The song was written by Roger Waters, the band's bassist and primary lyricist, and its lyrics are a commentary on the alienation and emotional numbness that many people experience in their lives. The lyrics of the first verse describe a man's gradual descent into a state of emotional detachment, as he becomes "comfortably numb" to the world around him. The lyrics of the second verse describes the feeling of being detached and in a state of numbness, which can be powerful but also painful, it goes on describing a man's attempts to reconnect with his emotions, but ultimately finds that he cannot.
The song's music, which was composed by David Gilmour, Pink Floyd's lead guitar player, perfectly complements the lyrics. The song starts with a gentle guitar melody that gradually builds in intensity as the lyrics progress. The guitar solo that features in the middle of the song, is considered one of the greatest guitar solos in the history of rock music, for its emotive and evocative playing.
"Comfortably Numb" has been praised for its powerful and evocative lyrics, its emotive guitar solos and its complex musical structure. The song has been covered by many artists and was also played live by Pink Floyd on their "The Wall Tour" in 1980 and 1981, as part of the album’s conceptual narrative.
The song is widely considered as a masterpiece of rock music, it is not only one of Pink Floyd's greatest songs but also a song that is known and loved by music fans around the world, for its powerful and timeless message, emotive guitar solos and its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions. It remains one of the most iconic and enduring songs in rock history.
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behind the songs