// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did "Take It Back" say to its date? You can return my heart.

"Take It Back"
"Take It Back"
Single by Pink Floyd
from the album The Division Bell
B-side	2-track; "Astronomy Domine" (Live); 3-track; "Astronomy Domine" (Live); "Take It Back" (Edit);
Released	23 May 1994
Recorded	1993
Genre	Progressive rock
Length	6:13 (album version); 4:55 (single edit); 7:07 (extended version on French promo single);
Label	EMI (UK); Columbia (US);
Songwriters	David Gilmour; Bob Ezrin; Polly Samson; Nick Laird-Clowes;
Producers	Bob Ezrin; David Gilmour;
Pink Floyd singles chronology
Music video
	"Pink Floyd - Take It Back (Official Music Video HD)" on YouTube

"Take It Back" is a song by English progressive rock band Pink Floyd, released as the seventh track on their fourteenth album, The Division Bell (1994).^[4]^[5] It was also released as a single on 23 May 1994, by EMI (UK) and Columbia (US), the first from the album, and Pink Floyd's first for seven years. The single peaked at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart, the fourth highest in the band's history, below 1979 number 1 hit "Another Brick In The Wall" and 1967 top 20 hits "See Emily Play" and "Arnold Layne".^[6] The music for the song was written by guitarist David Gilmour and album co-producer Bob Ezrin, with lyrics by Gilmour, his wife Polly Samson and Nick Laird-Clowes. Its accompanying music video was nominated for Best Clip of the Year in the category for Rock at the 1994 Billboard Music Video Awards.^[7]

Lyrics

The lyrics were written through the point of view of a dysfunctional relationship, used as an allegory for how humans treat the planet.

During its instrumental section, a barely audible rendition of the nursery rhyme "Ring a Ring o' Roses" can be heard.

Equipment

Guitarist David Gilmour used an E-bow on a Gibson J-200 acoustic guitar that is processed through a Zoom effects box, then directly injected into the board.^[8]

Personnel

David Gilmour – lead vocals, guitar, Ebow
Richard Wright – keyboards, Hammond and Farfisa organs
Nick Mason – drums, percussion

Additional musicians:

Tim Renwick – additional guitar
Jon Carin – Synthesizers, keyboards, loops
Guy Pratt – bass
Bob Ezrin – keyboards, percussion
Sam Brown – backing vocals
Durga McBroom – backing vocals
Carol Kenyon – backing vocals
Jackie Sheridan – backing vocals
Rebecca Leigh-White – backing vocals

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1994)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[9]	64
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[10]	43
Canada Retail Singles (The Record)^[11]	8
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[12]	9
Europe (European Hit Radio)^[13]	16
France (SNEP)^[14]	50
Germany (GfK)^[15]	75
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)^[16]	19
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[17]	23
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[18]	7
UK Singles (Official Charts)^[19]	23
UK Airplay (Music Week)^[20]	28
US Billboard Hot 100^[21]	73
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)^[22]	4
US Cash Box Top 100^[23]	65

Year-end charts

Chart (1994)	Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[24]	71
US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)^[25]	23

