David Gilmour Reveals The Song He Regrets Writing

David Gilmour, the renowned Pink Floyd guitarist, has enjoyed a career filled with monumental success, credited with crafting iconic albums that have left a profound impact on music history. However, even amidst the triumphs, Gilmour is refreshingly candid about his own imperfections as an artist. Despite his songwriting contributions to Pink Floyd’s masterpieces, he acknowledges that not all his compositions have stood the test of time.

The Honest Critique of “The Dark Side of the Moon”

While Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” remains an enduring classic, David Gilmour openly expresses his reservations about the album.

In an interview with Guitar Player, Gilmour admits:

“My problem with Dark Side – and I’ve said it before and I’ll no doubt say it again – was that I thought that Roger’s emergence on that album as a great lyric writer was such that he came to overshadow the music in places.”

His candid assessment of the album exemplifies his discerning nature, showing that even amid immense success, self-critique remains a vital aspect of his artistic growth.

The Regretful Suite: “The Narrow Way”

Among his moments of perceived failure, Gilmour points to the suite “The Narrow Way” from Pink Floyd’s 1969 album, “Ummagumma.” The song was a remarkable solo effort by Gilmour, written and performed entirely by himself. However, he reflects on the inspiration behind it with a touch of regret.

In an interview with Sounds Guitar Heroes magazine, Gilmour revealed:

“Well, we’d decided to make the damn album, and each of us to do a piece of music on our own… it was just desperation really, trying to think of something to do, to write by myself. I’d never written anything before, I just went into a studio and started waffling about, tacking bits and pieces together. I haven’t heard it in years. I’ve no idea what it’s like.”

Acknowledging Imperfection: “Ummagumma” and “Atom Heart Mother”

Gilmour’s candid approach extends to Pink Floyd’s early albums, “Ummagumma” and “Atom Heart Mother.” Speaking to Der Spiegel, he expressed regret about both albums, deeming them “pretty horrible.”

Gilmour stated:

“I think both are pretty horrible. Well, the live disc of Ummagumma might be all right, but even that isn’t recorded well.”

Although he acknowledged that the live disc of “Ummagumma” might have some redeeming qualities, he critiqued its recording quality. His willingness to critique even the band’s earlier works further highlights Gilmour’s commitment to artistic growth and his pursuit of perfection.