@Art Also with Queen reactions to Bohemian Rhapsody. Some uncannily pause the video at the crescendo of the 'opera bit' instantly before the 'drop' into the famous head-banging rock-out!. Ruins it.
This. Now that you've heard the lyrics for the first time, and maybe gone out to read them... Watching the Pulse version, without stopping, is a must. 😊🤙 By the way, you just paused during arguably the greatest guitar solo ever. Haha that's a no-no. His name is David Gilmour by the way... Also, check out Great Gig in the Sky by Pink Floyd for arguably the greatest vocal this side of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Pulse is the best version out there. Period. The solo is just sick. Gilmour makes the guitar sing, cry and scream and wow yeah it just gives me goose bumps. I saw them in 94 on that tour. My #1 concert experience ever (since I was too young for Live Aid ;)
The song is part of a concept album called The wall which means the album is telling a story. Without going into too much detail which would take forever this song is toward the end of the album when the main character has gone into a complete catatonic mental state from all the events in the story. He is a rockstar and he is locked in his hotel room and the managers/promotors are trying to get him to play on stage but he is completely unresponsive.
@@Penddraig7 ummmm yeah it is what i just said is true look it up. Heck there is a full length cult movie based on it and like i said its a concept album, the story is set in stone. Sure you can interpret it your own way but that's what the song and album are about.
Anglo-Saxon ærist that’s a movie based on the album, the song is actually based on real life event that Roger wrote lyrics about. Comfortably Numb is his lyrics and David’s tune which David had written while working on his solo album. The event in question happened backstage before a gig in 77 in Philadelphia. Roger had what was thought to be stomach pains, the doctor injected him with a tranquilliser, ketamine I believe, Roger went on to play the gig but he could barely stand up and move his arms to play the guitar, he managed to make it to the encore but just couldn’t physically continue at that time so Pink Floyd played the rest of the gig without him. the whole thing reminded him of when he was a child and he had the flu and how it made him feel. That’s what the song is about!
@@Penddraig7 inspired and based are not the same thing. In the context of the story the album is telling it is about the character called Pink who is unresponsive and is incapable of playing onstage. The entire album was inspired by a time when Rodger Waters spat on a fan but that's not what the album is about its about the CHARACTER called Pink the song itself has nothing to do with real life it was INSPIRED by real events, not based. What you said is true but when put into the album context it's not what it's about that is a fact. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall when it was first written it is about Waters but when put into the album it has another meaning
That's the beauty of music. It can mean a lot of things to different people. Heck it can mean a lot of different things to an individual over time. I've been listening to Floyd since I was a child (I'm 50 now) and their songs have meant a lot of things to me over the years.
David Gilmour is the guitarist , considered by many to be the best there is !! If you watch the Pulse live concert version of this song the guitar solo is even better !!
David Gilmour is a great guitarist, but that’s the first time I’ve ever heard considered the best ever. I can make a laundry list of better guitarists.
David Gilmore is the guitarist. This solo is considered by many to be the greatest solo of all time. Check out the PULSE version ( uncut) video. You will see David Gilmore playing an extended version of the solo. It is EPIC.
So this only means that Pulse live version has to be done to get a true experience on how this song is preformed with what has to be one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded David puts all the feeling he has into it and takes you along for the ride Epic!
I appreciate you approaching the music without allowing yourselves to be "forewarned," so to speak; it does make the reactions more honest. This one's tough, because it's part of a linear story that's about 2/3 or 3/4 done by the time it appears on the album. But I think you did a pretty good job of giving it an interpretation without knowing that context, so congratulations! If you're really brave, you might want to dip your toes into some more of the deep waters that Pink Floyd provides. You should try "Time / The Great Gig in the Sky." Very meaningful lyrics that you don't need context to grasp -- the concept is universal. You could do just "Time" as many others do, but the two songs fit together so perfectly, I believe the impact is much more profound when heard together.
Suggestion, if I may, especially if you go with more Floyd songs: Floyd is meant to be absorbed emotionally first, THEN delve deeper into the lyrics. I understand that you may feel the need to pause the songs so as to not get blocked, but I have seen many people react to Floyd NOT pause the songs and their videos are still up. If you really, REALLY want to GET Pink Floyd...just push play and LISTEN. Analyze at the end. Oh, and good headphones are a MUST.
The song is about a rock star who is on the brink of cracking up and his doctor gives him a drug to keep going and be able to play his show. He becomes comfortably numb.
Sean Slaughter it was also inspired by a real experience that Waters had: In an interview released in the 80s, Waters said that much of the song comes from something that really happened one evening when, in order to allow him to perform in Philadelphia, the doctor gave him a sedative for a severe stomach ache, which had probably caused by nerves. On the stage, his hands were numb and his vision blurred, but none of this derailed the crowd, who continued to dance and sing.
If you can, please check out Pink Floyd performing Comfortably Numb LIVE at the Pulse Concert (1994). The extended guitar solo and spectacular light show combine for an unforgettable performance.
They're definitely a stoner band, but more than that, they're a psychedelic rock band. Listening to Pink Floyd while tripping is such a fucking experience, I highly recommend it
Mahzepileff you don’t need to take anything to be on a trip with Floyd , just sit back with headphones on an you will definitely go on a trip just buy listening to them 👌
One of the re-occurring themes of Pink Floyd is the mechanization of musicians by the music industry and people in general.. namely ‘Another brick in the wall’.. ‘welcome to the machine’ and ‘comfortably numb’ as listened to here. In this song, on the run up to a live gig & long road tour David Gilmores (the guitarist) hands had become swollen to the extent he had to stop and take a much needed break. Despite his objections the music label went ahead and had a doctor give him a jab against his wishes.. that both relieved the pain and made him high.”So the show could go on....”. . “comfortably numb’ then is not about drug taking but is about being forced into doing something against your wishes and being at the mental point of no longer caring what happens next.. in street language in UK. Comfortably numb refers to ‘not caring and being ok with it’.. song was on the 1975 dark side of the moon album and has become part of UK sub culture. Ps, best guitar solo ever, Comfortably numb, live at Pulse.. Also, and more importantly to some extent. If you listen to the tune you can hear many nautical references, “coming at you in waves’ etc etc.. both as a hidden sub conscious reference to his father who sailed overseas in wwII never to return as well as other references within the song.. when you listen you can hear the wave type effect of the notes with the music notes almost overlapping each other as waves on a beach.. (in your video 9m 20 ish, da da da da, da da da da in the background, the ‘waves’ of the backing song) and the track itself even without the guitar solo is a masterpiece in layering of melodies. P.s. subbed. Will have a drink later when get back from work Wish i was comfortably numb.. crap job..
DJAnarkros DJ & UA-camr : Sorry to correct you bro, but Comfortably Numb was on 1979's The Wall album, not Dark Side of the Moon which was released in 1973 (not 1975).
Yup...."Comfortably Numb" Live Pulse Version, a must See & Listen.......& so many more in the Pink Floyd Library.....maybe "Time" "Money" "Wish You Were Here" or better yet whole album listen, for a better understanding of each song as they all flow together as a concept....can't go wrong with either "Dark Side of the Moon" or "Animals" albums... Peace Out,,,,,,& Rock On Beyond .
