Composition
Gilmour has said (as can be heard in the David Gilmour in Concert DVD) that the song was written about his wife, Polly Samson.
It was also featured on the 1995 live album, Pulse. The version on the audio release is taken from a different show than the on the video and DVD. David Gilmour's solo live versions are featured on his live DVD's David Gilmour in Concert and Remember That Night as well as the live CD Live in Gdansk
Personnel
* David Gilmour - lead vocals, guitars
* Richard Wright - Kurzweil synthesizers, Hammond organ
* Nick Mason - drums, percussion
* Guy Pratt - bass guitar
* Jon Carin - additional keyboards
Coming Back to Life
Pink Floyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
While the days slipped by from my window watching
And where were you when I was hurt and I was helpless
'Cause the things you say and the things you do surround me
While you were hanging yourself on someone else's words
Dying to believe in what you heard
I was staring straight into the shining sun
While the seeds of life and the seeds of change were planted
Outside the rain fell dark and slow
While I pondered on this dangerous but irresistible pastime
I took a heavenly ride through our silence
I knew the moment had arrived
For killing the past and coming back to life
I took a heavenly ride through our silence
I knew the waiting had begun
Headed straight into the shining sun
The lyrics of Pink Floyd's "Coming Back to Life" are about a person who is reflecting on a difficult time in their life when they were burned, broken, hurt, and helpless. The person is wondering where their friends were during this difficult time, while they were watching the days slip by from their window. The singer suggests that the things the person's friends said and did were not helpful or comforting, but rather made things worse by surrounding them like a negative force.
The lyrics then turn to focus on the singer's own experience during this time. While their friends were hung up on someone else's words, dying to believe in what they heard, the singer was lost in thought and lost in time, staring straight into the shining sun. Despite the outside world planting seeds of life and change, the singer was caught up in their own dangerous and irresistible pastime. They took a heavenly ride through silence, which seems to have been a way for them to escape from the difficult reality of their life.
However, the singer ultimately realizes that it's time to let go of the past and move on. They take another ride through silence, but this time they feel a sense of waiting, like they are ready to start anew. They're headed straight into the shining sun, which may symbolize a brighter future and a sense of renewal.
Overall, the lyrics suggest that while difficult times can be isolating, it's important to have people in our lives who can offer comfort and support. At the same time, though, we can't always rely on others to fix things for us - sometimes we have to take a heavenly ride through silence and reflect on our situation to find our own path forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Where were you when I was burned and broken
During my toughest times, where were you?
While the days slipped by from my window watching
I was stuck watching the days pass by without you around.
And where were you when I was hurt and I was helpless
When I was at my lowest, where were you to offer help?
'Cause the things you say and the things you do surround me
Your actions and words affect me deeply since you are a part of my life.
While you were hanging yourself on someone else's words
You were too busy believing and depending on someone else's words, even if it meant self-sabotage.
Dying to believe in what you heard
You were so eager to believe in something, anything, that you forgot to think for yourself.
I was staring straight into the shining sun
I was lost in deep thought, facing the truth head-on even if it was painful.
Lost in thought and lost in time
I was consumed by my thoughts and lost track of time.
While the seeds of life and the seeds of change were planted
During all of this, a new chapter was beginning.
Outside the rain fell dark and slow
The world kept spinning, and the rain fell heavily, symbolizing difficult times ahead.
While I pondered on this dangerous but irresistible pastime
I was caught up in the allure of reliving the past, even though it was dangerous to do so.
I took a heavenly ride through our silence
I needed a break, so I took time for myself to reflect and heal.
I knew the moment had arrived
I realized it was time to leave the pain of the past behind.
For killing the past and coming back to life
It was time to move on and start living again.
I knew the waiting had begun
I was aware that the road to healing would be a long one.
Headed straight into the shining sun
Despite the inevitable hurdles, I was moving forward with optimism towards a brighter future.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: DAVID JON GILMOUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@domnication
Lyrics
Where were you when I was burned and broken
While the days slipped by from my window watching
Where were you when I was hurt and helpless
Because the things you say and the things you do surround me
While you were hanging yourself on someone else's words
Dying to believe in what you heard
I was staring straight into the shining sun
Lost in thought and lost in time
While the seeds of life and the seeds of change were planted
Outside the rain fell dark and slow
While I pondered on this dangerous but irresistible pastime
I took a heavenly ride through our silence
I knew the moment had arrived
For killing the past and coming back to life
I took a heavenly ride through our silence
I knew the waiting had begun
And headed straight..into the shining sun
@ineed2spam
Where were you when I was burned and broken
While the days slipped by from my window watching
Where were you when I was hurt and helpless
Because the things you say and the things you do surround me
While you were hanging yourself on someone else's words
Dying to believe in what you heard
I was staring straight into the shining sun
Lost in thought and lost in time
While the seeds of life and the seeds of change were planted
Outside the rain fell dark and slow
While I pondered on this dangerous but irresistible pastime
I took a heavenly ride through our silence
I knew the moment had arrived
For killing the past and coming back to life
I took a heavenly ride through our silence
I knew the waiting had begun
And headed straight..into the shining sun
@owencrutcher493
This isn't a song. It's therapy.
@michellefahy8201
Agree it literally brought me back to life. Pink floyd are a life force.❤❤
@owencrutcher493
@@michellefahy8201
It helped a friend of mine through a very difficult time.
@NiranMoirangthem
It helped me getting clean
@owencrutcher493
@@NiranMoirangthem
Congratulations on your sobriety!
@NiranMoirangthem
@@owencrutcher493 Thank you brother
@justaguy9553
60 yrs old and I still say they are the best band ever.
@chezzylass1
Totally agree 👌
@gush5462
Pretty damn close
@bigsur175
I'm 64 and still listen to pink floyd