Hey You
[Pink Floyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Getting lonely, getting old
Can you feel me?
Hey you, standing in the aisles
With itchy feet and fading smiles
Can you feel me?
Hey you, don't help them to bury the light
Don't give in without a fight
Hey you out there on your own
Sitting naked by the phone
Would you touch me?
Hey you with you ear against the wall
Waiting for someone to call out
Would you touch me?
Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone?
Open your heart, I'm coming home
But it was only fantasy
The wall was too high
As you can see
No matter how he tried
He could not break free
And the worms ate into his brain
Hey you, out there on the road
Always doing what you're told
Can you help me?
Hey you, out there beyond the wall
Breaking bottles in the hall
Can you help me?
Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all
Together we stand, divided we fall
The lyrics of "Hey You" by Pink Floyd seem to be addressing different people who are all feeling some level of loneliness, isolation or oppression. Through the repeated use of "Hey you", the song reminds them of their ability to connect and reach out to each other, even if it may seem difficult or hopeless at first. The first verse talks to those who are feeling lonely and old, and encourages them to connect with the singer ("Can you feel me?"). The second verse talks to those who are waiting for someone to reach out to them, but haven't received any help so far ("Would you touch me?").
The third verse shifts the focus to a character struggling with a metaphorical "wall" that they cannot break free from, despite their best efforts. The imagery of worms eating into their brain suggests the devastating effects of mental isolation and despair. The final verse returns to the theme of connection and unity, urging listeners not to give in to hopelessness ("Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all / Together we stand, divided we fall").
Line by Line Meaning
Hey you, out there in the cold
The singer is asking someone who is isolated and lonely if they can hear them
Getting lonely, getting old
The singer is acknowledging that the person they are addressing is likely feeling isolated and aging
Can you feel me?
The singer is asking if the person they are addressing can emotionally connect with them
Hey you, standing in the aisles
The artist is directing their attention to someone who is aimlessly wandering around
With itchy feet and fading smiles
The person the artist is addressing is restless and losing their joy
Can you feel me?
The singer is again asking if the person they are addressing can connect with them emotionally
Hey you, don't help them to bury the light
The singer is warning the listener not to lose hope and give up on themselves
Don't give in without a fight
The listener should resist giving up and instead keep fighting for their beliefs and values
Hey you out there on your own
The artist is asking someone who is alone and vulnerable if they can hear them
Sitting naked by the phone
The person the artist is addressing feels exposed, vulnerable, and possibly waiting for someone to reach out to them
Would you touch me?
The singer is asking for physical and emotional connection
Hey you with you ear against the wall
The artist is directing their attention to someone who is eavesdropping or trying to listen to something happening on the other side of a wall
Waiting for someone to call out
The person is hoping to hear something or someone significant on the other side of the wall
Would you touch me?
The singer is again asking for physical and emotional connection
Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone?
The singer is asking the person they are addressing if they can help them with a burden
Open your heart, I'm coming home
The artist is asking for the listener to remain open and receptive as they reach out to them
But it was only fantasy
The dream that the artist had was just a figment of their imagination
The wall was too high
The obstacle that the singer faced was too great to overcome
As you can see
The singer is acknowledging the difficulty of the situation
No matter how he tried
Despite the artist's best efforts
He could not break free
The artist was unable to overcome the obstacle they faced
And the worms ate into his brain
The artist experienced mental and emotional deterioration due to their failure
Hey you, out there on the road
The singer is addressing someone who is always moving and doing as they are told
Always doing what you're told
The person the artist is addressing is obedient to authority figures
Can you help me?
The singer is asking for help from the person they are addressing
Hey you, out there beyond the wall
The singer is addressing someone who is separated from them by a barrier or boundary
Breaking bottles in the hall
The person the singer is addressing is engaged in destructive behavior
Can you help me?
The artist is again asking for help
Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all
The artist is urging the listener to maintain hope and not give up
Together we stand, divided we fall
The singer is making a call for unity and strength through togetherness
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Roger Waters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rootrogerio
Hey you, out there in the cold
Getting lonely, getting old
Can you feel me?
Hey you, standing in the aisles
With itchy feet and fading smiles
Can you feel me?
Hey you, don't help them to bury the light
Don't give in without a fight
Hey you out there on your own
Sitting naked by the phone
Would you touch me?
Hey you with you ear against the wall
Waiting for someone to call out
Would you touch me?
Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone?
Open your heart, I'm coming home
But it was only fantasy
The wall was too high
As you can see
No matter how he tried
He could not break free
And the worms ate into his brain
Hey you, out there on the road
Always doing what you're told
Can you help me?
Hey you, out there beyond the wall
Breaking bottles in the hall
Can you help me?
Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all
Together we stand, divided we fall
@TheBlackbird012
Thank you all who keep coming back to this awesome song
@datboijoey9587
It's so great you just can't not come back
@beyondthefray6021
Lol like who wouldn't come back to this masterpiece over and over again
@peanutbutter732
pee pee
@alexbusch5396
Can't beat his guitar solos.
@matador2806
Best Song Ever
@giridharreddy5564
When the solo starts, my soul begins to rise
@704throwedoff
Man that solo is life 🤘🏿
@olic7266
But then Roger's voice comes in and pops that bubble
@Azure_Oases
This is the only thought that counts in this sea of comments. lol