Personnel
David Gilmour - guitar and vocals
Richard Wright - piano and organ
Roger Waters - bass
Nick Mason - percussion
Wot's...uh the Deal
Pink Floyd Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looks alright from where I stand
'Cause I'm the man on the outside looking in
Waiting on the first step
Show me where the key is kept
Point me down the right line because it's time
Turn my lead into gold
'Cause there's a chill wind blowing in my soul
And I think I'm growing old
Flash the readies
What's, uh the deal?
Got to make it to the next meal
Try to keep up with the turning of the wheel
Mile after mile (mile after mile)
Stone after stone (stone after stone)
you turn to speak but you're alone
Million miles from home, you're on your own
So let me in from the cold
Turn my lead into gold
'Cause there's a chill wind blowing in my soul
And I think I'm growing old
Fire bright by candlelight
And her by my side
And if she prefers we will never stir again
Someone sent the promised land
And I grabbed it with both hands
Now I'm the man on the inside looking out
Hear me shout "Come on in,
What's the news and where you been?"
'Cause there's no wind left in my soul
And I've grown old
The lyrics of "Wot's...uh the Deal" by Pink Floyd describe the longing and search for a sense of belonging and purpose in life. The singer is an outsider who seeks to be included and accepted into the world of others. He is waiting for his chance to unlock the secrets of the world, and a chance to be a part of the system that he perceives as the "promised land." He asks for guidance, to be shown the way, and to be helped to turn his life around. The singer is weighed down by sadness and feels that there is a void in his spirit that can only be filled by belonging to something bigger than himself. The lyrics are a commentary on the struggle for meaning, connection, and identity.
The song was written and recorded during the sessions for Pink Floyd's album "Obscured by Clouds," which was the soundtrack they did for the film "La Vallée." It was released in 1972, but it remains a lesser-known track from the band. The song features a slow, peaceful, and melodic rhythm, which is characteristic of Pink Floyd's early sound. The lyrics are inspired by the introspective and existential themes that were present in Pink Floyd's earlier work, particularly in the Syd Barrett era.
Line by Line Meaning
Heaven sent the promised land
Life seems good from where I am
Looks alright from where I stand
All seems fine, as far as I can see
'Cause I'm the man on the outside looking in
But I’m not really a part of it all, just observing from the sidelines
Waiting on the first step
I’m stuck, not sure what to do next
Show me where the key is kept
I need help - someone show me the way
Point me down the right line because it's time
It’s time for me to take that first step forward
To let me in from the cold
I want to be accepted, to be a part of society
Turn my lead into gold
I need help turning my life around
'Cause there's a chill wind blowing in my soul
I feel empty and lost inside
And I think I'm growing old
And I fear that time is running out for me
Flash the readies
Give me some money
What's, uh the deal?
What's going on here?
Got to make it to the next meal
I need to make it through today, and then worry about tomorrow when it comes
Try to keep up with the turning of the wheel
I’m struggling to keep up with the demands of society
Mile after mile (mile after mile)
I keep moving forward, but it feels like a never-ending journey
Stone after stone (stone after stone)
Every step I take is hard, like carrying a heavy load
you turn to speak but you're alone
I want to talk to someone, but there’s no one there for me
Million miles from home, you're on your own
Even though I’m surrounded by people, I still feel alone
So let me in from the cold
Please, someone, accept me into your world
Fire bright by candlelight
I’m finally in a place of warmth and comfort
And her by my side
I have someone I love and trust with me
And if she prefers we will never stir again
I’d be content to just stay here with her forever
Someone sent the promised land
I finally found a place where I belong
And I grabbed it with both hands
And I’m never letting go
Now I'm the man on the inside looking out
I’m no longer an outsider, but a part of the society I longed to join
Hear me shout "Come on in,
I’m now inviting others to join me
What's the news and where you been?"
I want to hear about their lives and experiences
'Cause there's no wind left in my soul
I am finally at peace with myself and with the world around me
And I've grown old
And I am content to face whatever comes next
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID JON GILMOUR, ROGER WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GraveyardPoet
Obscured by Clouds is such an underrated album. Perfect music for sitting around drinking beer or for embarking upon epic road trips.
@MsCaleb79
RainyDayMerman the two first songs is the sound of armageddon.
@Bryan8329
Just don’t do both at the same time :)
@isaiahhopkins6053
Pls explain the meaning to the phrase obscured by clouds I know it’s the name of the album but I want the meaning
@William.H.Bonney
Obscured and Animals are my favorite Floyd albums
@sterlingblake7655
I totally agree. perfect for smoking pot too, and don't forget MORE, the Greatest album of all time!
@AnupamRoy
One of the greatest songs by the band. Lyrics, melody, chord progression, singing, piano solo, guitar solo - top notch.
@robertraymond6643
Beautiful song.
@sumitdebnath5342
Absolutely dada .
@joshbernardo4360
Iniiyak mo?