Pink Floyd (Overall Recall)

"hohoho, listen to 'em go. Wait a minute...we gotta get something happening. Um...you know, he IS in there spending thousands of dollars and shit...we should make this worthwhile. We should...get into something REAL..." - Wait a minute - Zappa

OK, we've done the rounds through what seems to have been all possible Pink Floyd discussion, and in conversation with another well-regarded APFFN member, an idea sprang to mind in hopes of reviving some further cogent discussion about Pink Floyd music. Not the band members' personalities, in-fighting, or solo careers/deeds. Just the music.

We shall attempt to address the music one piece at a time, as chronological as possible until done to death, culminating in the inevitable yes/no, like/don't like assessment and moving on to the next.

This is also an attempt to inspire more intelligent debate very much removed from super-egos, assorted snack foods and mindless prattlings, so please take those topics and posts elsewhere as off-topic posts here will be intensely unwelcome and flamed severely.

All specifically on-topic input is welcome and gratefully received.

So, on with the show... Arnold Layne

Here's what the PFE has to say: A PF song [duh!] (1967). Written by Syd Barrett. About the Cambridge Knicker Snatcher, who stole women's clothing off washing lines. The title for this song was conceived before the song was written. Pink Floyd's first record.

Apparently, this song caused uproar in society because of it's deviant subject matter. Strange, considering my experience of the Englishman's - gross generalisation alert - penchant for dressing up in women's clothing.



Over to you, Toby...


p.s. For the sake of fairness, but only THIS time, TFC, AMLOR, DSOT, PULSE and TDB will all be considered Pink Floyd and will, in their chronological turn, be addressed.

p.p.s. Yeah, many of the themes here are likely to have already been discussed elsewhere and duplication will be unavoidable, but ...meh... what are ya gonna do?

Do I dig Arnold Layne? It being PF's first single, the first the general record public had to see from them, it is indeed a good representation of early PF.

Syd's writing shows a good abilty to be odd and still be catchy. Not a lot of songwriters could do that without seeming corny, and Syd pulled it off without a hitch.

I like it. It appeals to my rebellious nature; thumbing one's nose at authority.

Of course, Syd was able to tell a very full story with his first released single, from Arnold's burgeoning self-realisation to forlorn incarceration. Poor Arnold; takes two to know.

"Arnold Layne, don't do it again."

At first listen, it is unique, truly likeable. At the 50th listen it is just another peice of 60s pop. I do dig the video though. The four members dressing "Arnold", a mannequin, on the beach. Even then you can almost see Rog's indifference to the rest of the band.

I love it. One of the best songs written by Syd. Just a pop song, probably, but a damn good one. And when Rick plays the little Arnold Layne melody on the Shine On finale... well, it's something moving.

I found this link to the recollections of one claiming attendance at early Floyd gigs:
Arnold Layne and Emily

It has video clips and footage stills, and an Arnold Layne Cartoon that I couldn't zoom clearly enough for a proper view.



I think it was FloydWright who had other PF comics stuff. FWr?

I really like Arnold Layne. Especially Rick's trippy little solo.

damn good song.

I have it on a compilation called "Masters of Rock", something available only in Europe, for what I know, not sure tho.
Whatever, it sounds to me like it's recorded not too good, kinda l/r unbalanced, I have to switch from stereo to mono when I listen it. I'm pretty sure it's just my prob.
For what regard the music itself I just subscribe Thorin thought: damn good song.

I really like this song, imo it is one of the better early tracks but not as good as see emily play

i dig it.

No, BoaB, I was the one LOOKING for those comics.

Anyway, mad yannis, where is the "Arnold Layne" theme exactly? Do you have a time on the CD where it occurs?

Darn it!

But...did you manage to find any?

FW, the Arnold Layne melody was usually played on live versions of Shine On, during Part 9, in the final section in major. You can clearly hear it on several ROIOs from the 1977 tour.

I, too, like AL. To me, it is an example of Syd's genius. He could write incredibly catchy 60's pop tunes (AL, SEP), put some pretty racy lyrics (for the time) in them, and then (in a totally different direction) do a gig and play a 20 minute 'solo' on his guitar. What a dichotomy.

I was describing early PF to someone, and when I said they did AL, this person said, "No way! Can't be Pink Floyd!"

"Way!"