Roger Waters was the main lyricist for the classic British rock band Pink Floyd. He, along with Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright, formed the band in 1965 and released their first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn in 1967. In 1968, Syd Barrett was replaced by guitarist/singer David Gilmour. He and Gilmour were the main creative forces behind the albums Meddle, Dark Side of the Moon, and Wish You Were Here; Waters eventually became the primary songwriter, being the driving force behind Animals, and The Wall as well as the sole songwriter of The Final Cut. Waters became well-known for being an intense perfectionist and his controlling nature alienated the rest of the band. The Final Cut, released in 1983, was essentially a Roger Waters solo album "performed by Pink Floyd" as the credits stated. This would be the group's last album with Waters. David Gilmour decided to carry on with Pink Floyd and Waters, believing that Pink Floyd was a "non-entity" without him, sued the rest of the band to retire the Pink Floyd name. His lawsuit ultimately failed, and Pink Floyd released three more studio albums and two double live albums, without him.
The feud between David Gilmour and Roger Waters lasted for decades, and it wasn't until Live 8 in 2005 that they finally decided to set their differences aside and perform a brief set for the charity gig. This would be the last time that Pink Floyd would ever perform together in their "classic" lineup. Shortly after the show, there was much speculation that Pink Floyd would get back together for a full reunion tour, but Gilmour ultimately nixed the idea, stating that although the Live 8 gig was fun, the rehearsals were not.
Much to everyone's surprise, Gilmour and Waters reunited once again on July 11, 2010 for a charity performance for “The Hoping Foundation,” an organization that supports Palestinian refugee kids. At Ronnie Scott’s club in London, the duo performed four songs together: “To Know Him Is to Love Him” (a cover of the old Teddy Bear’s song), “Wish You Were Here,” “Comfortably Numb,” and finally (after a special request) “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2.” Once again, just like after the Live 8 Reunion, speculation began regarding future reunions. No official Pink Floyd reunion has yet been set, but Gilmour did promise that he would join Roger Waters for one show on his 2010-11 “The Wall” tour, performing “Comfortably Numb.” Gilmour fulfilled his promise on May 14, 2011 in London.
Waters has so far released the following solo albums:
* Music from The Body soundtrack with Ron Geesin(1970)
* The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking (1984)
* When the Wind Blows soundtrack with contributions from other artists as well (1986)
* Radio K.A.O.S. (1987)
* The Wall: Live in Berlin (1990)
* Amused to Death (1992)
* In the Flesh live (2000)
* Flickering Flame: The Solo Years, Vol. 1 (2003)
* Ça Ira (Opera) (2005)
*Is This the Life We Really Want? (2017)
*Igor Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale (2018)
*The Lockdown Sessions (2022)
4:37 AM
Roger Waters Lyrics
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I know that I'm only dreaming
[Jade:] "Leave her alone
Get out..out..get out of my house!"
Through closed eyes
I see West German skies on the ceiling
And I want to get back
To the girl with the rucksack
I want to be there
See the sun going down
Behind Krupps steelworks
On the outskirts of some German town
Guten Abend meiner Damen und Herren Ha Ha Ha Ha
Willkommen in Konnigsburg Ha Ha Ha Ha
Wollen zie danzen mit mir oder drinken Bier Ha Ha Ha Ha
Thank you but......
This young lady and I
Will just finish this bottle of wine
It was kind of you...but
I think we'll just say goodnight
[Jade:] "Leave us alone!"
Goodnight
[Jade:] "Leave us alone!"
(Bell)
[Man:] "Could I have the key to one four three, please?
Thank you."
[Man:] "Hello, yes, I'd like to order breakfast please
I'd like coffee for two, and toast with marmalade
No...marmalade.
The song "4.37 AM" is a poignant reflection on a dream that takes place at an early hour of the morning. The opening verse emphasizes that the dreamer is fully aware that they are only dreaming. However, as the dream progresses, the line between the reality and dream world starts to fade. The dreamer sees West German skies on the ceiling even though their eyes are closed. The mention of Krupps steelworks, situated in the outskirts of a German town, provides context to the dreamer's experience. Throughout the song, the dreamer is yearning to return to someone called the girl with the rucksack and feel her flaxen hair. The dream is so vivid that the dreamer can even see the beauty of a sunset, creating a bittersweet longing.
In the middle part of the song, the dream takes a surreal and confusing turn when the dreamer hears a man speaking in German, welcoming them to Konnigsburg. The man then invites the dreamer and a young lady with them to dance or drink beer. But instead, the dreamer and the girl only want to finish their bottle of wine and say goodnight. However, the last part of the song turns even further surrealist when the dreamer hears a man's voice at the end, ordering breakfast for two, asking for toast with marmalade, only to pronounce that he doesn't want marmalade in the end.
Overall, the song "4.37 AM" with its shifting languages, the surreal dialogue, and vivid imagery is a beautiful rendition of a dream that could mean anything one wants to interpret. The dreamer is grappling with the melancholy of waking up from a beautiful dream to reality. Perhaps it is a reflection on a beautiful moment in the past that the dreamer longs to revisit, or it could be a manifestation of the dreamer's deepest desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleep Sleep
The singer is telling themselves to go back to sleep.
I know that I'm only dreaming
The singer is aware that they are in a dream state.
"Leave her alone
Get out..out..get out of my house!"
Someone else's voice is heard, telling an intruder to leave.
Through closed eyes
The artist is describing how they are seeing things in their dream state.
I see West German skies on the ceiling
The artist visualizes a specific scene in their dream, depicting the skies of West Germany.
And I want to get back
To the girl with the rucksack
To feel her flaxen hair
I want to be there
See the sun going down
The singer expresses a desire to return to a previous moment in time, specifically to be with a girl with flaxen hair and watch the sunset.
Behind Krupps steelworks
On the outskirts of some German town
The singer is describing the specific location where they want to return to in their dream, behind the steelworks in a German town.
Guten Abend meiner Damen und Herren Ha Ha Ha Ha
Willkommen in Konnigsburg Ha Ha Ha Ha
Wollen zie danzen mit mir oder drinken Bier Ha Ha Ha Ha
Thank you but......
The artist is referencing a social occasion in Germany, where they are being invited to dance or drink beer.
This young lady and I
Will just finish this bottle of wine
It was kind of you...but
I think we'll just say goodnight
The artist declines the invitation to dance or drink beer, opting to finish their bottle of wine with a companion instead.
"Leave us alone!"
Goodnight
"Leave us alone!"
(Bell)
Another voice is heard, again telling someone to leave, before a bell rings.
"Could I have the key to one four three, please?
Thank you."
Someone is requesting a key to a room number, and then thanking the person who provides it.
"Hello, yes, I'd like to order breakfast please
I'd like coffee for two, and toast with marmalade
No...marmalade.
The artist is placing an order for breakfast, requesting coffee for two and toast without marmalade before changing their mind and requesting it specifically without marmalade.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROGER WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind