Gilmour was born in Cambridge, England. His father, Douglas Gilmour, was a senior lecturer in zoology at the University of Cambridge and his mother, Sylvia (née Wilson), was a teacher and film editor who raised her family at Grantchester Meadows, later immortalised by a Roger Waters song on Pink Floyd's Ummagumma. Gilmour and his siblings were encouraged by their parents in their musical abilities. Gilmour has a younger brother, Peter, who has been a guitarist for a slightly longer time than Gilmour. Gilmour attended The Perse School on Hills Road, Cambridge, which he "didn't enjoy" but where he met future Pink Floyd guitarist and vocalist Syd Barrett, along with bassist and vocalist Roger Waters who attended Cambridgeshire High School for Boys, also situated on Hills Road. In 1954, Gilmour bought his first single, Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock". At age 13, Gilmour was given his first guitar, a Tatay, by his neighbour, Gilmour started learning how to play using a book and record set by Pete Seeger.
In September 1962, he studied modern languages to A-Level and, along with Syd Barrett, went to Cambridge Technical College. Despite not finishing the languages course, Gilmour would eventually become a fluent French speaker. Gilmour and Barrett spent their lunchtime practising guitar together, Barrett would often refer to Gilmour as "Fred". They were not yet bandmates, however, and Gilmour started playing in the band Jokers Wild in 1962, which Gilmour left in 1967.
Gilmour joined Pink Floyd in 1968, when he was asked to replace former front man and guitarist Syd Barrett. Barrett was becoming increasingly difficult to work with (due to his deteriorating mental state), so Gilmour stepped in to fill the void. Gilmour's contributions helped to define what would become known as the "Pink Floyd" sound. With Roger Waters, Gilmour co-wrote many of Pink Floyd's classic songs, including "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"(Itself about Syd), "Wish You Were Here" (about Roger's father) , "Time", "Dogs", "Echoes", "Comfortably Numb", and "Run Like Hell". When Waters left the band in 1984 to pursue a solo career, Gilmour took over Pink Floyd as leader, and they released two more albums, A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987), and The Division Bell (1994). Both albums performed very well, proving that the Pink Floyd name was stronger than any individual member. On July 2, 2005, David Gilmour and Roger Waters briefly set aside their differences and performed as Pink Floyd for one final performance at Live 8. The reunion was the most talked about event of the day, and sales of Pink Floyd's back catalogue shot through the roof. Rumours of a full scale tour began to surface shortly after the show, with both Gilmour and Waters being offered millions of dollars, but it wasn't meant to be. Neither Waters nor Gilmour showed much enthusiasm to work together again, with Gilmour being quoted as saying that he would rather spend his time pursuing his solo career.
Much to everyone's surprise, Gilmour and Waters reunited once again on July 11, 2010 for a charity performance for "The Hoping Foundation," an organization that supports Palestinian refugee kids. At Ronnie Scott's club in London, the duo performed four songs together: "To Know Him is to Love Him" (a cover of the old Teddy Bear's song), "Wish You Were Here," "Comfortably Numb," and finally (after a special request) "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2." Once again, just like after the Live 8 Reunion, speculation began regarding future reunions. No official Pink Floyd reunion has yet been set, but Gilmour did promise that he would join Roger Waters for one show on his 2010-11 "The Wall" tour, performing "Comfortably Numb." The show that Gilmour is set to play is being kept a secret to surprise fans and (most likely) to prevent scalpers from selling tickets at outrageous prices.
The door now seems slightly ajar that David Gilmour and Roger Waters may possibly work with each other again, either as a duo, or as Pink Floyd once again. On Roger Waters's facebook page, he wrote: "We (played together), and it was fucking great! End of story. Or possibly beginning."
As a solo artist, David Gilmour has released 3 studio albums; David Gilmour (1978), About Face (1984), and On an Island (2006). In September 2008, he released his first live album Live In Gdansk , a recording of a concert he and his band performed in Gdansk Shipyard during his 2006 On An Island tour. In addition, he has two live DVDs - 2002's mostly acoustic "In Concert" and 2007's Remember That Night.
In 2015 he released his forth studio album: Rattle That Lock followed by a live album Live at Pompeii in 2017 which was recored on 7th and 8th July 2016 at his two gigs in Pompeii.
A Pocketful of Stones
David Gilmour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Circles spinning out his time
Though the earth is dying his head is in the stars
Chances are this spark's a lifetime
Out of touch he'll live in wonder
Won't lose sleep he'll just pretend
In his world he won't go under
Rivers run dry but there's no line on his brow
Says he doesn't care who's saved
It's just the dice you roll, the here and now
And he's not guilty or afraid
One day he'll slip away
Cool water flowing all around
In the river and on the ground
Leave a pocketful of stones and not believe in other lives
Until then he'll live in wonder
He won't fight or comprehend
In his world he won't go under
Turns without him until the end
The lyrics of David Gilmour's A Pocketful Of Stones are centered around a character who is living life in a state of detachment. The opening lines describe the character throwing stones, revealing his disconnection from the world around him as he spins in circles away from the dying Earth. However, despite his lack of concern for the world, he is captivated by the spark of life that drives him forward, even if only for a lifetime.
The character is lost in a wonderland that is his own making, abandoning the responsibilities of the real world. He doesn't care about the consequences or who is saved, and he's comfortable with the fact that the present moment is all there is. He is neither afraid nor guilty and lives his life without much thought or care about the future.
The final verse highlights the character's detachment from reality, as he willingly lets go and lets himself slip away, leaving a pocketful of stones behind. He doesn't believe in the concept of reincarnation, so he doesn't expect another life. In the end, he remains lost in his own world, turning and circling as the world continues without him.
