10

This song sounds to me like they are romanticizing fear and panic, but i am not able to understand the actual meaning behind it. Or is it just about an acid trip?

Improve this question
1
  • No-one can answer this question except Syd Barrett.
    – user3116
    Oct 24, 2016 at 10:33

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
10

It's about space, plain and simple. It's literally just a description of space - its colors, planets, stars, supernovas scaring Dan Dare.

It's typical Barrett - something very, very simple wrapped in fantastical storytelling. That aspect of his songwriting really didn't change much in the 'aftertime'. Though his depression is showing through, the tunes on 'The Madcap Laughs' are pretty much the same light-hearted prose as his Pink Floyd tunes. ("Doller Rocker. It's an old make of dress. Well, months old, you know, that sort of thing")

Astronomy Domine was written in fall of 1966. It was not, as I had previously thought, one of Syd's pre-written numbers. This is when Syd was living in the attic of 2 Earlham shortly before he moved to 101 Cromwell, where the bulk of Syd's mental decline occurred. According to John Cavanagh's Piper at the Gates of Dawn 33 1/3 book:

[Peter] Jenner recalls an Observer's Book of Planets, which Syd carried around with him and consulted whilst writing 'Astronomy Domine'

(An aside: Peter Jenner, one of the Floyd's co-managers at the time, provides the distorted constellation names at the beginning of the track)

Syd had certainly been exposed to LSD by this point, but whether 'Astronomy Domine' was LSD inspired, only Syd could've told us.

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    Nicely explained. But i am a bit doubtful about LSD thing. According to Wikipedia he started song writing around 1963 and he first tripped LSD in 1965, while this album was released on 1967. Only songs mentioned there before 1965 are Effervescing Elephant and Bob Dylan Blues.
    – Hassaan Salik
    Nov 30, 2015 at 18:22
  • I'll have to dig up some resources, at which point I'll expand and/or correct the answer. IIRC, all of them had their first experiences with LSD after they moved to London (though, they had experienced psychedelic mushrooms well before they left Cambridge).
    – user1103
    Nov 30, 2015 at 18:28

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.