"Wish You Were Here" is the ninth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released on September 12, 1975, through Harvest Records in the UK and Columbia Records in the US, marking their first album for the latter label. The material for the album was developed while the band was performing in Europe, and it was recorded throughout 1975 at EMI Studios in London.
The album's lyrics explore themes of alienation and criticism of the music industry. Its centerpiece is "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," a nine-part tribute to Syd Barrett, a co-founder of Pink Floyd who had left the band seven years prior due to mental health issues. Barrett made a coincidental visit during the recording sessions. Like their previous release, The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), the band utilized studio effects and synthesizers. Guest contributions included Roy Harper, who sang lead vocals on "Have a Cigar," and Venetta Fields, who provided backing vocals on "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." To promote the album, Pink Floyd released the double A-side single "Have a Cigar" / "Welcome to the Machine."
Wish You Were Here was certified gold in both the UK and the US upon its release and topped the charts in several European countries. By 2004, it had sold an estimated 13 million copies worldwide. Initially, it received mixed reviews, with some critics finding it uninspiring compared to Pink Floyd's earlier work. However, it has since been acclaimed as one of the greatest albums of all time, appearing on various lists, including Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums, where it was ranked at #264 in 2021. Both keyboardist Richard Wright and guitarist David Gilmour have cited it as their favorite Pink Floyd album.
