Pink Floyd were founded in 1965 by Syd Barrett (guitar, lead vocals), Nick Mason (drums), Roger Waters (bass guitar, vocals), and Richard Wright (keyboards, vocals). Under Barrett's leadership, they released two charting singles and the successful debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967). Guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour joined in December 1967; Barrett left in April 1968 due to deteriorating mental health. Waters became the primary lyricist and thematic leader, devising the concepts behind the band's peak success with the albums The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977) and The Wall (1979). The musical film based on The Wall, Pink Floyd – The Wall (1982), won two BAFTA Awards. Pink Floyd also composed several film scores.
Following personal tensions, Wright left Pink Floyd in 1979, followed by Waters in 1985. Gilmour and Mason continued as Pink Floyd, rejoined later by Wright. They produced two more albums—A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) and The Division Bell (1994)—and toured in support of both before entering a long hiatus. In 2005, all but Barrett reunited for a one-off performance at the global awareness event Live 8. Barrett died in 2006, and Wright in 2008. The last Pink Floyd studio album, The Endless River (2014), was based on unreleased material from the Division Bell recording sessions. In 2022, Gilmour and Mason reformed Pink Floyd to release the song "Hey, Hey, Rise Up!" in protest of the Russo-Ukrainian War.
By 2013, Pink Floyd had sold more than 250 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and these albums and Wish You Were Here are among the best-selling albums of all time. Four Pink Floyd albums topped the US Billboard 200, and five topped the UK Album Chart. Pink Floyd's hit singles include "See Emily Play" (1967), "Money" (1973), "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2" (1979), "Not Now John" (1983), "On the Turning Away" (1987) and "High Hopes" (1994). They were inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2008, Pink Floyd were awarded the Polar Music Prize in Sweden for their contribution to modern music.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Floyd
Studio albums
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)
A Saucerful of Secrets (1968)
More (1969)
Ummagumma (1969)
Atom Heart Mother (1970)
Meddle (1971)
Obscured by Clouds (1972)
The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Wish You Were Here (1975)
Animals (1977)
The Wall (1979)
The Final Cut (1983)
A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)
The Division Bell (1994)
The Endless River (2014)
Your Possible Pasts
Pink Floyd Lyrics
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Some bright-eyed and crazy, some frightened and lost
A warning to anyone still in command
"Ranks! Fire"
Of their possible future to take care
In derelict sidings, the poppies entwine
With cattle trucks lying in wait for the next time
Do you think we should be closer? (Closer, closer, closer)
She stood in the doorway, the ghost of a smile
Haunting her face like a cheap hotel sign
Her cold eyes imploring the men in their macs
For the gold in their bags or the knives in their backs
Stepping up boldly, one put out his hand
He said, "i was just a child then, now I'm only a man"
Do you remember me? How we used to be?
Do you think we should be closer? (Closer, closer, closer)
By the cold and religious, we were taken in hand
Shown how to feel good and told to feel bad
Strung out behind us, the banners and flags
Of our possible pasts lie in tatters and rags
Do you remember me? How we used to be?
Do you think we should be closer? (Closer, closer, closer)
The lyrics to Pink Floyd's "Your Possible Pasts" are full of contemplative and reflecting thoughts regarding the past, present, and the future. The first stanza talks about how past events shape us, and we carry our possible pasts with us. Some of these pasts are happy and carefree, while others are daunting and give rise to fear and concern. The lyrics then ask anyone still in command to take heed of their possible futures and to be cautious. The reference to ranks and fire could be seen as a warning, urging leadership to be responsible for future events and the impact of decisions made in the present on the future. The chorus evokes a sense of sadness and longing for a closeness that once existed between two people. The repeated phrase, "closer, closer, closer," emphasizes the desire for rekindling a relationship or maybe to be closer to one's true self by revisiting the possible pasts.
The second stanza depicts a woman, probably haunted by the past, with a smile on her face that could be reminiscent of a cheap hotel sign. Her cold eyes may suggest a sense of betrayal or detachment from those around her. The men in their macs may represent those who have gained in life at the expense of others, with gold in their bags or knives in their backs, trying to make amends or gain redemption. The lyrics may be a commentary on the human condition, the unobserved human suffering caused by greed, materialism, and the ruthlessness of life, highlighting the need to forgive and seek forgiveness. The final stanza reflects on how the religious have manipulated the masses by stringing out banners and flags of possible pasts that have led to discontent, resulting in the present state of neglect and despair.
Line by Line Meaning
They flutter behind you your possible pasts
Memories of your past actions and decisions still linger behind you and influence your present and future.
Some bright-eyed and crazy, some frightened and lost
Your possible pasts include both joyful and reckless moments as well as fearful and uncertain experiences.
A warning to anyone still in command
These memories should serve as a warning to those who still have control over their lives, encouraging them to make wise choices for their future.
"Ranks! Fire"
This military command conveys a sense of urgency and danger, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for whatever the future may bring.
Of their possible future to take care
We must be mindful of our potential future outcomes and act in a way that will lead to positive results.
In derelict sidings, the poppies entwine
The image of neglected railroad tracks twisting among vibrant poppies suggests the coexistence of beauty and sadness in our pasts.
With cattle trucks lying in wait for the next time
The ominous presence of cattle trucks suggests the possibility of future suffering and fear lurking in the background.
Do you remember me? How we used to be?
The artist is pleading for someone to remember who they were and how they used to be, indicating a longing for a lost connection with the past.
Do you think we should be closer? (Closer, closer, closer)
The repetition of this question emphasizes the artist's desire for reconnection and intimacy with someone from their past.
She stood in the doorway, the ghost of a smile
The image of a woman with a faint, haunting smile signifies the lingering presence of a past relationship or person.
Haunting her face like a cheap hotel sign
This simile evokes a sense of sadness and loneliness, suggesting that the woman's smile is a facade, put on to mask her true emotions.
Her cold eyes imploring the men in their macs
The woman's gaze is described as desperate and pleading, possibly signaling a desire for help or affection from the men around her.
For the gold in their bags or the knives in their backs
The woman may be seeking material or emotional gain from the men or may be wary of betrayal from them.
Stepping up boldly, one put out his hand
One of the men makes a courageous move to reach out to the woman, possibly indicating a desire for connection and understanding.
He said, "I was just a child then, now I'm only a man"
The man acknowledges the passage of time and growth from his past, indicating a willingness to move forward and take responsibility for his actions.
By the cold and religious, we were taken in hand
The religious and perhaps conservative forces of society have influenced our past and shaped our beliefs and values.
Shown how to feel good and told to feel bad
The powers that be have attempted to dictate our emotions and experiences, often causing a sense of inner conflict.
Strung out behind us, the banners and flags
The symbols of our past, such as flags and banners, trail behind us like reminders of our past experiences and choices.
Of our possible pasts lie in tatters and rags
Our past memories and experiences may be fragmented, broken, and irreparable, haunting us with what could have been.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: George Roger Waters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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