my friend. The music business sucks. No, the music business really sucks. I still really really miss my friend.

@Mr.Thermopyle 6 months ago (edited)

"High Hopes" from the PULSE Concert is also one of the greatest songs ever....

@capetowntrikeman 6 months ago

On The Turning Away...live. One of Pink Floyd's most beautiful songs.

@L-Neksub 2 days ago

So enjoyable to watch a reaction where the reactor actually listens and dives into the lyrics. I really enjoy watching you discover something that I have loved for over 5 decades. Bravo!