Hey You
Michael Kamen; Pink Floyd; Bob Ezrin 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 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

Overall Meaning

Hey You by Pink Floyd is a thought-provoking song that speaks of the universal human experience of loneliness and the longing for connection. The song begins by addressing the listener, who is portrayed as being isolated and alone. The lyrics evoke a sense of empathy between the listener and the singer, encouraging the listener to 'feel' the emotions that the singer is expressing. The song then moves on to explore different scenarios where the characters in the song are going through similar experiences. The lyrics suggest that even when surrounded by people, we can still feel alone and disconnected. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer asking for help and offering a sense of unity by saying "together we stand, divided we fall".


One of the key themes in Hey You is the idea of building walls around ourselves to protect us from the outside world. The wall is a metaphor for the emotional barriers that we put up to guard ourselves from hurt and rejection. The lyrics suggest that we can become trapped behind these walls, unable to connect with others, and can lead to feelings of loneliness and despair. However, the chorus of the song reminds us that there is always hope for connection and that by coming together, we can break down these walls and support each other.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey you, out there in the cold
Are you, who are out in the world destitute and without direction, aware of my existence and support?


Getting lonely, getting old
As time passes, are you losing hope and feeling left behind by the world?


Can you feel me?
Am I able to offer you comfort and assurance through my presence and support?


Hey you, standing in the aisles
Are you, who are stuck in your daily routine and disconnected from the world, aware that I am reaching out to you?


With itchy feet and fading smiles
Are you growing restless and tired of living day-to-day without purpose or joy?


Can you feel me?
Am I able to offer you a sense of connection and belonging?


Hey you, don't help them to bury the light
Don't let outside pressures and expectations snuff out your own inner light and potential.


Don't give in without a fight
Don't surrender to the negativity and despair that can come with the struggles of life.


Hey you out there on your own
Are you experiencing the isolation and fear that comes with facing life's challenges alone?


Sitting naked by the phone
Are you feeling vulnerable and exposed as you wait for a response or a sign of hope?


Would you touch me?
If I were to offer you my own vulnerability and openness, would you be willing to reciprocate?


Hey you with your ear against the wall
Are you listening for a signal of hope and a way out of your current circumstances?


Waiting for someone to call out
Hoping for a savior to rescue you from your struggles and offer you a way out.


Would you touch me?
If I were to offer you my own vulnerability and openness, would you be willing to reciprocate?


Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone?
Will you join me in taking on the burden of life's struggles and supporting one another through the tough times?


Open your heart, I'm coming home
Be open to receiving love and support from others, and know that I am there for you.


But it was only fantasy
The hope and connection we crave can sometimes feel out of reach and unattainable.


The wall was too high
The obstacles and barriers we face can seem insurmountable and impossible to overcome.


As you can see
Our struggles and pain are visible and real, and can take a toll on our mental and emotional wellbeing.


No matter how he tried
Despite our best efforts, we may still struggle to find a way out of our challenges and pain.


He could not break free
Sometimes, the weight and burden of our struggles can feel suffocating and impossible to escape.


And the worms ate into his brain
The emotional toll of our struggles can have a debilitating impact on our mental and emotional health.


Hey you, out there on the road
As you journey through life, are you aware of the others around you who may be struggling as well?


Always doing what you're told
Are you living out your life on autopilot, following the expectations and rules of society without questioning them?


Can you help me?
Will you offer your support and guidance to those who are struggling and searching for hope?


Hey you, out there beyond the wall
Are you able to see past the divisions and barriers that separate us and recognize our shared humanity?


Breaking bottles in the hall
Are you acting out in frustration and despair, searching for an outlet for your pain?


Can you help me?
Will you offer your support and guidance to those who are struggling and searching for hope?


Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all
Even in the darkest moments, there is always the possibility of finding hope and light.


Together we stand, divided we fall
We are stronger when we come together and support one another, and weaker when we allow ourselves to be divided by our differences.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Broma 16
Written by: Roger Waters

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

C. E. Anderson

Somebody in the production team new a choir director at a local school. Middle school I think. He sent the lyric and the reacher rehearsed with this kids.
One day the director sneakf the kids to the studio where they , all in one room, sang their part.
They then hurried back to school.
Ezrin quadruple tracked the choir.
The choir director got in trouble because he hadn't asked permission .

That's what I remember from an interview one of the team gave.
Not sure if kids were credited.
Also they actually built the wall on stage for only 5 concerts in England.
Too much production to take on the road.
Gilmour played comfortably numb from the top of the wall.
Then they tore it down.
I'm old. I read and hear things .
This was the end of Floyd.. the Wall was Rogers solo album with backing by Pink Floyd.



All comments from YouTube:

Dave Fink

Ezrin here is the superstar. Without his touch, The Wall would have been a dreary, inaccessible Watersfest. His talent is gently redirecting mad geniuses to deliver product we can all latch onto and enjoy.

Marty Guy

Ewww..... his money and "power" can't buy the perspective or idea of the concept. Nor will it ever give him a credit twords it. Even the creator says that......

Ken Ozyuk

Great episode Janda & Christian.
The Wall's a great album.
The first Floyd record I had by them but they seemed like a band drifting apart.
Bob Ezrin was the hero it GREAT producer!!
Was looking for a "Dark Side" episode but this one did not disappoint.
You guys have a great stash of tunes on this I have to catch up on some of the them!

Behind The Song

Glad you liked this one, Ken! Thank you!

Michael Drysch

Great podcast Janda...Awesome job Christian!!! As always you guys ROCK!!!

Behind The Song

Thanks so much Michael!

Panhd

Great episode! Would sure like to see you do the other Pink Floyd albums.

Behind The Song

Thank you! I will do more Pink Floyd for sure.

sean hayes

Still one of my favorite albums. I was just starting high school back in Florida. Nice work, Janda. Good work, Christian.

Behind The Song

Thank you Sean!

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