Who was Pink Floyd's Best Song Writer?

[BlueSky]

Let's get this settled once, and for all since I see there are a lot of fans here. I say it definitely wasn't Syd since all his stuff sounds like the typical psychedelic pop for the time to me. David has written some of their best songs notably Comfortably Numb although I've heard disputes on who actually wrote the song. I'd definitely have to say Roger because WYWH-TFC era was by far the best time for the band imo. No doubt he was the best lyricist of the band, and overall easily the best songwriter. However I do think David was the strongest musician in the band, and had a sense of knowing exactly when, and when note to play the right notes second to none. I've always been more partcial to Rogers Vox too even though I like David's I find Rogers more interesting although I know a lot prefer David's more traditional tone. When you compare albums like The Final Cut against the likes of Momentary Lapse it all becomes pretty clear though. TFC is a very personal extremely well written record where MLoR has only a few good tracks such as One Slip, and Yet Another Movie, but never reaches the depth of TFC. Thus my vote goes to Roger. There's no doubt though when they worked together they were unstoppable, and complimented each other perfectly. Roger was the writer where David added all the special musical nuances.

Discuss.

 

[Dude™]

well I think Wright was their best songwriter. How do you like them apples

 

[BlueSky]

You just blew my mind man! Way to think out of the box...

But serioulsy vote or die!

 

[Dude™]

But seriously, its a combination of the two. TFC isn't that great imo. Roger is not good without David and David is not good without Roger. Its when they combine their heads is when the magic happens. I mean look at Roger's solo stuff for example.
They go together like lamb and tuna fish..

 

[philno]

agreed with the guy above me. TFC really isn't that fantastic, and i can't really choose between the two

 

[Altitudes]

I love the Syd Barrett era of Pink Floyd and his solo stuff, so I'll say Syd. Although it is hard to say Rodger was better than David, since many songs attributed both of them. I suppose I would choose Waters if I had to.

 

[Lightbulb Sun]

Since animals is my favorite PF album atm, I'll vote Waters. But I agree with everyone else, they were a dysfunctional combo that went together so well.

 

[BefriendedUnit]

I voted Syd but I'm 100% kidding.

 

[Kenneth R.]

Gilmour. serious.

 

[Necropeth]

I'll agree with the majority. Can't have one without the other.

 

[Sad Madrigal]

I guess Rick Wright was the best one......but since he is not here I have voted for Gilmour.

 

[batmura]

Both. They're great on their own, but perfect together...

 

[RoadKing]

I really didn't like TFC. It sounds like the soundtrack to a suicide. The whole atomic bomb going off over the playground part was pretty cool, though. In contrast, I actually love MLoR, and "One Slip" is one of my all-time favorite 'Floyd tunes. Not so much "The Division Bell", though. TDB had a few good tracks, but is probably my second least-favorite 'Floyd record, in front of only TFC.

Waters & Gilmour are both great songwriters who were much better together than either are apart. Both of them have done decent solo records, but I really prefer Gilmour's solo stuff, which is kinda how I'd measure it, I guess. Waters gets the credit for writing more of 'Floyd's material, but Gilmour's name is also in the credits on most of my favorite PF songs (many of which he sung as well). Hell, so is Richard Wright's for that matter! It's kinda like comparing McCartney & Lennon to me, both were great, and both were better together than they were separately.

Now if Gilmour could just remove his head from his ass long enough to let the reunion tour happen so that 'Floyd could go out on the absolute top, all would be right with the world!

 

[in_my_time_of_disease]

Well Waters wrote more than any of them, but I personally prefer Gilmour, while he wrote less, what he wrote dominates.

 

[Talking Meat]

Saying Gilmour here is almost like saying Peter was the best songwriter in Opeth. Waters composed 90% of the material, and seems to me to the guy with the grand concept of music in his head. Yeah, he fell off a bit toward the end, but I don't necessarily think that's just because he didn't have Gilmour. He just got a bit artsy. Personally I think Gilmour would have been making a lot more bubblegummish music if he weren't working with Roger.

 

[Obtuse]

I just picked up 'Animals', and after hearing that I know for sure... it's Waters.

 

[Altitudes]

I just picked up 'Animals', and after hearing that I know for sure... it's Waters.

^ Winner. Animals is one of the best Pink Floyd albums.

 

[philno]

dark side of the moon #1, animals #2 imo

 

[Necropeth]

I'm not saying it's my favourite, but I think The Final Cut is criminally underrated.

 

[Altitudes]

I don't like The Final Cut really...