How To Make Syd Barrett Songs
This week’s “Meth Minute 39″ cartoon is about the late great Syd Barrett. For those of you who are unaware, Barrett was the original singer for Pink Floyd until he drifted off into a insane world of LSD fantasy and became a mysterious recluse.
For the cartoon’s soundtrack, I needed to create some songs that sound just like Barrett’s own. I turned to my friend William Rahilly, a longtime musical collaborator. Will has a closet-sized recording space in Brooklyn crowded with instruments, analog-replicating tube amps and more.
First, I had made a list of words and phrases that I felt like Syd would use in his lyrics.
Then Will started strumming his acoustic and I put together some lyrics with the words from the list.
Next, we started recording all the instrumental tracks.
Finally I laid down my Syd Barrett imposter vocals.
And that’s all it took. Without further ado, here is the outcome:
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On November 15th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Love it! The psychedelic effects are amazing and the trigger words clever. This is one of your best, and I didn’t even know who Syd Barrett was!Another clever and creative effort; you just keep churning them out with great style, great music, and riveting visuals.
On November 15th, 2007 at 12:00 am
The episode was great, and the music was spot on. Top notch work.
In fact, the music was SO good, I was wondering if you had those for download as MP3 available for the general public. I could listen to those over and over (in fact I thought it was Syd’s solo stuff until I read this.
On November 16th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Guaranteed, something like this has never been done or seen before. Another breakthrough. And the music does sound authentic. Next Thursday seems so far off …..
On November 16th, 2007 at 12:00 am
The songs are awesome!!!!!!
On November 17th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Awesome! I fell in love with Syd and the Floyd so long ago and this was awesome seeing this!! Kinda sad but awesome nontheless. Great job on the vocals, lyrics and music!
On November 18th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Great episode! But I think the vocals sounded a bit more like Robert Plant than Syd Barret…
On November 18th, 2007 at 12:00 am
great im only 14 but im a huge fan of pink floyd i loved this make more lsd and rock themed one .p.s. you did something awsome hi 5
On November 19th, 2007 at 12:00 am
It was well done and I did have a laugh but I also couldnt help but feel a bit sorry for syd - I mean mental illness isn’t cool tbh.
Still live on syd.. R.I.P and rockon ‘Floyd
On May 29th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
YOU MUST RELEASE THOSE SONGS! Thats the best Syd impression EVER!
Its a crime against humanity not to release them to the public!