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)
4:41 AM
Roger Waters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take out the dagger
And let's have a stab at the sexual revolution
Hey girl
Let freedom for all be our rallying call
Tomorrow lets make our new resolution
Yeah, but tonight lie still
While I plunder your sweet grave
Only the poor can be saved
Hey girl
As I've always said I prefer your lips red
Not what the good Lord made
But what he intended
Hey girl
Don't point the finger at me
I am only a rat in a maze like you
Only the dead go free
So...please, hold my hand
As we blunder through the maze
And remember
Nothing can grow without rain
(Thunder)
Don't...
Don't point your finger at me
I awoke in a fever
The bedclothes were all soaked in sweat
She said, you've been having a nightmare
And it's not over yet
Then she picked up the doggy in the window
(The one with the waggly tail)
And she put him to bed between two bits of bread
The song "4.41 AM" by Roger Waters is a hauntingly poetic contemplation on the human condition and the search for meaning in a society that is constantly changing. The lyrics begin by addressing a woman, with the singer asking her to "take out the dagger" and join him in the "sexual revolution." He then invites her to join him in a rebellion for freedom for all and to make a new resolution for the future. However, he quickly segues into a more melancholy and introspective tone. He expresses a desire to "plunder" the woman's "sweet grave" but also suggests that "only the poor can be saved." The singer then suggests that individual beauty is more important than adherence to traditional values, asking the woman to "remember" that he prefers her lips red, which is not what "the good Lord made but what he intended." The singer concludes with a final plea for connection with the woman, asking her to "please, hold my hand" as they navigate the complexities of life together.
The lyrics of "4.41 AM" are rich with symbolism and metaphor. The singer suggests that the sexual revolution is a form of rebellion against oppressive social norms, but also acknowledges that true liberation is elusive and perhaps unattainable. He compares himself and the woman to rats in a maze, suggesting that life is a labyrinthine experience. The singer also appears to reference death and the afterlife, suggesting that "only the dead go free." The final stanza introduces a surreal and dreamlike quality to the lyrics, with the singer waking from a nightmare to the presence of the woman and a small dog. The lyrics suggest a desire for human connection in the face of the uncertainties and existential questions of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey...girl
Roger Waters begins his song by addressing someone, possibly a lover or partner of some sort.
Take out the dagger
Waters urges the girl to let down her guard and embrace the idea of a sexual revolution.
And let's have a stab at the sexual revolution
Waters continues to encourage his companion to embrace the changes that the sexual revolution represents.
Hey girl
Waters continues to address the girl, repeating his entreaty for her to embrace the changes happening around them.
Let freedom for all be our rallying call
Waters urges the girl to embrace the ideals of freedom and equality for all as a guiding principle for their relationship.
Tomorrow lets make our new resolution
Waters looks to the future, imagining a world where he and the girl can make a positive difference.
Yeah, but tonight lie still
Waters acknowledges that they can still enjoy the present moment, despite the problems of the world.
While I plunder your sweet grave
Waters uses a metaphor to describe the act of making love to his partner.
And remember
Waters takes a pause from his requests to remind his partner of an important idea or lesson.
Only the poor can be saved
Waters expresses a sad truth about inequality and the limits of societal change.
Hey girl
Waters reiterates his address to the girl.
As I've always said I prefer your lips red
Waters compliments his partner on her appearance and sensuality.
Not what the good Lord made, But what he intended
Waters suggests that his partner's looks and sexuality were not only natural but divinely inspired.
Hey girl
Waters repeats his address to the girl once again.
Don't point the finger at me
Waters asks his partner not to blame him for the societal problems they face.
I am only a rat in a maze like you
Waters emphasizes his own powerlessness in the face of society's issues.
Only the dead go free
Waters offers a bleak commentary on the limits of human freedom and life itself.
So...please, hold my hand
Waters seeks comfort and connection with his partner in the face of these difficult ideas.
As we blunder through the maze
Waters emphasizes that they are in this together, navigating the complexities of society and life as a team.
And remember
Waters repeats his call to remember something important.
Nothing can grow without rain
Waters offers a metaphorical truth about the importance of difficulty and struggle in personal growth.
(Thunder)
Waters uses sound effects to create a dramatic moment in the song.
Don...
Waters starts a line, but is cut off or interrupted before he can finish it.
Don't point your finger at me
Waters repeats his earlier request for his partner not to blame him for their problems.
I awoke in a fever
Waters shifts to a first-person perspective, describing a personal experience or dream.
The bedclothes were all soaked in sweat
Waters uses sensory detail to create a vivid impression of his experience.
She said, you've been having a nightmare
Waters introduces another character into the narrative, suggesting that he is telling the story to someone else.
And it's not over yet
Waters suggests that the difficulties and struggles of life continue even beyond the moment we wake up.
Then she picked up the doggy in the window
Waters introduces a surreal and unexpected image, perhaps playing with the idea of the dreamlike nature of the previous lines.
(The one with the waggly tail)
Waters adds a playful, whimsical detail to the dog image, further emphasizing the surreal nature of the moment.
And she put him to bed between two bits of bread
Waters concludes the song with another surreal and unexpected event, adding to the overall sense of dreamlike mystery and creativity.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Watchman5
Roger is not the greatest singer around, but the way he expresses emotions is spot on. He's great at portraying anger, aggression, fear, anguish, and sadness. He's got good breath support, he can sing in tune, and his vocals help tell a story which makes him a good singer.
Laurent Cambon
@LVLouisCyphre I discovered Perfect Sense in 2007 in a RW concert in Quebec city. That song will be in my movie to change the world, a sci fi ufo movie. And... I'm in contact with Harry for that project. Love is coming.
LVLouisCyphre
There's some speculation that RW is tone deaf. He has someone tune his guitar for him. As of late, it was his son, Harry, that tunes it for him if he's touring with his father. I agree that RW knows how to strike the right emotions with his singing evoking empathy in the listener. That's the mark of any good artist; evoking empathy into their audience or observers. Gilmour can't do that. I was very disappointed when I saw Pink Floyd in LA in the early 1990's with a couple of friends. It was disappointing as Hell. It made me want to send DG "back to mother in a cardboard box" and Run Like Hell out of the venue. (Pink Floyd pun and reference intended.)
I've seen RW live twice here in Vegas; An evening with RW (Father's Day weekend 2007) and The Wall (around Thanksgiving 2010) both at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It was never a disappointing concert where I regretted spending the money.
Modern_Mat23
TF DO YOU MEAN?! ROGER CAN SING!!!
Laurent Cambon
His voice in "Crazy" and other Walls songs is really impressive.
Kolodets1
For me he is greatest
stevexxl777
I never took this album off the turntable in 1984!! And since I got the CD it's been played every year since. Absolutely unbelievable - who writes music like this.....
ron price
Same here, I listen to this album every couple of months, he's the governor, love amused to death as well, the man's a genius
ALK
Nobody
M Cruse
Clapton's solo in this song still makes my spine shiver every time I hear it.