“Arnold Layne” is a song by English rock band Pink Floyd. Released on 10 March 1967, it was the band’s first single release. It was written by Syd Barrett.
A black and white promotional film of “Arnold Layne” was made in late February 1967, directed by Derek Nice and featuring members of the band dressing up, dismembering and carrying around a mannequin on a beach, filmed at East Wittering, West Sussex. One sequence employs reverse motion. This promo, made for £2,000, was meant to be screened on 3 April 1967 for the BBC‘s Top of the Pops show, but was cancelled when the single dropped down the chart. Another promotional film was recorded for the song, this time filmed on 29 April 1967, near St Michael’s Church in Highgate. The film is the only known footage of Barrett lip-synching to the song.
