Much like he did while in Pink Floyd, English songwriter Roger Waters released concept albums rather than a collection of unconnected songs. More like an experience than a record. The concept album is a lost art, and it is a challenge to include tracks that are radio-friendly without disrupting the flow of the listening experience. This may be part of the reason why Waters never landed a single on the US charts beyond his tenure with Pink Floyd. Not even "Radio Waves," one of the most accessible and enjoyable tracks in his solo catalogue, could drive him into the Top 100. This should not steer you away from diving deep into his work. Other popular highlights include "5:01 AM (The Pros And Cons Of Hitch Hiking)," "What God Wants, Pt I," and "Deja Vu," a cut from his 2017 screed called "Is This The Life We Really Want?"
Despite massive album sales and a string of well-known songs, Top 100 chart success has eluded the legendary progressive rock band Pink Floyd. The two key exceptions include 1973's "Money," which went to #13, and the #1 smash "Another Brick In The Wall Part II." After Roger Waters left the band to pursue a solo career in 1985, David Gilmour took over creative control and steered the band into releasing a few more sporadic albums. The first without Waters was 1987's "A Momentary Lapse Of Reason," which yielded a #70 hit, "Learning To Fly." The second album without Waters, "The Division Bell," didn't arrive until 1994. It also produced a minor chart hit when "Take It Back" reached #73. "The Division Bell" received mixed reviews, but I rank it as one of the most underappreciated records in the band's extensive catalog. "Coming Back To Life" is one of my favorite songs by the band, showcasing some of the most beautiful and dynamic guitar work Gilmour has recorded. Fun fact: Pink Floyd continues to hold the record for the longest charting album ever. "The Dark Side Of The Moon" has spent an astonishing 923 weeks on Top 200 album chart.
Guitar God David Gilmour of Pink Floyd released his second solo album in 1984 entitled, "About Face." The album gave Gilmour his one and only charting song, "Blue Light." You can hear Gilmour's trademark guitar in this tune, but the horns sound like they were borrowed from the Phil Collins song, "Sussudio." Pete Townshend (The Who) lended his songwriting chops to two tracks on this record, "Love On The Air" and the feisty "All Lovers Are Deranged." "Cruise" is one of the best acoustic-driven ballads in Gilmour's extensive catalogue and still sounds great after all these years.
David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) introduced the talented singer/songwriter Kate Bush to the world, helping to finance and produce her demo when she was only sixteen. His instincts proved right when her debut single "Wuthering Heights" topped the British charts. While very popular in her native UK, she only managed a handful of minor hits in the US. The biggest hit she had was "Running Up That Hill", which sprinted to #30 in 1985. Even a moving ballad with 80s superstar Peter Gabriel called "Don't Give Up" struggled to get to #72. Her last charting single topped out at #88 in 1993: the bouncy and delightful "Rubberband Girl". A terrific song about bending rather than breaking, it always helps you recalibrate when life gets maligned.
