This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
So, so you think you can tell heaven from hell
Blue skies from pain
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail
A smile from a veil
Do you think you can tell
And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts
Hot ashes for trees
Hot air for a cool breeze
Cold comfort for change
And did you exchange a walk-on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage
How I wish, how I wish you were here
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
What have we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here
Blue skies from pain
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail
A smile from a veil
Do you think you can tell
And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts
Hot ashes for trees
Hot air for a cool breeze
Cold comfort for change
And did you exchange a walk-on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage
How I wish, how I wish you were here
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
What have we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here
Lyrics submitted by wax butterfly
Wish You Were Here Lyrics as written by Roger Waters David Gilmour
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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pink floyd cover
And a pretty bad one at that, why can't people stop trying. It can't be done, at least not well.
I don't agree. This cover sounds about 10 times more naked , fragile and just plain better then the original song.
I cant say that the cover is better than the original, they both offer different things. But Spiner I do agree with you the the cover is alot more naked. Its almost painful to listen to because there is so much feeling in it.
i love you, riley.
you cant seriously think for a second that this song is better than the original!!! i agree with inpraiseoffolly 300%, covering this song well is impossible! it rapes it of all possible meaning as it doesnt relate to the new band members in any way!
wish yo were here is my pink floyd's favorite song... and sparklehorse my favorite singer...
im a little bit disappointed by this cover. oh she's not bad, for sute.... its impossible to do better than the real song... but i hoped that she'll be better... but i love the song by the way
(sorry for my incorrect english...)
i think its a very good cover the vocals are haunting and the it really leaves its mark on you after listening to it dont be ignorant just because its a pink floyd song
I really love this cover...
this cover is really awesome i am always partial to the original version of songs, but personally i think this version has more emotion in it than the pink floyd version. This version leaves a lasting impression on you.