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About This Track
The Pink Floyd’s first single, a manic song about a convicted crossdresser. Reached #20 in the UK, put the Pink Floyd on the map.
The first manifestation of Barrett’s songwriting talents was a bizarre little classic called ‘Arnold Layne’. A sinister piece of vaguely commercial fare, it dealt with the twilight wanderings of a transvestite/pervert figure and is both whimsical and singularly creepy.
“It wasn’t just the drugs, we’d both done acid before the whole Floyd thing, it’s just a mental foible which grew out of all proportion. I remember all sorts of strange things happening - at one point he was wearing lipstick, dressing in high heels, and believing he had homosexual tendencies…”
— Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 1974.
Roger Waters’ mother noticed that washing, particularly underwear belonging to her female lodgers, kept vanishing from her line during the night. The Cambridge Knicker Snatcher became the cause of much local gossip and Roger would keep Syd abreast of events as more laundry disappeared from his garden. Amused, Syd began work on a song about the story. It took him three weeks to perfect during frequent train journeys between London and Cambridge…
— Jones, “Wish You Were Here”.
The first manifestation of Barrett’s songwriting talents was a bizarre little classic called ‘Arnold Layne’. A sinister piece of vaguely commercial fare, it dealt with the twilight wanderings of a transvestite/pervert figure and is both whimsical and singularly creepy.
“It wasn’t just the drugs, we’d both done acid before the whole Floyd thing, it’s just a mental foible which grew out of all proportion. I remember all sorts of strange things happening - at one point he was wearing lipstick, dressing in high heels, and believing he had homosexual tendencies…”
— Nick Kent, New Musical Express, 1974.
Roger Waters’ mother noticed that washing, particularly underwear belonging to her female lodgers, kept vanishing from her line during the night. The Cambridge Knicker Snatcher became the cause of much local gossip and Roger would keep Syd abreast of events as more laundry disappeared from his garden. Amused, Syd began work on a song about the story. It took him three weeks to perfect during frequent train journeys between London and Cambridge…
— Jones, “Wish You Were Here”.
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Shouts
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oldiesfanjohn wrote:
the drugs were real good back then
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pogopatterson wrote:
I've got stranger hobbies....but I don't want to talk about them :)
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strat-struck wrote:
Great song, sickening theme.
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GuiPandini wrote:
He had a strange hobby.
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Ennish wrote:
I'd like to meet this Arnold Layne person, but I'd have to hide my undergarments first :).
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ThijsBal wrote:
Best clip ever
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natawik_spb wrote:
I love this clip.
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natawik_spb wrote:
Arnold Laaaayne had a straaaange hobby :)
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carl_harrison wrote:
Arnold Layne, don't do it again!
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DavidBG16 wrote:
that's pink floyd!!
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doranosfe wrote:
A nasty sort of person.
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VelvetRouge wrote:
It was obvious that Syd had to remain with the head :).
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therealsteppen wrote:
Early Floyd is the best!!!! ;-)
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Peperinitaa wrote:
Why can't you see?
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lenn9o9n wrote:
*swoon* <3 ya roger barrett
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KillMov3s wrote:
Beautiful, realy beautiful, Syd Barrett is a big genius.
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felghen wrote:
Why can't you see?
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lallasupertramp wrote:
stealing is cool :D
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rastronomicals wrote:
If La Historia De La Musica Rock were a house, "Arnold Layne" would be one of its building blocks
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Badscaremonger wrote:
cool clip
Track Stats
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kingdavebot, SunchineSuicide, CzarnyBorsuk and 4 other people loved Pink Floyd – Arnold Layne. 5 hours ago
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