Paint Box
Pink Floyd Lyrics
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Sitting in a club with so many fools
Playing to rules
Trying to impress but feeling rather empty
I had another drink
Drink, a, drink, a, drink, a, drink
What a way to spend that evening
Playing the game
But in the scene I should have been
Far away
Away, away, away, away, away
Getting up, I feel as if I'm remembering this scene before
I open the door to an empty room
Then I forget
The telephone rings and someone speaks
She would very much like to go out to a show
So what can I do, I can't think what to say
She sees through anyway
Away, away, away, away, away
Out of the front door I go
Traffic's moving rather slow
Arriving late, there she waits
Looking very angry, as cross as she can be
Be, a, be, a, be, a, be, a, be
Getting up, I feel as if I'm remembering this scene before
I open the door to an empty room
Then I forget
The song "Paint Box" by Pink Floyd is about the struggle of conforming to societal expectations and feeling unfulfilled as a result. The lyrics start off with the singer sitting in a club with "so many fools" trying to impress each other and feeling empty despite their efforts. The repeated refrain of "drink, a, drink, a, drink, a, drink" emphasizes the singer's attempt to escape reality through alcohol.
The second verse shows the singer realizing that they don't belong in this environment and should be "far away." However, when given the opportunity to go out to a show with someone, they feel trapped and unable to express themselves. The repeated refrain of "away, away, away, away, away" shows their desire to escape yet again.
The third verse shows the singer leaving the club and trying to make it to their destination, but traffic is slow and they arrive late. The person they were supposed to meet is angry, but the singer can't seem to remember this scene happening before, indicating a cyclical nature to the struggle of conformity and unfulfillment.
Overall, the lyrics of "Paint Box" highlight the difficulties of conforming to societal norms and finding fulfillment, urging the listener to break free from these expectations and find their own path.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night I had too much to drink
I consumed an excessive amount of alcohol last evening
Sitting in a club with so many fools
I found myself in a gathering of people who were acting foolishly
Playing to rules
These individuals were abiding by certain restricted behaviors
Trying to impress but feeling rather empty
Despite their attempts to make an impact, they seemed unsatisfied with their efforts
I had another drink
I indulged in more alcohol
What a way to spend that evening
I reflected on the unpleasant experience I had earlier
They all turn up with their friends
Everyone brought along their companions
Playing the game
Conforming to society's expectations and living by norms
But in the scene I should have been far away
I felt as if I was in an inappropriate setting for me
Away, away, away, away, away
I wished to be far away from the current surroundings
Getting up, I feel as if I'm remembering this scene before
As I stand up, I feel as if I have lived through this moment earlier
I open the door to an empty room
Upon opening the door, I was greeted with a vacant space
Then I forget
But soon enough, my mind clears up the memory of the place
The telephone rings and someone speaks
The phone rings, and a person greets me
She would very much like to go out to a show
She expresses her desire to attend a performance with me
So what can I do, I can't think what to say
I don't know how to react in this situation
She sees through anyway
Despite my confusion, she can tell what I'm feeling
Out of the front door I go
I step out the front door
Traffic's moving rather slow
The traffic is progressing at a sluggish pace
Arriving late, there she waits
I am tardy, and she is already waiting for me
Looking very angry, as cross as she can be
She appears quite irked and displeased
Be, a, be, a, be, a, be, a, be
This repetition of sound is indicative of a rhythmic musical element
Getting up, I feel as if I'm remembering this scene before
Once again, I find myself remembering something from before upon standing up
I open the door to an empty room
The door leads to a room that is unoccupied
Then I forget
But after a moment, the memory fades from my mind
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@syedarafhossain
Last night I had too much to drink
Sitting in a club with so many fools
Playing to rules
Trying to impress but feeling rather empty
I had another drink
Drink - a - drink - a - drink - a - drink
What a way to spend that evening
They all turn up with their friends
Playing the game
But in the scene I should have been
Far away
Away - away - away - away - away
Getting up, I feel as if I'm remembering this scene before
I open the door to an empty room
Then I forget
The telephone rings and someone speaks
She would very much like to go out to a show
So what can I do - I can't think what to say
She sees through anyway
Away - away - away - away - away
Out of the front door I go
Traffic's moving rather slow
Arriving late, there she waits
Looking very angry, as cross as she can be
Be - a - be - a - be - a - be - a - be
Getting up, I feel as if I'm remembering this scene before
I open the door to an empty room
Then I forget
@Max-ro7sz
Rick Wright is such an underrated singer. RIP
@georgedoughly6344
MaxPap Yes, Rick is a great singer!
@secondchance6603
I cannot overate just how much I agree with that.
@cyberchrist1972
.......and of course great song
@sajid7363
And a great songwriter
@Bubdiddly
My favorite songs are the ones he sings
@stanbury69
Born in 69 still jamming this at 54 in 2023 bless you all
@2003Cpayne
Underrated song. One of my favorite early songs of theirs...RIP Richard Wright
@BrianCarnevaleB26
The first time I have ever heard this! Such a surprise!
What a fantastic composition, so Floydian.
@mercurialmagictrees
yeah most people in the UK heard it but it was only in till the US compilation relics that the US audience heard it on a US release.