Pink Floyd’s battling giants make each other comfortably numb (for good)

by

As a gamer with a heart full of nostalgia for the golden age of rock music, I must say that hearing Pink Floyd’s classic “Comfortably Numb” reimagined by Body Count and Ice-T was like stumbling upon an Easter egg in a game I thought I knew all too well.

It’s tough reaching an agreement between Roger Waters and David Gilmour, given their long-standing differences. These discrepancies are particularly noticeable when discussing Pink Floyd’s songs and musical direction.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to share something that caught me off guard as a fan of music too – the metal band Body Count, with Ice-T at the helm, has reimagined Pink Floyd’s iconic tune “Comfortably Numb”. What makes this cover even more unexpected is the approval from both Roger Waters and David Gilmour. This new take on the classic is already surprising enough, but when you hear Ice-T’s fresh vocals and his self-penned lyrics, it takes the song to a whole new level. They’ve included their version on their latest album, “Merciless”.

It seems the changes might not sit well with either Waters or Gilmour. Ice-T shared on The Jimmy Fallon Show how he managed to get them to consider his song, despite their usual reluctance. At first, an attempt was made through the official Pink Floyd channel, but it was swiftly rejected. The band typically doesn’t approve of samples or covers, as a straightforward rule. However, Ice-T found alternate ways to reach out directly to the members of Pink Floyd.

Pink Floyd classic gets Ice-T treatment

Apart from receiving permission to move forward, Gilmour was invited to contribute musically in the song and be featured in its accompanying video. He admired the revised melody and the innovative lyrics penned by the rapper. It seems that Gilmour’s collaboration with new producer Charlie Andrew for his latest “Luck And Strange” album has only expanded his musical preferences even more.

On this platform, I’ve made it clear that I’m not particularly fond of cover versions, and “Comfortably Numb,” a timeless classic, is a perfect example of why. However, let me make it clear that I hold Pink Floyd and David Gilmour in high regard, as my admiration for their work is significant. As for my music taste, I must be honest: you won’t find many rap or metal songs on my Spotify Wrapped 2024 list, and even if you sift through my playlists diligently, you’d likely struggle to unearth any.

It indicated that I had quite a concern over how the Body Count rendition would turn out. The thought of not meddling with it was almost appealing. However, if Waters and Gilmour approved it, then it seemed worthy of giving it a spin.

Without a doubt, it was well worth giving it a listen. Remarkably, the revamped melody sounds exceptional as a song. The deep bass rumble remains prominent. In this updated version, Gilmour’s guitar seems more intense, yet his distinctive, elegant solos are still evident. The rapped verses pack a punch and are quite effective; classic elements resonate, while they continue to exude an angry, brooding tone. It’s clear why both Waters and Gilmour felt content with their approval.

Read More

2024-12-07 14:00