Even in a band as legendary as Pink Floyd, it’s no surprise that not every song is loved equally—especially by the people who made them.
As the years passed and tensions grew, Pink Floyd’s members often found themselves at odds, especially during their later years together. Albums like The Final Cut were marked by deep internal rifts, and while some fans treasure every track, not all band members share that affection.
Even earlier classics like The Wall, despite its commercial and critical success, didn’t win over everyone in the band. David Gilmour, the band’s iconic guitarist, once called the album “too depressing” and admitted he found parts of it downright unlistenable. That’s quite the statement considering it’s one of the most celebrated albums in rock history.
But Gilmour’s dissatisfaction didn’t stop there.
One of his first major contributions, The Narrow Way from the 1969 album Ummagumma, left him with regrets. Each band member submitted solo material for that record, and Gilmour’s track was the result of him layering multiple recordings over each other. Looking back, he said he “started waffling about, tacking bits and pieces together”—a sign he wasn’t happy with the final product.
Then there’s Echoes, a fan-favorite from the Meddle album and a live staple, especially during their Live at Pompeii performance. Despite its status as a Pink Floyd masterpiece, Gilmour wasn’t fully satisfied with how it came out in the studio. “We were very good at jamming,” he told Mojo in 2001, “but we couldn’t translate that to a record.”
Even on the acclaimed Wish You Were Here, Gilmour had issues. He was originally asked to sing lead vocals on Have a Cigar, but turned it down. The song’s cynical take on the music industry didn’t sit right with him. Instead, guest singer Roy Harper took over—though neither Gilmour nor Roger Waters were particularly thrilled with that result either.
It’s only natural that artists feel strongly—sometimes negatively—about their work, especially when emotions and egos collide. But Gilmour’s candidness about his misgivings, even for songs that brought fame and recognition, is a reminder that even legends are their own harshest critics.
