Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” (from their 1975 album with the same name) is a meditation on absence that has resonated with listeners for the last 50 years, becoming a regular staple on most classic rock stations in the United States.
The studio version opens with a ghostly radio effect, as if the listener is tuning into a new station. Then, a processed twelve-string guitar steps forward, giving the appearance that they’re playing along with the radio. As the radio broadcast ends, David Gilmour’s voice makes its entrance in what is arguably one of Pink Floyd’s greatest songs.
Covers work best when they protect the soul of the song, which in this case lies in its touching lyrical tribute to Syd Barrett. That is the sweet spot The Running Mates aimed for, and frankly, in this humble music journalist’s opinion, knocked out of the park.
The Running Mates is the moniker of the Nashville-based husband-and-wife duo, Spencer and Julie Broschard, who met at the notable Berklee College of Music.
Their partnership is reminiscent of other modern folk pop musicians (think CocoRosie or The Watson Twins), with two musicians deftly shaping one sound.
Their acoustic take on “Wish You Were Here” reflects this. It sits close to the original in spirit and yet speaks in their voice. The choice to keep it simple is not a shortcut. It is a way to get down the bones of the song and let its lyrics and melodies shine.
What the duo brings to the table
The arrangement is a masterpiece of restraint. Spencer’s guitar sets a steady backbone, while Julie’s bright harmonics and light arpeggios give it color.
As a result, the lyric about absence and loss feels less like a lament and the promise of a helping hand. Small swells give the track subtle dynamics, but nothing feels forced or out of place.
The fact that it is an homage is clear. You still hear the tug of the twelve-string guitar that anchored the 1975 recording, yet the radio-intro theater is gone, replaced by two people in the same room.
The Running Mates have built a wide audience with their careful and thoughtful treatment of classic songs.
Their version of “Wish You Were Here” currently has 13 million views, making it their most popular cover on their 200k subscriber YouTube channel.
Subscribe to their YouTube here. Check their other amazing covers like “Linger” by the Cranberries.