"In a radio interview around 1980 with Jim Ladd from KLOS in Los Angeles, Roger Waters said part of the song is about the time he got hepatitis but didn't know it. Pink Floyd had to do a show that night in Philadelphia, and the doctor Roger saw gave him a sedative to help the pain, thinking it was a stomach disorder. At the show, Roger's hands were numb "like two toy balloons." He was unable to focus, but also realized the fans didn't care because they were so busy screaming, hence "comfortably" numb." ~ Song Facts
Quote: "Roger Waters wrote the lyrics. While many people thought the song was about drugs, Waters claims it is not. The lyrics are about what he felt like as a child when he was sick with a fever. As an adult, he got that feeling again sometimes, entering a state of delirium, where he felt detached from reality. He told Mojo magazine (December 2009) that the lines, "When I was a child I had a fever/My hands felt just like two balloons" were autobiographical. He explained: "I remember having the flu or something, an infection with a temperature of 105 and being delirious. It wasn't like the hands looked like balloons, but they looked way too big, frightening. A lot of people think those lines are about masturbation. God knows why."- end quote. From songfacts dot com....Pink Floyd is made to work your mind and your consciousness in different ways....A free ride with or without psychedelics...
Someone finally telling the right meaning, only half of the story though, it’s actually all autobiographical, the song recounts an event he experienced backstage before a gig in 77 at Philadelphia if my memory serves me correctly, where he was bent over in pain from what was thought to be a stomach/abdominal pain (later turned out to be hepatitis I believe) and it made him feel like he did when he was a child and had a fever, the Doctor came in to attend him and that’s where the narrative of the song begins, the “hello is there anybody in there” character in the song is the doctor talking to him, the chorus part is himself. The doctor injected him with a tranquilliser, ketamine I believe and that put him in a state of being comfortably numb and although he was able to go out and perform during the concert, I believe he said that he remembers playing the concert, physically being there in body, but he had no real recollection if he performed well, whether he played the right songs at the right time etc, he could barely hold himself up and move his arms. Roger and David made it into a song using the instrumentals that David Gilmour had written for a different song with the lyrics Roger had written about his experience and they ended up with Comfortably Numb
Written by bassist Roger Waters, the lyrics were inspired by Waters's experience of being injected with tranquilizers for stomach cramps before a Pink Floyd show in Philadelphia on the 1977 In the Flesh Tour. "That was the longest two hours of my life," Waters said, "trying to do a show when you can hardly lift your arm." The song had the working title "The Doctor" In (The Wall's)storyline context Pink becomes severely depressed and starts to lose all faith. In order to get him to perform, a doctor medicates him. This results in a hallucinatory on-stage performance.
Hehehe... it never fails! There have been a plethora of people do a reaction video of this Pink Floyd song "Comfortly Numb " and everyone ... 4 seconds into this song ... everyone does the same head nod to the beat and the swaying side to side. Since this the first time you two have listened to this song ... you just experienced what I call ... " The Pink Floyd Effect " brought to you by David Gilmour ( on vocals and Guitar) . HEHEHE... I'm watching y'alls reaction while typing this and had to chuckle because everyone plays "Air Guitar" during David Gilmour's solo... so ... you two reacted just as I thought you would. You can't fight the Pink Floyd/David Gilmour Effect ... 👍👍😎
I totally agree that you should do no research before listening to a song. If you enjoy it and want to know more then you can look deeper. And that is Mr. David Gilmour on guitar. Someone once said of him the he is a true Englishman and is unable to express himself through talking so he speaks with his guitar. That's also him singing the second and fourth verse. Soft voice and smooth. Pink Floyd is hard to react to in single songs. They are much more suitable to whole album sides. keep reacting. Peace
He's a thoroughly nice bloke. He once said that he couldn't play fast so he concentrated on getting a lot of feeling into his guitar playing. It worked. The solo here is one of the best in popular music.
* * In a radio interview around 1980 with Jim Ladd from KLOS in Los Angeles, Waters said part of the song is about the time he got hepatitis but didn't know it. Pink Floyd had to do a show that night in Philadelphia, and the doctor Roger saw gave him a sedative to help the pain, thinking it was a stomach disorder. At the show, Roger's hands were numb "like two toy balloons." He was unable to focus, but also realized the fans didn't care because they were so busy screaming, hence "comfortably" numb. He said most of The Wall is about alienation between the audience and band. Exploring further, Mojo asked Waters about the line, "That'll keep you going through the show," referring to getting medicated before going on-stage. He explained: "That comes from a specific show at the Spectrum in Philadelphia (June 29, 1977). I had stomach cramps so bad that I thought I wasn't able to go on. A doctor backstage gave me a shot of something that I swear to God would have killed a f---ing elephant. I did the whole show hardly able to raise my hand above my knee. He said it was a muscular relaxant. But it rendered me almost insensible. It was so bad that at the end of the show, the audience was baying for more. I couldn't do it. They did the encore about me." >>
It's wonderful to see a couple like you doing something you like in front of the public. We need more couples like you and thank you for inspiring people.
David Gilmore is one of the best guitarists in the world, and likely the most beloved. He is a treasure. He makes his guitar sing and brings out emotion in his song. One thing about PF is that they are a band who are just as good live (often better) as in the studio. Never shy away from doing the live version. speaking of live, you really should watch the Pulse concert version live at Earl's Court, in London. It gives me chills everytime I sit down, watch and listen wirh headphones. Most Pink Floyd songs are best with headphones because there is so much detail that you miss just listening in an open room. Those details are wonderous.
First, I want to commend you both for listening and trying to interpret this song. Second, this song is on the, "The Wall" album. It is about some crazy drug but is never told. Third, I think it is great that you both are trying understand a pink floyd song and comment on it but you must understand to get the full Floyd experience to understand in your own right, you must listen to "The Dark Side" in full, then watch "The wall", in full. Both are very great. Dark side for everybody for the ages, the wall for somebody that has a problem in life...
If you enjoyed that solo, you have got to do the pulse version of this song. The solo is extended ( BIG TIME ). You will also be able to see how relaxed he is during it as well. He is so relaxed it looks like he could be sitting in his lazy boy recliner, and just playing. His name is David Gilmour . In my opinion, he is the best guitarist of all time. The solo to this song in the pulse version has been deemed the best guitar solo of all time. You be the judge though.
The guitar player is Dave Gilmour. As a 66 year old having heard everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughn I think I can say that he is THE best guitar player of my generation. AND this solo is one of the best of all time. As has been mentioned in all the comments below if you really like this then watch the Pulse live version. Your minds will be blown. I have been lucky enough to see them twice.
There are countless other epic guitar solos throughout the history of Rock but for me, there are none so deeply emotional as Mr. Gilmour's in "Comfortably Numb". It's a beautiful song about lost innocence and the depths of despair. If one is indeed "numb", even "comfortably" so, what has your life become?
Just got out of wrk getting my sip on a nice cold brew and one of gods amazing creations smokin on a spliff and what better jam to listen to after a hard day ✌❤✌
Its a conversation between a doctor and a catatonic rock star. You need to listen to the album or see the movie for full context. The rock star is detached from reality and reflecting on his childhood and the doctor is trying to wake him up to get him on stage. PS: If you ever pause a David Gilmore solo again Im going to track you down and toilet paper your house. I will clean it up after woods but still.
Well, there is an old saying "Leo Fender created the Stratocaster and God created Dave Gilmour to play it". (NB With all due deference to Jimi, Eric, Rory, Ritchie, SRV et al)
In the film "The Wall", the main character has OD'd and is checking out. "Hello, Time to go!" are his handlers coming to get him for the show (in the lyrics). "Just a little pin-prick" is the doctor giving him some sort of injection to revive him. It's during the outro guitar solo is when the character descends into an alter-ego. Trippy flick..,.for sure.This song holds a sentimental spot for me for a friend that's long gone. The solo from "Pulse" is mind-blowing!
A problem with us watching these reactions, we already know the song and it's meaning... so we cringe to watch them guess.... but that's the whole premise of these videos, genuine first-thought reactions. But, they could eliminate MANY words so we can ALL really listen to the song in continuity.... makes a huge difference.
