PINK Floyd singer David Gilmour has said it "wasn’t a good idea" to release one of the band’s most famous singles because of its refrain "we don’t need no education."
Gilmour, speaking on the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, was responding to Marr's statement that he never "got" Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2) with the presenter describing its lyrics – "We don’t need no education / We don’t need no thought control... Teacher, leave those kids alone" – written by Roger Waters as "reactionary."
"Roger would say that it’s all in the context; I suspect now... I’m not sure how good an idea it was to put something like that out as a single," said Gilmour.
"Roger was talking about the type of teachers and teaching that was fairly common in schools when we were growing up. But I think I wouldn’t put that out as a song right now."
Gilmour was speaking 50 years after Pink Floyd were formed (he joined in 1967) and to promote his new solo album Rattle That Lock. The 69-year-old said his new songs were "hopefully better" than his previous ones and said he found touring easier than writing, recording and promotion.
In terms of touring as a solo artist as opposed to with Pink Floyd, he said, "It’s not that different. I can be more of a despot, which is always fun."
Gilmour actually gave fans the first preview of his new album in Co Carlow over the summer.
He appeared at the Festival of Writing & Ideas at Borris House in June alongside his wife Polly Samson, who wrote most of the lyrics on the album – Gilmour’s fourth solo effort.
During his Carlow appearance he said that Roger Waters "was a brilliant writer of lyrics and working together was brilliant, but things run its course and that one did" and added that, "I think I am working with a lyricist who is better than Roger."
Presenter Andrew Marr ended the interview yesterday by saying, "I very rarely shake with awe when I have guests on, but it’s been a very great privilege to have you here, David Gilmour."
