The song samples the electronic voice of Stephen Hawking, taken from a TV advertisement. David Gilmour described that advertisement as "the most powerful piece of television advertising that I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Also, David Gilmour used the talkbox guitar effect in this song.
"Keep Talking" was the first single to be released from the album. The single was #1 on the Album Rock Tracks chart for six weeks.
A music video for this song was released, containing live footage from the 1994 The Division Bell Tour.
The song was sampled by Wiz Khalifa on the title track of his 2009 mixtape "Burn After Rolling."
Keep Talking
Pink Floyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination)
(We learned to talk)
There's a silence surrounding me
I can't seem to think straight
I sit in the corner
And no one can bother me
I can't seem to speak now (you never talk to me)
My words won't come out right (what are you thinking?)
I feel like I'm drowning (what are you feeling?)
I'm feeling weak now (why won't you talk to me?)
But I can't show my weakness (you never talk to me)
I sometimes wonder (what are you thinking?)
Where do we go from here (what are you feeling?)
(It doesn't have to be like this)
(All we need to do is make sure we keep talking)
(Why won't you talk to me?) I feel like I'm drowning
(You never talk to me) you know I can't breathe now
(What are you thinking?) We're going nowhere
(What are you feeling?) We're going nowhere
(Why won't you talk to me?)
(You never talk to me)
(What are you thinking?)
(Where do we go from here?)
(It doesn't have to be like this)
(All we need to do is make sure we keep talking)
Pink Floyd's song Keep Talking is a poignant commentary on the importance of communication in relationships. The song begins with a nod to the idea of human evolution, with the opening lines, "For millions of years, mankind lived just like the animals. Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination. We learned to talk." These lines suggest that communication is a defining characteristic of humanity and that our ability to speak has allowed us to make great strides in science, culture and society.
The main message of the song, however, concerns the obstacles that can lead to a breakdown in communication between two individuals. The singer describes a sense of isolation, feeling silenced and trapped by his own inability to speak while at the same time feeling ignored by the other person. The repeated lines "why won't you talk to me?" and "you never talk to me" capture the tension and frustration of a relationship where one person has shut down emotionally.
However, the song also offers hope. The concept of "keep talking" implies that communication can lead to resolution and connection. The suggestion that "all we need to do is make sure we keep talking" offers a simple but powerful solution to the problem of broken communication. It is a reminder of how important it is to express yourself and to get to the root of what is preventing meaningful communication.
Line by Line Meaning
For millions of years mankind lived just like the animals
Humans lived for a long time like other creatures without any significant changes
Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination
Humans had a turning point which enabled them to unlock the potential of creativity within them
We learned to talk
The ability to communicate through words was acquired by humans
There's a silence surrounding me
I am alone in a quiet atmosphere
I can't seem to think straight
I am finding it difficult to be mentally clear
I sit in the corner
I position myself in a particular spot
And no one can bother me
Nobody is disturbing me
I think I should speak now (why won't you talk to me?)
I believe I ought to communicate now (why are you not engaging in a discussion with me?)
I can't seem to speak now (you never talk to me)
I am finding it complicated to speak currently (you never initiate a conversation with me)
My words won't come out right (what are you thinking?)
I cannot express myself correctly (what is going on in your mind?)
I feel like I'm drowning (what are you feeling?)
I sense as though I am suffocating emotionally (what is happening within you?)
I'm feeling weak now (why won't you talk to me?)
I am becoming feeble presently (why are you not conversing with me?)
But I can't show my weakness (you never talk to me)
However, I cannot display my vulnerability (you never initiate a dialogue with me)
I sometimes wonder (what are you thinking?)
On occasion, I ponder (what is going on in your mind?)
Where do we go from here (what are you feeling?)
What is the next step for us (what is happening within you?)
(It doesn't have to be like this)
The current situation does not have to persist
(All we need to do is make sure we keep talking)
We need to focus on communicating with each other
(Why won't you talk to me?) I feel like I'm drowning
Why are you not engaging in a conversation? I sense as though I am emotionally suffocating
(You never talk to me) you know I can't breathe now
You never initiate a discussion with me, and you are aware that I am struggling currently
(What are you thinking?) We're going nowhere
What is going through your mind? We are not making progress
(What are you feeling?) We're going nowhere
What emotions are you experiencing? We are not making progress
(Why won't you talk to me?)
Why are you not conversing with me?
(You never talk to me)
You never initiate a dialogue with me
(What are you thinking?)
What is going on in your mind?
(Where do we go from here?)
What is the next step for us?
(It doesn't have to be like this)
The current situation does not have to persist
(All we need to do is make sure we keep talking)
We need to focus on communicating with each other
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Richard Wright, Polly Annie Samson, David Jon Gilmour
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NAWWMANNN
Division Bell will always and forever be my absolute favorite Pink Floyd album, and one of my favorite albums of all time in general.
No other album has ever made me feel so strongly like it was made for me, specifically.
No other collection of songs has ever so perfectly and so poetically encapsulated my feelings, my fears and my anxieties like this album always has.
I'm 30 years old now, and I've been listening to this album for pretty much my whole life, and I STILL find something new to take away from it every time I revisit it.
In my darkest moments, through the terrible depression and this constant, ceaseless battle with the feelings of worthlessness, isolation and suicide, this album gives me more comfort than anything else ever has in my whole life.
By the gods, what a masterpiece.
Thank you, Music Gods.
This is truly a gift to Humanity.
<3
@Music1212Punk
My old man always used to say that Pink Floyd have this unique ability to create images in your head with sounds. That is a hallmark of all great music: does a certain band/artist have the ability to transport you to other worlds? If they do, then they make good music.
@MrFloydlost
Well my friend, how right was your father. He must have been a very wise man.🎼🤝🏻
@bsautospa2957
Check out McBaise my friend. I promise you wont be disappointed. ✌
@RetroFan
Jimi Hendrix ;)
@leonardsimonis2376
Bands like Genesis, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, or SWANS do that to me!
@elenarivera5733
0
@404_pagenotfound7
The magic of Pink Floyd is that you never get enough. Pop songs today, you just get tired and don’t want to listen again after you put it on repeat for a few days. Love the 70’s rock.
@nazaninm9710
YOU JUST GOT IT RIGHT THERE FELLOW! 👍🏻
@augustomauro8602
well i mean it´s from the 90s but ok
@TrickOrRetreat
Just listened again in a drunken weed state. And it absolutely f... me over again. Grown men don´t cry, but we do appreciate mind blowing music 😪😪