Who sang...?

Question

Arnold Layne... Can you remember or did you think Syd Barrett was a madman or a genius...?

Answer 1

<<"Arnold Layne" was the first single released by British Psychedelic rock group Pink Floyd, shortly after landing a recording contract with EMI. The song was written by Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd's co-founder and original front man. Although not included on the band's debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, some consider "Arnold Layne" to be one of the finest psychedelic pop songs of its time.

The song's title character is a transvestite whose primary pastime is stealing women's clothes and undergarments from washing lines. Some believe that "Arnold Layne" was actually based on a real person, and that he routinely stole underwear from the mothers of Barrett and bassist Roger Waters during their childhood days in Cambridge.

However, despite finding a place in the Top 20, the song's unusual transvestism theme attracted the ire of Radio London, which deemed the song too queer and far-removed from "normal" society for its listeners before eventually banning it from radio airplay altogether.

Producer Norman Smith wanted the band to re-record the Joe Boyd-produced song after they had signed up with EMI. While Waters and keyboardist Richard Wright were willing to do this, Barrett, on the other hand, was entirely satisfied with the existing studio cut, and argued against recording another version.

A black and white promotional film of "Arnold Layne" was made the same year, and featured members of Pink Floyd dressing up a mannequin before showing it around a beach. Recently, an alternative promotional film was unearthed, which featured the young Floyd goofing around in a forest and in front of a church. It is also the only known footage of Syd Barrett lip synching to the song.

David Gilmour, during his solo tour promoting On An Island, unexpectedly added the song to the setlist near the end of the American tour on the April 17th, 2006 show at the Oakland Paramount Theatre. (Pink Floyd had a habit of unexpectedly reviving songs when playing at Oakland; in 1977 they inexplicably played Careful With That Axe, Eugene and in 1994 they abruptly revived One Slip.) This incarnation of the song was sung by Richard Wright (the only member of the touring band that played on the original recording), and remained in the setlist until May 31st.

On December the 26th 2006, a live version of the song which was performed at the Royal Albert Hall by David Gilmour and his solo band during the On An Island tour, is being released almost 40 years after its inception.>>

I just listened to that song.... I like David Gilmour and I like the album "Dark Side of the Moon" better.

Answer 2

Pink Floyd and you are the Genius, good question!

Answer 3

Well! Chris is a little know it all this morning!... What she said, only half as long.