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)
4.56 AM
Roger Waters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel it's really over
You were my everyday excuse
For playing deaf, dumb and blind
Who'd have ever thought
This was how it would end for you and me
To carry my own millstone
Out of the trees
I don't like it a bit
Being left here beside this lonesome road.
Lonesome road
Lonesome road
The lyrics of Roger Waters' song, "4:56 AM (For the First Time Today, Part 1)," convey a sense of loss and finality. The opening lines, "For the first time today, I feel it's really over," suggest that the singer has been in denial about the end of a relationship, using his partner as an excuse to avoid confronting his own problems. Now that he is on his own, he realizes that he must confront his own demons and "carry [his] own millstone out of the trees."
The idea of a "lonesome road" recurs throughout the song, emphasizing the sense of loneliness and isolation the singer feels. He is left beside a road, presumably after his partner has left him, and must confront the reality of his situation. The song is introspective and melancholy, capturing the sense of regret and sadness that can come with the end of a relationship.
Overall, the lyrics of "4:56 AM" convey a sense of emotional honesty and vulnerability, as the singer confronts the reality of his situation and acknowledges his own responsibility for his problems.
Line by Line Meaning
For the first time today
Up until now, I haven't felt that our relationship was truly over
I feel it's really over
I am finally coming to terms with the fact that our relationship has ended
You were my everyday excuse
I used our relationship as an excuse for my own shortcomings and bad behavior
For playing deaf, dumb and blind
I ignored the problems in our relationship and refused to deal with them
Who'd have ever thought
It's surprising that things have ended up this way for us
This was how it would end for you and me
Our relationship was fated to end in this way
To carry my own millstone
I am now burdened with the consequences of my actions in the relationship
Out of the trees
I am no longer in denial and can see things clearly
And I have to admit
I acknowledge that I am responsible for my own feelings and actions
I don't like it a bit
I am unhappy with the situation
Being left here beside this lonesome road
I feel alone and abandoned now that our relationship has ended
Lonesome road
I am on a difficult and lonely path now that our relationship is over
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GEORGE ROGER WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
P WHJ
The Pros & Cons of Hitchhiking is one of the greatest albums ever recorded
Ralphie Cifaretto
I believe that also. Unfortunately, not enough people give it a chance. When I first heard it, I was frustrated. There's parts of Pink Floyd in there, but I'd get bored and give up. You have to listen to it all the way through like 4 or 5 times and you'll start to feel how amazing it is.
Fairness Believer
Yep you’re dead right.
Syfoll
It's missing the Floyd embelishments, but it works so well even without them, Roger's songwriting and vocals are at the top of his powers
Earthling Giddy
Amused to death best album ever recorded
Sly
Completely agree
peter shaw
The greatest living poet alive. Roger Waters! When he departs this world I will cry, I will sob, I will be devastated forever and ever.
rapture1973
Me too...
Pedro Gamez
Me too
Sam's Mum
The finest song ever written.