Words by Riley Fitzgerald
Graphic by Press

“I really am an inspiration person,” Pink Floyd‘s David Gilmour once shared of his creative process. ” I just wait to let inspiration strike.” While the guitarist’s output has been sparse over the past few decades Gilmour has nonetheless contributed songs to some of the most iconic records of all time. Given his accomplished career, a fan might be forgiven for wondering which of the more than 200 recorded Pink Floyd songs, Gilmour thinks are best. Interviewed by Billboard in 2006, Gilmour shed some light on the question.  When asked to name the Pink Floyd songs he either liked the best or thought had stood the test time, this is what he had to say.

‘Wish You Were Here’ Era

“‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ and ‘Wish You Were Here’” Gilmour replied, “are standout tracks.”

Before his death in 2008 Pink Floyd keyboardist Rick Wright also expressed that the band’s 9th album Wish You Were Here was his favorite album.

It was the last time, Wright thought, that Pink Floyd had really worked together as a band.

The ’80s

“‘Comfortably Numb’ is another one,” David adds, jumping forward in time for 1975’s Wish You Were Here to 1979’s The Wall.

Despite the mounting tensions in the group, ‘Comfortably Numb’ is one of Gilmour and Roger Waters‘ most collaborative lyrical efforts, with Roger writing the verses and David contributing the chorus.

Post Waters

From here Gilmour turns his mind to the album’s Pink Floyd recorded after Roger Waters quit the band in 1985.

“‘High Hopes’ from The Division Bell is one of my favorite all-time Pink Floyd tracks,” he enthuses.

Gilmour co-wrote ‘High Hopes’ along with several other songs from 1994’s The Division Bell with new girlfriend Polly Sampson, who would marry Gilmour following the album’s release.

The Early Years

This conversation would, of course, seem incomplete without some mention of The Dark Side of the Moon.

“‘The Great Gig in the Sky’,” Gilmour confirms before namechecking a Meddle era track, ‘”Echoes’, there’s lot of them.”