hey you
John Wetton Lyrics


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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 live
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 your 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 a 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.

Overall Meaning

John Wetton's song Hey You appears to be a call to those who are lonely and feeling disconnected. It begins by addressing those who are physically alone and may feel forgotten or neglected, asking if they can feel the singer's presence. The song then goes on to address those who may feel lost in the crowd, with "itchy feet" and "fading smiles," inviting them to connect with the singer as well.


The singer then takes a more urgent tone, pleading with those who may be giving up and accepting defeat. He implores them not to let themselves be buried alive and to continue their search for hope and meaning. He further reaches out to those who may be struggling to make a personal connection, asking if they would like to touch him and offering to help carry their emotional load.


The song shifts tone once more, revealing that these efforts may only have been a "fantasy," as the "wall was too high" and no matter how much the person tried, they could not break free. This section contains a distinct sense of finality and hopelessness, with the worms eating into the person's brain. The song concludes by attempting to rally those who may be out on the road or in a different place altogether, urging them to stand together and not lose hope.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey you! out there in the cold
Addressing someone who is feeling lonely and disconnected


Getting lonely, getting old, can you feel me
Expressing empathy towards the person's feelings


Hey you! Standing in the aisles
Addressing someone who is lost and wandering aimlessly


With itchy feet and fading smiles, can you feel me
Acknowledge the person's physical and emotional restlessness


Hey you! don't help them to bury the live
Encouraging the person to resist oppression and stand up for themselves


Don't give in without a fight.
Advocating for the importance of resistance


Hey you! out there on your own
Addressing someone who is isolated and alone


Sitting naked by the phone would you touch me
Expressing a desire for human connection and intimacy


Hey you! with your ear against the wall
Addressing someone who is eavesdropping or listening intently


Waiting for someone to call out would you touch me
Echoing the desire for human connection and intimacy


Hey you! would you help me to carry the stone
Asking for help and support in overcoming obstacles


Open your heart, I'm coming home
Encouraging emotional openness and honesty in relationships


But it was only a fantasy
Reflecting on an unrealized desire or hope


The wall was too high as you can see
Acknowledging the difficulty in overcoming obstacles


No matter how he tried he could not break free
Reflecting on the insurmountable nature of some barriers


And the worms ate into his brain.
Using a metaphor to describe the destructive nature of oppressive structures


Hey you! out there on the road
Addressing someone who is constantly moving and perhaps unsure of their own identity or purpose


Always doing what you're told, can you help me
Acknowledging the difficulty in breaking out of imposed roles or expectations


Hey you! out there beyond the wall
Addressing someone who has gone beyond the confines of normative society


Breaking bottles in the hall, can you help me
Asking for help in dealing with personal struggles or pain


Hey you! don't tell me there's no hope at all
Encouraging the person to maintain hope and optimism


Together we stand, divided we fall.
Urging unity and solidarity against oppressive structures




Writer(s): Roger Waters Copyright: Roger Waters Music Overseas Ltd., Artemis Muziekuitgeverij B.V.

Contributed by Josiah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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