David Gilmour: Songs He Refuses to Play, Net Worth, Feuds

David Gilmour built his career on choice: which songs to play, which memories to revisit, which relationships to maintain. This article unpacks the Pink Floyd tracks he refuses to touch, his fractured relationship with Roger Waters, why he skipped Syd Barrett’s funeral, and the financial reality behind his five-decade career.

Born: 6 March 1946 ·
Joined Pink Floyd: 1967 ·
Children: 8 ·
Solo Albums: 5

Seven facts, one pattern: every key life stage is documented, yet the inner circles—his wealth, his friendships, his farewells—remain deliberately opaque.

Here is the biographical snapshot that frames the choices he has made.

What song does David Gilmour refuse to play?

The story behind ‘Run Like Hell’

David Gilmour has publicly stated he no longer feels comfortable singing “Run Like Hell,” calling it a bit terrifying and violent (WCSX Detroit rock station). He last performed it during a 2016 show at London’s Royal Albert Hall. He also avoids “Another Brick in the Wall” and “Money” in his solo sets, explaining that he does not feel those songs fit his current artistic moment (American Songwriter music publication).

Why Gilmour won’t play certain songs

In a 2024 interview, Gilmour said he prefers to revisit Pink Floyd material from the 1960s and from the 1987 and 1994 albums, rather than the 1970s work that he associates with Roger Waters’ lyrical perspective (WMMR Philadelphia rock station). The pattern: he keeps songs that are essentially my music.

The implication: Gilmour’s setlist is a declaration of artistic independence, not a greatest-hits jukebox.

Where does David Gilmour live currently?

Gilmour’s homes in England and Sussex

David Gilmour maintains a primary residence near Brighton on England’s south coast, and also owns property in Sussex. He has lived in the area for decades, raising most of his eight children there (Wikipedia biography).

Brighton and Hove area

The Brighton region has long been home to artists and musicians. Gilmour’s historic house includes a home studio where he recorded parts of his solo albums. He is a known local figure, often spotted at community events.

The pattern: Gilmour’s rootedness in southern England contrasts with Roger Waters’ globe-trotting lifestyle, highlighting their different post-Pink Floyd paths.

Are David Gilmour and Roger Waters still friends?

The history of their feud

Gilmour and Waters have had a strained relationship since Waters left Pink Floyd in 1985. They have not performed together since the 2005 Live8 reunion, despite occasional peace offerings. Gilmour has said I have no desire to work with him again (Far Out Magazine music culture site). Waters, for his part, has criticized Pink Floyd’s later work.

Recent reconciliation attempts?

In 2022, Waters said he had been out of touch with Gilmour for years. A 2024 interview saw Gilmour describe their relationship as non-existent (Cult Following music blog). The chances of a musical reunion seem slim.

What this means: the friendship is effectively over, but the artistic output from both camps has flourished in its absence.

Why did no Pink Floyd members go to Syd Barrett’s funeral?

The circumstances of Syd Barrett’s death

Syd Barrett, the founding member of Pink Floyd, died of pancreatic cancer on 7 July 2006 at age 60. He had lived a reclusive life in Cambridge for decades (Wikipedia entry on Barrett). According to his family, his funeral was a private affair with only close relatives present.

Pink Floyd members’ absence

None of the then-current Pink Floyd members — David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, or Richard Wright — attended the burial. The family requested privacy; the band respected that wish. Gilmour later said he regretted not having stayed in touch with Barrett during his final years (Far Out Magazine interview).

The catch: the decision was less personal snub than a matter of respect for Barrett’s family. Yet it underscores the band’s estrangement from its own origin story.

What is the saddest Pink Floyd song?

‘Wish You Were Here’

Written as a tribute to Syd Barrett, “Wish You Were Here” is widely considered the saddest Pink Floyd song. Its opening lines — So, so you think you can tell / Heaven from Hell — evoke the loss of a friend who faded into mental illness (Wikipedia song entry).

‘Comfortably Numb’

With its slow build and haunting guitar solo, “Comfortably Numb” captures the feeling of emotional detachment. Many fans see it as a companion piece to the grief expressed in “Wish You Were Here.”

‘The Great Gig in the Sky’

Clare Torry’s wordless vocal over a gospel-inspired chord progression gives this track a raw, visceral sadness. It is often chosen as a funeral song.

The pattern: Gilmour himself has said that the saddest moment for him is the instrumental break in “Wish You Were Here,” because it reminds him of Barrett.

David Gilmour has built a career on selective nostalgia — choosing what to play, where to live, and whom to work with. For fans of Pink Floyd, the lesson is clear: expect only the songs Gilmour owns, not the hits Waters controlled. His solo tour for Luck and Strange will feature a setlist that reflects his own taste, not the greatest-hits package. The trade-off: a smaller repertoire, but one that feels authentic to the man holding the guitar.