What The Division Bell is about?

[oikoaisthesis]

Dear PF fan,

Could you please explain the meaning of lyrics for The Division Bell, especially of Keep Talking? What particular things would you suppose the words to be devoted to? I am Russian, so it is sometimes difficult to get the verbal sense of beautiful songs.

Thanks a lot for your understanding.

[Bride of a Bull]

Greetings new PFfanNet fan! :smile:

On this site, David is quoted as saying of this album:

"It has a sort of theme about non-communication."

Which I take to mean the amount of NOT talking us humans seem to do - sadly often resulting in tension, conflict and war - and in particular "Keep Talking" the struggle, and failure, to communicate one's feelings.

I could be wrong.

All the best,
Byron
_________________
I don't believe you. You've got the whole damn thing all wrong. He's not the kind you have to wind up on Sundays.

[Not Now John]

I have heard a theory that TDB, and Keep Talking, was a plea to Roger, or perhaps a question. As if Dave was asking, "what did I do?" I don't particularly agree, but I have heard it.

[cwalrus]

From listening to the album recently, I'd have to agree that the theme of noncommunication does run semi-consistantly throughout the album, but I don't believe that all of it has to do with Roger Waters. Maybe some of it does and can be interpretted as such, but I think that this theme is put forth in such a way that it transcends any one particular set of circumstances. I think the lyrics are more about the lack of communication between people in general (between friends, couples, countries, strangers). I think Gilmour and Samson used this as a general frame work for many of the songs. I think The Division Bell truly shows their potential as lyric writers and puts them in direct contrast to Waters, who despite being the most outwardly poetic Floyd, sometimes lacks in subtlety. I still think Floyd was at its best with Waters at the proverbial lyrical helm, but sometimes the Divisional Bell can be quite refreshing compared to the rigid angst laden lyrics of The Wall and the Final Cut. It really depends on what mood I'm in though. Songs like "Coming Back to Life" and "High Hopes" demonstrate what the Gilmour incarnation of Floyd are truly capable of. It's a pity that they haven't expanded upon it and don't plan to anytime soon. I don't know why "Keep Talking" is on Echoes though. It's a competent track, but too presumptuous. I would have preferred "Coming Back to Life." Anyway, every time I listen to the Division Bell, I find things that I didn't notice before. It's a shame that it's the only decent post-Waters album.

_________________
"You can relax on both sides of the tracks, and maniacs don't blow holes in bandsmen by remote control"
- The Gunner's Dream, Roger Waters

[Organ Grinder]

Sorry, I gotta do it.

It's about 55min long.

[fixxlevy]

Chancer

[Organ Grinder]

I love you too,

fixxy poo.

[fixxlevy]

Got a girlfriend.

But thamks for the kind offer.

I'll keep it on file for the next 6 months.

Bye.

[Not Now John]

AMLOR is the only decent album from post-Waters Floyd.


High Hopes is the only decent song on TDB.

Just thought I'd clarify that, lest anyone think that Keep Talking is actually worth listening to.

[Driven]

NNJ...I didn't realise you were a beliver in AMLOR. There aren't many of us.

[Organ Grinder]

There's a good reason for that.

[Driven]

I was expecting that.

[Not Now John]

I'm not saying AMLOR is a great album, or even one of my faves. Just that it is decent. TDB, minus High Hopes, is just awful.

[Charade I Am]

We need to come up with some sort of unofficial rule that says everytime you argue about TFC, AMLOR, or TDB, you justify yourself with a lengthy paragraph of explanation, just because we all hear the same things over and over - this sucks that's great, this sucks that's great -- how about some justification?

or at least more often than is done - because i know some people do throughly explain themselves.

just a thought, i'll send it to our congress and see if it can be put through as a new piece of legislation :smile:

just a thought...

Charade I Am
Patrick

[Wrightkeys]

I personally think "The Division Bell" is a reflection of the past, that's why it could very well be the Floyd's last album. Mason, Wright, & Gilmour finally regaining that distinct Floyd sound. Musically it was a thank you to us (the fans). I also think it was a plea to Roger.