Syd Barrett got the inspiration for the song while growing up. Apparently, there was a man who would run around the area and steal women’s underwear off the clotheslines in people’s yards. This inspired the song “Arnold Layne,” per Song Facts. Roger Waters also lived in Barrett’s neighborhood, and his mother also had her clothes stolen by “Arnold Layne.” The band released it as a single and even made a music video to appear on “Top of the Pops,” but since it dropped on the charts, that appearance was scrapped. Some U.K. radio stations refused to play it due to the content of the song.
“Arnold Layne” has never appeared on a true Pink Floyd album, but has been included on several compilations, including “Relics,” “Works,” and “Echoes,” per AllMusic. It marks a time when Barrett was a member of the band before he reportedly started to deteriorate due to heavy drug use. The band would play the video before concerts in later years.
One wonders if this “Arnold Layne” fellow ever heard the song and recognized himself — even singing along with it. Apparently, he was never found, according to Roger Waters, via PowerPop Blog. The song remains an unusual part of music history.
