Terrapin - Syd Barrett - Official Lyric Video

"Terrapin" is the opening song on Syd Barrett's first solo album The Madcap Laughs. Its arrangement is sparse, like much of the album, and features only acoustic and electric guitar accompaniment to the vocals. This song, along with "Maisie" and "Bob Dylan Blues"; reflected Barrett's early interest in the blues. Iggy the Eskimo, one of Barrett's acquaintances, had called the song "quite catchy".

The song reappeared on the Harvest Records compilation Picnic – A Breath of Fresh Air and is The Madcap Laughs' sole representative on The Peel Session.

The Syd Barrett Appreciation Society titled its official magazine Terrapin (published 1972–1976), in tribute to the song.

Recording
Preparing Madcap, in April 1969, Barrett played demo tapes of songs to producer Malcolm Jones,[at the latter's request. After the playbacks, Barrett performed, on guitar, several tracks for Jones, one being "Terrapin"

The album version was recorded in just one take on 11 April. The lead guitar was overdubbed on 26 April.

Syd Barrett – vocals, acoustic and electric guitars
Malcolm Jones – producer

Animations by ‪@ArtistontheBorder‬