Lost for Words
Pink Floyd Lyrics


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I was spending my time in the doldrums
I was caught in a cauldron of hate
I felt persecuted and paralyzed
I thought that everything else would just wait

While you are wasting your time on your enemies
Engulfed in a fever of spite
Beyond your tunnel vision reality fades
Like shadows into the night

To martyr yourself to caution
Is not going to help at all
'Cause there'll be no safety in numbers
When the right one walks out of the door

Can you see your days blighted by darkness?
Is it true you beat your fists on the floor?
Stuck in a world of isolation
While the ivy grows over the door

So I open my door to my enemies
And I ask could we wipe the slate clean?




But they tell me to please go fuck myself
You know you just can't win

Overall Meaning

The song Lost for Words by Pink Floyd portrays a brooding and reflective mood with lyrics that speak to feelings of frustration, persecution, and disillusionment. These themes are evident in the opening lines when the singer describes a sense of being stuck in a stagnant and unfulfilling situation, “I was caught in a cauldron of hate / I felt persecuted and paralyzed.” The use of imagery is striking as the word “cauldron” conjures up an image of a boiling pot, emphasizing the intensity of the emotions. The singer alludes to the resistance they face from their enemies, spending time and energy on them, even though it is unproductive, “While you are wasting your time on your enemies / Engulfed in a fever of spite.” The singer moves to a more reflective and introspective state in the second stanza, questioning if their caution or self-pity is helping them in any way, “To martyr yourself to caution / Is not going to help at all.” The lyrics resonates and is relevant to the modern world and the tendency to be pre-occupied by things or people that are beyond our control, and how to find a way out of the doldrums.


The refrain, “And I ask could we wipe the slate clean? / But they tell me to please go fuck myself / You know you just can't win” suggests the futility of any attempts at reconciliation, of moving beyond bitterness and taking a new start. Reconciliation is no more than just another word without the mutual respect and desire for peace. The final lines of the song emphasize the sense of hopelessness, which is a recurring theme in the band's music, “You know you just can't win.” This deflated sentiment is often decried by the band as a reflection of the contemporary social and political climate.


Line by Line Meaning

I was spending my time in the doldrums
I was wasting my time in a state of boredom and inactivity


I was caught in a cauldron of hate
I was surrounded by feelings of anger and resentment


I felt persecuted and paralyzed
I felt unfairly attacked and unable to move forward


I thought that everything else would just wait
I believed that I could put off dealing with my problems and they would resolve themselves


While you are wasting your time on your enemies
Instead of focusing on what's important, you are consumed by your negative feelings towards others


Engulfed in a fever of spite
You are completely wrapped up in your resentment and hatred


Beyond your tunnel vision reality fades
Your narrow focus is causing you to lose sight of what is truly important in life


Like shadows into the night
These things are fading away into the darkness of your own mind


To martyr yourself to caution
To sacrifice your own progress and happiness out of fear


Is not going to help at all
It will not make anything better


'Cause there'll be no safety in numbers
You can't rely on others to protect you from the consequences of your own actions


When the right one walks out of the door
When the person who is truly important to you leaves your life


Can you see your days blighted by darkness?
Can you imagine your life being consumed by negativity and despair?


Is it true you beat your fists on the floor?
Do you become overwhelmed by your emotions to the point of physical outburst?


Stuck in a world of isolation
Feeling trapped and alone


While the ivy grows over the door
As your life falls apart around you, nature moves on and continues to grow


So I open my door to my enemies
I choose to confront those who wish me harm


And I ask could we wipe the slate clean?
I seek to forgive and move forward in a positive way


But they tell me to please go fuck myself
But they refuse to let go of their anger and hatred


You know you just can't win
You can't always get what you want, and some battles cannot be won




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: DAVE GILMOUR, POLLY SAMSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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