Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters revealed his favorite song to perform during a recent Instagram video where he answered fan questions. Waters expressed a particular fondness for performing “Wish You Were Here,” citing a unique reason for his enjoyment.
According to Waters, he loves the song because during the last verse, he invites the audience to sing along, allowing him to “almost stop singing and let them get on with it.” He finds joy in hearing audiences around the world sing the iconic lyrics back to him.
“I kind of love ‘Wish You Were Here’ only because I can almost stop singing and almost wherever I am in the world, particularly the last verse, I ask them actually. I say, ‘Sing with me.’ And then I kind of shut up and let them get on with it. ‘How I wish, how I wish you were here. Two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl year after year, running over the same old ground. What have we found? The same old fear. Wish you were here.’ I love hearing audiences sing that back at me.”
Reflecting on the background of “Wish You Were Here,” Waters mentioned the band’s retreat inward as they grappled with the challenges of fame, especially witnessing the struggles of Syd Barrett. The song was conceived as an exploration of the impact of fame in the music industry. Additionally, Waters highlighted the difficulty that David Gilmour faced while singing the concluding note of the song during production. To achieve the desired pitch, the band used tape speed adjustments for that specific line in the song.
The significance of “Wish You Were Here” extends beyond its musical elements. Waters described the track as a moment where he can engage with the audience, creating a shared experience during performances. The song’s emotional resonance, coupled with the audience’s participation, adds a unique dimension to Waters’ live performances. “I love hearing audiences sing that back at me,” he shared, emphasizing the connection between the artist and the audience that the song facilitates.