Watch Pink Floyd Debut a Syd Barrett Art Tribute Video Celebrating Shine On You Crazy Diamond

A New Tribute to a Defining Pink Floyd Song

Pink Floyd’s 1975 album Wish You Were Here remains one of the group’s most lasting works. Nearly fifty years after its release, the band is revisiting one of the record’s central pieces through a new edition titled Shine On You Crazy Diamond (pts. 1–9, New Stereo Mix). Available now, the release brings all nine parts of the track together as a single 25-minute listening experience. It expands on the original sound while presenting a new music video that features tribute artwork honoring Syd Barrett, created by artist and comedian Noel Fielding.

This updated release reflects the history surrounding the song’s creation. “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” was written for Barrett, the band’s co-founder and friend, whose declining health and increasing struggles shaped the emotional core of the track. The song became a way for the band to work through feelings of frustration, guilt, and concern during a time when modern pressures were beginning to weigh heavily on him.

 

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Syd Barrett’s Presence in the Studio and on the Canvas

The connection between Barrett and the song deepened in an unexpected moment. While the band was finishing the mixes at Abbey Road Studios, Barrett appeared without warning. His sudden arrival, during the final work on a track made in his honor, left a lasting impression on the group. That memory continues to influence how the song is presented today.

For the new video, Fielding created a series of paintings that gradually form Barrett’s image. His artwork appears throughout the official clip for the 25-minute version, reflecting his interpretation of the music’s mood and its shifting atmosphere. Fielding recalls his early connection to Barrett’s work, saying, “I was pretty young when my affinity with Pink Floyd and Syd started. I remember going to the library and hiring the tape of The Piper at the Gates of Dawn when I was 12. And I just was like, ‘What’s this?’ It blew my mind. I couldn’t believe it.”

He also explains how Barrett influenced his own creative direction. “When I started doing stand up it was all very whimsical. I was always trying to write like I was Syd Barrett. I liked his style, I liked his walk, I liked the way he talked. ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ is such a beautiful tribute to him.”

Fielding’s View on Pink Floyd’s Visual and Musical Impact

Fielding notes that Pink Floyd’s ability to pair artwork and music shaped how many fans understood the band’s identity. “What’s amazing about Pink Floyd, especially with Wish You Were Here, is that the artwork was as good as the music,” he says. Reflecting on the album cover, he adds, “When you’re 12 and you’re seeing two guys shaking hands, one of them’s on fire, you’re thinking ‘what?!’ And the music goes exactly with that as well; it’s perfectly in sync with the visuals, with the weird surrealism. And that’s all very Syd Barrett. It could be the 70s, but it could be 2040. It’s the future and the past at the same time. It is a masterpiece, that album cover, and that album. It’s a masterpiece. And it’s based on Syd Barrett, who is a walking masterpiece.”

Watch the video below:

Upcoming Release Details

Wish You Were Here, the anniversary collection, will be released on December 12 through Sony Music. It will be available in several formats, including 3LP, 2CD, Blu-ray, digital versions, and a Deluxe Box Set.