Cover art for Arnold Layne by Pink Floyd

Arnold Layne

Pink Floyd
Track 7 on The Early Years 1965-1972 

Producer

Joe Boyd
The Floyd’s 1967 debut single, this at-the-time controversial tale of transvestism and kleptomania reached #20 on the UK singles chart It was recorded on January 27th… Read More 
Mar. 10, 19671 viewer45K views

Arnold Layne Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Arnold Layne
Had a strange hobby
Collecting clothes
Moonshine washing line
They suit him fine

[Verse 2]
On the wall
Hung a tall mirror
Distorted view
See through baby blue
He done it

[Chorus]
Oh, Arnold Layne
It's not the same
Takes two to know
Two to know
Two to know
Two to know
Why can't you see?
Arnold Layne
Arnold Layne
Arnold Layne
[Organ Solo]

[Verse 3]
Now he's caught
A nasty sort of person
They gave him time
Doors bang, chain gang
He hates it

[Chorus]
Oh, Arnold Layne
It's not the same
Takes two to know
Two to know
Two to know
Two to know
Why can't you see?
Arnold Layne
Arnold Layne
Arnold Layne
Arnold Layne, don't do it again

How to Format Lyrics:

  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

To learn more, check out our transcription guide or visit our transcribers forum

About

Genius Annotation

The Floyd’s 1967 debut single, this at-the-time controversial tale of transvestism and kleptomania reached #20 on the UK singles chart

It was recorded on January 27th, 1967, and released in the U.K. on March 11th of that same year.

