Pink Floyd - Learning To Fly Lyrics Meaning

A lot of people think this song is simply about flying an airplane, but it’s not. This is the first song/album Pink Floyd made after Waters left. This song is about Gilmour “learning to fly” in the band by himself. “Ribbon of black stretched to the point of no turning back” is all the past animosity, and recordings they made together on a ribbon of recording tape. “Standing alone all my senses reeled” is again Gilmour recording on a reel of tape. And “stretched to the point of no turning back” is also ALL the music David helped Waters write and perform. He’s not going to give that all up now. There’s no turning back. He wants to keep going and performing under Pink Floyd.

“Fatal attraction that’s holding me fast how can I escape this irresistible grasp” is Gilmour wanting so badly to keep making music under Pink Floyd.

“Tongue tied and twisted just an Earth bound misfit” is Gilmour struggling to write lyrics.

“Ice is forming on the tips of my wings” is the tension between David and Roger. “Unheeded warnings” of Roger leaving. “No navigator to guide my way home” is not having a song writer anymore.

“A soul in tension that’s learning to fly” is David learning how to write songs and lead the band. Notice it’s written and spelled “soul in tension” not, “sole intention”. Which means his soul is in tension.

“Above the planet on a wing and a prayer” is Gilmour in front of the huge crowd performing and hoping and praying he does ok and the crowd likes the new Pink Floyd music.

“Above the clouds I see my shadows fly” is him on stage in front of thousands of people. “There’s no sensation that compares with this” is him standing on stage in front of a crowd. “Suspended animation a state of bliss”

If you listen to the song with this meaning, it’s and even greater song. It tells what was going through David’s mind when he became the new band leader and lyricist.