Syd Barrett's Unique Take on Nine Singles in 1967

In the colorful music scene of the 1960s, Melody Maker magazine had a tradition of inviting musicians to review newly released singles in a segment that came to be known as Blind Date. One particularly intriguing installment featured Syd Barrett, the leading man of Pink Floyd, critiquing a selection of singles in the July 1967 issue. At the time, Pink Floyd was gaining recognition with hits like 'Arnold Layne' and 'See Emily Play' and was on the brink of releasing their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.

Photo of Syd Barrett, 1970. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Barrett's taste in music was put to the test as he shared his thoughts on a variety of tracks, including early work by David Bowie, country tunes by Jim Reeves, and a mix of other artists. His reviews ranged from lukewarm to critical, with some songs failing to impress him, while others managed to catch his interest. He was not particularly taken by the Blues Magoos or Barry Fantoni's 'Nothing Today', and even proposed playing one of Tom Jones' emotional ballads backwards.

Barrett's reviews encapsulated his singular perspective on music at a time when Pink Floyd was just beginning to find its own voice in the rock landscape. From offering muted praise for Gene Latter's soul-influenced track to expressing his amusement over Bowie's 'Love You Till Tuesday', Barrett's candid take on these songs provides a rare snapshot into the mind of one of rock's early enigmatic figures.

Barrett, reviews, singles