Comfortably Numb
by Pink Floyd
What is “Comfortably Numb” really about?
If you’ve ever wondered what “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd is really about, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.
Comfortably Numb' by Pink Floyd articulates a person's isolation and detachment, numbingly drifting away from reality and emotions.
So… what’s this song really about?
Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb' delves into deep psychological and emotional territories, revealing a narrative of alienation and anesthesia against life's pains. The song portrays a conversation between a person experiencing numb detachment and another observing this descent. Its lyrics oscillate between moments of medical intervention and introspection, possibly implying a setting of either mental collapse or the overbearing nature of show business. The iconic guitar solos further punctuate the emotional depth and the overall sensory withdrawal, enhancing the theme of unreachable solace that only numbness provides.
Fragmented memories from the narrator's childhood surface, symbolizing lost innocence or perhaps the evaporation of dreams. These reflections pose questions about the nature of reality and perception, amplifying the theme of disconnection. The recurring chorus, 'I have become comfortably numb,' underscores a bittersweet acquiescence - a resolution to embrace detachment as both an escape from and a tragic acknowledgment of one's existential crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What inspired Pink Floyd to write 'Comfortably Numb'?
The song was inspired by Roger Waters' experience of being injected with a tranquilizer before a concert during the 'In the Flesh' tour in 1977, due to his severe hepatitis.
Q: Who performs the guitar solos in 'Comfortably Numb'?
David Gilmour performs both of the iconic guitar solos in 'Comfortably Numb'.
Q: Has 'Comfortably Numb' been used in movies?
Yes, 'Comfortably Numb' is famously featured in the film 'The Departed' directed by Martin Scorsese.
Lyrics to “Comfortably Numb”
180 ContributorsTranslations
[Chorus: David Gilmour]
I have become comfortably numb
[Guitar Solo 1]
[Chorus: David Gilmour]
I have become comfortably numb
[Verse 2: Roger Waters]
Okay (Okay, okay, okay)
Just a little pinprick
There'll be no more
But you may feel a little sick
Can you stand up? (Stand up, stand up)
I do believe it's working, good
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on, it's time to go
[Pre-Chorus 2: David Gilmour]
There is no pain, you are receding
A distant ship, 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 caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look, but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown, the dream is gone
[Chorus: David Gilmour]
I have become comfortably numb
[Guitar Solo 2]