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.
Terrapin
David Gilmour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The star above you, crystal blue
Well, oh baby, my hairs on end about you...
I wouldn't see you and I love to
I fly above you, yes I do
Well, oh baby, my hairs on end about you...
Floating, bumping, noses dodge a tooth
Fangs all 'round the clown
Is dark below the boulders hiding all
The sunlight's good for us
'Cause we're the fishes and all we do
The move about is all we do
Well, oh baby, my hairs on end about you...
Floating, bumping, noses dodge a tooth
The fins a luminous
Fangs all 'round the clown
Is dark below the boulders hiding all
The sunlight's good for us
'Cause we're the fishes and all we do
The move about is all we do
Well, oh baby, my hairs on end about you...
I really love you and I mean you
The star above you, crystal blue
Well, oh baby, my hairs on end about you...
In David Gilmour’s song “Terrapin,” the lyrics are quite abstract and complex, making the interpretation of these lyrics quite challenging. The song opens with a bit of a love note, as the singer is expressing their love and admiration for someone. The singer mentions the beauty of the star above them, which is described as crystal blue, potentially symbolizing purity or clarity. The singer is so infatuated with this person that their hairs are standing on end.
The chorus then goes on to describe an underwater scene, where fishes are swimming about. The imagery is quite vivid, as the fishes are bumping into each other and dodging teeth. The fins are described as luminous, bringing to mind the idea of light in the darkness. The “fangs all 'round the clown” could refer to dangers lurking in the depths of the ocean or perhaps the idea of hidden dangers in life. The darkness “below the boulders hiding all” could mean that there are unknowns lurking in the dark. In this environment, sunlight is essential for survival, and it helps the fishes move around.
Given the ambiguity and abstraction of the lyrics, an interpretation could vary depending on the listener. Overall, it seems the singer is enthralled with someone and is using this underwater scene to symbolize their emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I really love you and I mean you
I truly love and care for you
The star above you, crystal blue
The sky above you is a beautiful blue with shining stars
Well, oh baby, my hairs on end about you...
My body is filled with excitement and anticipation when I think about you
I wouldn't see you and I love to
I miss you and long to be with you
I fly above you, yes I do
I soar above you in my thoughts and dreams
Floating, bumping, noses dodge a tooth
Fish swim and play together, avoiding danger
The fins a luminous
The fish's fins give off a bright, shining light
Fangs all 'round the clown
Predators surround the weaker clownfish
Is dark below the boulders hiding all
There is darkness and danger lurking beneath the rocks where the fish hide
The sunlight's good for us
The fish need sunlight for survival and growth
'Cause we're the fishes and all we do, the move about is all we do
Fish simply swim and move around as their natural way of life
Well, oh baby, my hairs on end about you...
My love and excitement for you is overwhelming
Contributed by Elliot J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hernerwerzog1278
I really love you and I mean you
The star above you, crystal blue
Well, oh baby
My hair's on end about you (OK)
I wouldn't see you and I love to
I fly above you, yes I do
Well, oh baby
My hair's on end about you
Floating, bumping
Noses dodge a tooth
The fins are luminous
Fangs all 'round the clown
It's dark below, the boulders hiding all
The sunlight's good for us
'Cause we're the fishes
And all we do
The move about is all we do
Well, oh baby
My hair's on end about you
Floating, bumping
Noses dodge a tooth
The fins are luminous
Fangs all 'round the clown
It's dark below, the boulders hiding all
The sunlight's good for us
'Cause we're the fishes
And all we do
The move about is all we do
Well, oh baby
My hair's on end about you
I really love you and I mean you
The star above you, crystal blue
Well, oh baby
My hair's on end about you
@weldermarshall
Let’s keep Syd’s music going forever, there’s something magical about his music and songs. Thanks Dave.
@fantasynomore
I'm a mother, Brazilian, I'm 28 years old. I'm your fan, I admire all the works you've participated in and I've heard many things. I'm getting back to playing guitar in my spare time, haven't been since 2007. I'm working my anxiety through music. I always wanted to play progressive rock, I think I was born at the wrong musical age. I admire all the 60's/70's a lot, I don't know if one day I'll compose, but I'll be happy to learn to play my guitar.
@clay-tw5gc
You never know what the future will bring. Go for it.
@fantasynomore
@@clay-tw5gc Thanks! I'm currently studying Music History, I'm still playing the guitar and trying to progress. I won't give up.
@clay-tw5gc
@@fantasynomore excellent!
@35daphni
David Gilmour, Im 59 years old and have loved you since I was a young teen. I am a Pink Floyd fan forever. But you and that guitar were my favorite in the band. Not to take away from the others. I consider Pink Floyd to be absolute Musical Genius's. ❤
@softteu
one of my favorite tracks written by syd
@riccardomusiu510
Syd + David = Super Genius! 🎸❤🔥
@riccardomusiu510
@Martin HUGHES 👍👍👍😉
@bonlives685
surely 1 genius + 1 genius =Genii!!