About the song
Released in 1994, this track serves as a poignant closer to their fourteenth studio album, The Division Bell. For longtime Floyd aficionados, it might feel like a warm embrace from an old friend – a friend perhaps a touch wiser, with a touch more wear and tear, but still possessing that undeniable Floyd magic.
High Hopes emerged from a period of introspection for the band. Founding member Syd Barrett’s departure in the late 60s cast a long shadow, and tensions within the group had simmered for years. Yet, here we find David Gilmour, the band’s creative anchor by this point, crafting a song that’s both wistful and hopeful.
The lyrics themselves are open to interpretation. Gilmour has spoken of them reflecting on his early days with the band, their youthful aspirations and the inevitable changes wrought by time. Lines like “hanging on to a dream” and “did we lose it all along the way?” resonate with a sense of looking back, of wondering what might have been.
However, the song isn’t simply an exercise in nostalgia. The soaring guitar solo, Gilmour’s signature, injects a powerful dose of optimism. The gospel-tinged backing vocals, courtesy of Durga McBroom and Sam Brown, add a layer of soulful uplift. These elements combine to create a sense of perseverance, a suggestion that even amidst the losses and uncertainties, hope can still endure.
High Hopes also holds a special place in Pink Floyd’s legacy for another reason. The accompanying music video, a visually stunning affair directed by Storm Thorgerson, features imagery that directly references the band’s history. We see a recreation of the school where Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright first met, a nod to their humble beginnings. The iconic burning schoolhouse from their earlier album The Wall also makes an appearance, a potent symbol of both destruction and potential renewal.
Perhaps the most striking element of the video is the procession carrying a bust of Syd Barrett. It’s a poignant tribute to the band’s lost founder, a reminder of the brilliance he brought and the void he left behind. Yet, the procession continues onward, suggesting that the music, the spirit of Pink Floyd, lives on.
High Hopes, then, is a song that transcends mere rock anthem. It’s a meditation on time, loss, and the enduring power of human aspiration. It’s a fitting coda to Pink Floyd’s long and remarkable career, a testament to their ability to weave beauty and complexity into a single, unforgettable song.
Video
Lyrics
“High Hopes”
In a world of magnets and miracles
Our thoughts strayed constantly and without boundary
The ringing of the division bell had begun
Along the Long Road and on down the Causeway
Do they still meet there by the Cut
There was a ragged band that followed in our footsteps
Running before time took our dreams away
Leaving the myriad small creatures trying to tie us to the ground
To a life consumed by slow decay
The grass was greener
The light was brighter
With friends surrounded
The nights of wonder
Looking beyond the embers of bridges glowing behind us
To a glimpse of how green it was on the other side
Steps taken forwards but sleepwalking back again
Dragged by the force of some inner tide
At a higher altitude with flag unfurled
We reached the dizzy heights of that dreamed of world
Encumbered forever by desire and ambition
There’s a hunger still unsatisfied
Our weary eyes still stray to the horizon
Though down this road we’ve been so many times
The grass was greener
The light was brighter
The taste was sweeter
The nights of wonder
With friends surrounded
The dawn mist glowing
The water flowing
The endless river
Forever and ever
“Hey?”
“Yes.”
“Is that Charlie?”
“Yes.”
“Hello, Charlie!”
“Great.”