I first heard this song over 30 years ago and it still gives me chills. So beautiful! Thank you for not looking up lyrics ahead of time. I love you two!
heck yes back in the 1979 future pink floyd was part of a great era of timeless music. Music that was influenced from others in the past, and will influence more in the future. I have to add a few things that I know as an old dude. 1) To get a true experience of Pink, shut every thing else off except your music, lights out, relax in your comfy couch, and listen to, "The dark side of the Moon", from the start to the end. 2) The ooh ohh voice that you will hear is Clair Torry. She is from the UK and has the most soul power of any song that we might hear in any song ever.. She was paid $300 for that session back in 1979. There was a lawsuit since then and I do trust that she has been compensated since then. I hope that she was. 3) "The Wall", is a video that was high tech and creative back in the day. It has great animation and undertones that is Floyd. 4)Roger lost his father in WW2 , that was the basis of "the wall", and it worked well. 5) Pink Floyd mixed emotions and Roger Waters split. 6)Time went on, more to it. 7) More to it... 8) David Gilmore, retired this year, sold his guitars at auction and donated it to science. fck ya. what the heck did I do.
Hey thanks for sharing your first experience with floyd with us. I like seeing people get into the music I've loved for so long and I really appreciate you two. I personally dig a little deeper into the lyrics but that's what's great about music and lyrics. It paints different pictures for everyone who bring their personal perspective to it. I hope you will check out anything on pink Floyd's dark side of the moon album. I must say though that floyd makes albums intended to be listened to from start to finish in their entirety. Their like operas you could say and so much of their music is very relaxed and layed back. I like to turn up my stereo with a good CD. You tube or download doesn't really do it justice but crank it up, turn down the lights, sit back light one or pop a top and enjoy. Thanks I really enjoyed listening with you.
The point of view character is going through a dissociative episode, approaching catatonia. His energy has been burned out in a violent episode (including trashing his hotel room) after the prior night's performance, and at the moment, he's exhausted, and numb. He's processing what's going on, but not finding a way out, and he's almost surprised that he has indeed become Comfortably Numb.
Steph, I believed that Roger Waters, original bassist wrote the song about being sick on the road as he was thinking of time when he was a child. As Roger being treated for being sick, someone probably medical staff gave him some meds that made him feeling good. So, in that state of mind, Roger written the words and maybe the music for Comfortably Numb.
Step N Jay, Do you know how Pink Floyd gotten their band name? Back in mid 60's in London, members of the band just started out. Their main influence is The Blues. They picked band name from two Bluesmen: Pink Anderson & Floyd Council where founder of the band, Syd Barrett has collection of their music.
I agree with others, this song live from their Pulse is awesome! I had a chance to see them live on this tour back in 1994 when Pink Floyd made a stop in Tampa, Florida, but I have to missed it due to work.
The song was written by Rodger Waters and was about his experience as a child during post WW2 England. He had a high fever and nearly died. If you listen to the song Shine on You Crazy Diamond. Its about his band mate Sid Barrett, who took too much acid and lost his mind. There is alot of heavy meaning behind Pink Floyds' songs.
So, this is from a double album concept album, where every song tells part of a story from beginning to end. And on a double album, there's a lot of time to stretch out and tell one epic story. The theme is alienation. The character in the story is called Pink, and he's a rock star slowly going nuts and losing contact with reality, with his fans, with the audience at his shows. Comfortably Numb is about 2/3 of the way through the story, and it takes place after Pink has had a nervous breakdown. He's being heavily medicated, because his handlers don't really care about his mental health, they just want to get him put back together enough to play another show. But every song on the album takes you deep, deep into Pink's world. And where you or I might be just floating on the drug cocktail Pink has been given, he's busy exploring his feelings, because he knows he shouldn't be feeling this way about his fellow human beings and he wants to figure this out before he loses it completely. Starting with "Hello, is there anybody in there?", that's the doctors trying to get through to Pink. And when Pink speaks, here's what he has to say: There is no pain, you are receding A distant ship's smoke on the horizon You are only coming through in waves Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying When I was a child, I had a fever My hands felt just like two balloons Now I've got that feeling once again I can't explain, you will not understand This is not how I am I have become comfortably numb So, partly, this is the drugs...the drugs Pink has taken to numb his pain, and the drugs the doctors have given him to pull him out of his funk. But even without the drugs, Pink has pulled away from humanity. He doesn't see people for who they are, they are distant...like a ship's smoke waaaayy out on the horizon. It hurts Pink to deal with people. They hurt him. He's escaped into his fantasy world, he's escaped into his drugs, he's escaped into his madness. He is now comfortably numb.
Pink Floyd is very descriptive but non-specific, so many of their tracks can be interpreted in different ways. One of the reasons their music remains timeless. See the Live Pulse version of this song to go along with your adult beverage of choice, you won't be disappointed but changed forever. Bravo...
David Gilmour on guitar. He is so soulful. Every note counts instead of trying to impress with speed. He impresses with the correct note and the time spent on each note. You sir know quality when you hear it. Listen to "Have a Cigar" by Pink Floyd. I think you will like it.
There are two distinct voices in this song. One is the "dodgy" doctor asking "is there anyone in there?" The other is the main character in the story, who is a Rock singer who has become cataleptic and shut himself off from the world. The doctor is injecting him with something that will allow him to perform in the "show". The whole double album is a concept about the life of a singular man. You guys have the most fun reaction videos I've seen.
Great music, great reactions, the beauty of the art of music and the lyrics is that there is no wrong answer to what it means to you as your hearing it, each individual will have their own interpretation regardless of the composer intent.We are all unique with different tastes but I love this Pink Floyd classic and enjoyed your sharing your reaction, thank you.
Listening to this song on its own is like walking in halfway through a conversation. You are always scrambling to catch up. Best to listen to the whole album, start to finish in one sitting, then everything will make sense.
Thanks for reacting to Pink Floyd!!! I'd love to see you guys react to The Wall. The album takes you on a journey for sure you guys would love it. Get your drink on and your smoke on first though,lol.
Actually, in an interview with Rogers Waters, he said he was sick before a concert and couldn't perform. A doctor gave him some medicine through a syringe (pin prick) and he was able to make it throught the show. He said his hands felt like 2 balloons and he couldn't really play the guitar. He has no idea to this day what the medicine was. It reminded him of when he was a child and ran a high fever.
Our Lord and saviour Mr David Gilmour. Speaks through his guitar. Check out the Pulse live version, widely regarded as the best guitar solo ever performed.
Regardless of this song’s place in the full story of Pink Floyd’s The Wall, it is more about how we grow older and more numb to how awful life and humans can be. We remember our childhoods and watch our innocence sail away. Off into the distance. We want to grab it. But it’s gone. Drugs trick some of us into thinking we can get that back. We can’t. Don’t chase the dragon. Just appreciate that it existed for you. And appreciate that the youth all around us are experiencing it. IT. First times. They don’t happen twice. It’s frightening to realize that you have to be numb in order to survive in the world. Thank you for giving this song a chance ✌🏻
Pink floyd are a band of deep and philosophical thought, in tandem of being the creative genius ahead of their time they have forged their own path into rock and roll fame! If you liked that Gilmour guitar solo as the other comments say you have to react to comfortably numb from the live pulse album... You won't be disappointed, good reaction guys! Keep it going
The song is actually two singers. The first is a doctor, the second is the patient. The doctor is sent in to give the performer some drugs so he can continue to perform (as he's exhausted and withdrawing into his shell and practically catonic). He gives the patient some uppers to help him get through the show. Then the choruses switch to the narrator who is feeling comfortably numb after being given the drugs. The narrator then describes how the feeling he has reminds him of when he was a child and became sick and feverish and felt out of body. Then in the second chorus it describes how the drug reminds him of when he was a child and felt a fleeting glimpse (or a revelation) of something profound, but out of the corner of his eye (similar to how you dream of things which seem profound but then you wake up and forget the details but just remember tiny bits of the dream. He hears the doctor telling him about how the drugs will help him but he just sees his lips moving. he's out of body, but comforatable.
