Any fan of Pink Floyd knows that appreciating their legacy is unlike following any other band. Their vast discography alone can feel daunting, matched only by their relentless pursuit of expansive artistic expression. Though David Gilmour and Roger Waters were often at odds, Pink Floyd always operated as a complex, unified force—one whose intricate body of work remains timeless.
Despite internal conflicts and creative differences, their commitment to pushing boundaries was unwavering. Even at the height of their fame, they never rested, constantly searching for new sonic landscapes to explore. Their music spanned dimensions—past, present, and future—woven into vivid, kaleidoscopic visions.
This drive for innovation also explains why, when Gilmour was asked about his personal favorites, he responded with the same sense of awe many fans express when faced with the question. “There’s lots of them,” he admitted, before singling out ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ and ‘Wish You Were Here’ as “standout tracks.” The latter also holds a special place for Waters, making it the only Gilmour collaboration he continued to perform during his solo tours.
But what about Gilmour’s favorite guitar moments? When pressed on his standout solos, he pointed to tracks that pushed him creatively—ventures outside his usual comfort zone. These included the solos on ‘Comfortably Numb’ and ‘Dogs’ from Animals, along with the underrated riff from his solo cut, ‘Raise My Rent’.
“Both solos on ‘Comfortably Numb’ are pretty good,” Gilmour told Guitar Classics VI in 1993.
“The solos on ‘Dogs’ from the Animals album I kept on because they’re different and slightly outside my usual scope. I like what I did on the instrumental ‘Raise My Rent’ from the first solo album. That was sort of an excuse to go on a 12-bar blues.”
For Gilmour, a powerful guitar instrumental can sometimes outshine a lyrical piece—evoking emotion in a more provocative, visceral way.
That’s exactly what makes ‘Raise My Rent’ so striking: its immediate emotional impact and lyrical storytelling—delivered entirely through guitar. It could easily belong in Pink Floyd’s catalog, standing as a beautifully arranged instrumental that communicates everything without a single word. It’s a testament to Gilmour’s brilliance—his unique ability to express deep sentiment purely through melody.
Even his lyrical songs achieve this same resonance. Whether in his solo efforts or with Pink Floyd, Gilmour’s music consistently chased deeper artistic expression, crafting sonic worlds layered with emotion and complexity. His compositions often convey profound meaning before a single word is even sung, revealing stories and feelings that transcend easy explanation.
