Long gaps between albums and singles are nothing new for David Gilmour. ‘Yes, I Have Ghosts’ (July 3, 2020) is his first release in five years, following the release of his studio album ‘Rattle That Lock’ in 2015.
The waltz single features David Gilmour’s daughter, Romany Gilmour, on harp and backing vocals, and was first disclosed in an audiobook edition of Polly Samson’s current book, ‘A Theater for Dreamers’ (2020).
It’s the first time the father and daughter have written a song together.
The musical side of the song “Yes I Have Ghosts”
Gilmour’s “go-to” style recently has been exquisite ballads, as evidenced by the albums “On An Island” (2006) and “Rattle That Lock” (2015).
‘Yes, I Have Ghosts’ is another ballad that instills a sense of tranquility unlike any other.
Along with daughter Romany Gilmour’s harp and backup vocals, David Gilmour’s waltzing acoustic guitar line and quiet, soulful voice combine well. The song’s waltzing pace nicely captures the bright, sunny, and serene atmosphere of Greece.
The song is surely a feast for the ears of listeners and long-time admirers of David Gilmour and Pink Floyd. The song is simply stunning, and it leaves you wanting more.
In light of the Covid-19 lockout, David Gilmour disclosed on his website that his daughter Romany had stepped forward to replace the single’s backup singers.
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Why didn’t Romany Gimlour make a splash sooner?
The fact that Romany Gilmour hadn’t thought of it is the answer to the question at hand. Many artists live by the adage “restriction begets creativity” in music or any other kind of art, and it proved to be true in the case of Romany.
We can only imagine what the song would have sounded like if Gilmour had recorded it with his backup singers. Needless to say, the song would have been inspired by his prior works such as ‘The Blue’ or ‘Smile.’
David Gilmour’s paintings have featured members of the Gilmour family in recent years.
In his 2015 album Rattle That Lock,’ David Gilmour worked with his son Gabriel Gilmour. Gabriel recorded piano on the song’s track ‘In Any Tongue.’
Songwriting & Representation in ‘Yes I Have Ghosts’ ‘Yes, I Have Ghosts’ displays a minimalist approach to songwriting. It’s a fantastic example of how we might overlook simplicity at times.
Furthermore, the song brilliantly depicts the rawness of the artists, poets, and musicians discussed in the book; it’s as if Leonard Cohen (based on singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen) took up the guitar and started singing.
Leonard Cohen’s Tribute
David’s song “Yes I Have Ghosts” is a tribute to Cohen, who has made incalculable contributions to the literary and musical worlds. Cohen’s songs are influenced by American folk music and feature intensely personal lyrics.
The Harp’s use, as well as the song’s overall minimalism, pay homage to Cohen’s aesthetic choices. Leonard Cohen, who was pursuing a writing career at the time, purchased a house in Hydra, Greece, with money he had inherited from his grandmother in September 1960.
Erica, an 18-year-old character in the book “A Theatre for Dreamers,” meets this version of Cohen. The novel is set in the early 1960s and follows Erica, an 18-year-old girl who flees her dominating father in London and travels to the Greek island of Hydra.
She lives with a colony of talented but unstable writers, painters, and artists, including Leonard Cohen, once she arrives.
When Will Gilmour’s Next Album Be Released?
When it comes to releasing new material, David Gilmour has a history of taking long pauses.
Although we’ve seen Gilmour go live on YouTube with his family to cover songs in support of Samson’s new book, it’s unlikely that we’ll see anything else from him for a long time.
However, the extended gaps imply that, as we’ve seen, Gilmour will devote all of his focus and hard work to his next releases.