Pink Floyd is a perfect smoke a J, kick back, relax and just lose yourself in the music band. Oh, and Jay, that guitar solo in this song is widely considered one of the most iconic guitar solos of all time. You hear it, and you just know exactly what song it came from and who it's by. Well, if you're a rock fan or guitar fan in general.🤘
Pink Floyd named after two black blues musicians from North Carolina, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. Initially The founder of the band envisioned the group to be a 'Blues Band' which ultimately became a genre unto themselves. There is no band like Pink Floyd, a very unique style and sound. They never recorded a love song, always had something to say.
Everyone has a story for this I was in a coma for 47 days after a open brain injury and brain bleed flat lined 14 times according to records once for just under five mins. but when I was coming out of the coma it was like they were asking me was they're anybody in there and I could see they're lips move but I could not hear what they were saying and the distant ship smoke on the horizon was because my head had been swollen so big at one point my Dr. said my ears were on the back of my head so the smoke was my vision being blurred and swollen shut still . It was a time . And this song just keeps reminding me of me I had a fleeting glemps of somethings as a child after Sunday School and turn to look but it was gone all the way down to the fever . It's Gods Grace I am still here because He kept me . I had a lot more injuries they just didn't fit in here . I have always loved this and always will and all Pink Floyd . See what you think of my living it out .
The song is about the music business and the effect it can have on the musicians. They spend years (this was the 60's) working to get success, and then when it arrives, the effects can be huge on the musicians. They get caught up in constant touring and concerts and being to wonder whether it was worth it due to the constant pressure. It induces mental illness in some and in others they fall, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Keith Moon, and most recently Michael Jackson and many others have died. But the show must go on and there is always a "doctor" on hand to give a little boost to "keep you going through the show". The comfortably numb refers to the almost catatonic mental state that some musicians (in this case Roger Walters, the bass player of the Cloys who wrote the wall, the album which this song comes from) suffered badly and could barely perform without support. You can read all about it. The band was formed in the mid 1960's in London and are the greatest ever. You have not heard of them, but can easily find out without looking at the lyrics. Watch the live recordings, especially "Pulse", which was the last Pink Floyd performances in 1995 at Earl's Court in London, or Dave Gilmore (Guitarist), live in Gdansk with essentially the the same band, but as a solo gig. he is still touring and selling out and I saw Nick Mason (drummer) doing early Cloys stuff last September, also excellent. These guys do not rely on auto-tune and can really play.
David Gilmour can set the mood to a song, any song, with just a few seconds of his guitar. It can take you to feeling the highest of highs, to the most mournful and sad feelings imaginable. The solo in Comfortably Numb always brings a tear to my eye, not only because it sounds sad, but also because it's SUCH A DAMN GOOD SOLO that you're in awe each time you hear it!
If I’ve said this before I apologize,but it does my heart good to see a couple that love each other like you guys do.I fell in love with my wife in 1989 and love her more everyday.Keep going.You guys have reacted to great music together,which just adds to how much I want to keep watching your videos.I don’t know if you know this or not, but there was a movie made from this album,and honestly I’ve wanted to see someone react to it for a while now.The imagery of it along with the music just adds to it all.Thats a lot to ask,but if you two ever have the time I’m sure I wouldn’t be the only one to go through it with you.Pink Floyd “The Wall” movie would be a first, and a great one.Love you guys!
A terrible childhood recollection of David suffering an illness in which at a very young age he was on the edge of the end as he saw it. Treatment of the young with powerful pain killers and the subsequent delusion/euphoria results in a break from reality. Imagine the doctors asking him these questions and trying to asses the problem while he is no longer in a reality that is shared by those around him. Without the walls and barriers that we build as we age and experience life, doors would be opened that we as adults know not to approach, let alone go through. Lets just say David went through these doors and kept the keys along with their locations.
You're both right about the song... The man has had enough with life. Heartbreak and drugs have worked it's way into this man's life, and left him "Comfortably Numb". He is erged to continue, as a stage performer, and by the help of a Dr., to make the show go on...
Pink Floyd didn't release songs so much but they released albums. The entire album tells a story. You need to watch the live Pulse Concert version of this. It will be well worth your time.
One does not simply pause a Gilmour solo.
No shit!!! WTH?!...its like someone switching positions when you're A.L.M.O.S.T ....F.U.C.K.I.N.G..
T.H.E.R.E!!!! 😤🤯😤 Haha :)
just sooo wrong.
@Art Have you noticed some reactors have a spooky ability to pause at the instantaneous microsecond it starts?.
@Art Also with Queen reactions to Bohemian Rhapsody. Some uncannily pause the video at the crescendo of the 'opera bit' instantly before the 'drop' into the famous head-banging rock-out!. Ruins it.
David Gilmour and Brian May are absolutely best
guitarists rock music has to offer. Different. types of playing skills.
I KNOW, I was in shock!!!
Now check out the live Pulse version of this song with awesome light show and extended extended guitar solo
Absolutely!..MUST check out the Pulse live version!..Off the charts!
This.
Now that you've heard the lyrics for the first time, and maybe gone out to read them... Watching the Pulse version, without stopping, is a must. 😊🤙
By the way, you just paused during arguably the greatest guitar solo ever. Haha that's a no-no. His name is David Gilmour by the way...
Also, check out Great Gig in the Sky by Pink Floyd for arguably the greatest vocal this side of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Pulse is the best version out there. Period. The solo is just sick. Gilmour makes the guitar sing, cry and scream and wow yeah it just gives me goose bumps. I saw them in 94 on that tour. My #1 concert experience ever (since I was too young for Live Aid ;)
Agreed, much love from New Zealand
So be prepared for ride of
your life!
The song is part of a concept album called The wall which means the album is telling a story. Without going into too much detail which would take forever this song is toward the end of the album when the main character has gone into a complete catatonic mental state from all the events in the story. He is a rockstar and he is locked in his hotel room and the managers/promotors are trying to get him to play on stage but he is completely unresponsive.
Anglo-Saxon ærist awesomely said
Well that’s not really what the song is about
@@Penddraig7 ummmm yeah it is what i just said is true look it up. Heck there is a full length cult movie based on it and like i said its a concept album, the story is set in stone. Sure you can interpret it your own way but that's what the song and album are about.
Anglo-Saxon ærist that’s a movie based on the album, the song is actually based on real life event that Roger wrote lyrics about. Comfortably Numb is his lyrics and David’s tune which David had written while working on his solo album.
The event in question happened backstage before a gig in 77 in Philadelphia.
Roger had what was thought to be stomach pains, the doctor injected him with a tranquilliser, ketamine I believe, Roger went on to play the gig but he could barely stand up and move his arms to play the guitar, he managed to make it to the encore but just couldn’t physically continue at that time so Pink Floyd played the rest of the gig without him. the whole thing reminded him of when he was a child and he had the flu and how it made him feel. That’s what the song is about!
