Former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters has made a lasting effect on the music business, particularly through his contributions to legendary albums such as The Wall and The Dark Side of the Moon. His distinguished career has had a tremendous impact on the music world. His body of work is set to last for eternity, providing an enduring legacy for future generations to admire.
There exists a song, coveted by Roger Waters even though his musical accomplishments are plentiful. Unlike many of his peers, the Pink Floyd architect isn’t a fan of examining other people’s work and doesn’t take delight in staying current with ever-changing modern trends. Instead, Waters has a limited group of artists he admires and whom he devotedly follows.
However, Neil Young is an artist whom Waters holds in high regard. The former Pink Floyd member believes the Canadian musician’s brilliance stems from his lyrical rather than his boundary-pushing technical ability. This helped launch the grunge movement.
When Waters appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience in 2022, he stated, “I’m not familiar with rock history. I’m not very interested in the most popular songs. I mean, there are some people I really admire, particularly authors and singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan and Neil Young.”
During the same conversation, Waters disregarded “loud rock ‘n’ roll,” showing that he was unfamiliar with artists like AC/DC and Eddie Van Halen, both of whom are unquestionably well-known. However, there is an appeal to Young’s lyrics, which continues to resonate with Young, particularly the song ‘Powderfinger‘.
He told the podcast presenter, “It just doesn’t interest me, but ‘Look out, ma, there’s a white boat going up the river.’ What was that called? “Powderfinger” from Rust Never Sleeps comes to mind, and I need to take a deep breath. He then feigned to be out of breath before exclaiming, “Wow, what did he just say?”
Meanwhile, during a Q&A session with fans on his own YouTube page, Waters reiterated his affection for ‘Powderfinger’. He did so when asked to select the one song he wished he had written.
The Pink Floyd vocalist responded sharply: “‘Powderfinger, Neil Young. I guess it’s from Rust Never Sleeps, but I could be mistaken. ‘Look out, ma, there’s a white boat going up the river.’ Great tune. There are numerous songs that I would have given my right arm to create, but that was the first one that came to mind.
As Waters correctly mentioned, the song featured on Young’s 1979 album Rust Never Sleeps, although its origins go back far further. Several years before, in 1975, Young attempted to record ‘Powderfinger‘ as a solo project. The project had planned to feature it before its abandonment.
Determined to find a home for “Powderfinger” after the album’s cancellation, Young set his sights on Lynyrd Skynyrd. Tragically, Ronnie Van Zant’s death in a plane crash prevented the band from recording the offering. This prompted Young to record an electrified version with Crazy Horse for Rust Never Sleeps.
Listen to ‘Powderfinger‘ below.
