Why 'Take It Back' Is Often Called Pink Floyd’s Worst Post-Waters Song

The track that gets singled out more than any other from The Division Bell is “Take It Back.” For a band known for atmospheric space-rock, it’s an awkwardly commercial, almost radio-friendly pop-rock song with a drum machine loop and a cheesy chorus that sounds like it was written for a late‑’80s movie montage. Lyricist Polly Samson (David Gilmour’s wife) later admitted she wasn’t proud of the words, calling them “naff.”

Critics at the time nailed it for being generic and lacking the depth expected from Pink Floyd. The song was even used as a single, but it didn’t save the album from accusations of being safe and polished. Fans who dislike the post‑Waters era often point to “Take It Back” as proof that the band had lost its edge and was just making pleasant background music. It’s the track that most people skip.