@@Penddraig7 inspired and based are not the same thing. In the context of the story the album is telling it is about the character called Pink who is unresponsive and is incapable of playing onstage. The entire album was inspired by a time when Rodger Waters spat on a fan but that's not what the album is about its about the CHARACTER called Pink the song itself has nothing to do with real life it was INSPIRED by real events, not based. What you said is true but when put into the album context it's not what it's about that is a fact. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall when it was first written it is about Waters but when put into the album it has another meaning
Check out pink floyd live, pulse show. Pink floyd choreographed with lasers. Probably one of the best live shows of all time.
one of his greatest versions of that revered guitar solo also
@@DaveWhoa The solo is a benchmark for epic audience engagement.
Thank you. A good synopsis. No one should listen to this song out of the context the album. The Wall is one the Top 5 albums of the past 60 years.
That's the beauty of music. It can mean a lot of things to different people. Heck it can mean a lot of different things to an individual over time. I've been listening to Floyd since I was a child (I'm 50 now) and their songs have meant a lot of things to me over the years.
It is often said that Dave Gilmore doesnt plug his guitar into an amp, he plugs it into his SOUL!!
You paused it in the middle of arguably the greatest guitar solo in rock history....
David Gilmour is the guitarist , considered by many to be the best there is !! If you watch the Pulse live concert version of this song the guitar solo is even better !!
It's GILMOUR
@@madiam4u You are correct, I didn't notice what my auto correct on my phone had done , thanks for pointing it out :)
David Gilmour had been with Pink Floyd since 1968.
David Gilmour is a great guitarist, but that’s the first time I’ve ever heard considered the best ever. I can make a laundry list of better guitarists.
Syd Barrett was kicked out of the band.
David Gilmore is the guitarist. This solo is considered by many to be the greatest solo of all time. Check out the PULSE version ( uncut) video. You will see David Gilmore playing an extended version of the solo. It is EPIC.
IT IS THE GREATEST SOLO!!
Meddle,1971
I've chosen three albums
before The Dark Side Of The Moon.
@@toneyisaiah408 I saw them perform the Wall in 1980 in Los Angeles. EPIC.
I still say Time is the greatest.. it moves me the most. And the sound is better.
I watched your eyes close during the solo and knew you were getting it :) That was David Gilmour, the greatest guitarist ever.
So this only means that Pulse live version has to be done to get a true experience on how this song is preformed with what has to be one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded David puts all the feeling he has into it and takes you along for the ride Epic!
I appreciate you approaching the music without allowing yourselves to be "forewarned," so to speak; it does make the reactions more honest. This one's tough, because it's part of a linear story that's about 2/3 or 3/4 done by the time it appears on the album. But I think you did a pretty good job of giving it an interpretation without knowing that context, so congratulations!
If you're really brave, you might want to dip your toes into some more of the deep waters that Pink Floyd provides. You should try "Time / The Great Gig in the Sky." Very meaningful lyrics that you don't need context to grasp -- the concept is universal. You could do just "Time" as many others do, but the two songs fit together so perfectly, I believe the impact is much more profound when heard together.
Great Gig in the Sky. You'll love it.
it's about depression so deep you don't feel the pain anymore
Check out the live pulse video the guitarist is David gilmour
Suggestion, if I may, especially if you go with more Floyd songs:
Floyd is meant to be absorbed emotionally first, THEN delve deeper into the lyrics.
I understand that you may feel the need to pause the songs so as to not get blocked, but I have seen many people react to Floyd NOT pause the songs and their videos are still up.
If you really, REALLY want to GET Pink Floyd...just push play and LISTEN. Analyze at the end.
Oh, and good headphones are a MUST.
Never stop a Gilmour solo ever again.
The song is about a rock star who is on the brink of cracking up and his doctor gives him a drug to keep going and be able to play his show. He becomes comfortably numb.
Sean Slaughter it was also inspired by a real experience that Waters had:
In an interview released in the 80s, Waters said that much of the song comes from something that really happened one evening when, in order to allow him to perform in Philadelphia, the doctor gave him a sedative for a severe stomach ache, which had probably caused by nerves. On the stage, his hands were numb and his vision blurred, but none of this derailed the crowd, who continued to dance and sing.
Paul Morg yoj hit the nail on the head
If you can, please check out Pink Floyd performing Comfortably Numb LIVE at the Pulse Concert (1994). The extended guitar solo and spectacular light show combine for an unforgettable performance.
Floyd are known to be the Top "Stoner" band in the world. Great video!
They're definitely a stoner band, but more than that, they're a psychedelic rock band. Listening to Pink Floyd while tripping is such a fucking experience, I highly recommend it
Mahzepileff you don’t need to take anything to be on a trip with Floyd , just sit back with headphones on an you will definitely go on a trip just buy listening to them 👌
One of the re-occurring themes of Pink Floyd is the mechanization of musicians by the music industry and people in general.. namely ‘Another brick in the wall’.. ‘welcome to the machine’ and ‘comfortably numb’ as listened to here. In this song, on the run up to a live gig & long road tour David Gilmores (the guitarist) hands had become swollen to the extent he had to stop and take a much needed break. Despite his objections the music label went ahead and had a doctor give him a jab against his wishes.. that both relieved the pain and made him high.”So the show could go on....”. . “comfortably numb’ then is not about drug taking but is about being forced into doing something against your wishes and being at the mental point of no longer caring what happens next.. in street language in UK. Comfortably numb refers to ‘not caring and being ok with it’.. song was on the 1975 dark side of the moon album and has become part of UK sub culture. Ps, best guitar solo ever, Comfortably numb, live at Pulse..
Also, and more importantly to some extent. If you listen to the tune you can hear many nautical references, “coming at you in waves’ etc etc.. both as a hidden sub conscious reference to his father who sailed overseas in wwII never to return as well as other references within the song.. when you listen you can hear the wave type effect of the notes with the music notes almost overlapping each other as waves on a beach.. (in your video 9m 20 ish, da da da da, da da da da in the background, the ‘waves’ of the backing song) and the track itself even without the guitar solo is a masterpiece in layering of melodies.
P.s. subbed.
Will have a drink later when get back from work
Wish i was comfortably numb.. crap job..
DJAnarkros DJ & UA-camr : Sorry to correct you bro, but Comfortably Numb was on 1979's The Wall album, not Dark Side of the Moon which was released in 1973 (not 1975).
No worries, correct away...
Yup...."Comfortably Numb" Live Pulse Version, a must See & Listen.......& so many more in the Pink Floyd Library.....maybe "Time" "Money" "Wish You Were Here" or better yet whole album listen, for a better understanding of each song as they all flow together as a concept....can't go wrong with either "Dark Side of the Moon" or "Animals" albums...
Peace Out,,,,,,& Rock On Beyond .
You have to do Pulse after this, just to see Dave Gilmour on the guitar
"In a radio interview around 1980 with Jim Ladd from KLOS in Los Angeles, Roger Waters said part of the song is about the time he got hepatitis but didn't know it. Pink Floyd had to do a show that night in Philadelphia, and the doctor Roger saw gave him a sedative to help the pain, thinking it was a stomach disorder. At the show, Roger's hands were numb "like two toy balloons." He was unable to focus, but also realized the fans didn't care because they were so busy screaming, hence "comfortably" numb." ~ Song Facts
Raymond Raymond You are 100% right!!!!
Quote: "Roger Waters wrote the lyrics. While many people thought the song was about drugs, Waters claims it is not. The lyrics are about what he felt like as a child when he was sick with a fever. As an adult, he got that feeling again sometimes, entering a state of delirium, where he felt detached from reality. He told Mojo magazine (December 2009) that the lines, "When I was a child I had a fever/My hands felt just like two balloons" were autobiographical. He explained: "I remember having the flu or something, an infection with a temperature of 105 and being delirious. It wasn't like the hands looked like balloons, but they looked way too big, frightening. A lot of people think those lines are about masturbation. God knows why."- end quote. From songfacts dot com....Pink Floyd is made to work your mind and your consciousness in different ways....A free ride with or without psychedelics...
