The Streets song David Gilmour loved “philosophically”
Someone as renowned as Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour doesn’t worry about keeping up with the times, but he does, much like other great musicians, take notice of those coming to the forefront, particularly those who share the same musical values.
“Do I keep up with current trends?” Gilmour asked. “No,” he told The Guardian in 2002. “I like that fellow Mike Skinner, The Streets. Being of an incredibly advanced age, I don’t understand these labels, industrial garage or whatever, but that track ‘Let’s Push Things Forward’ appealed to me. Why? It’s rhythmically and musically interesting and philosophically interesting as well”. Gilmour described the track as “forward-looking” but also “archaic”.
He added: “It has its own ant-big-company ethos, which I like. And it has strange little quirks of timing that I find very hard to use. Perhaps it will influence me in the future. I don’t know. But it’s nice to hear something outside your usual frame of reference.”
The lyrics suggest that many mainstream artists rely on formulaic approaches and media hype to sell their music. Skinner appears to be encouraging listeners to seek out a more innovative approach and discover their own sound rather than relying on what is handed to them by record labels: “Love us or hates us but don’t slate us / Don’t conform to formulas, pop genres and such”.
While vastly different in style and era, Pink Floyd and The Streets shared a common thread in their impact on British music culture. Pink Floyd, pioneers of psychedelic and progressive rock, used their platform to explore complex themes of alienation, human emotion, and critique of British society. Albums like The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall left indelible marks on rock music and resonated across generations. The Streets, though steeped in the sound of early 2000s youth culture in the UK, similarly used music to dissect the struggles of modern life.
The track from The Streets’ 2002 debut album Original Pirate Material, in many ways, Skinner’s call to disrupt complacency, a message that resonated with Gilmour, whose own work with Pink Floyd consistently challenged listeners to question authority, confront personal and societal issues, and reject conformity. Skinner’s lyricism captures the disillusionment of young people with traditional paths, resonating with a sentiment Pink Floyd fans would find familiar from songs like ‘Another Brick in the Wall’.
Their elaborate soundscapes, combined with philosophical lyrics, redefined what music could achieve, especially in live performances with visual extravaganzas. While Pink Floyd crafted long, meticulously layered compositions, The Streets opted for sharp, streetwise observations delivered with minimalist beats – a sound that resonated with listeners who were sick of an age of over-produced, over-polished pop music. Separately, their albums became anthems for those seeking an outlet from the stifling effects of routine.
Though Gilmour and Skinner’s music differed in style and era, both shared a commitment to innovation and authenticity. By praising ‘Let’s Push Things Forward’, Gilmour illustrated that meaningful music transcends genres and generations, resonating across cultural lines. His appreciation of The Streets’ track was a rare nod from a rock legend to a younger artist, affirming that while times and trends change, the power of music to question, push boundaries, and reflect society remains timeless.
