submissions
| Pink Floyd – Wot's... Uh the Deal? Lyrics
| 16 years ago
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BTW, I think its "turn my lead into gold," not "land." Alchemists of the middle ages labored in vain to turn lead into gold, in much the same way as an artist who has lost his abilities labors in vain to create beauty out of muck. |
submissions
| Pink Floyd – Wot's... Uh the Deal? Lyrics
| 16 years ago
|
|
I've recently been reading about Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd. This song was written in the early 70s, after Syd's mental illness made him unable to function, and I think it's written about the brilliant but mentally ill Syd Barrett, or, more precisely, Syd is the speaker in the song. Barrett, as the founder of Pink Floyd, did very much become a sad and angry man "on the outside looking in," and his mental illness, which made him burn so brightly, and ultimately, burn out, deeply affected the band and its music for many years, even after they no longer had any contact with him. They originally tried to help him 'find the key' -- both musically, when he became unable to play -- and figuratively, as in the "key" to sanity. Sadly, Barrett never did find his way back in. For instance, Gillmore would work with him before recording sessions, in vain attempts to teach him the songs. But Barrett was too far gone by then, lost in his own world. This song has a haunting resonance -- a bittersweet connection to the band's founder who always remained a haunting presence in their midst. |
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