In the world of rock ‘n’ roll feuds, Pink Floyd reigns supreme. From the get-go, the band’s members clashed fiercely, leading to dramatic fallouts, firings, and unresolvable disputes.
Today, Roger Waters and David Gilmour are still locked in a bitter feud, proving that even their legendary music can’t mend the deep rift that has kept their partnership was anything but harmonious.
Two Clashing Egos
The root of their conflict seems to differ depending on who you ask. For Gilmour, it all began when he realized Waters didn’t respect his ideas or vision. On the other hand, Waters has always seen Gilmour as a collaborator more focused on sparking fights than achieving results.
Regardless of which perspective is accurate, their refusal to reconcile created a rift that damaged their creative process for decades.
A Tense Studio Atmosphere
Their ongoing animosity became glaringly obvious during the recording of The Final Cut, where Waters refused to let Gilmour contribute any material. The album was plagued by their estrangement, resulting in what many fans and critics consider one of Pink Floyd’s weakest efforts.
Even as solo artists, the two can’t seem to escape their hostility. Gilmour has even taken public shots at his former bandmate, as heard in his song “You Know I’m Right,” where he implies that Waters was always eager to pick a fight.
The Division Bell and Lost Opportunity
Years after Waters left the band, the feud still persisted. On The Division Bell, Gilmour continued to express his grievances toward Waters. The track “Lost For Words” contains a thinly veiled jab at Waters for refusing to rejoin the band.
Gilmour portrays himself as having a rare moment of vulnerability, hoping for reconciliation, only for Waters to reject him.
“So I open my door to my enemies and I ask, could we wipe the slate clean?” Gilmour sings, followed by the bitter line, “But they tell me to please go f*** myself. You know, you just can’t win.”
The album’s liner notes and interlude further hinted at the tension, with boxing gloves and a commentator announcing, “Winner! By a knockout,” suggesting that Gilmour wanted to remind Waters of who came out on top.
No Reconciliation in Sight
Most band feuds eventually fizzle out, with former members burying the hatchet after years of animosity. But Waters and Gilmour show no signs of letting their bitterness fade. Their unrelenting determination to outlast one another proves that some disputes are destined to drag on forever.
Reconciliation? Not likely — their differences, both musical and political, are too deeply ingrained for that to happen.
