Hey You
R. Waters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out there in the cold
Getting lonely, getting old
Can you feel me?
Hey you
Standing in the aisles
With itchy feet and fading smiles
Can you feel me?
Don't help them to bury the light
Don't give in without a fight
Hey you
Out there on your own
Sitting naked by the phone
Would you touch me?
Hey you
With your ear against the wall
Waiting for someone to call out
Would you touch me?
Hey you
Would you help me to carry the stone?
Open your heart, I'm coming home
But it was only fantasy
The wall was too high, as you can see
No matter how he tried he could not break free
And the worms ate into his brain
Hey you
Out there on the road
Always doing what you're told
Can you help me?
Hey you
Out there beyond the wall
Breaking bottles in the hall
Can you help me?
Hey you
Don't tell me there's no hope at all
Together we stand, divided we fall
The lyrics of R. Waters’ song “Hey You” are highly emotional, raw and explorative. The song portrays a sense of loneliness and desperation in the first few lines, as the singer asks if the listener can feel him/her. He addresses people who are out there in the cold and getting lonely and old, asking if they can feel him. The next verse is addressing those who have itchy feet and fading smiles who are waiting for someone to call out. This is a powerful statement that suggests individuals may be in need of something that they are not necessarily vocalizing. The line “Don't give in without a fight” could suggest that the singer is suggesting, those who are going through tough times, not to give up, and to keep fighting. Essentially, the song is about loneliness and the feeling of being disconnected from the world. The lyrics may be interpreted differently by each person based on their personal experiences.
The character may represent people's tendency to isolate themselves from the world due to trauma, depression or anxiety. The line “the wall was too high, as you can see, no matter how he tried he could not break free” suggests this idea of feeling trapped and unable to express oneself. On the other side of the wall is the character breaking bottles in the hall, while asking the listener if they can help him. This desperation and lack of purpose for the character may be symbolic of deeper social issues that afflict individuals in our society. The last line, “together we stand, divided we fall” exemplifies a powerful statement on the impact of unity and togetherness in overcoming obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey you
Addressing someone who may feel lonely or disconnected.
Out there in the cold
Suggesting that the listener is feeling isolated or excluded.
Getting lonely, getting old
Highlighting the common human experience of loneliness and aging.
Can you feel me?
Asking if the listener can relate to these feelings.
Standing in the aisles
Referencing a specific physical location where people may gather without connection.
With itchy feet and fading smiles
Describing people who are restless and unfulfilled, perhaps even in crowds.
Don't help them to bury the light
Urging the listener not to participate in suppressing truth or light.
Don't give in without a fight
Encouraging the listener to persevere and resist negative forces.
Out there on your own
Suggesting that the listener is isolated and unsupported.
Sitting naked by the phone
Painting a picture of vulnerability and waiting for connection.
Would you touch me?
Asking for physical comfort and connection.
With your ear against the wall
Describing the act of listening closely and eagerly.
Waiting for someone to call out
Suggesting a longing for connection and understanding.
Would you help me to carry the stone?
Asking for assistance or emotional support with a heavy burden.
Open your heart, I'm coming home
Inviting the listener to open themselves to love and connection.
But it was only fantasy
Admitting that some hopes and dreams may be unrealistic or unachievable.
The wall was too high, as you can see
Acknowledging the difficulty of breaking through barriers and obstacles.
No matter how he tried he could not break free
Painfully expressing the struggle to overcome challenges and limitations.
And the worms ate into his brain
Using a metaphor of decay and destruction to portray the consequences of despair and hopelessness.
Out there on the road
Describing the listener as someone who is perhaps conforming to societal expectations.
Always doing what you're told
Highlighting the potential for lost individuality and autonomy in such a situation.
Can you help me?
Returning to the underlying plea for connection and assistance.
Out there beyond the wall
Calling attention to societal or metaphorical barriers that may separate people.
Breaking bottles in the hall
Painting a vivid, confrontational picture of someone acting out in frustration.
Don't tell me there's no hope at all
Challenging the idea that there is no possibility for change or improvement.
Together we stand, divided we fall
Urging unity and collective action in the face of challenges.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROGER WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
glenn brock
This is 100% the original studio version of this song.
Entrerriano Charrúa
The song of my life, no doubt. Wonderful.
Mimi Spookkatje
Same here.
My ringtone on my phone and this is my funeral song when it is my time.
And not on soft volume but on volume hearing damage.🤣 No plugs aloud
Marcos 69 PubG
Em Pleno 2022 Eles Continuam os Mais Top das Galáxias de Todos O Tempos 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Nesbit
Nice, the original song over a live performance
Simon Butler
@Malikai Hoon nah it's the studio version dubbed over. That's Gilmour singing.
Malikai Hoon
No!!! Its Waters live and in color
JoaoDavid Cota D
ahahahahahaha
Angelina Rodrigues da Silva
Perfeito. 💖🎶🎸🎧
Silvio Rodrigues
100% estúdio, mas é linda de qualquer jeito. Principalmente nos versos finais quando Waters grita, exorta " Hey, vc, não me diga que não há esperanças... Juntos, podemos resistir...Divididos, nós sucumbimos. É demais!