Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI - IX)

Pink Floyd

Remember when you were young
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
Blown on the steel breeze
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


Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Mellow_Harsher, seesaww, fridersino

Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Pts. 1-5 Lyrics as written by George Roger Waters David Jon Gilmour

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

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Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI - IX) song meanings
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35 Comments

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  • +3
    My InterpretationThe final movement ends with a keyboard variation on the opening melody, but with an important twist: the key shifts from the minor scale to the major scale. Floyd rarely works in major scales - they usually prefer the edgy amiguity and flatted thirds of the minor/blues scales - so this shift in mode is significant. Basically, the song spends most of its time in a place of darkness/fear but finally ends up in a positive/hopeful place, recognizably similar to the place of origin, but brighter. I feel this represents a sense of positive closure: the culmination of Roger's soul-searching related to the fate of his friend Syd. The final phase of mourning is Acceptance.
    3stringovationon October 05, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Commenti know im probally alone in saying, but i like parts VI - X more than parts I-V. I really really like the "Pile on many more layers and I'll be joining you there." part. its like roger saying that he knows the band isnt gonna be around forever and when its through him, and the rest of the band will see Syd again. the next part it talking about what they'll do when they get there. love it
    pinkubus_floydon July 19, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI guess that makes sense nukethesun but I think this part has a sort of a closure sense to it . I always thought the line "Pile on many more layers and I'll be joining you there" refered to the his state of mind. like he knows that somewhere along the line he'd get lost too and sink in his world of madness.
    NovemberRainon April 15, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentWhich is kind of why he wrote "The Wall." Because to an extent, he had gone a bit mad, to the point that he got an overinflated opinion of himself while onstage and spat on a fan. At that point he probably realized that he had "joined Syd there" and wrote "The Wall." And yes, lyrically it does belong last.
    nukethesunon April 15, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentWell, pinkubus, I wouldn't say you are alone in your assumption. I enjoy playing the "second part" more than the first. Between the lap steel and the synth, it just becomes a great example of what the Floyd was all about. To "bask in the shadow of yesterday's triumph." It's this that all Floyd fans do!
    hybridorangeon December 10, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentOMG i love this song...i like the whole thing! Its GREAT!!!!
    DarkSideOfTheMoon5on December 16, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentOoh I have to agree there :P
    simsfreqon February 27, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentEchoes part 3
    inpraiseoffollyon June 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentReally?
    Grind838on July 03, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentOh yes! You're right. No need to explain.
    Grind838on July 03, 2006   Link

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