Someone finally telling the right meaning, only half of the story though, it’s actually all autobiographical, the song recounts an event he experienced backstage before a gig in 77 at Philadelphia if my memory serves me correctly, where he was bent over in pain from what was thought to be a stomach/abdominal pain (later turned out to be hepatitis I believe) and it made him feel like he did when he was a child and had a fever, the Doctor came in to attend him and that’s where the narrative of the song begins, the “hello is there anybody in there” character in the song is the doctor talking to him, the chorus part is himself.
The doctor injected him with a tranquilliser, ketamine I believe and that put him in a state of being comfortably numb and although he was able to go out and perform during the concert, I believe he said that he remembers playing the concert, physically being there in body, but he had no real recollection if he performed well, whether he played the right songs at the right time etc, he could barely hold himself up and move his arms.
Roger and David made it into a song using the instrumentals that David Gilmour had written for a different song with the lyrics Roger had written about his experience and they ended up with Comfortably Numb
I never knew the story behind it...thank you!
Live Pulse version of this song is one of the best guitar solos ever heard. It is a must. And please do not pause a Gilmore solo. :)
I think she nailed it. BTW, MORE FLOYD!!! Thanks, guys...peace.
@ 6:40 ... The interpretation of that part, I never thought of before. You gave me something new to think about whenever I listen to the song.
Written by bassist Roger Waters, the lyrics were inspired by Waters's experience of being injected with tranquilizers for stomach cramps before a Pink Floyd show in Philadelphia on the 1977 In the Flesh Tour. "That was the longest two hours of my life," Waters said, "trying to do a show when you can hardly lift your arm." The song had the working title "The Doctor" In (The Wall's)storyline context Pink becomes severely depressed and starts to lose all faith. In order to get him to perform, a doctor medicates him. This results in a hallucinatory on-stage performance.
Hehehe... it never fails! There have been a plethora of people do a reaction video of this Pink Floyd song "Comfortly Numb " and everyone ... 4 seconds into this song ... everyone does the same head nod to the beat and the swaying side to side. Since this the first time you two have listened to this song ... you just experienced what I call ... " The Pink Floyd Effect " brought to you by David Gilmour ( on vocals and Guitar) . HEHEHE... I'm watching y'alls reaction while typing this and had to chuckle because everyone plays "Air Guitar" during David Gilmour's solo... so ... you two reacted just as I thought you would. You can't fight the Pink Floyd/David Gilmour Effect ... 👍👍😎
if you listen to pink floyd or yes you have to use HEADPHONES to get the full feeling
I like the way y'all listen to the songs. Very good analysis, and the ability to express it clearly. You make a good team.
I totally agree that you should do no research before listening to a song. If you enjoy it and want to know more then you can look deeper.
And that is Mr. David Gilmour on guitar. Someone once said of him the he is a true Englishman and is unable to express himself through talking so he speaks with his guitar. That's also him singing the second and fourth verse. Soft voice and smooth.
Pink Floyd is hard to react to in single songs. They are much more suitable to whole album sides.
keep reacting.
Peace
He's a thoroughly nice bloke. He once said that he couldn't play fast so he concentrated on getting a lot of feeling into his guitar playing. It worked. The solo here is one of the best in popular music.
*
* In a radio interview around 1980 with Jim Ladd from KLOS in Los Angeles, Waters said part of the song is about the time he got hepatitis but didn't know it. Pink Floyd had to do a show that night in Philadelphia, and the doctor Roger saw gave him a sedative to help the pain, thinking it was a stomach disorder. At the show, Roger's hands were numb "like two toy balloons." He was unable to focus, but also realized the fans didn't care because they were so busy screaming, hence "comfortably" numb. He said most of The Wall is about alienation between the audience and band. Exploring further, Mojo asked Waters about the line, "That'll keep you going through the show," referring to getting medicated before going on-stage. He explained: "That comes from a specific show at the Spectrum in Philadelphia (June 29, 1977). I had stomach cramps so bad that I thought I wasn't able to go on. A doctor backstage gave me a shot of something that I swear to God would have killed a f---ing elephant. I did the whole show hardly able to raise my hand above my knee. He said it was a muscular relaxant. But it rendered me almost insensible. It was so bad that at the end of the show, the audience was baying for more. I couldn't do it. They did the encore about me." >>
It's wonderful to see a couple like you doing something you like in front of the public. We need more couples like you and thank you for inspiring people.
David Gilmore is one of the best guitarists in the world, and likely the most beloved. He is a treasure. He makes his guitar sing and brings out emotion in his song.
One thing about PF is that they are a band who are just as good live (often better) as in the studio. Never shy away from doing the live version.
speaking of live, you really should watch the Pulse concert version live at Earl's Court, in London. It gives me chills everytime I sit down, watch and listen wirh headphones. Most Pink Floyd songs are best with headphones because there is so much detail that you miss just listening in an open room. Those details are wonderous.
Man! Steph n Jay, keep doing what you do. Great chemistry and respect for each other.
First, I want to commend you both for listening and trying to interpret this song. Second, this song is on the, "The Wall" album. It is about some crazy drug but is never told. Third, I think it is great that you both are trying understand a pink floyd song and comment on it but you must understand to get the full Floyd experience to understand in your own right, you must listen to "The Dark Side" in full, then watch "The wall", in full. Both are very great. Dark side for everybody for the ages, the wall for somebody that has a problem in life...
So much soul in that guitar... you can almost hear the words in it.
This song is quite possibly perfect in every way. It's just velvet for the ears.
Welcome to Pink Floyd! This changes a lot!
You just can't go wrong with Pink Floyd just about everything they did is mind blowing. Love your channel, hope the reactions keep coming.
If you enjoyed that solo, you have got to do the pulse version of this song. The solo is extended ( BIG TIME ). You will also be able to see how relaxed he is during it as well. He is so relaxed it looks like he could be sitting in his lazy boy recliner, and just playing. His name is David Gilmour . In my opinion, he is the best guitarist of all time. The solo to this song in the pulse version has been deemed the best guitar solo of all time. You be the judge though.
Jay man, lol. Just keep goin with her flow buddy, its a win , win...you guys are killin me.lol
😂😂😂
The guitar player is Dave Gilmour. As a 66 year old having heard everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughn I think I can say that he is THE best guitar player of my generation. AND this solo is one of the best of all time.
As has been mentioned in all the comments below if you really like this then watch the Pulse live version. Your minds will be blown. I have been lucky enough to see them twice.
You both are on a
journey to the music of
Pink Floyd.
There are countless other epic guitar solos throughout the history of Rock but for me,
there are none so deeply emotional as Mr. Gilmour's in "Comfortably Numb". It's a beautiful song about lost innocence and the depths of despair. If one is indeed "numb", even "comfortably" so, what has your life become?
When listening to Pink Floyd, it's even better with bowls, joints, blunts, pipes, etc ...
Just got out of wrk getting my sip on a nice cold brew and one of gods amazing creations smokin on a spliff and what better jam to listen to after a hard day
✌❤✌
Its a conversation between a doctor and a catatonic rock star. You need to listen to the album or see the movie for full context. The rock star is detached from reality and reflecting on his childhood and the doctor is trying to wake him up to get him on stage. PS: If you ever pause a David Gilmore solo again Im going to track you down and toilet paper your house. I will clean it up after woods but still.
You're hearing the song out of context. Comes from a concept album ,so the song is part of a continuing story . That said not all lyrics are literal .
