Pioneers of the progressive rock genre, Pink Floyd possesses a musical catalog open to diverse interpretations. The intricate subtleties and abstract lyrical content within their compositions have fueled passionate debates among fans and music enthusiasts for decades. Some of their tracks remain so veiled in mystery that even the band members themselves are unable to decipher their true meanings.
Delving into philosophical and political themes often masked by layers of intricate arrangements and metaphorical expressions, Pink Floyd is renowned for their extraordinary lyricism. Following Syd Barrett‘s departure in 1968, Roger Waters assumed the role of the primary songwriter. Waters’ lyrics delve into profound social and political reflections, earning him recognition for his unwavering political activism and outspoken left-wing perspectives—stances that have occasionally stirred controversy in recent years, much to the chagrin of the other members of Pink Floyd.
A notable departure from their usual style occurred after Waters left the group in 1985. With guitarist David Gilmour taking on songwriting responsibilities, “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” marked the first Pink Floyd album without Roger Waters. Throughout its creation, Waters expressed resentment over the album’s production, leading to a legal dispute over the ownership of the Pink Floyd band name.
While Gilmour’s songwriting on the album was deemed acceptable by mainstream 1980s standards, it struggled to match the lyrical prowess of Waters or the earlier contributions of Syd Barrett. Despite this, “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” was a commercial resurgence for the group, reaching the third spot on the UK album charts.
In stark contrast to their previous conceptual works, “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” was not a concept album. Instead, the material on the record comprised an assortment of tracks contributed by external musicians and pieces Gilmour had initially written for his solo projects. The outcome was divisive among Floyd enthusiasts, and the intentionally surreal songwriting left even Gilmour himself somewhat bewildered.
Regarding the album’s sixth track, ‘Yet Another Movie,’ Gilmour admitted, “It’s a more surrealistic effort than anything I’ve attempted before. I don’t even know what all of it means myself.” Perhaps due to its nonsensical lyrics, the song failed to leave a significant impact, although it found a place in every Floyd performance from 1987 to 1989. Initially, an instrumental track, lyrics, and soundbites from the films Casablanca and One-Eyed Jacks were added later.
In the absence of Waters, Pink Floyd released two more albums after “A Momentary Lapse of Reason,” but these failed to resonate strongly. Gilmour briefly reunited the band for the single ‘Hey, Hey, Rise Up!’ protesting the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Waters criticized this effort, likening it to “content-less waving of the blue and yellow flag.”