Line by Line Meaning
He's sending stones skimming and flying
He is carelessly throwing stones, enjoying watching them glide through the air and skim across the water.
Circles spinning out his time
His life seems to be a never-ending cycle, with time moving ever-forward and constantly spinning in circles.
Though the earth is dying his head is in the stars
Despite the state of the world around him, he is unconcerned and focused on pursuing his dreams and ambitions.
Chances are this spark's a lifetime
There is a good chance that the excitement he feels in the moment will last a lifetime.
Out of touch he'll live in wonder
He is disconnected from reality and will continue to be amazed and fascinated by everything around him.
Won't lose sleep he'll just pretend
He doesn't worry or dwell on things that don't matter to him, he simply ignores them and pretends they don't exist.
In his world he won't go under
As long as he is able to maintain his own inner world, he will not be brought down by external forces.
Turns without him until the end
The world will continue to turn even if he is not a part of it, and things will carry on without him.
Rivers run dry but there's no line on his brow
He does not worry about the depletion of natural resources or the problems facing the world, as he remains carefree and unburdened.
Says he doesn't care who's saved
He does not prioritize the lives and well-being of others, as they are not important to him.
It's just the dice you roll, the here and now
Life is a matter of chance and circumstance, and the only thing that matters is the present moment.
And he's not guilty or afraid
He has no sense of responsibility or fear, feeling no need to be held accountable for his actions.
One day he'll slip away
Someday he will die and pass from this world.
Cool water flowing all around
As he passes away, he will feel the sensation of cool water flowing around him.
In the river and on the ground
As he dies, he will leave behind a small legacy in the form of the stones he threw and the impression they left.
Leave a pocketful of stones and not believe in other lives
Although he will leave behind some tangible evidence of his existence on Earth, he does not believe in an afterlife or the existence of other lives beyond this one.
Until then he'll live in wonder
Until his death, he will continue to live in his own world of fascination and amazement.
He won't fight or comprehend
He will not struggle against anything or seek to understand the world around him, preferring to stay disengaged.
Turns without him until the end
The world will continue to turn and move forward, even in the absence of his involvement or awareness.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: DAVID GILMOUR, POLLY SAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Henry Santos
Está enviando piedras rozando y volando
Círculos girando su tiempo
Aunque la tierra muere, su cabeza está en las estrellas
Lo más probable es que esta chispa sea para toda la vida
Fuera de contacto, vivirá maravillado
No perderá el sueño, solo fingirá
En su mundo no se hundirá
Gira sin él hasta el final
Los ríos se secan pero no hay línea en su frente
Dice que no le importa quién se salve
Son solo los dados que tiras, el aquí y ahora
Y no es culpable ni tiene miedo
Un día se escapará
Agua fría fluyendo por todas partes
En el río y en el suelo
Deja un bolsillo de piedras y no creas en otras vidas
Hasta entonces vivirá maravillado
El no peleará ni comprenderá
En su mundo no se hundirá
Gira sin él hasta el final
Young Dylan
He's sending stones skimming and flying
Circles spinning out his time
Though the earth is dying his head is in the stars
Chances are this spark's a lifetime
Out of touch he'll live in wonder
Won't lose sleep he'll just pretend
In his world he won't go under
Turns without him until the end
Rivers run dry but there's no line on his brow
Says he doesn't care who's saved
It's just the dice you roll, the here and now
And he's not guilty or afraid
One day he'll slip away
Cool water flowing all around
In the river and on the ground
Leave a pocketful of stones and not believe in other lives
Until then he'll live in wonder
He won't fight or comprehend
In his world he won't go under
Turns without him until the end
Gopher Space
First of all this is magnificent
Keep in mind
They think you sh music 😄 they think you dont even have to try 😄
Before I could get through it I had already picked up my violin
Next thing I knew I was playing the note before it started
I'm gonna learn the lead part note for note like comfortably numb.
And the lyrics
Is this song about me ?
😄😄😄😄😄
I'm joking but cmon
If the shoe fits 😄
Thank you so much for this and all you've done for me
Magnificent
ronald lee
ty for more than a lifetime of beautiful arts
all i know is that I keep checking his song work rhyme
and it amazes me time after time...
the places of ages in which he plays
he's getting old - it is very good quality for the age
it is funny how star wars looks this way
he is yoda, I am the unreleased arrays
yet, if it could become any more...
and like a dino, he leads the way...
it is all blues, lol...
rhyme the truth
deepest tones and values
in which way you choose
perhaps it is chasm and fantasy
the words looking for release
but, I have ghosts and stones in too
take away - free stuff to use
MARCUS FERNANDES
ESSE PIANO É A COISA MAIS LINDA...SIMPLES, E COM UM ALCANCE INCRÍVEL...
Stahlgewitter
I've recently discovered that, while i enjoy Roger Waters' lyrics and his voice, it's David Gilmour who made me love Pink Floyd all these decades.
dhaval parmar
What a beautiful voice ,true legend,soft and tender, what a warm voice
Ed Wessler Oficial
when I was starting to learn to play the guitar, David's melodies already inspired me... and I believe they will inspired me forever... so... thank you very much David Gilmour 🎶🎸🎤🙌🙏
amangogna68
Amazing music and great artist !
Михаил Лукьянов
Он лучший, в нашем 'странном"мире.
Ten Questions with Rick Henry Christopher
Anything and everything this man does is classic!!!
Curt Chaffee
Stunning, haunting stuff. Straight from the heart of an amazing artist.
vicki Conley
Just beautiful. The calmness in David’s voice, the lyrics, and the music are all meshed together beautifully, allowing my thoughts to wonder! Love it David! TC. Vicki from Iowa. Shine on. 🦋🎸👏👍❤️
María Isabel
Always the best songs!! Thank you for your sensitive and calm art, master Gilmour !!