How to Play Shine on You Crazy Diamond Chords on Your Guitar – A Pink Floyd Song

Shine on you crazy diamond is one if the most influential and successful pieces of music not only of the band Pink Floyd but among rock songs. With its long sustained length and great musical sounds with inspired lyrics prolongs its success.

Shine on you crazy diamond meaning

With a little insight to the song. This piece is form the Pink Floyd album, Wish You Were Here, like with many songs on the album, ‘Shine on…’ is generally about the bands friend and former band member genius, Syd Barrett. Syd exited the band due to being unwell caused by drug abuse. The lyrics are tailed towards describing his talents and the way the members feel towards him. Strangely and so ironically Syd Barrett had made a visit to the recording studio whilst Pink Floyd were recording the song in such a surprise fashion. The band were both shocked and upset to see him and no words were exchanged between them, just pure amazement.

Moving on then, let’s get started with the chord playing. I shall refer to the string names starting from the top of the guitar in order starting from the thickest string down to the thinnest: EADGBE.

So without further ado, pick up that guitar and let’s get started…

“Shine on You Crazy Diamond” lyrics and chords

Gm
Remember when you were young,

F# Bb
You shone like the sun.

Eb Dm Cm Bb F
Shine on you crazy diamond.

Gm
Now there’s a look in your eyes,

F# Bb
Like black holes in the sky.

Eb Dm Cm Bb F
Shine on you crazy diamond.

Gm
You were caught in the crossfire

Fm
Of childhood and stardom,

Gm C
Blown on the steel breeze.

Eb Dm
Come on you target for faraway laughter,

Bb Dm D Gm
Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!

F# Bb Eb Dm Cm Bb F

Gm
You reached for the secret too soon,

F# Bb
You cried for the moon.

Eb Dm Cm Bb F
Shine on you crazy diamond.

Gm
Threatened by shadows at night,

F# Bb
And exposed in the light.

Eb Dm Cm Bb F
Shine on you crazy diamond.

Gm
Well you wore out your welcome

Fm
With random precision,

Gm C
Rode on the steel breeze.

Eb Dm
Come on you raver, you seer of visions,

Bb Dm D Gm
Come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner and shine!

hope you enjoyed playing and learning the “Shine on you crazy diamond” chords to the song. Make sure you play the chords slowly and accurately at first especially the barre chords. Once you have done that then attempt to play with more fluidity and play whole song. Try and make this even more fun and interesting by getting hold of the backing track to play against your playing. I have done this and it is so much fun. It gives you a great buzz!