BEST SONG EVER !!! HIGH HOPES

SERENDIPITY

I recently happened to read some random blog-post titled, “Pink Floyd-Best Band in the World”, though I had heard about them I never really listened to any song of theirs. I mostly confined myself to contemporary rock bands like Muse, Coldplay, U2, Metallica, Linkin Park, Maroon 5 etc and other chart-busting single artist’s and then slowly the classics like Beatles, Bee Gees, ABBA etc happened to catch my attention and were eventually added to my list, but there was no Pink Floyd till that day!

According to the blog-post, the guy allegedly didn't like PF and engaged himself with some trivial discussion involving best rock bands and then one guy reasons out and tells him to listen to “HIGH HOPES” by Pink Floyd and then talk. That same night he listened to it an impossible fifty times, which did skip a beat in my heart. I downloaded it immediately (torrentz: a gift from GOD) and listened to it, it sounded dull, run-of-the-mill song, mundane.

SATISFACTION

That night before sleeping I plugged in my earphones and gave another try mostly because the number 50 was pounding my head. I really wanted to know whether the song did deserve such kind of attention. I clicked on the play button.

SILENCE

Silence sweeps all over me for the next 7-8 minutes. I was literally dumbstruck and began wondering,” What a beautiful song!” I somehow got that eerie satisfaction when I listened to it and the reason was far from my reach. But for some inexplicable reason I just couldn't comprehend. It was beyond my rationale! 

I had been entranced!

Daily life nuances like church-bells, cuckoo clocks, buzz of the mosquito, birds chirping are all incorporated in the beginning of the song which is kind of auditory treat during these modern times and also gives an archaic touch to this timeless classic. Then there’s the distinct yet subtle sound of the ringing cathedral church bell which runs in the background almost throughout the song. Then David Gilmore’s stern yet lovable voice pierces through my ears, which surely mesmerizes everybody who listens to it. The song is said to be an autobiography of David’s life, about the strained relationship between Syd Barrette and him and also about the success of the band.

The chorus, well what can I say about it, it’s meaningful, soulful, catchy, exudes optimism and is definitely melodious. It certainly turns on people into the retro progressive rock mood for sure.

Three minutes into the song, it breaks the tempo, becomes slow paced. Its then coupled with a guitar,violin, piano and a couple of slow beats and gradually manages to increase the momentum for the climax. The last paragraph which holds an important relevance in each one of our lives and even in today’s materialistic world, talks about our ambition of reaching dizzying heights and hunger to be successful which is unsatisfied. The climax played during the second chorus (“forever and ever”) and the eventual part is definitely a hair-raiser and receiving goose bumps is one way of knowing whether you still have your humane side.  

At the end, David chains your mind and heart with his heart-rending solo of lingering guitar chords or what people call it as a guitar-riff(he also uses a lap steel for his slide solo). Even though I’m music illiterate I felt some kind of feeling which overtakes me and even make a connection. It does strike a perfect chord and it’s like as if the purpose of life is fulfilled!

FINALLY

To end it all, High Hopes is a serious song; it’s not a pep number which you can play during long rides or play it in a club (it would be a serious faux pas). It is a highly personal and individualistic song. It is powerful, sublime, magical, heavenly, contagious and for some people it’s a tear-jerker. Also don’t be surprised if you make a routine habit of listening to it.

Sadly such timeless classics are buried under oblivion, thanks to the advent of EDM’s, trance, and other latest trending songs which currently rule the roost. But the bitter truth is all of these are just ephemeral in nature. Such types of classics are deeply ingrained in our hearts and can never be replaced.

Do listen to it (but not with a state of mind as if your listening to the best song, but with an open mind and you’ll know why I wrote this post)

download links: http://home.comcast.net/~svantnerwj/Pink_Floyd_-_High.mp3
                       http://www.emp3world.com/mp3/52841/Pink%20Floyd/High%20Hopes