I think a majority of you will loathe this song. That in itself is reason for a bit of a blah day. This old track entitled “Jugband Blues” by Pink Floyd closes their second record and was the final track made with band founder Syd Barrett. I am sure that some of you know the story of Barrett and how he was a brilliant song writer and musician during the peak of British psychedelia. How, due to being almost constantly tripping on acid, spiraled into oblivion and the safety of his mum’s basement.
I find this track to be whimsical and the cacophony of brass being played by a Salvation Army Band to be brilliantly clever. The lyrics, however, are what make me feel a bit down. The way that Syd sings them makes them dark. There is a feeling of loneliness and a bit of hollowness in it all. Give it a listen and read along:
“Jugband Blues”
It’s awfully considerate of you to think of me here
And I’m much obliged to you for making it clear
That I’m not here.
And I never knew we could be so thick
And I never knew we could be so blue
And I’m grateful that you threw away my old shoes
And brought me here instead dressed in red
And I’m wondering who could be writing this song.
I don’t care if the sun don’t shine
And I don’t care if nothing is mine
And I don’t care if I’m nervous with you
I’ll do my loving in the winter.
And the sea isn’t green
And I love the Queen
And what exactly is a dream
And what exactly is a joke.