References

↑ Take It Back (CD single notes). Pink Floyd. Columbia Records. 1994. 38K 77493 – via Discogs.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
↑ Take It Back (CD single notes). Pink Floyd. EMI. 1994. CD EMS 309 – via Discogs.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 21 May 1994. p. 35.
↑ Strong, Martin C. (2004). "Pink Floyd". The Great Rock Discography (7th ed.). Edinburgh: Canongate Books. pp. 1175–1178. ISBN 1-84195-551-5.
↑ Mabbett, Andy (1995). The Complete Guide to the Music of Pink Floyd. London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-4301-X.
↑ Pink Floyd UK Singles Chart, Official Charts Company, retrieved September 23 2023
↑ Russell, Deborah (15 October 1994). "Music Video Award Nominees Named" (PDF). Billboard. p. 12. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
↑ "Sounds of Silence" interview, Guitar World, September 1994. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 218.
↑ "Pink Floyd – Take It Back" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
↑ "Hits of the World: Canada" (PDF). Billboard. 27 August 1994. p. 50. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
↑ "Top RPM Singles: Image 2536". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 March 2021. ^{[dead link]}
↑ "EHR Top 40" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 25. 18 June 1994. p. 25. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
↑ "Pink Floyd – Take It Back" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 Vikan 19.5.–25.5. '94". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 19 May 1994. p. 20. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
↑ "Pink Floyd – Take It Back" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
↑ "Pink Floyd – Take It Back". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
↑ "Official Singles Chart on 29/5/1994 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
↑ "The Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week. 11 June 1994. p. 22. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
↑ "Pink Floyd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
↑ "Pink Floyd Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
↑ "USA Cashbox Charts Summaries". popmusichistory. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
↑ "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM. Retrieved 20 July 2025 – via Library and Archives Canada.
↑ "The Year in Music: Hot Album Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 52. 24 December 1994. pp. YE-62. Retrieved 20 July 2025.

External links

"Take It Back" on YouTube

[1] Take It Back (CD single notes). Pink Floyd. Columbia Records. 1994. 38K 77493 – via Discogs.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[2] Take It Back (CD single notes). Pink Floyd. EMI. 1994. CD EMS 309 – via Discogs.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[3] "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 21 May 1994. p. 35.

[4] Strong, Martin C. (2004). "Pink Floyd". The Great Rock Discography (7th ed.). Edinburgh: Canongate Books. pp. 1175–1178. ISBN 1-84195-551-5.

[5] Mabbett, Andy (1995). The Complete Guide to the Music of Pink Floyd. London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-4301-X.

[6] Pink Floyd UK Singles Chart, Official Charts Company, retrieved September 23 2023

[7] Russell, Deborah (15 October 1994). "Music Video Award Nominees Named" (PDF). Billboard. p. 12. Retrieved 30 May 2025.

[GW-8] "Sounds of Silence" interview, Guitar World, September 1994. Retrieved 28 July 2010.

[9] Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 218.

[sc_Flanders_Pink_Floyd-10] "Pink Floyd – Take It Back" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 6 September 2022.

[11] "Hits of the World: Canada" (PDF). Billboard. 27 August 1994. p. 50. Retrieved 20 May 2025.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-12] "Top RPM Singles: Image 2536". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 10 March 2021. ^{[dead link]}

[13] "EHR Top 40" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 25. 18 June 1994. p. 25. Retrieved 8 January 2026.

[sc_France_Pink_Floyd-14] "Pink Floyd – Take It Back" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 6 September 2022.

[sc_Germany_Pink_Floyd-15] "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 6 September 2022.

[16] "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 Vikan 19.5.–25.5. '94". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 19 May 1994. p. 20. Retrieved 2 April 2025.

[sc_Dutch100_Pink_Floyd-17] "Pink Floyd – Take It Back" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 September 2022.

[sc_New_Zealand_Pink_Floyd-18] "Pink Floyd – Take It Back". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 6 September 2022.

[sc_UK_-19] "Official Singles Chart on 29/5/1994 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 September 2022.

[20] "The Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week. 11 June 1994. p. 22. Retrieved 23 May 2025.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Pink_Floyd-21] "Pink Floyd Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 March 2021.

[sc_Billboardmainstreamrock_Pink_Floyd-22] "Pink Floyd Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 10 March 2021.

[23] "USA Cashbox Charts Summaries". popmusichistory. Retrieved December 14, 2022.

[24] "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1994". RPM. Retrieved 20 July 2025 – via Library and Archives Canada.

[25] "The Year in Music: Hot Album Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 52. 24 December 1994. pp. YE-62. Retrieved 20 July 2025.

