One of the most characteristic sensations of an LSD trip is "flaming", a visual experience where ordinary things like cigarettes or fingers emit sparks like the traces of hand-held fireworks in the dark. Syd mixes the memory of a psychedelic picnic on the banks of the River Cam in the autumn of 1965 with those of childhood games of hide-and-seek with his sister Rosemary.
-- Jones, "Wish You Were Here".
Flaming
Pink Floyd Lyrics
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Lying on an eiderdown
Yippee, you can't see me
But I can you
Lazing in the foggy dew
Sitting on a unicorn
No fair, you can't hear me
Watching buttercups cup the light
Sleeping on a dandelion
Too much, I won't touch you
But then I might
Screaming through the starlit sky
Traveling by telephone
Hey ho, here we go
Ever so high
Alone in the clouds all blue
Lying on an eiderdown
Yippee, you can't see me
But I can you
The lyrics to Pink Floyd's "Flaming" invite the listener to immerse themselves in a dreamy, surrealistic world, where the singer seems to be out of reach but still able to observe and admire their surroundings. The opening lines, "Alone in the clouds all blue, Lying on an eiderdown" create an image of someone floating high in the sky, surrounded by fluffy clouds, and feeling weightless on a comfortable bed of feathers. The following lines, "Yippee, you can't see me, But I can you" suggest a desire for anonymity, a chance to experience freedom and solitude without being observed by others. However, the singer still enjoys observing the world and the people around them, which creates a sense of detachment and at the same time, intimacy.
As the song continues, the singer describes a series of surrealistic images, including "sitting on a unicorn," "watching buttercups cup the light," and "sleeping on a dandelion." These images are fantastical and whimsical, but also evoke a sense of nostalgia and childlike wonder. The line "no fair, you can't hear me but I can you" creates a sense of frustration, a longing for connection and communication that is not possible in this magical realm.
The final stanza of the song describes the singer "screaming through the starlit sky, traveling by telephone." This line reinforces the idea that the song is about escaping reality and entering a dreamlike state, where the singer is free to explore their thoughts and imagination without restraint. The final repetition of the opening lines, "Alone in the clouds all blue, lying on an eiderdown, Yippee, you can't see me, but I can you" reinforces the idea that this song is an invitation to experience a mystical, otherworldly realm, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy are blurred.
Line by Line Meaning
Alone in the clouds all blue
Being immersed in one's own thoughts and not wanting to interact with anyone else. It is a mental state where the singer is lost and isolated.
Lying on an eiderdown
The eiderdown symbolizes comfort, shelter, and warmth from the outside world. The singer is seeking refuge from the external world and can freely isolate himself from what may interfere with his peace of mind.
Yippee, you can't see me
The singer is content in remaining undetected and in keeping to himself. It is a matter of control and power over the external environment.
But I can you
Despite remaining unnoticed, the artist is aware of his surroundings and can observe them closely. It's a reminder that self-isolation is not complete isolation.
Lazing in the foggy dew
The fog represents obscurity, confusion and not wanting to have intellectual clarity. By lazing around the foggy mist, the artist is once again choosing to remain ignorant of any external force or threat.
Sitting on a unicorn
The unicorn represents a world different from our reality; a world of fantasy and imagination, where anything can happen. The singer seems to have taken refuge in his imagination and is immune to the external world.
No fair, you can't hear me
The singer is complaining about the rest of the world not being able to hear him, even though he might be trying to put a point across or voice his opinion. It's a conversation the singer is having with himself or the outside world that is unwilling to listen.
But I can you
The artist can empathize with others and can understand their feelings, even though he is not physically there with them. It shows a certain level of self-awareness, and acknowledgement that the wall he has built is still permeable.
Watching buttercups cup the light
The artist is once again seeking refuge away from the harsh reality of the world of humans. He is enchanted with the small, insignificant things in life that the rest of the world would glance over. It symbolizes beauty in things which many may overlook, and appreciating the smaller things in life.
Sleeping on a dandelion
Dandelions are easily overlooked in a field of flowers, but they are just as impressive as the other flowers. The artist is sleeping on one to convey that he is finding peace and happiness in the most simple things in the environment.
Too much, I won't touch you
The singer is anxious and feels overwhelmed with the world around them. He is refraining from engaging with anyone or anything externally because it is too much for him to handle. This could also be interpreted as the lack of interest by the singer in the external world.
But then I might
While he resists interacting with the world, there's still a part of him that wants to engage with it. He has created an imaginary wall for himself, but he knows that he cannot remain secluded forever and will have to get out of his shell at some point.
Screaming through the starlit sky
The singer is likely going through a time of emotional turmoil and confusion. The night sky, while beautiful, can be an unforgiving place that can entirely consume a person. It shows a change in the mood and possibly a surge of emotions within the singer.
Traveling by telephone
He is going through life at a rapid pace, with modern technology allowing him to communicate to people miles away, furthering the disconnection he feels towards the real world.
Hey ho, here we go
The singer is attempting to put together a facade of being happy and energetic, but he is still struggling with his inner turmoil. He may be trying to motivate himself to get through the struggles of life, even if it may feel like a losing battle at times.
Ever so high
The artist is reaching for the sky, essentially dreaming big and is trying to make the impossible, possible. It is an expression of hopefulness and indicates that they are in a better mental space.
Alone in the clouds all blue
This verse is repeated to reiterate the artist's complete isolation from the outside world. He is alone with himself, eventually finding peace in the mental environment he has created.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Syd Barrett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jojo45180
Alone in the clouds all blue
Lying on an eiderdown
Yippee! You can’t see me
But I can you
Lazing in the foggy dew
Sitting on a unicorn
No fair, you can’t hear me
But I can you
Watching buttercups cup the light
Sleeping on a dandelion
Too much, I won’t touch you
But then I might
Swimming through the starlit sky
Traveling by telephone
Hey, ho, here we go
Ever so high
Alone in the clouds all blue
Lying on an eiderdown
Yippee! You can’t see me
But I can you
@marsultra7032
I love this album, every track is a masterpiece
@luciano8158
Except take up Thy stethoscope
@niggato23
@Luciano Coelho _???? Nah even that song is a bop
@85geoffm
Eh, The Scarecrow isn't very good IMO. I know, I know...smite me
@panditboii
@85geoffm what in the fuck Scarecrow is a masterpiece, you clearly haven't done psychedelics
@MrBooYa-yd5er
@@85geoffm it’s pretty good
@ThatIsDopeBro
This song is so 60s yet so timeless. Syd was such a visionary. I wonder what people thought hearing a song like this for the first time.
@badad8537
Please explain how it's timeless?
@alejandrosomoza6899
@BadAd85 please explain how it isn’t?
@badad8537
@Alejandro Somoza Because it's very of its time. If it came out today or even in the 80s or 90s it would sound strange because of how from the 60s it sounds. Something that is timeless shouldn't feel stuck in one period and shouldn't date, this in my opinion has aged a lot.