Pink Floyd fans are still “annoyed” at Roger Waters’ performance of one of his best-known songs.
Despite co-writing the song, Waters did not provide vocals to the hit track from Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here album, and some had never heard him perform the track alone. David Gilmour, the group’s guitarist, had provided the vocals while Waters remained as a firm influence on the instrumental section.
But a clip of Waters performing Wish You Were Here was shared to a Pink Floyd Reddit page, where fans of the band shared their thoughts on the performance. While some were relatively pleased with the instrumental and vocal changes Waters provided, others were less than impressed with the performance.
A post to the subreddit reads: “I realize he co-wrote the song, but Roger Waters singing Wish You Were Here annoys me.” Attached is a video of Waters’ performance of Wish You Were Here, which blew some away as they had never heard him sing the song. One user wrote: “I have no idea how I’ve never heard him sing it. David sings it with way more passion, but I must admit the low, slow way Roger sings it makes it come across as way more sad.”
Another added: “I admit that I may prefer Gilmor’s voice but I do enjoy Water’s more haunting version considering the meaning.” A third wrote: “I wonder if this bluesy soul is the way Waters envisioned the song from the start. The album version is magnificent, but I do like this.”
I realize he co-wrote the song, but Roger Waters singing Wish You Were Here annoys me
byu/NomadSound inpinkfloyd
Other fans of the band have since defended Waters’ work, with one describing it as “different but it suits.” They added: “Less energy makes it feel a bit more depressing, which can be good if you like that sort of sound.”
Another user wrote: “Like it or not he really did write the lyrics so give him credit. I’m more of a Gilmour fan but hey the sum of their parts was always greater than the separation of them. Love me some Floyd no matter who is performing.” Some were pleasantly surprised by Waters’ vocal work on the song, adding: “I thought I would get weirded out but it’s good!”
It is not the first time Waters has covered Pink Floyd songs, with the tracks frequently appearing as part of his setlist when on tour. He also released a “redux” version of The Dark Side of the Moon in 2023, rewriting some songs and changing the instrumental arrangements.
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He is Roger Waters ,he can do what he wants – The songs about Syd…he started out with him ..not David ..that’s why so sad😔
Wish you Were Here is not about Syd as Shine On You Crazy Diamond was. WYWH is a Roger Waters song about himself and how he felt isolated from what was going on. He’s allowed to sing about himself.
I always thought it was about missing syd, but hey ya learn something everyday.
Except Gilmour was Barrets best friend before joining Floyd. He’s the one who recognized Sid when he visited them during the recording of the album
When was this performance?
Roger Waters has been singing Wish You Were Here at everyone of his over 1000 live concerts that he has done since his first solo tour Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking in 1984/85. Then on his Radio Kaos1987/88 tour. His In the Flesh Tour 1999- 2002, Dark Side if the Moon Tour 2006-2008, Us and Them Tour 2017-2018, and finally This is Not a Drill Tour 2022 and 2023. The only tour he didn’t play it live on was any of his 305 shows at The Wall Tour 2010-2014 for obvious reasons. I went to all of them and he has never left it out if any show during those long tours. 0lus, he has done it live on 3 concert Dvds, on live Tv, including a version with him and Eric Clapton performing it together on the televised Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert(2012), and him singing it with David Gilmour on Live 8 Mega Concert(2005), as well as several others. So, im not sure why people are just pointing this out how.
Yes! Some of us taped the ’85 Radio City show off the radio and the other Canadaian KAOS show in ’87! Snail mail bootleg trader from way back!🤚 I always liked the live versions of Welcome to the Machine with Roger singing. Sounds so much more ominous and evil…
He mimes anyway.
Waters lives on the pink floyd reputation. As an individual he is an average bass guitar average
protest singer (mimes). Can’t stand his attention seeking antics.
He is the wealthiest band member
Big deal… my Pop has more money than me. Doesn’t make him a better person. His, my father’s, kindness and understanding does that.
Not familiar with the performance but he has a right to sing what he wrote. I’ve seen Pink Floyd 4 times. My first at 13 years old in 1973. Last The Wall in 79. I try to separate personality from art and mostly ignore an artist’s personal life but I read an announcement Waters made before he performed in Tampa, I believe, where his arrogance was on full display. Kinda turned me off of him as a person. The art stands on it’s own. Pink Floyd is it’s own genre and my favorite band of that period. After reading the article ,it’s put me off Waters, and I avoid everything he does, or is associated with his name. On the other hand I watch everything I see when Gilmore performs. Though the sum is greater than it’s parts ,I’m so disappointed, by what I read , I can’t maintain my usual separation. He’s entitled to perform it. His fans are entitled to enjoy it, and I’m entitled to avoid it. Rock and Roll people. Peace !✌️
Well said
Waters would have a more enthusiastic following in the USA if he’d stop coming over here,charging outrageous prices for tix,and stop all the political bullshit he spews forth during his show. People don’t pay to hear him read poetry or espouse his views about the great evil America. Odd approach for a performer to bash the very people who made him so wealthy. He can stay in London for all I care.
As far as I know he lives in the States you are welcome to him . Big fan of most of his work but have little time for the person
I’m a pink Floyd fan not Gillmore or water’s fan . But lookerly David Gillmore play’s like he’s still in Floyd..
Love the Floyd, but waters to far up himself