On An Island by David Gilmour Lyrics Meaning – Navigating the Waters of Solitude and Connection

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for David Gilmour's On An Island at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Remember that night
White steps in the moonlight
They walked here too
Through empty playground, this ghosts’ town
Children again, on rusting swings getting higher
Sharing a dream, on an island, it felt right

We lay side by side
Between the moon and the tide
Mapping the stars for a while

Let the night surround you
We’re halfway to the stars
Ebb and flow
Let it go
Feel her warmth beside you

Remember that night
The warmth and the laughter
Candles burned
Though the church was deserted
At dawn we went down through empty streets to the harbor
Dreamers may leave, but they’re here ever after

Let the night surround you
We’re halfway to the stars
Ebb and flow
Let it go
Feel her warmth beside you.

David Gilmour, the legendary Pink Floyd guitarist and vocalist, creates a sonorous retreat with the tune ‘On An Island.’ It’s a poignant rumination on solitude, companionship, and the ephemeral nature of life cloaked in the comforting embrace of his tender melodies and soulful guitar. The title track of his third solo studio album, ‘On An Island’ offers listeners a serene respite from their bustling daily lives and invites them to explore the depths of introspection.

The song’s rich imagery and atmospheric instrumentation serve as the canvas on which Gilmour paints a picture of timeless tranquility and intimate human connection. As we embark on unraveling the layers of meaning behind the evocative lyrics of ‘On An Island,’ we’re not just interpreting a piece of music; we’re setting sail on the tranquil seas of the human psyche, guided by Gilmour’s ethereal vocals.

Embracing the Ephemeral: Musings on Time and Memory

The ghostly recollections of ‘Remember that night’ transport listeners to a space beyond time where past and present intertwine. Gilmour invokes a sense of nostalgia—a longing for moments of purity and unbridled joy found in the haunting playground of our memories. The song acts as a conduit for the eternal child within, gently swinging between the high of youthful dreams and the grounding truth of their transitory nature.

In these lines, David Gilmour not only throws us into a personal reverie but also universalizes the experience of cherishing fleeting moments. He juxtaposes the permanence of physical spaces, like empty playgrounds, with the impermanence of the human presence, capturing the haunting beauty of temporal existence.

Deciphering the Hidden Meaning: Islands as Metaphors for Self

The prevailing metaphor of an ‘island’ serves as a dual symbol in Gilmour’s artistic odyssey. On one hand, it represents seclusion—a solitary space to reflect and delve into personal realms. On the other, it signifies an oasis of shared understanding and unity of spirit. Within the context of the song, the island is not a mere geographical construct; it is the spiritual ground we inhabit with those we love.

This duality reflects our own lives we too oscillate between seeking individuality and striving for connection. Gilmour compels the listener to acknowledge that these two aspects aren’t contradictory but complementary—solitude can deepen the shared dream, just as companionship can enrich the solitary journey.

Celestial Bodies and Human Bonds: Exploring the Lyrics’ Romantic Allure

In the verse ‘We lay side by side / Between the moon and the tide,’ Gilmour paints an intimate picture that merges the cosmic with the carnal. The connection between two people is interlaced with the celestial dance of the universe, suggesting that our earthly relationships echo the larger dynamic forces of nature.

The act of ‘Mapping the stars for a while’ suggests a partnership that goes beyond the physical, delving into a shared spirituality and intellectual communion. It’s a tribute to relationships that challenge us to think broader, dream bigger, and feel more profoundly.

The Mantra of Letting Go: Finding Peace Amidst Life’s Flux

The sensuous chorus, ‘Let the night surround you / We’re halfway to the stars,’ urges us to surrender to the natural order, to the inevitable ebb and flow of life. Gilmour’s soothing exhortation to ‘Let it go’ resonates as a tender acknowledgement of our limited control over the world around us.

This mantra of acquiescence reveals an undercurrent of wisdom within the song, singing to the rhythm of acceptance and the release of resistance. By feeling the ‘warmth beside you,’ he invokes the power of human touch and the comfort found in close companionship when navigating the seas of uncertainty.

Memorable Lines that Echo in the Heart: ‘The Warmth and the Laughter’

In the stanza, ‘Remember that night / The warmth and the laughter,’ Gilmour evokes the sensory hallmark of shared experience. It is not merely the events themselves but the emotions they evoke—the warmth and laughter—that sear themselves into the fabric of our being, creating a tapestry of cherished memories.

These poignant phrases resonate with a pure authenticity that transcends the boundaries of the song. They call to mind moments in life too sacred for words, when emotions speak louder than any lyric ever could, firmly planting ‘On An Island’ within the pantheon of meaningful musical poetry.