Well, there is an old saying "Leo Fender created the Stratocaster and God created Dave Gilmour to play it". (NB With all due deference to Jimi, Eric, Rory, Ritchie, SRV et al)
In the film "The Wall", the main character has OD'd and is checking out. "Hello, Time to go!" are his handlers coming to get him for the show (in the lyrics). "Just a little pin-prick" is the doctor giving him some sort of injection to revive him. It's during the outro guitar solo is when the character descends into an alter-ego. Trippy flick..,.for sure.This song holds a sentimental spot for me for a friend that's long gone. The solo from "Pulse" is mind-blowing!
A problem with us watching these reactions, we already know the song and it's meaning... so we cringe to watch them guess.... but that's the whole premise of these videos, genuine first-thought reactions. But, they could eliminate MANY words so we can ALL really listen to the song in continuity.... makes a huge difference.
Some do it well, others like this pair don't!
You will understand all there songs if you watch the movie
I agree...an unbiased pure reaction!
I first heard this song over 30 years ago and it still gives me chills. So beautiful! Thank you for not looking up lyrics ahead of time. I love you two!
One of the greatest guitar solo's of all time. David Gilmour is the guitar player.
And the main singer. That voice!
heck yes back in the 1979 future pink floyd was part of a great era of timeless music. Music that was influenced from others in the past, and will influence more in the future. I have to add a few things that I know as an old dude. 1) To get a true experience of Pink, shut every thing else off except your music, lights out, relax in your comfy couch, and listen to, "The dark side of the Moon", from the start to the end. 2) The ooh ohh voice that you will hear is Clair Torry. She is from the UK and has the most soul power of any song that we might hear in any song ever.. She was paid $300 for that session back in 1979. There was a lawsuit since then and I do trust that she has been compensated since then. I hope that she was. 3) "The Wall", is a video that was high tech and creative back in the day. It has great animation and undertones that is Floyd. 4)Roger lost his father in WW2 , that was the basis of "the wall", and it worked well. 5) Pink Floyd mixed emotions and Roger Waters split. 6)Time went on, more to it. 7) More to it... 8) David Gilmore, retired this year, sold his guitars at auction and donated it to science. fck ya. what the heck did I do.
this is my second video from you guys.. Steph is really deep.. just blowing my mind with thoughts and insights.
Hey thanks for sharing your first experience with floyd with us. I like seeing people get into the music I've loved for so long and I really appreciate you two. I personally dig a little deeper into the lyrics but that's what's great about music and lyrics. It paints different pictures for everyone who bring their personal perspective to it. I hope you will check out anything on pink Floyd's dark side of the moon album. I must say though that floyd makes albums intended to be listened to from start to finish in their entirety. Their like operas you could say and so much of their music is very relaxed and layed back. I like to turn up my stereo with a good CD. You tube or download doesn't really do it justice but crank it up, turn down the lights, sit back light one or pop a top and enjoy. Thanks I really enjoyed listening with you.
The point of view character is going through a dissociative episode, approaching catatonia. His energy has been burned out in a violent episode (including trashing his hotel room) after the prior night's performance, and at the moment, he's exhausted, and numb. He's processing what's going on, but not finding a way out, and he's almost surprised that he has indeed become Comfortably Numb.
I just found your channel, you are genuine and I can see your love for music! I think you would enjoy Wish you were here by Pink Floyd.
Steph, I believed that Roger Waters, original bassist wrote the song about being sick on the road as he was thinking of time when he was a child. As Roger being treated for being sick, someone probably medical staff gave him some meds that made him feeling good. So, in that state of mind, Roger written the words and maybe the music for Comfortably Numb.
Step N Jay, Do you know how Pink Floyd gotten their band name? Back in mid 60's in London, members of the band just started out. Their main influence is The Blues. They picked band name from two Bluesmen: Pink Anderson & Floyd Council where founder of the band, Syd Barrett has collection of their music.
I agree with others, this song live from their Pulse is awesome! I had a chance to see them live on this tour back in 1994 when Pink Floyd made a stop in Tampa, Florida, but I have to missed it due to work.
Pink floyd is an experience. One of the greatest bands ever. Their music will live forever. As relevant today as when it was written
Got my Red wine. Love you, Steph Pinot, and Jay Grigio. I think at this point we are are all Comfortably numb and its good. Thank You Lovers.
Should have watched the Pulse concert in london earls court 1994, it blows the record version out of the water.
The song was written by Rodger Waters and was about his experience as a child during post WW2 England. He had a high fever and nearly died. If you listen to the song Shine on You Crazy Diamond. Its about his band mate Sid Barrett, who took too much acid and lost his mind. There is alot of heavy meaning behind Pink Floyds' songs.
Davis Gilmore plays with emotion and that emotion comes through in the cords he plays
So, this is from a double album concept album, where every song tells part of a story from beginning to end. And on a double album, there's a lot of time to stretch out and tell one epic story. The theme is alienation. The character in the story is called Pink, and he's a rock star slowly going nuts and losing contact with reality, with his fans, with the audience at his shows.
Comfortably Numb is about 2/3 of the way through the story, and it takes place after Pink has had a nervous breakdown. He's being heavily medicated, because his handlers don't really care about his mental health, they just want to get him put back together enough to play another show.
But every song on the album takes you deep, deep into Pink's world. And where you or I might be just floating on the drug cocktail Pink has been given, he's busy exploring his feelings, because he knows he shouldn't be feeling this way about his fellow human beings and he wants to figure this out before he loses it completely.
Starting with "Hello, is there anybody in there?", that's the doctors trying to get through to Pink. And when Pink speaks, here's what he has to say:
There is no pain, you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move, but I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child, I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain, you will not understand
This is not how I am
I have become comfortably numb
So, partly, this is the drugs...the drugs Pink has taken to numb his pain, and the drugs the doctors have given him to pull him out of his funk. But even without the drugs, Pink has pulled away from humanity. He doesn't see people for who they are, they are distant...like a ship's smoke waaaayy out on the horizon. It hurts Pink to deal with people. They hurt him. He's escaped into his fantasy world, he's escaped into his drugs, he's escaped into his madness.
He is now comfortably numb.
Pink Floyd is very descriptive but non-specific, so many of their tracks can be interpreted in different ways. One of the reasons their music remains timeless. See the Live Pulse version of this song to go along with your adult beverage of choice, you won't be disappointed but changed forever. Bravo...
Love you guys. Great review. Keep them coming. You need to listen to the whole album because it tells the full story. Tfs
David Gilmour on guitar. He is so soulful. Every note counts instead of trying to impress with speed. He impresses with the correct note and the time spent on each note. You sir know quality when you hear it. Listen to "Have a Cigar" by Pink Floyd. I think you will like it.
There are two distinct voices in this song. One is the "dodgy" doctor asking "is there anyone in there?" The other is the main character in the story, who is a Rock singer who has become cataleptic and shut himself off from the world. The doctor is injecting him with something that will allow him to perform in the "show". The whole double album is a concept about the life of a singular man. You guys have the most fun reaction videos I've seen.
Great music, great reactions, the beauty of the art of music and the lyrics is that there is no wrong answer to what it means to you as your hearing it, each individual will have their own interpretation regardless of the composer intent.We are all unique with different tastes but I love this Pink Floyd classic and enjoyed your sharing your reaction, thank you.
Matt C I agree ☝️
Listening to this song on its own is like walking in halfway through a conversation.
You are always scrambling to catch up.
Best to listen to the whole album, start to finish in one sitting, then everything will make sense.
Thanks for reacting to Pink Floyd!!! I'd love to see you guys react to The Wall. The album takes you on a journey for sure you guys would love it. Get your drink on and your smoke on first though,lol.
