Pink Floyd was an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an ea… Read Full Bio ↴Pink Floyd was an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philosophical lyrics and elaborate live shows. They became a leading band of the progressive rock genre, cited by some as the greatest progressive rock band of all time.

Pink Floyd were founded in 1965 by Syd Barrett (guitar, lead vocals), Nick Mason (drums), Roger Waters (bass guitar, vocals), and Richard Wright (keyboards, vocals). Under Barrett's leadership, they released two charting singles and the successful debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967). Guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour joined in December 1967; Barrett left in April 1968 due to deteriorating mental health. Waters became the primary lyricist and thematic leader, devising the concepts behind the band's peak success with the albums The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977) and The Wall (1979). The musical film based on The Wall, Pink Floyd – The Wall (1982), won two BAFTA Awards. Pink Floyd also composed several film scores.

Following personal tensions, Wright left Pink Floyd in 1979, followed by Waters in 1985. Gilmour and Mason continued as Pink Floyd, rejoined later by Wright. They produced two more albums—A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) and The Division Bell (1994)—and toured in support of both before entering a long hiatus. In 2005, all but Barrett reunited for a one-off performance at the global awareness event Live 8. Barrett died in 2006, and Wright in 2008. The last Pink Floyd studio album, The Endless River (2014), was based on unreleased material from the Division Bell recording sessions. In 2022, Gilmour and Mason reformed Pink Floyd to release the song "Hey, Hey, Rise Up!" in protest of the Russo-Ukrainian War.

By 2013, Pink Floyd had sold more than 250 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and these albums and Wish You Were Here are among the best-selling albums of all time. Four Pink Floyd albums topped the US Billboard 200, and five topped the UK Album Chart. Pink Floyd's hit singles include "See Emily Play" (1967), "Money" (1973), "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2" (1979), "Not Now John" (1983), "On the Turning Away" (1987) and "High Hopes" (1994). They were inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2008, Pink Floyd were awarded the Polar Music Prize in Sweden for their contribution to modern music.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Floyd

Studio albums
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)
A Saucerful of Secrets (1968)
More (1969)
Ummagumma (1969)
Atom Heart Mother (1970)
Meddle (1971)
Obscured by Clouds (1972)
The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Wish You Were Here (1975)
Animals (1977)
The Wall (1979)
The Final Cut (1983)
A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)
The Division Bell (1994)
The Endless River (2014)

The Hero’s Return
Pink Floyd Lyrics

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Jesus, Jesus, what's it all about?
Trying to clout these little ingrates into shape.
When I was their age all the lights went out.
There was no time to whine or mope about.
And even now part of me flies over
Dresden at angels one five.
Though they'll never fathom it begind my
Sarcasm desperate memories lie.

Sweetheart sweetheart are you fast asleep? Good.
Cause that's the only time that I can really speak to you.
And there is something that I've locked away
A memory that is too painful
To withstand the light of day.

When we came back from the war the banners and
Flags hung on everyone's door.
We danced and we sang in the street and
The church bells rang.
But burning in my heart

My memory smolders on
Of the gunners dying words on the intercom.

Overall Meaning

The Hero's Return is a song by Pink Floyd that explores the aftermath of war and the trauma that soldiers experience. The opening stanza contains a reference to Jesus, seemingly asking for guidance or clarity in the situation. The next line, "Trying to clout these little ingrates into shape" suggests the singer is struggling to deal with younger generations who might not understand or appreciate the sacrifices made during war. The following line, "When I was their age, all the lights went out", is a reference to the blackout during wartime, where all lights and windows had to be covered to prevent enemy planes from targeting civilians. The singer then reminisces about his time in Dresden, where he flew over as part of his military service. Despite being unable to articulate the complex emotions he feels, he remembers this moment as part of his identity and carries it with him, almost as a kind of badge of honor.

The second stanza is a more personal and intimate moment, revealing the singer's vulnerability and pain. The use of "sweetheart" implies that the singer is talking to someone they care deeply about, perhaps a wife or partner. The singer confesses that there is a memory that they have locked away and cannot bear to face. This could be a traumatic event from the war, or simply the overwhelming emotion that comes with returning to civilian life. The final stanza returns to a broader perspective, where the singer expresses the dissonance between the celebratory return and the painful memories that still haunt them. The church bells ringing and people singing are at odds with the memory of a dying comrade's last words over the intercom.

Overall, The Hero's Return is a powerful and poignant reflection on the complexities of war and its lasting effects on those who fight. The song's lyrics and instrumentation capture the contrast between the jovial and patriotic atmosphere that often surrounds military homecomings, and the deep-seated trauma that many soldiers carry with them.

Line by Line Meaning

Jesus, Jesus, what's it all about?
Questioning the meaning of life.

Trying to clout these little ingrates into shape.
Attempting to discipline and guide young, misbehaving individuals.

When I was their age all the lights went out.
Recalling a past experience where darkness consumed everything.

There was no time to whine or mope about.
There wasn't a moment to sit around feeling sorry for oneself.

And even now part of me flies over Dresden at angels one five.
Feeling a sense of detachment from reality, as if part of oneself is still hovering above a location from the past.

Though they'll never fathom it behind my sarcasm desperate memories lie.
No one can understand the depth of pain and sadness hidden beneath the singer's sarcastic remarks.

Sweetheart sweetheart are you fast asleep? Good.
Speaking in a gentle tone to a loved one who is currently asleep.

Cause that's the only time that I can really speak to you.
Explaining that communication only seems possible when the other person is asleep.

And there is something that I've locked away
Hiding a memory or emotion that is too painful to confront.

A memory that is too painful
Referring to a specific instance or experience that is too difficult to bear.

To withstand the light of day.
Unable to handle the reality of this memory in everyday life.

When we came back from the war the banners and flags hung on everyone's door.
Recounting a time after a war when patriotism was high and flags decorated homes and businesses.

We danced and we sang in the street and the church bells rang.
Describing a celebratory atmosphere following the war's end.

But burning in my heart my memory smolders on
Feeling a lingering pain or sadness despite the celebration.

Of the gunners dying words on the intercom.
Recalling the final words of a fellow soldier who had died.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROGER WATERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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