The opening to the second… Read Full Bio ↴This is Roger Waters' ode to alienation.
The opening to the second half of "The Wall" sees the narrator trying to connect with the audience, trying to make some kind of contact with any human being. But the isolation he feels from his audience is too great, and the worms (the metaphorical representations of his evil thoughts) begin to eat into his mind.
This song is notable for its David Gilmour fretless bass solos which occur before the first and third verses.
Hey You
Pink Floyd 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
The song "Hey You" is one of the most popular songs of Pink Floyd, from the band's 1979 album "The Wall." It is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the listener on many levels. The song is generally thought to be about loneliness and isolation, and how we all long for love and acceptance from others.
The first verse of the song addresses someone who is feeling lost and alone in the cold, and asks if they can feel the singer's presence. The second verse speaks to someone who is waiting for a connection, and asks if they would touch the singer if they could. The third verse is about someone who is trapped by a fantasy and can't break free, with the line "no matter how he tried, he could not break free." This verse goes on to say that the worms ate into his brain, which is a metaphor for despair and hopelessness.
The song's chorus is a call to action, asking people to help each other and not give up. It says "together we stand, divided we fall," which is a powerful message about the importance of community and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey you, out there in the cold
Addressing someone who is experiencing loneliness and isolation
Getting lonely, getting old
Talking about the hardships one experiences when they're secluded for a long period of time and how it tends to worsen with aging.
Can you feel me?
Asking if they can sense a connection even in amidst their solitary lifestyle.
Hey you, standing in the aisles
-addressing someone who is apprehensive and stuck between courses of action
With itchy feet and fading smiles
Talking about how they're becoming restless and apprehensive with fading hope.
Can you feel me?
Asking the person if they can relate.
Hey you, don't help them to bury the light
Encouraging the person not to give up on their optimism and let it get suppressed.
Don't give in without a fight
Never give up and don't let your worries consume you in the face of hardships
Hey you out there on your own
Addressing someone experiencing circumstances of loneliness.
Sitting naked by the phone
Sitting vulnerable and open to any connection or breakthrough that can come through to them.
Would you touch me?
Asking for empathy and spiritual connection.
Hey you with you ear against the wall
Addressing someone who is curious/excitedly anticipating connection.
Waiting for someone to call out
To no avail they eagerly await somebody else to break the ice.
Would you touch me?
Looking for an emotional breakthrough with said person
Hey you, would you help me to carry the stone?
Requesting help with coping with something difficult
Open your heart, I'm coming home
Asking for the person to be more welcoming of the artist, a long-awaited arrival.
But it was only fantasy
Accepting the fact that perception and the physical reality might not be the same.
The wall was too high
Refers to the hardships and challenges that come with communication.
As you can see
As evidenced by the circumstance
No matter how he tried
Despite inexhaustible efforts
He could not break free
The artist could not find the break-through they were looking for.
And the worms ate into his brain
Obsessive thoughts/concerns consumed the person's mind.
Hey you, out there on the road
Recognizing people who are preoccupied with societal expectations and expectations that come with it.
Always doing what you're told
Striving to fit into the societal mold even when it means losing a sense of self.
Can you help me?
Asking for help breaking out of the societal mold.
Hey you, out there beyond the wall
Addressing those on the outskirts of the society or those that reject the societal norms outright.
Breaking bottles in the hall
Unsatisfied with complying to the norms, they rebel against it
Can you help me?
Seeking help from a fellow outcast.
Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all
A plea to discourage negative thoughts and a call-to-action to remain positive.
Together we stand, divided we fall
A plea to band together to take down societal norms and triumph over adversity.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sentric Music
Written by: Roger Waters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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