Shine On You Crazy Diamond]
[Pink Floyd Lyrics
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You shone like the sun
Shine on, you crazy diamond
Now there's a look in your eyes
Like black holes in the sky
Shine on, you crazy diamond
You were caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom
Come on, you target for faraway laughter
Come on, you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine
You reached for the secret too soon
You cried for the moon
Shine on, you crazy diamond
Threatened by shadows at night
And exposed in the light
Shine on, you crazy diamond
Well, you wore out your welcome with random precision
Rode on the steel breeze
Come on, you raver, you seer of visions
Come on, you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine
The lyrics of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", a tribute song to Syd Barrett, the former lead singer of Pink Floyd, who was once the shining star of rock and roll world, who later withdrew into obscurity, speaks volumes in just a few verses. The opening lines of the song, "Remember when you were young/ You shone like the sun/ Shine on, you crazy diamond," sets the tone of the song that reminisces about Barrett's days of youth and glory, and the waning splendor of his later years.
The lyrics also provide a glimpse into the personal demons and emotional struggles faced by Syd Barrett, who was caught between the innocence of childhood and the excesses of rockstar life. The reference to "black holes in the sky" in the second verse is a metaphor for his increasing detachment from reality and his growing mental and emotional instability. The third verse refers to his futile search for the secrets of life and his constant yearning for the unattainable, which ultimately led to his breakdown.
The repeated refrain in the song, "Shine on, you crazy diamond," is a message of hope and encouragement, urging Syd Barrett to keep shining through his pain and suffering. It is a tribute to his creative genius and artistic legacy, which continues to shine brightly, even today, long after his untimely demise.
Line by Line Meaning
Remember when you were young
Reflecting on the good old days, when you were full of life.
You shone like the sun
You radiated a strong, positive energy that made you stand out.
Shine on, you crazy diamond
Keep shining brightly, even if things get tough or don't make sense.
Now there's a look in your eyes
There is a sense of weariness or loss of innocence in your eyes.
Like black holes in the sky
Your eyes seem empty or devoid of emotion, like black holes in the vast universe.
You were caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom
You struggled to navigate the complexities of growing up and finding success at a young age.
Blown on the steel breeze
You were carried along by the winds of fate, which were often harsh and threw you off course.
Come on, you target for faraway laughter
You were ridiculed or laughed at from afar, perhaps by those who didn't understand or appreciate your unique qualities.
Come on, you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine
Embrace your outsider status and use it to your advantage, as a way to leave a lasting mark on the world.
You reached for the secret too soon
You were eager to uncover the mysteries of life, but perhaps dove in too quickly or without proper guidance.
You cried for the moon
You had high hopes and dreams that seemed impossible to achieve, like reaching for the moon.
Threatened by shadows at night
You were haunted by fears and doubts that crept up on you when the world was dark and quiet.
And exposed in the light
You felt vulnerable and exposed when faced with the harsh realities of life, especially when in the public eye.
Shine on, you crazy diamond
Despite it all, keep shining and showing the world what you're made of.
Well, you wore out your welcome with random precision
You became oversaturated or overexposed, despite not always intending to do so.
Rode on the steel breeze
You kept moving through life, even when it felt like you were being pushed and pulled in different directions.
Come on, you raver, you seer of visions
Embrace your wild side and your tendency to see things differently than others, as a way to inspire and motivate those around you.
Come on, you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine
No matter what role you find yourself in, keep shining and expressing yourself creatively.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: David Jon Gilmour, George Roger Waters, Richard William Wright
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind