Roger Waters Reveals His Favorite Neil Young Song

One of the most significant figures in psychedelic rock, Roger Waters is credited with writing some of Pink Floyd’s most provocative and politically charged songs. On the other hand, he prefers far more straightforward music, such as the unadulterated, narrative-driven songs of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and John Prine.

It may be hard to picture the man behind “Another Brick in the Wall” and “Have a Cigar” jamming to acoustic-driven folk music, but the influence is there. You can hear echoes of these storytellers in Waters’ own songwriting, especially in Pink Floyd’s 1983 album, The Final Cut. He lists Neil Young’s “Powderfinger” as one of the best songs ever written, and he even wishes he had written it himself. His appreciation of poetic lyricism and profound, emotional narrative makes this evident.

Why Roger Waters Loves “Powderfinger”

Waters has never been shy about his preference for storytelling in music. He once told Joe Rogan that bands like AC/DC and Van Halen never really interested him, explaining that his love for lyric-driven folk far outweighed his passion for heavy rock.

During a fan Q&A session on his YouTube channel in 2023, Waters made a bold confession: he “would have given [his] right arm” to write Neil Young’s “Powderfinger.” He shared that the song left him completely stunned the first time he heard it, especially its chilling opening line:

“Look out, Mama, there’s a white boat comin’ up the river.”

Waters’ appreciation for emotionally gripping narratives makes total sense when you listen to “Powderfinger.” The song narrates the heartbreaking tale of a young man in the South’s countryside who must defend his family against an armed assault. He takes his father’s rifle since he has no one else to take his place and confronts the enemy by himself. His last moments are tragically depicted in the lyrics:

“Raised my rifle to my eye, never stopped to wonder why, and my face splashed in the sky.”

The song is heartbreaking, cinematic, and incredibly powerful—qualities that Waters himself has always strived to bring into his own music.

A Cover We’re Waiting To Hear

It’s fascinating to see musicians drawn to songs that are completely different from their own work. Ozzy Osbourne, for example, has called “Eleanor Rigby” his favorite Beatles song, despite it being nothing like his music with Black Sabbath. But when you dig deeper, you find similarities in mood, melody, and lyrical depth that connect these artists in unexpected ways.

Waters’ love for “Powderfinger” feels the same way. It’s different from Pink Floyd’s trippy, progressive sound, but it carries the same weight and emotional storytelling that defines so many of Waters’ own songs.

And honestly, we can’t stop imagining what a Roger Waters cover of “Powderfinger” would sound like. Imagine him slowing it down, adding that eerie, whisper-like vocal tone he used in the verses of “Comfortably Numb.” Or maybe he’d bring in the haunting synths and atmospheric elements that made “The Final Cut” feel so cinematic. He could even strip it down completely, letting the raw power of the lyrics take center stage.

I think you’d better call John, ‘cause they don’t look like they’re here to deliver the mail. Sounds chilling, right?

Will Waters Ever Cover It?

It’s unlikely that we’ll ever hear Roger Waters put his own spin on “Powderfinger,” but it’s fun to dream. His admiration for the song speaks volumes about what makes great songwriting truly timeless. Whether or not he ever records his own version, it’s clear that Young’s tragic tale of a young man facing his fate struck a chord with one of rock’s greatest lyricists.

Just like we’d love to hear Ozzy take on “Eleanor Rigby”, we’d gladly trade a Pink Floyd reunion for a Roger Waters version of “Powderfinger.” It may never happen, but hey, it’s never too late to hope.