“Arnold Layne” was also the last song David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright ever performed together before the last one’s death, during the Syd Barrett tribute concert The Madcap’s Last Laugh in 2007. Said performance became Pink Floyd’s offering for Record Store Day 2019.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Translations
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The Early Years 1965-1972 (2016)
  1. 1.
    Lucy Leave
  2. 2.
    Double O Bo
  3. 3.
    Remember Me
  4. 4.
    Walk With Me Sydney
  5. 5.
    Butterfly
  6. 6.
    I’m a King Bee
  7. 7.
    Arnold Layne
  8. 8.
    See Emily Play
  9. 9.
    Apples and Oranges
  10. 10.
    Candy and a Currant Bun
  11. 11.
    Paintbox
  12. 12.
    Matilda Mother (2010 Remix)
  13. 13.
    Jugband Blues
  14. 14.
    In the Beechwoods
  15. 15.
    Vegetable Man
  16. 16.
    Scream Thy Last Scream
  17. 17.
    Introduction (Live in Stockholm 1967)
  18. 18.
    Reaction in G (Live in Stockholm, 10th September 1967)
  19. 19.
    Matilda Mother (Live in Stockholm 1967)
  20. 20.
    Pow R. Toc H. (Live in Stockholm 1967)
  21. 21.
    Scream Thy Last Scream (Live in Stockholm 1967)
  22. 22.
    Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun (Live in Stockholm 1967)
  23. 23.
    See Emily Play (Live in Stockholm 1967)
  24. 24.
    Interstellar Overdrive (Live in Stockholm 1967)
  25. 25.
    John Latham Version 1
  26. 26.
    John Latham Version 2
  27. 27.
    John Latham Version 3
  28. 28.
    John Latham Version 4
  29. 29.
    John Latham Version 5
  30. 30.
    John Latham Version 6
  31. 31.
    John Latham Version 7
  32. 32.
    John Latham Version 8
  33. 33.
    John Latham Version 9
  34. 34.
    Point Me at the Sky
  35. 35.
    It Would Be So Nice
  36. 36.
    Julia Dream
  37. 37.
    Careful With That Axe, Eugene
  38. 38.
    Song 1
  39. 39.
    Song Two (Roger’s Boogie)
  40. 40.
    Murderotic Woman (Careful With That Axe, Eugene)
  41. 41.
    The Massed Gadgets of Hercules (A Saucerful of Secrets
  42. 42.
    Let There Be More Light (BBC Radio Session, 25 June 1968)
  43. 43.
    Julia Dream (BBC Radio Session, 25 June 1968)
  44. 44.
    Point Me at the Sky (BBC Radio Session, 02 December 1968
  45. 45.
    Embryo (BBC Radio Session, 02 December 1968)
  46. 46.
    Interstellar Overdrive (BBC Radio Session, 02 December 1968)
  47. 47.
    Hollywood
  48. 48.
    Theme from Film “More”
  49. 49.
    More Blues (Alternative Version)
  50. 50.
    Seabirds (Instrumental)
  51. 51.
    Embryo
  52. 52.
    Grantchester Meadows (Live BBC Radio Session, 12 May 1969)
  53. 53.
    Cymbaline (Live BBC Radio Session, 12 May 1969)
  54. 54.
    The Narrow Way (Live BBC Radio Session, 12 May 1969)
  55. 55.
    Green is the Colour (Live BBC Radio Session, 12 May 1969)
  56. 56.
    Careful with That Axe, Eugene (Live on BBC Radio Session, 12th May 1969)
  57. 57.
    Interstellar Overdrive (Live at the Paradiso, Amsterdam, 9 August 1969)
  58. 58.
    Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun (Live at the Paradiso, Amsterdam, 9th August 1969)
  59. 59.
    Careful with That Axe, Eugene (Live at the Paradiso, Amsterdam, 9th August 1969) (Missing Lyrics)
  60. 60.
    A Saucerful of Secrets (Live at the Paradiso, Amsterdam, 9th August 1969)
  61. 61.
    Daybreak (Grantchester Meadows)
  62. 62.
    Work
  63. 63.
    Afternoon (Biding My Time)
  64. 64.
    Doing It
  65. 65.
    Sleeping
  66. 66.
    Nightmare (Cymbaline)
  67. 67.
    Labyrinth
  68. 68.
    The Beginning
  69. 69.
    Beset By Creatures of The Deep
  70. 70.
    The Narrow Way: Part 3
  71. 71.
    The Pink Jungle
  72. 72.
    The Labyrinths of Auximines
  73. 73.
    Footsteps / Doors
  74. 74.
    Behold the Temple of Light
  75. 75.
    The End of The Beginning
  76. 76.
    Atom Heart Mother (Live in Montreux, 21st November 1970)
  77. 77.
    Embryo – BBC Radio Session, 16 July 1970
  78. 78.
    Fat Old Sun (Live BBC Radio Session, 16 July 1970)
  79. 79.
    Green Is The Colour (Live BBC Radio Session, 16 July 1970) (Missing Lyrics)
  80. 80.
    Careful With That Axe, Eugene (Live BBC Radio Session, 16 July 1970) (Missing Lyrics)
  81. 81.
    If (Live BBC Radio Session, 16 July 1970)
  82. 82.
    Atom Heart Mother (Live BBC Radio Session, 16 July 1970) (Missing Lyrics)
  83. 83.
    On The Highway
  84. 84.
    Auto Scene Version 2
  85. 85.
    Auto Scene Version 3
  86. 86.
    Aeroplane
  87. 87.
    Explosion
  88. 88.
    The Riot Scene
  89. 89.
    Looking At Map
  90. 90.
    Love Scene Version 7
  91. 91.
    Love Scene Version 1
  92. 92.
    Take Off
  93. 93.
    Take Off Version 2
  94. 94.
    Love Scene Version 2
  95. 95.
    Love Scene (Take 1)
  96. 96.
    Unknown Song (Take 1)
  97. 97.
    Love Scene (Take 2)
  98. 98.
    Crumbling Land
  99. 99.
    Atom Heart Mother (Early Studio Version)
  100. 100.
    Atom Heart Mother Suite
  101. 101.
    If
  102. 102.
    Summer ’68
  103. 103.
    Fat Old Sun
  104. 104.
    Alan’s Psychedelic Breakfast
  105. 105.
    Nothing, Pt. 14
  106. 106.
    Fat Old Sun (Live BBC Radio Session, 30 September 1971)
  107. 107.
    One of These Days (Live BBC Radio Session, 30 September 1971)
  108. 108.
    Embryo (Live BBC Radio Session, 30 September 1971)
  109. 109.
    Echoes (Live BBC Radio Session, 30 September 1971)
  110. 110.
    Echoes
  111. 115.
    Echoes (Live at Pompeii 1972)
  112. 116.
    Obscured by Clouds
  113. 117.
    When You’re In
  114. 118.
    Burning Bridges
  115. 119.
    The Gold It’s In The...
  116. 120.
    Wot’s... Uh the Deal?
  117. 121.
    Mudmen
  118. 122.
    Childhood’s End
  119. 123.
    Free Four
  120. 124.
    Stay
  121. 125.
    Absolutely Curtains
Credits
Producer
Writer
Engineer
Drums
Organ
Bass Guitar
Electric Guitar
Vocals
Recorded At
Sound Techniques, London
Released on
March 10, 1967
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Tags
RockIn EnglishGarage RockBritish RockUKPsychedelic Rock
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