“Wish You Were Here” Pink Floyd Ukulele CHORDS

“Wish You Were Here” is a song by the British progressive rock band Pink Floyd.

It was released as the title track of their ninth studio album, “Wish You Were Here,” in 1975.

The song was written by Roger Waters and David Gilmour and is widely regarded as one of Pink Floyd’s greatest compositions.

Chords Used (GCEA Tuning):

Ukulele Tutorial Video

Strumming Pattern

The strumming pattern is relatively simple and follows a consistent pattern throughout the song. Here’s a suggested strumming pattern that you can use:

Down, down, up, up, down, up.

You can repeat this pattern for each chord change in the song.

It’s important to note that this is just a general guideline, and you can adapt the strumming pattern to fit your own playing style and interpretation of the song.

Additionally, keep in mind that the song features a prominent acoustic guitar intro played by David Gilmour.

The strumming pattern described above is more applicable to the verses and choruses of the song, while the intro section is more intricate and involves specific fingerpicking patterns.

Song Facts

Here are some interesting facts about Pink Floyd’s song “Wish You Were Here”:

1. Tribute to Syd Barrett: The song serves as a tribute to Syd Barrett, the band’s former member and creative force during their early years. Barrett had experienced mental health issues and left the band in 1968. The song expresses longing and nostalgia for Barrett’s presence and acknowledges the impact his departure had on the band.
2. Conceptual Album: “Wish You Were Here” is the title track of Pink Floyd’s ninth studio album, which bears the same name. The album as a whole explores themes of absence, disillusionment, and the music industry’s effects on artists. It serves as a companion to their earlier album, “The Dark Side of the Moon,” which dealt with similar themes.
3. Collaborative Songwriting: The songwriting credits for “Wish You Were Here” are shared by Roger Waters and David Gilmour. This collaboration resulted in the blending of their distinctive writing styles and musical talents, contributing to the song’s emotional depth and musical excellence.
4. Unconventional Structure: The structure of “Wish You Were Here” deviates from traditional songwriting norms. It lacks a traditional chorus and features multiple instrumental sections, including the iconic acoustic guitar intro and extended guitar solos. The song’s unconventional structure contributes to its atmospheric and introspective nature.
5. Sound Effects: In the song’s opening moments, there are recorded sound effects of a radio being tuned, followed by an abrupt transition into the acoustic guitar intro. These sound effects were intended to create a sense of familiarity and nostalgia, as if the listener is tuning into a radio station and stumbling upon the song.
6. Chart Success: Although “Wish You Were Here” wasn’t released as a single in the United Kingdom, it gained significant radio airplay and became a staple of Pink Floyd’s live performances. However, it was released as a single in the United States and reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
7. Cultural Influence: “Wish You Were Here” has had a lasting impact and continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. It is considered one of Pink Floyd’s most beloved and enduring songs, often cited as a highlight of their discography. Its emotional lyrics and evocative guitar work have made it a classic in the realm of rock music.

Text Version of Chords

[Intro]
Em7 G Em7 G
Em7 A7sus4 Em7 A7sus4
G Em7 G Em7
G Em7 A7sus4 Em7
A7sus4
G
 
 
[Verse 1]
C                             D/F#
 So, so you think you can tell
                Am
Heaven from hell
                    G
Blue skies from pain
                     D/F#
Can you tell a green field
                  C
From a cold steel rail?
               Am
A smile from a veil?
                          G
Do you think you can tell?
                         C
Did they get you to trade
                D/F#
Your heroes for ghosts?
                    Am
Hot ashes for trees?
                  G
Hot air for a cool breeze?
                        D/F#
Cold comfort for change?
           C
Did you exchange
                         Am
A walk on part in the war
                          G
For a lead role in a cage?
 
 
[Solo]
Em7 G Em7 G
Em7 A7sus4 Em7 A7sus4
G
 
 
[Verse 2]
C                                    D/F#
 How I wish, how I wish you were here
           Am
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl
G
 Year after year
D/F#
    Running over the same old ground
C
 What have we found
             Am
The same old fears
                  G
Wish you were here
 
 
[Outro]
Em7 G Em7 G
Em7 A7sus4 Em7 A7sus4
G Em7 G Em7
G Em7 A7sus4 Em7
A7sus4 G Em7 G
Em7 G Em7 A7sus4
Em7 A7sus4 G