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"See Emily Play"
Single by Pink Floyd
from the album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (US and Japanese releases) Not released on any studio album in the UK
B-side(s)	The Scarecrow
Released	16 June 1967
Format	7"
Recorded	23 February 1967
Genre	Psychedelic rock
Length	2:53
Label	Columbia
Writer(s)	Syd Barrett
Producer(s)	Norman Smith
Chart positions
#6 (UK)
Pink Floyd singles chronology
"Flaming" (1967)	"See Emily Play" (1967)	"Apples and Oranges" (1967)

"See Emily Play" was the third single recorded by British psychedelic rock group Pink Floyd, written by original frontman Syd Barrett. It was recorded on May 23, 1967, and featured "Scarecrow" as its B-side. It later appeared on the compilations Relics (1971), Works (1983), Shine On (1992) and Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd (2001).

The song is about a girl named Emily, whom Barrett once said he saw while sleeping in the woods one night after he had taken a hallucinogenic drug. An article in Mojo magazine called "See the Real Emily" supposedly shows a picture of Barrett's Emily. Barrett later reportedly claimed that the story about sleeping in the woods and seeing a girl before him was made up "...all for publicity." Some speculate that Emily is the Honourable Emily Tacita Young (b. March 13, 1951), daughter of the Baron Kennet and nicknamed "the psychedelic schoolgirl" at the UFO Club.

Barrett, reportedly, wasn't happy with the final studio cut. He protested against its release, which producer Norman Smith has speculated was based on Barrett's fear of commercialism. During the sessions for the song, David Gilmour was a visitor to the studio, after being invited by Syd. He was shocked by what he perceived as a change in Syd's personality, and Syd did not appear to even recognise his old friend, despite having invited him there in the first place. For many years Gilmour would recall this encounter with the saying, "I'll go on record as saying, that was when he changed."

The slide guitar work on the song is said to have been done by Barrett with a Zippo lighter. The train depicted on the singles sleeve was actually drawn by Barrett himself.

In 1968, Pink Floyd travelled to Belgium where they filmed an odd lip-synched promotional film for "See Emily Play", as well as for "Astronomy Domine", "The Scarecrow", "Apples and Oranges", "Paint Box", "Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun", and "Corporal Clegg". Syd Barrett did not go to Belgium; he was replaced by David Gilmour lip-syncing all the songs.

In Switzerland, the song has been released on 7" Single and has been marked with two special attributes, the record's label "CH 01" and the icon of Swiss crossbow in the record's stamper code

David Bowie recorded a version of "See Emily Play" for his Pin Ups album in 1973. The Airwaves from Sweden recorded the year 2006 another version for their 2nd single, entitled "Games For May." John Frusciante performed "See Emily Play" on January 31, 2007 in Sunrise, Florida at the Bank Atlantic Center during his set with Red Hot Chili Peppers.

"See Emily Play" is also known as "Games For May," and sometimes "Free Games For May," after a free concert in which Barrett's Pink Floyd performed.

Part of the vocal melody was played on a Mini Moog at the very end of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 6-9)" at the end of the Wish You Were Here album, as a tribute to Syd.

The bass riff from the song is similar to the one used in "Goodbye Cruel World", from the 1979 Pink Floyd double album The Wall.

• Syd Barrett - Guitar and Vocals
• Richard Wright - Keyboard, Organ and Backing Vocals
• Roger Waters - Bass and Backing Vocals
• Nick Mason - Drums and Percussion

• Biography of Emily Young