The Meaning Behind "Wish You Were Here" Cover Artwork | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

A Meaning Deeper Than Music

The history and inspiration behind the artwork for Pink Floyd's song "Wish You Were Here."

815
A Meaning Deeper Than Music

On September 12, 1975, one of Pink Floyd's most popular songs to this day was released. "Wish You Were Here" is, what I believe to be, five minutes and thirty-five seconds of pure genius, but what is even more magnificent is the song's cover image.

The picture was taken by Aubrey 'Po' Powell, a partner at the design studio Hipgnosis, where most of the Pink Floyd cover ideas stemmed from. Powell hired Ronnie Rondell Jr., the man in flames who had frequently worked with fire in his shoots, and stuntman Danny Rogers to be the stars of the infamous photo. Powell chose Ronnie Rondell Jr. because he was willing to be engulfed in flames close to fifteen times just to get the perfect image.

Aubrey "Po" Powell


FUN FACT: Due to false judgement of the wind and incorrect placement during the shoot, the wind blew fire directly into Rondell's face, singeing one of his eyebrows off along with his entire mustache. Because of this, the original image was taken with Rondell on the left, and with photoshop, he was flipped to the right side to make the photo just right.

Ronnie Rondell Jr. (Right)


The process of taking the perfect photo is extremely difficult, but devising the original idea of the image is even more strenuous. The methodology and work put in behind the scenes of this image is truly fascinating. Powell and co-owner of Hipgnosis, Storm Thorgerson, reported to The Floydian Slip:

"We discuss what the music feels like to us. Or the intention of the lyrics. Or what the album may really be about, even if the Floyd haven't said it, or don't yet know it… 'Wish You Were Here' was a different story altogether. Lengthy discussions, particularly with the band, much internal focusing, and repeated exposure to the haunting brilliance of 'Shine on You Crazy Diamond' led inexorably to one point, led to one theme, in fact to the one word, 'absence.'"

"Absence," a feeling people try to avoid, a feeling people try to conceal, and a feeling people fear. The location of this picture is so significant to the idea of absence; a backdrop as simple as the intersection of Ave. D and 5th St. in The Warner's Brothers back lot, with Stage 20 (visible on the white building on the right side of the cover artwork) being the location of Hipgnosis, had the greatest impact. Powell and Thorgerson both agreed this particular location was "the land of make-believe; where nothing is real, and all is absent." Continuing with the theme of absence, Powell used two businessmen making a deal unknown to the viewer; he used a handshake to suggest the empty gestures often made by people, usually an action that is void and meaningless.

Warner Brother Hipgnosis Parking Lot


In the 1970's the term "getting burned" was used when artists were denied royalty payment, therefore Powell used a regular businessman to represent the record labels (on the left), and a burning businessman to act as the musician (on the right). The burning man can be used to embody the action of human beings obscuring their true emotions for the fear of "getting burned," or rejected. We hear this concept in the actual song "Wish You Were Here," where David Gilmour, the lead vocalist in Pink Floyd, consistently has questions and doubts as if he is uncertain or nervous to express how he really feels.

Pink Floyd Singer David Gilmour


Powell and Thorgerson truly are masterminds in making the viewers think outside of the box, and in showing there is an extensive meaning behind unadorned images. Album and song covers are visual representations of the points the artists are trying to make but cannot communicate through their lyrics. As the old saying goes "an image speaks a thousand words."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

Pros And Cons Of Having A Birthday Near The Holidays

The truth of what it is like having a birthday around the holiday season.

1154
Christmas decoration
Flickr

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! But for some people, including myself and my Dad, it can have its ups and downs when it comes to having a birthday near and around the holiday season. I personally share a birthday with my Dad two days before Christmas. Yes, Christmas Eve Eve is our birthday. Here are a few pros and cons for having a birthday near the holidays.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas Tree Lights
Pixabay

It is that time of year again. Christmastime. It is one of my favorite seasons for a myriad of reasons. Here are just a few reasons why I love Christmas. This list is in no order of importance.

1. The Christmas decorations

I am that person who will decorate directly after Thanksgiving is over. This year, my roommates and I put the tree up in our apartment before we even left for Thanksgiving break. It is a great stress reliever for me to just sit in my living room and work on the huge amount of work I have before the semester is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl with santa hat
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

'Tis the season to be jolly folks, and if you're anything like me, then at the stroke of midnight on Halloween your home went from wicked to winter

Keep Reading...Show less
mistake
Project Eve

Mistakes are something we all make, no matter how old we get. Most of the time, the mistakes we made are little and sometimes due to something out of our control. Yet, there are mistakes that are bigger than others. Personally, I have mistakes that I wish I could go back and undo. Here they are:

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

5 Things To Do That Are Better Than Writing A Paper

Don't waste your time trying to write that paper when there are so many more interesting things you could be doing.

12946
computer keyboard
Unsplash

Writing a paper is never fun and is rarely rewarding. The writer's block, the page requirement, be specific, but don’t summarize, make sure you fixed any grammatical errors, did you even use spellcheck? and analyze, analyze, analyze.

Papers can be a major pain. They take up so much time and effort that by the end of the process you hate yourself and you hate the professor for making life so difficult. Questions of your existence start roaming in your mind. Am I even cut out for college if I can’t write a single paper? Am I even capable of taking care of myself if I lack the energy to open my laptop and start typing?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments