Have a Cigar
Pink Floyd Lyrics


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Come in here, dear boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go far
You're gonna fly, you're never gonna die
You're gonna make it if you try, they're gonna love you
Well, I've always had a deep respect and I mean that most sincere
The band is just fantastic, that is really what I think
Oh, by the way, which one's pink?

And did we tell you the name of the game, boy?
We call it riding the gravy train

We're just knocked out, we heard about the sell-out
You gotta get an album out, you owe it to the people
We're so happy we can hardly count
Everybody else is just green, have you seen the chart?
It's a hell of a start, it could be made into a monster
If we all pull together as a team





And did we tell you the name of the game, boy?
We call it riding the gravy train

Overall Meaning

Pink Floyd's song "Have a Cigar" is a commentary on the music industry and highlights the ways in which corporate greed and the desire for fame can corrupt the artistic process. The opening lines "come in here, dear boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go far" are spoken from the perspective of a record executive enticing a new artist with the promise of success. The repeated reference to "you're gonna make it if you try" suggests that the industry values profitability over artistic integrity.


The line "well, I've always had a deep respect and I mean that most sincere" is then contradicted by the question "oh, by the way, which one's pink?" which implies that the executive is not truly invested in the band's identity or music. The reference to Pink Floyd's name, which was inspired by two blues musicians named Pink Anderson and Floyd Council, reinforces the idea that the industry commodifies and commercializes artistic expression.


The chorus of "Have a Cigar" further emphasizes the industry's exploitative nature, with the phrase "riding the gravy train" referring to the notion that artists are merely profit-generating machines for record labels. The line "we're so happy we can hardly count, everybody else is just green" highlights the competitiveness and jealousy of the music industry, with success being measured solely in terms of album sales and chart rankings. The final line "If we all pull together as a team" ironically suggests that even though the industry is highly competitive, it still requires a collective effort to achieve success.


Line by Line Meaning

Come in here, dear boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go far
Welcome to the music industry, my friend. Smoke a cigar and bask in the promise of success.


You're gonna fly, you're never gonna die
You will rise to the top and enjoy great success; nothing can stop you.


You're gonna make it if you try, they're gonna love you
You have to work hard to succeed, but if your music is good, people will adore you.


Well, I've always had a deep respect and I mean that most sincere
I genuinely admire musical talent and appreciate those who possess it.


The band is just fantastic, that is really what I think
Your music is truly marvelous and deserves all the recognition it gets.


Oh, by the way, which one's pink?
This is a sarcastic way of saying that the singer doesn't really care about the band's individual members or their quirks.


And did we tell you the name of the game, boy?
We didn't explain this earlier, did we?


We call it riding the gravy train
We're talking about making a ton of money and enjoying all the perks that come with fame and success.


We're just knocked out, we heard about the sell-out
We're amazed and thrilled about the success of your recent concert or album.


You gotta get an album out, you owe it to the people
Your fans are hungry for more music; it's your responsibility to deliver.


We're so happy we can hardly count
We're overjoyed and can hardly contain our excitement.


Everybody else is just green, have you seen the chart?
Everyone else is envious of your success. Have you checked the charts?


It's a hell of a start, it could be made into a monster
Your success is amazing so far, and it has the potential to become even greater.


If we all pull together as a team
If we work together and collaborate, we can accomplish anything.


And did we tell you the name of the game, boy?
Yes, we did. It's riding the gravy train.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Roger Waters

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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