“High Hopes” is a haunting and introspective progressive rock song by Pink Floyd, released in 1994 as the final track on their album The Division Bell. Written by David Gilmour and her wife, English novelist, lyricist and journalist Polly Samson, the song serves as a reflective and bittersweet meditation on time, loss, and nostalgia.
Lyrically, High Hopes explores the passage of time, the loss of youth and innocence, and the longing for past dreams and possibilities. Lines like “The grass was greener, the light was brighter” evoke a sense of nostalgia, comparing the past’s boundless potential to the reality of the present. The lyrics are widely interpreted as Gilmour looking back on his own life and career, possibly reflecting on the glory days of Pink Floyd and how time has changed everything.
Tthe song is grand and cinematic, featuring a somber piano intro, rich orchestration, and atmospheric sound effects (including church bells and distant voices). Gilmour’s soulful vocals guide the song through a slow, dramatic buildup, leading to a stunning climax with one of his most emotional and soaring guitar solos. The use of lap steel guitar in the outro adds to the song’s melancholic and ethereal feel.
The music video, directed by Storm Thorgerson, features a man looking over the Fens at Ely Cathedral, the same building which can be seen between the metal heads on the cover of the album. The video was also filmed in St John’s College, Cambridge, including the Bridge of Sighs.
“High Hopes” was widely praised by critics and fans, standing out as one of Pink Floyd’s most moving and poetic later-era tracks. It became a fan favorite, frequently played in Gilmour’s solo concerts, and is often regarded as a fitting epilogue to the band’s legendary career.