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v t e The Division Bell
Songs	"Cluster One" "What Do You Want from Me" "Poles Apart" "Marooned" "A Great Day for Freedom" "Wearing the Inside Out" "Take It Back" "Coming Back to Life" "Keep Talking" "Lost for Words" "High Hopes"
Related articles	The Division Bell Tour Publius Enigma The Later Years 1987–2019
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn A Saucerful of Secrets More Ummagumma Atom Heart Mother Meddle Obscured by Clouds The Dark Side of the Moon Wish You Were Here Animals The Wall The Final Cut A Momentary Lapse of Reason The Division Bell The Endless River

v t e Pink Floyd songs
Discography Songs
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn	"Astronomy Domine" "Lucifer Sam" "Matilda Mother" "Flaming" "Pow R. Toc H." "Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk" "Interstellar Overdrive" "The Gnome" "Chapter 24" "The Scarecrow" "Bike" "See Emily Play" (U.S.)
A Saucerful of Secrets	"Let There Be More Light" "Remember a Day" "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" "Corporal Clegg" "A Saucerful of Secrets" "See-Saw" "Jugband Blues"
More	"Cirrus Minor" "The Nile Song" "Green Is the Colour" "Cymbaline"
Ummagumma	"Grantchester Meadows" "Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict" "The Narrow Way"
Atom Heart Mother	"Atom Heart Mother" "If" "Summer '68" "Fat Old Sun" "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast"
Meddle	"One of These Days" "A Pillow of Winds" "Fearless" "San Tropez" "Seamus" "Echoes"
Obscured by Clouds	"Burning Bridges" "Wot's... Uh the Deal?" "Childhood's End" "Free Four"
The Dark Side of the Moon	"Speak to Me" "Breathe (In the Air)" "On the Run" "Time" "The Great Gig in the Sky" "Money" "Us and Them" "Any Colour You Like" "Brain Damage" "Eclipse"
Wish You Were Here	"Shine On You Crazy Diamond" "Welcome to the Machine" "Have a Cigar" "Wish You Were Here"
Animals	"Pigs on the Wing" "Dogs" "Pigs (Three Different Ones)" "Sheep"
The Wall	"In the Flesh?/In the Flesh" "The Thin Ice" "Another Brick in the Wall" "The Happiest Days of Our Lives" "Mother" "Goodbye Blue Sky" "Empty Spaces" "Young Lust" "One of My Turns" "Don't Leave Me Now" "Hey You" "Is There Anybody Out There?" "Nobody Home" "Vera" "Bring the Boys Back Home" "Comfortably Numb" "The Show Must Go On" "Run Like Hell" "Waiting for the Worms" "Stop" "The Trial" "Outside the Wall"
The Final Cut	"The Post War Dream" "Your Possible Pasts" "One of the Few" "The Hero's Return" "The Gunner's Dream" "Paranoid Eyes" "The Fletcher Memorial Home" "Southampton Dock" "The Final Cut" "Not Now John" "Two Suns in the Sunset"
A Momentary Lapse of Reason	"Signs of Life" "Learning to Fly" "The Dogs of War" "One Slip" "On the Turning Away" "Yet Another Movie" "Round and Around" "A New Machine" "Terminal Frost" "Sorrow"
The Division Bell	"Cluster One" "What Do You Want from Me" "Poles Apart" "Marooned" "A Great Day for Freedom" "Wearing the Inside Out" "Take It Back" "Coming Back to Life" "Keep Talking" "Lost for Words" "High Hopes"
The Endless River	"Louder than Words"
Other songs	"Arnold Layne" / "Candy and a Currant Bun" "See Emily Play" "Apple and Oranges" / "Paint Box" "It Would Be So Nice" / "Julia Dream" "Point Me at the Sky" / "Careful with That Axe, Eugene" "Embryo" "When the Tigers Broke Free" "The Last Few Bricks" "Lucy Leave" "I'm a King Bee" "Vegetable Man" "Scream Thy Last Scream" "Hey, Hey, Rise Up!"

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