Paranoid Eyes
Pink Floyd Lyrics


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Button your lip
And don't let the shield slip
Take a fresh grip on your bullet proof mask
And if they try to break down your disguise with their questions

You can hide, hide, hide
Behind paranoid eyes
You put on our brave face and slip over the road for a jar
Fixing your grin as you casually lean on the bar
Laughing too loud at the rest of the world
With the boys in the crowd

You can hide, hide, hide
"I'll tell you what mates, I'll give you three blacks
And play you for five"
Behind petrified eyes

"Ta! You was unlucky there son"

You believed in their stories of fame, fortune and glory
Now you're lost in a haze of alcohol soft middle age
The pie in the sky turned out to be miles too high
And you hide, hide, hide




"Time gentleman!"
Behind brown and mild eyes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pink Floyd’s song “Paranoid Eyes” tell the story of someone who is living a double life. The first verse talks about how they have put up a shield to protect themselves and are hiding behind a bulletproof mask. They are afraid of being exposed by others’ questions and are constantly on guard. The chorus repeats "hide, hide, hide" as a way of emphasizing their constant need to hide behind their protective disguise.


In the second verse, they put on a brave face and go out to socialize with the boys, but they are not really present. They are only pretending to be one of the gang and are hiding behind their paranoid eyes, always looking around untrusting of their surroundings. The verse also highlights the contrast between their outward bravado and their inner fear, showcasing how little they are engaging with the world around them, instead relishing in the safety of their own mind.


Line by Line Meaning

Button your lip
Don't speak out of turn


And don't let the shield slip
Don't let anyone see through your facade


Take a fresh grip on your bullet proof mask
Reinforce your defense mechanisms


And if they try to break down your disguise with their questions
Be prepared to deflect any inquiries that may expose your true feelings


You can hide, hide, hide
You can retreat into yourself and avoid confrontation


Behind paranoid eyes
Because of your deep-seated fears and anxieties, you are paranoid that others will discover your true self


You put on our brave face and slip over the road for a jar
You try to appear confident and carefree, but often seek solace in alcohol


Fixing your grin as you casually lean on the bar
You put on a fake smile to maintain a facade of happiness and nonchalance


Laughing too loud at the rest of the world
You try to mask your own insecurities by belittling others


With the boys in the crowd
You seek acceptance and validation from a group of peers


Behind petrified eyes
Although you try to appear confident, your inner anxieties keep you in a state of fear


"Ta! You was unlucky there son"
You laugh off your mistakes, but they still weigh heavily on you


You believed in their stories of fame, fortune and glory
You once had high hopes and dreams for your future


Now you're lost in a haze of alcohol soft middle age
As you've grown older, you've found comfort in drinking and lost sight of your aspirations


The pie in the sky turned out to be miles too high
Your goals and aspirations were unrealistic and unattainable


And you hide, hide, hide
Rather than face your failures, you retreat into yourself and hide from the world


"Time gentleman!"
Your time is up and you've wasted it


Behind brown and mild eyes
You try to appear benign and harmless, but your true feelings are buried beneath the surface




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Roger Waters

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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