hey you
Floyd Pink 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
In "Hey You," Pink Floyd paints a picture of isolation and a desperate grasping for human connection. The song is divided into two perspectives, the first of which addresses a lonely figure in the cold, imploring them to resist the forces which seek to snuff out their light. The second perspective seems to address the singer themself, or perhaps a third party, as they plead for companionship and the assurance that they are not alone. The third verse presents a less flattering depiction of the singer, as he admits to being trapped behind his own self-made walls and consumed by destructive thoughts. The chorus returns with a plea for unity and an end to the divisions which separate us from one another.
Although "Hey You" is one of Pink Floyd's most straightforward songs, it still contains many of the hallmarks of their signature style. The song itself appears on their 1979 album "The Wall," which was a concept album exploring themes of alienation and authoritarianism. "Hey You" occupies a pivotal role in the narrative, as it marks the point where the wall itself begins to break down and the characters are forced to confront the reality of their own isolation. Despite its relatively conventional structure, the song features some of Pink Floyd's most striking sonic effects, such as the ethereal guitar solo and the tense background noise which pervades many of the verses.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey you, out there in the cold
Addressing someone who is feeling lonely and isolated, asking if they can sense a connection.
Getting lonely, getting old
Expressing empathy for the listener's feelings of isolation and aging.
Can you feel me?
Asking if the listener can sense a connection or empathize with the singer.
Hey you, standing in the aisles
Addressing someone who is lost or directionless in life.
With itchy feet and fading smiles
Describing someone who is restless and losing their sense of happiness.
Can you feel me?
Asking if the listener can relate to feeling lost and restless.
Hey you, don't help them to bury the light
Encouraging the listener not to give up on hope or positivity.
Don't give in without a fight
Encouraging the listener to persevere and not lose hope.
Hey you out there on your own
Addressing someone who is alone and isolated.
Sitting naked by the phone
Describing the listener's vulnerability and desire for connection.
Would you touch me?
Asking the listener if they would be willing to connect or empathize with the singer.
Hey you with you ear against the wall
Addressing someone who is eavesdropping, possibly on someone in distress.
Waiting for someone to call out
Describing the listener's desire to connect with others and help if needed.
Would you touch me?
Asking the listener if they would be willing to empathize and offer support.
Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone?
Asking for the listener's help and support.
Open your heart, I'm coming home
Encouraging the listener to be open and receptive to connection and positivity.
But it was only fantasy
Describing a disappointment or realization that something was not as expected.
The wall was too high
Describing an insurmountable obstacle or feeling of being trapped.
As you can see
Emphasizing the obviousness of a situation or feeling.
No matter how he tried
Describing a situation where efforts were made but ultimately unsuccessful.
He could not break free
Describing a feeling of being trapped or unable to escape a situation.
And the worms ate into his brain
Using a metaphor to describe the negative effects of feeling trapped or helpless.
Hey you, out there on the road
Addressing someone who is busy or focused on their own path.
Always doing what you're told
Describing someone who is obedient or compliant.
Can you help me?
Asking for the listener's assistance or support.
Hey you, out there beyond the wall
Addressing someone who is distant or separated from the singer.
Breaking bottles in the hall
Describing a scene of destruction or chaos.
Can you help me?
Asking for the listener's assistance or support.
Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all
Challenging the listener's pessimistic attitude and encouraging hope.
Together we stand, divided we fall
Encouraging unity and collaboration in the face of adversity.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Roger Waters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chlorinelori1064
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
@homaleypena3217
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.
@MFBl2244
I'm 77 years old. I saw them 5 times. They are the best band ever. I talk to my grandchildren, with the words "Hey You".
@Moni-xb7hl
Saw them 1988 (or 1989) in Berlin
@shanonben8596
Good for you sir 😊
@kapracan
Pink Floyd is the Greatest band of all time.
@dave3gs
It stands the test of time...
@johnappleseed3761
my top 3 bands are
1. Queen
2. metallica
3.pink floyd
not in that order
@JaviJave3000
Eddy Vasquez for me the best are: Pink Floyd, Beatles and Muse, I know Muse is a weird choice but Matt Bellamy is a genius, just as John Lennon and Roger Waters
@interest1ngcat
Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Queen
@nofacebadman7207
Best bands in my opinion are Led Zeppelin,Aerosmith,Pink Floyd, Quewn,and Jimi Hendrix Experiemce
@luca0566tube
Pink Floyd... there are no words to describe Pink Floyd, I am 52 I saw them twice, I listen to them since I was 13.... the power of their music, their lyrics, their messages will never die, generations after generations will listen to them... United We Stand, Divided We Fall.....