The Division Bell

This is the band’s second work without the participation of its founding member, Roger Waters, and was primarily written by guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour alongside keyboardist Richard Wright. What’s interesting is that Wright, who had not had a leading role since The Dark Side of the Moon in 1973, provides lead vocals on this album. Gilmour’s collaboration with his then-fiancée, novelist Polly Samson, was crucial, as she co-wrote several tracks exploring communication, a recurring theme in the lyrics.

Recording took place in various locations, including Britannia Row Studios and Gilmour’s houseboat, known as Astoria. The process was notably relaxed compared to the tensions of previous recordings, allowing the band to experiment with their sound. Throughout the sessions, Gilmour and Wright improvised around 65 musical pieces, from which they selected 11 for the final album. The song selection was done through a scoring system that created some tension, particularly for Wright, who had faced pressure in the past. This album not only represents a return to joint composition but also the first time Wright received songwriting credits since 1975.

Among the standout tracks is High Hopes, which reflects Gilmour’s childhood in Cambridge, and Marooned, which won a Grammy in 1995 for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. Though The Division Bell received mixed reviews, it reached number one in over ten countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, and was certified platinum multiple times. Alongside its release, the band embarked on a tour that proved highly successful, selling over five million tickets. This album was also the last to feature entirely new material and the last to include Wright before his passing in 2008.