The Syd Barrett song that Roger Waters “gets chills just talking about”
No conversation detailing the great songwriters of the 1960s is complete without mentioning the prolific artistry of Syd Barrett. A complex figure with an inherently musical mind, Barrett was a true original within the British rock scene of the decade, spearheading a little-known group by the name of Pink Floyd. The songwriter quickly established Floyd as one of Britain’s premier groups, creating seminal works like Piper at the Gates of Dawn, before being ousted as a result of his drug habits and increasingly debilitating mental health struggles.
Pink Floyd’s decision to sack the genius that was Syd Barrett is among the most controversial firings in rock history. On one hand, many fans would attest to the fact that the group’s songwriting witnessed a steep decline in quality following the departure. However, as the songwriter’s health problems became increasingly worrying, it was clear that he could no longer continue as a member of Pink Floyd. Whatever your thoughts about Pink Floyd in the post-Barrett age, the solo material of the former band leader is undeniably masterful.
Even after Barrett was sacked from the Pink Floyd camp, his fellow bandmates never abandoned him. For his debut solo work, The Madcap Laughs, both Roger Waters and David Gilmour were brought on board as producers. The pair clearly still held an appreciation for Barrett’s songwriting, whether he was a member of Pink Floyd or not. Waters, in particular, always held a deep respect and appreciation for the songwriting talents of his close friend.
Nobody can deny the sheer brilliance of Barrett’s songwriting on Floyd projects like Piper at the Gates of Dawn or ‘Jugband Blues’ from A Saucerful of Secrets, but the musician’s solo work is just as accomplished. For Waters, it was as though Barrett had never left the band, “It seemed to me to be a direct continuation of the songs he wrote when he was still in the band,” he later shared, “but he was already schizophrenic and consequently feeling this awful alienation from everything and everybody”.
During a 2001 interview with John Edginton, Waters spoke extensively about his adoration of Barrett’s work. Reportedly, one track from the songwriter’s solo work stands out among the rest for Waters. “For me, that period – the gem in all of that was ‘Dark Globe’,” he said, “I still find myself sitting, I can be driving along in the car and I’ll certainly sing it”.
Featured on The Madcap Laughs, ‘Dark Globe’ is among Barrett’s most beloved work, providing inspiration for countless future artists including R.E.M. and Soundgarden. The song itself is as emotional and dark as you would expect from a songwriter battling with his own consciousness. In classic Barrett fashion, however, the songwriter explores these dark themes and internal struggles through irreverent imagery and psychedelic themes, it is certainly not a self-pitying anthem, but it is gut-wrenching all the same.
“It was so weird and crazy,” confirms Waters, who produced the song, “but I get chills just talking about it,” adding, “Of course, so do a lot of people”. Indeed, it is difficult to listen to ‘Dark Globe’ in particular without imagining the heartbreaking struggles Syd Barrett was going through at the time. Nobody should be more aware of that than Roger Waters.
