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Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here is the ninth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released in September 1975.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Wish You Were Here is the ninth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released in September 1975. It is widely regarded as one of the band's signature albums and is associated with themes of absence, alienation, and critique of the music industry.

Background

Wish You Were Here followed the massive success of The Dark Side of the Moon and reflected the band's reaction to fame and the music industry. It was Pink Floyd's ninth studio album and was recorded during 1975 at Abbey Road Studios in London.

Themes

The album explores longing, disillusionment, and absence, with material commonly interpreted as a tribute to Syd Barrett. Its lyrics address absence, alienation, and criticism of the music business.

Release and recording

The record was composed and recorded in 1975, mainly at Abbey Road Studios in London, and issued in September of that year. It was released on 12 September 1975 in the UK and on 13 September 1975 in the US, and was Pink Floyd's first album released on Columbia Records in the United States.

Reception and legacy

Wish You Were Here is regarded as one of Pink Floyd's most celebrated releases and remains one of the group's defining albums. It is widely considered a signature album of the band.

Key facts

  • The album is Pink Floyd's ninth studio album.
  • It was released in the UK on 12 September 1975 and in the US the following day.
  • The album was recorded during 1975 at Abbey Road Studios in London.
  • Its lyrics address absence, alienation, and criticism of the music business.
  • The album is often linked to former Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett.
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Canadian context

Pink Floyd has had a longstanding audience in Canada, and Wish You Were Here remains a commonly recognized classic rock album on Canadian radio and in Canadian music culture.

Frequently asked questions

Is Wish You Were Here an album or a song?
It is primarily the title of a 1975 Pink Floyd studio album, and also the title of a song on that album.
When was Wish You Were Here released?
The album was released on 12 September 1975 in the UK and 13 September 1975 in the US.
Who recorded Wish You Were Here?
It was recorded by Pink Floyd, an English rock band.
Who wrote the song Wish You Were Here?
The song was written by Roger Waters and David Gilmour.
What is the album about?
Its lyrics focus on absence, alienation, and criticism of the music industry, with connections often drawn to Syd Barrett.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wish_You_Were_Here_(Pink_Floyd_album)
    Supports: Release dates, album status, recording location, label, and thematic overview
  2. Wikipedia — https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wish_You_Were_Here_(album_Pink_Floyd)
    Supports: Recording at Abbey Road Studios and thematic interpretation
  3. Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wish_You_Were_Here_(Album)
    Supports: Album details including release date, label, length, track count, and sales claim
  4. Apple Music — https://music.apple.com/us/album/wish-you-were-here/1065973975
    Supports: Album description and context
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wish_You_Were_Here_(Pink_Floyd_song)
    Supports: Song authorship, album title track status, and performance history