Body Count recruit David Gilmour for new version of Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb'
A hard-hitting new interpretation
Last updated 20th Sep 2024
David Gilmour has joined forces with American metallers Body Count for a hard-hitting fresh interpretation of Pink Floyd’s timeless classic ‘Comfortably Numb.’
Lifted from Body Count’s upcoming new studio album ‘Merciless’, released on 22nd Friday November via Century Media, the version of ‘Comfortably Numb’ features newly recorded guitar parts from David Gilmour.
The music is accompanied by new lyrics from Body Count vocalist Ice T about themes of detachment and introspection in the turbulent modern world.
Enthusing about the track, David Gilmour said: “Body Count's version of 'Comfortably Numb' is quite radical, but the words really struck me. It astonishes me that a tune I wrote almost 50 years ago is back with this great new approach. They've made it relevant again.
“The initial contact from Ice-T was for permission to use the song, but I thought I might offer to play on it as well. I like the new lyrics, they're talking about the world we’re living in now, which is quite scary.
“Ice-T and Body Count played in London recently, sadly I couldn't make it, but if another opportunity came up to play with them, I'd jump at it.”
Ice T adds: "For me, 'Comfortably Numb', is an introspective song—it's me acknowledging that I'm older now. I'm telling the younger generation, you've got two choices: you can keep the fire burning or you can give up.
Listen to Body Count’s ‘Comfortably Numb’ ft. David Gilmour (Warning: contains swear words):
“It's me trying to make sense of what's happening, but also pointing out that we're all in a place where we don’t have to face reality. We've got flat-screen TVs and popcorn, and we can just sit back and watch the chaos of the world like it’s a TV show. It doesn’t feel real until it shows up at your door. I’m a little numb, too—we all are.”
Penned by David Gilmour and Roger Waters, ‘Comfortably Numb’ appeared on Pink Floyd’s 1979 album ‘The Wall.’
It was voted the Greatest Guitar Solo of All Time by Planet Rock listeners in 2022, and it also featured in the upper echelons of our Greatest Rock Songs of All Time countdown.
In 2018, Roger Waters shared a new stripped back version of 'Comfortably Numb' that was devoid of a guitar solo.
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