UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage Honors Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here' 50th Anniversary with New Poem

Simon Armitage, the UK Poet Laureate, has released a new poem titled "Dear Pink Floyd" inspired by Pink Floyd's seminal album "Wish You Were Here," commemorating its 50th anniversary. The poem, designed to mimic the continuous, immersive sound of the album, is included in the upcoming "Wish You Were Here 50 Deluxe Box Set" set for release on December 12, which also features bonus tracks and live recordings. Armitage aimed to capture the global impact of the album's music and its themes of absence and transience, referencing the influence of late frontman Syd Barrett. He described the poem as album-shaped, intended to physically manifest the album's sound and the fans' collective voice. The anniversary release offers multiple formats, including a digital mix in Dolby Atmos, and includes previously unreleased tracks, live bootlegs, and a Blu-ray with concert films. Armitage expressed a personal connection to the album, highlighting its profound and spine-tingling artistic experience that continues to resonate decades later.