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.
This Heaven
David Gilmour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When we walk these fields
And I reach out to touch your face
This earthly heaven is enough for me
So break the bread and pour the wine
I need no blessings but I'm counting mine
Life is much more than money buys
I've felt the power in a holy place
And wished for comfort when in need
Now I'm here in a state of grace
This earthly heaven is enough for me
So break the bread and pour the wine
I need no blessings but I'm counting mine
Life is much more than money buys
When I see the faith in my children's eyes
David Gilmour's song "This Heaven" is a beautiful portrayal of a peaceful, contented existence in the present moment. The singer muses about life being more than just accumulating wealth and material possessions, and a deeper understanding of the value of relationships and cherishing what truly matters. The singer finds solace and comfort in the worldly delights that exist around them, particularly in their children's unwavering faith.
In the opening lines, the singer expresses a sense of clarity and direction that comes when walking through fields. The image of "all the pieces fall[ing] into place" is a metaphor for finding a sense of purpose and understanding in the world around them. The next line, "And I reach out to touch your face", is an intimate moment shared between two individuals, suggesting a relationship with someone that brings them immense joy and contentment. The singer remarks that this type of experience is all they need to make their life feel complete, indicating that some of the simplest moments can be the most fulfilling.
The refrain, "So break the bread and pour the wine / I need no blessings but I'm counting mine / Life is much more than money buys / When I see the faith in my children's eyes," emphasizes the idea that life's riches and blessings come from deeper sources than just material wealth. Breaking bread and pouring wine is a universal symbol for sharing a meal and celebrating life's simple pleasures with loved ones. The singer feels blessed and privileged to have their children's unwavering faith, which is perhaps the most valuable possession of all. The song concludes with the singer acknowledging the state of grace that they have achieved through this type of contentment in their life, and how valuable their earthly existence is to them.
Line by Line Meaning
All the pieces fall into place
Everything comes together perfectly.
When we walk these fields
When we're together in nature.
And I reach out to touch your face
When I show affection towards you.
This earthly heaven is enough for me
I don't need anything more than what I have right here on Earth with you.
So break the bread and pour the wine
Let's share a meal and celebrate our love.
I need no blessings but I'm counting mine
I don't need any more good fortune, but I'm grateful for what I already have.
Life is much more than money buys
There are more important things in life than material possessions.
When I see the faith in my children's eyes
I find joy and purpose in seeing my children's hope and optimism for the future.
I've felt the power in a holy place
I've experienced the spiritual energy in a sacred space.
And wished for comfort when in need
I've prayed for comfort during difficult times.
Now I'm here in a state of grace
Now I'm at peace and content with what I have.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: DAVID GILMOUR, POLLY SAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mr. MAC_BR
Every year since I follow your work, I see your ability to express emotion through music increase. Immense talent. Thank you. With your music, living here has gotten better.
stephen white
Great shots of Daved and Richard in the same frame... brilliant editing!!
Monika Beatty
Just catching up on a few years worth of excellent work. Love how the guitar speaks, thanks David.
Gus Simon
david you have me singing this all day,... and that I thank you for it.. you are a blessing from above..
Joseph Costa
Simply Wonderful! ✌️
amangogna68
Amazing !
Joseph Costa
Great Music! 👊
Sol Hespanhol
️🎶...So break the bread and pour the wine
I need no blessings but I'm counting mine
Life is much more than money buys...🎶
That's beautiful!!! 🙌😍👏👏👏
Samed
Perfect!
Lucas Fillman
Fantastic thank you David