BLACK By
PEARL JAM Live MTV Unplugged Version 1992! 👍👍😉👏
1 million times yes. PLEASE!!
@ Kat. So I’m not the only one that thinks it’s a classic?? Just making sure lol 👏👍. It’s a really great performance!
1 million times noooooooo!!! I know its all personal opinion but Pearl Jam is just god awful. Especially the singer...he's terrible!
Well James your personal opinion is quite a joke and I can care less about it. I’ll just leave it at that.
Then don't listen to it, James.
Actually, in an interview with Rogers Waters, he said he was sick before a concert and couldn't perform. A doctor gave him some medicine through a syringe (pin prick) and he was able to make it throught the show. He said his hands felt like 2 balloons and he couldn't really play the guitar. He has no idea to this day what the medicine was. It reminded him of when he was a child and ran a high fever.
We know about his magnificent guitaring, but David's voice is something to behold. That voice is just as mesmerizing!
Our Lord and saviour Mr David Gilmour. Speaks through his guitar. Check out the Pulse live version, widely regarded as the best guitar solo ever performed.
Regardless of this song’s place in the full story of Pink Floyd’s The Wall, it is more about how we grow older and more numb to how awful life and humans can be. We remember our childhoods and watch our innocence sail away. Off into the distance. We want to grab it. But it’s gone. Drugs trick some of us into thinking we can get that back. We can’t. Don’t chase the dragon. Just appreciate that it existed for you. And appreciate that the youth all around us are experiencing it. IT. First times. They don’t happen twice. It’s frightening to realize that you have to be numb in order to survive in the world. Thank you for giving this song a chance ✌🏻
Pink floyd are a band of deep and philosophical thought, in tandem of being the creative genius ahead of their time they have forged their own path into rock and roll fame! If you liked that Gilmour guitar solo as the other comments say you have to react to comfortably numb from the live pulse album... You won't be disappointed, good reaction guys! Keep it going
I very much enjoyed watching this, this format makes you feel like you are in the room and hanging out and sharing music together.
The song is actually two singers. The first is a doctor, the second is the patient. The doctor is sent in to give the performer some drugs so he can continue to perform (as he's exhausted and withdrawing into his shell and practically catonic). He gives the patient some uppers to help him get through the show. Then the choruses switch to the narrator who is feeling comfortably numb after being given the drugs.
The narrator then describes how the feeling he has reminds him of when he was a child and became sick and feverish and felt out of body. Then in the second chorus it describes how the drug reminds him of when he was a child and felt a fleeting glimpse (or a revelation) of something profound, but out of the corner of his eye (similar to how you dream of things which seem profound but then you wake up and forget the details but just remember tiny bits of the dream.
He hears the doctor telling him about how the drugs will help him but he just sees his lips moving. he's out of body, but comforatable.
Pink Floyd is a perfect smoke a J, kick back, relax and just lose yourself in the music band. Oh, and Jay, that guitar solo in this song is widely considered one of the most iconic guitar solos of all time. You hear it, and you just know exactly what song it came from and who it's by. Well, if you're a rock fan or guitar fan in general.🤘
Pink Floyd named after two black blues musicians from North Carolina, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. Initially The founder of the band envisioned the group to be a 'Blues Band' which ultimately became a genre unto themselves. There is no band like Pink Floyd, a very unique style and sound. They never recorded a love song, always had something to say.
Everyone has a story for this I was in a coma for 47 days after a open brain injury and brain bleed flat lined 14 times according to records once for just under five mins. but when I was coming out of the coma it was like they were asking me was they're anybody in there and I could see they're lips move but I could not hear what they were saying and the distant ship smoke on the horizon was because my head had been swollen so big at one point my Dr. said my ears were on the back of my head so the smoke was my vision being blurred and swollen shut still . It was a time . And this song just keeps reminding me of me I had a fleeting glemps of somethings as a child after Sunday School and turn to look but it was gone all the way down to the fever . It's Gods Grace I am still here because He kept me . I had a lot more injuries they just didn't fit in here . I have always loved this and always will and all Pink Floyd . See what you think of my living it out .
Pink Floyd is one of the Two greatest Bands ever the other being Zeppelin. Always classic
The song is about the music business and the effect it can have on the musicians. They spend years (this was the 60's) working to get success, and then when it arrives, the effects can be huge on the musicians. They get caught up in constant touring and concerts and being to wonder whether it was worth it due to the constant pressure. It induces mental illness in some and in others they fall, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Keith Moon, and most recently Michael Jackson and many others have died. But the show must go on and there is always a "doctor" on hand to give a little boost to "keep you going through the show". The comfortably numb refers to the almost catatonic mental state that some musicians (in this case Roger Walters, the bass player of the Cloys who wrote the wall, the album which this song comes from) suffered badly and could barely perform without support. You can read all about it. The band was formed in the mid 1960's in London and are the greatest ever. You have not heard of them, but can easily find out without looking at the lyrics. Watch the live recordings, especially "Pulse", which was the last Pink Floyd performances in 1995 at Earl's Court in London, or Dave Gilmore (Guitarist), live in Gdansk with essentially the the same band, but as a solo gig. he is still touring and selling out and I saw Nick Mason (drummer) doing early Cloys stuff last September, also excellent. These guys do not rely on auto-tune and can really play.
David Gilmore guitar... it has soul. Something so real about it. Unlike anyone
David Gilmour can set the mood to a song, any song, with just a few seconds of his guitar. It can take you to feeling the highest of highs, to the most mournful and sad feelings imaginable. The solo in Comfortably Numb always brings a tear to my eye, not only because it sounds sad, but also because it's SUCH A DAMN GOOD SOLO that you're in awe each time you hear it!
Widely regarded as one of the top 3 guitar solos of all time (and yes, Pink Floyd is unparalleled for listening to while getting the *PUFF* on ;)
Gotta remember this was the wild 60's drink a little more wine and you gonna feel it.
If I’ve said this before I apologize,but it does my heart good to see a couple that love each other like you guys do.I fell in love with my wife in 1989 and love her more everyday.Keep going.You guys have reacted to great music together,which just adds to how much I want to keep watching your videos.I don’t know if you know this or not, but there was a movie made from this album,and honestly I’ve wanted to see someone react to it for a while now.The imagery of it along with the music just adds to it all.Thats a lot to ask,but if you two ever have the time I’m sure I wouldn’t be the only one to go through it with you.Pink Floyd “The Wall” movie would be a first, and a great one.Love you guys!
A terrible childhood recollection of David suffering an illness in which at a very young age he was on the edge of the end as he saw it. Treatment of the young with powerful pain killers and the subsequent delusion/euphoria results in a break from reality. Imagine the doctors asking him these questions and trying to asses the problem while he is no longer in a reality that is shared by those around him. Without the walls and barriers that we build as we age and experience life, doors would be opened that we as adults know not to approach, let alone go through. Lets just say David went through these doors and kept the keys along with their locations.
The childhood recollection is of Roger Waters, not David Gilmour
A beautiful example of David Gilmour's guitar talent is the Pompeii live version of "Echoes" parts 1&2. This is a masterpiece
You're both right about the song...
The man has had enough with life.
Heartbreak and drugs have worked it's way into this man's life, and left him "Comfortably Numb".
He is erged to continue, as a stage performer, and by the help of a Dr., to make the show go on...
pulse version next. also Pink Floyd, is the definition of sit back relax,have a drink or smoke, and chill enjoy the masters at work.
You are a beautiful couple... so glad I've found you in my journey down the rabbit hole of reaction videos. Looking forward to more ...
Pink Floyd didn't release songs so much but they released albums. The entire album tells a story. You need to watch the live Pulse Concert version of this. It will be well worth your time.