Pink Floyd’s 1967 single “See Emily Play” remains the band’s second highest-charting hit, serving as both a commercial breakthrough and the beginning of the end for early leader Syd Barrett. According to drummer Nick Mason, the song’s success was a “very important stepping stone” in their career, though Barrett increasingly rejected the idea of being a pop star as his behavior became more erratic.
How did “See Emily Play” change Pink Floyd’s trajectory?
Released in June 1967, “See Emily Play” peaked at Number 6 on the UK charts. This followed the band’s debut single, “Arnold Layne,” which reached Number 20 earlier that year. Nick Mason told Prog in 2010 that the band initially expected the track to climb even higher, noting they were sure “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” would drop out week to week.
The song originated from a 1967 show titled Games For May at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. The event featured electronic composition, colour and image projection, which solidified the band’s reputation for experimental stagecraft. Mason recalled that appearing on Top Of The Pops felt like "going through sheep dip," where the band was forced to mime rather than play live.
The BBC wiped the original tapes of Pink Floyd’s three Top Of The Pops performances. It wasn’t until 2009 that a degraded video recording of their July 6 appearance was revealed.
Why did Syd Barrett struggle with the band’s success?
As the band’s profile grew, Barrett’s commitment to the pop star model waned. Mason noted that by the time the band returned to Top Of The Pops for a second appearance, Barrett had become “a bit weird” and disillusioned with the process. Barrett reportedly questioned why he should participate in the show at all, citing the fact that John Lennon didn’t do Top Of The Pops.
This internal conflict foreshadowed Barrett’s eventual exit. While the band viewed the single as a “very important stepping stone,” Barrett’s rejection of the commercial expectations placed upon the group created a rift. His erratic behavior eventually led the remaining members to move on without him.
Who is the “Emily” in the song?
The identity of the song’s subject has been a subject of speculation for decades. While common lore often points to the Right Honourable Emily Young—known as the “psychedelic schoolgirl” at the UFO Club—other accounts suggest a more personal inspiration. According to Prog, Barrett’s girlfriend Jenny Spires stated in 2022 that Syd simply loved the name Emily. She noted that Barrett viewed “Emily” as his own version of Alice from Through the Looking Glass.
Roger Waters offered a more detached perspective in 2004, telling interviewers that “Emily could be anyone.” He characterized the subject as “just a hung-up chick,” downplaying the search for a specific historical figure.
FAQ
- What is Pink Floyd’s highest-charting single?
1979’s “Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)” remains the band’s most successful single, with “See Emily Play” holding the second position. - Why was the band banned from the Queen Elizabeth Hall?
During the Games For May show, a performer dressed as an admiral distributed daffodils while a bubble machine allegedly stained the venue’s seats, resulting in a lifelong ban for the group. - Did Syd Barrett enjoy the band’s television appearances?
No. According to Nick Mason, Barrett grew increasingly unhappy with the requirements of being a pop star and frequently questioned the necessity of appearing on shows like Top Of The Pops.
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