Just dropping in this week after seeing Glyn post Cream’s Spoonful. A song that instantly came to mind under this theme is Pink Floyd’s, “Comfortably Numb.” I’ve read varying accounts on the back story but the one that sticks with me is that Pink Floyd was on a concert tour and Roger Waters got ill. They called a doc in, who gave him a shot that was supposed to keep him well enough to finish the show (tour?)
This song is a powerful metaphor about giving up hope for more and allowing oneself to be assimilated by “the machine,” which aligns with the concept of the album.
I remember as a kid I thought the lyrics said, “comfortably known.” That too but not about that.
Music composed by David Gilmour, lyrics by Roger Waters.
“Comfortably Numb” is from Pink Floyd’s 1980 album, “The Wall” which is a concept album that has been turned into a movie and performed live in Berlin, with Roger Waters’ Live at The Wall with backup band The Scorpions and other guest stars like Bob Geldof, Jerry Hall, Joni Mitchell, Sinead O’Connor, and Bryan Adams.
Rogers also did a tour called, “In the Flesh” with a hell of a line-up of musicians. I have the DVD and it was the first time I heard Doyle Bramhall II, standing in for David Gilmour, on this song.
I wrote a post on this song awhile back here.
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday.
Tao Talk 
A classic, Lisa! Quick comment before I go back and read your post. When I was wheeled into the OR for one of my surgeries, this was the song that was playing. I smiled and nodded approvingly as I drifted off to sleep.
Excellent choice!
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Nancy, what a perfect song to get wheeled into OR with. Thanks!
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Great song from a fantastic album Lisa and thanks for sharing your music today. This song describes a state of loss of muscle movement where a singer is anaesthetized before coming on stage. Waters said that much of the song comes from something that really happened one evening when he was in Philadelphia. Walters got hepatitis but he didn’t know it and when he talked to a doctor, the physician thought he was suffering from a severe stomachache, which was probably caused by nerves. The doctor gave him a sedative so he could perform, but he was not able to focus. On the stage, his hands were numb, and his vision was blurred, but none of this derailed the crowd, who continued to dance and sing. Waters said that this felt like it was the longest two hours of his life, as he kept trying to do this show, but he couldn’t hardly lift his arm. The Doyle Bramhall cover was new to me, but very good.
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Thanks for the added info on it. Yes, Doyle Bramhall II is an excellent guitarist. His dad was also a musician and a good one also.
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One of favourite Floyd tracks Lisa
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Glyn, its existential timelessness makes it immortal. One of mine also.
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If I would have to pick one track from “The Wall”, it would be “Comfortably Numb,” a monster track with one of David Gilmour’s most epic guitar solos. I wonder why in that first clip, they combined the song with imagery from “The Dark Side of the Moon” album – seems a bit odd.
Together, with “Meddle” and “Wish You Were Here,” TDSOTM is among my top 3 Pink Floyd albums. “The Wall” I would probably put in my top 5, together with Floyd’s debut “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.”
I watched the film “The Wall” at the time it came out – a bit of a scary picture, mirroring the dark themes of the album!
The live clip of Roger Waters is cool. Doyle Bramhall II does a mighty job playing Gilmour’s part. So does the other guitarist he’s alternating with on the solo. I looked him up, and it appears to be Andy Fairweather Low.
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I like most of the songs on The Wall. Joni Mitchell doing Goodbye Blue Sky and Bryan Adams doing Dirty Woman are my faves but I like this one also.
I wondered about the DSOTM cover for that track also!
I believe that guitarist is Snowy White. Andy is there also but not up on the raised area. (He’s the one in a really nice tailored suit.)
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Based on the picture of Snowy White I just saw, undoubtedly, you’re right! :-)
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I love Pink Floyd and this song is so characteristic of the bands unique sounds. Thanks for sharing the story.
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Fandango glad you enjoyed the song. My pleasure in sharing <3
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Pink Floyd is a sound to me, all-encompassing. It’s interesting to hear the story behind the song. Perhaps the fact that it just pulls you in is the point in the end. (K)
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K, you don’t worry about a thing while listening to it :)
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Exactly.
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Grest choice Lisa …a classic 💜💜💜
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Thanks, Willow! Seems like only yesterday…
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I still listen to Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall regularly, thanks, Lisa!
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Dana, so happy to hear it. It’s timeless (even with “Time”) :)
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😉
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:-) Love this !!!!!!!!!!
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:) <3
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One of my favorite songs ever of theirs. Weirdly, I discovered it late, like 22, and just remember sitting there listening to it over and over. It haunted me.
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It is hypnotizing isn’t it.
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Timely reminder of one of the great albums and songs. Yes, without the lyrics it was often easy to mishear a line!
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Thanks much.
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Love this one! Pink Floid are amazing, a great band, timeless and their songs are all great!
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:)
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