Pink Floyd's 'Comfortably Numb' Ranked Among 'Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time'-and It Has a Wild Origin Story

The mid-'60s gave birth to the psychedelic music era, with English rock band Pink Floyd leading the charge. They were not only trailblazers of the genre but also staples of progressive rock. They never shied away from pushing the envelope in terms of musical and lyrical expression, and are easily one of the most influential rock bands in history.

Formed in London in 1965 by founding frontman and guitarist Syd Barrett, bassist and vocalist Roger Waters, keyboardist and vocalist Richard Wright, and drummer Nick Mason (guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour joined in 1967), the band became one of the best-selling acts of all time. They released 15 studio albums, the last being 2014's The Endless River, which consisted mostly of instrumental and ambient music from recording sessions for 1994's The Division Bell.

Several publications and outlets have included Pink Floyd on various best-of lists and rankings. In May 2026, Rolling Stone placed Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" at No. 4 on its list of "The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time."

Released as a single in promotion of its 11th studio album, the record-breaking and chart-topping The Wall (which took the top spot on a whopping 11 weekly global charts), "Comfortably Numb" is one of the band's most popular songs.

While the album hit music stores on Nov. 30, 1979, the tune circulated the airwaves as a single over six months later on June 23, 1980. It also has a wild origin story. Waters penned the lyrics based on his real-life experience of being injected with tranquilizers for stomach cramps before performing onstage in 1977. Waters recalled the experience in 2009:

"That was the longest two hours of my life, trying to do a show when you can hardly lift your arm." The track's original title was "The Doctor," with Waters writing it about a rock star named Pink getting medicated by a doctor so he can perform for a concert. The Wall itself is a concept album about Pink, with "Comfortably Numb" being one chapter in the overarching narrative.

Rolling Stone hailed Gilmour's guitar solo in "Comfortably Numb" as "transcendent," adding that "his playing is weepy, soulful, and beautiful." It injects The Wall with "human warmth." The publication also lauded it as "the most affecting solo" of the guitarist's career.

Do you think Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" deserves the fourth spot on Rolling Stone's list?

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 12:13 PM.