Pink Floyd – Arnold Layne

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Arnold Layne had a strange hobby
collecting clothes, moonshine washing lines
they suit him fine

On the wall hung a tall mirror
distorted view, see through, baby blue
he got it

Oh Arnold Layne, it's not the same
it takes two to know, two to know, two to know, two to know
why can't you see
Arnold Layne, Arnold Layne,
Arnold Layne

Now he's caught a nasty sort of person
they gave him time, doors bang chaingang
he hated

Arnold Layne, Arnold Layne
Arnold Layne
Arnold Layne
don't do it again

Send "Arnold Layne" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae

Track duration: 03:22


Arnold Layne song meanings
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36 Comments

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  • -1
    General Comment:everyone thinks he's collecting woman's clothes. the song doesn't say that. it doesn't even hint at it. it's an interesting conclusion, since it's accepted universally, but it's just not in the song.
    Flag leemodon December 25, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Syd Barrett was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a disease that doesn't typically manifest itself until the early 20's. His LSD use was likely the consequence, not the cause of his schizophrenia. So to blame drugs for his demise is simply inaccurate. His drastic weight gain was likely the result of atypical antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia symptoms.
    Flag gordonjdaneon July 02, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I used to go out with a woman who'd lived in Cambridge. She told me that her knickers had once been stolen by the guy who Arnold Layne was based on - which would suggest he was definitely a real person. She said it was pretty common knowledge in Cambridge that the song was about this guy.
    Flag losttangoon February 16, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:syd was a hero lol end of story. yeah guys it's definitely about a crossdresser.
    Flag tayloradairon July 15, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:it occurs to me: only an Englishman could have made these lines rhyme: "now he's caught/a nasty sort"

    With American pronunciation "caught" and "sort" aren't even close enough for intended rhyme.
    Flag foreverdroneon June 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Arnold Layne is extraordinary because of subject matter, performance, arrangement, sound: everyhting superb in just one song.
    BTW, as good as Dave Gilmour is, he can´t even touch Syd who is in a league of his own.
    Flag FLFIOREon March 22, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment:Syd became a genius composer because of LSD, that's a fact
    Flag lostgeniuson November 17, 2007   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:Its about someone they knew or at least thats what Syds girlfriend at the time states on the Syd Barrett story DVD
    Flag Duckboyon October 01, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:well if Syd hadnt have done LSD we probly wouldnt have all the awesome songs from rog
    Flag Duckboyon September 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Strangely enough, stealing women's underwear from washing lines isn't that uncommon. In the UK they even have a name for it - snowdropping. Mind you, it's still theft, hence the jail time.
    Flag AlanOldieon July 18, 2007   Link

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