David Gilmour – About Face (1984): A Personal Voice in a Divided Era
Released in 1984, About Face is David Gilmour’s second solo album and his most emotionally direct statement outside Pink Floyd. Coming at a time when the band was effectively fractured, the album reflects personal conflict, political tension, and artistic independence—while still showcasing Gilmour’s unmistakable guitar voice.
History and Background
About Face was released in March 1984, during one of the most turbulent periods in Pink Floyd’s history. Relations between David Gilmour and Roger Waters had deteriorated severely following The Final Cut, and Pink Floyd’s future was uncertain.
Unlike Gilmour’s understated 1978 debut, About Face embraces a more contemporary 1980s rock production, with sharper edges, punchier drums, and socially aware lyrics. The album was recorded at Astoria Houseboat Studio and Abbey Road Studios, with Gilmour again heavily involved in production.
Commercially, the album performed well, reaching the Top 40 in both the UK and the US, supported by an extensive solo tour.
Credits & Lineup
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David Gilmour – vocals, guitars, keyboards, production
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Steve Winwood – keyboards, backing vocals
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Jon Lord – keyboards
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Anne Dudley – synthesizers, orchestration
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Jeff Porcaro – drums
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Pino Palladino – bass
The album features an impressive lineup of guest musicians, giving it a richer and more varied sound than Gilmour’s debut.
Musical Style and Themes
About Face blends art rock, pop rock, and new wave-influenced production, reflecting the musical landscape of the mid-1980s. Lyrically, the album is more confrontational than Gilmour’s previous work, addressing themes of betrayal, political disillusionment, war, and fractured relationships.
Several tracks are widely interpreted as indirect responses to Roger Waters, though Gilmour has always avoided making the album explicitly autobiographical.
Track Highlights
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“Until We Sleep” – Atmospheric opener setting the album’s introspective tone.
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“All Lovers Are Deranged” – Sharp, punchy rock with biting lyrics and strong hooks.
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“Love on the Air” – Co-written with Pete Townshend, addressing communication breakdowns.
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“You Know I’m Right” – Often seen as a veiled message about band tensions.
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“Blue Light” – Funk-influenced, upbeat, and controversial among fans for its pop sensibility.
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“Murder” – A haunting closing track inspired by the assassination of John Lennon.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Love on the Air was co-written with Pete Townshend of The Who.
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Murder was inspired by Gilmour’s reaction to John Lennon’s death in 1980.
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Jeff Porcaro (Toto) and Pino Palladino brought a distinct 80s rhythm section feel to the album.
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The album’s title, About Face, suggests confrontation and turning points—both personally and musically.
Did You Know?
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Gilmour toured extensively in 1984 to support the album, playing many songs that never appeared in Pink Floyd setlists.
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Blue Light divided fans, some praising its groove while others felt it strayed too far from Gilmour’s Floyd sound.
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Several lyrical themes foreshadow ideas later explored on Pink Floyd’s A Momentary Lapse of Reason.
Goofs, Myths, and Misconceptions
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Many fans assume the entire album is a direct attack on Roger Waters; in reality, the themes are broader and more reflective.
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The album is sometimes dismissed as “too 80s,” overlooking its strong songwriting and emotional weight.
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Some believe Pink Floyd band members secretly participated—none did.
Cultural Legacy
About Face stands as David Gilmour’s most outspoken solo album. While not as iconic as his work with Pink Floyd, it documents a crucial transitional moment: the point where Gilmour fully stepped out from the band’s shadow and prepared to lead Pink Floyd into a new era.
Over time, the album has gained renewed appreciation as a raw, human response to artistic and personal upheaval.
Conclusion
About Face (1984) is tense, reflective, and occasionally confrontational—qualities that make it one of David Gilmour’s most compelling solo efforts. It captures an artist at a crossroads, facing conflict head-on and finding clarity through music.
