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 Minutes
Roger Waters Lyrics
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O.K.
They pressed the button, Jim.
They pressed the button Billy, what button?
The big red one.
You mean THE button?
Goodbye, Jim.
Goodbye! Oh yes. This ain't aurevoir, it's goodbye! Ha! Ha!
Everybody got someone they call home.
Out at Dodger Stadium. It's the bottom of the seventh, the Dodgers are leading three to nothing over the Giants, and for those of you who are looking to go surfing tomorrow, too bad.
(Telephone rings)
I'm kinda lost in here to tell you the truth ... O.K. good. Ladies and gentlemen, if the reports that we are getting are correct, this could be it. Billy, if you're listening to me, please call now.
After a near miss on the plane
You swear you'll never fly again
After the first kiss when you make up
You swear you'll never break up again
And when you've just run a red light
Sit shaking under the street light
You swear to yourself you'll never drink and drive again
Sometimes I feel like going home
You swear you'll never let things go by again.
Sometimes I miss the rain and snow
And you'll never toe the party line again
And when the east wind blows
Sometimes I feel like going home
Billy, if you are listening, please call.
Sole has no eyes.
Goodbye little spy in the sky. They say that cameras don't lie. Am I happy, am I sad, am I good, am I bad?
Billy, if you're listening, please call.
Sole has no eyes, sole has no eyes
Ten, nine, eight, seven
Our own independent nuclear deterrent has helped to keep the peace.
Six, five four, three,
You've go a job
Two, one,
For nearly forty years
Goodbye Billy.
The song "Four Minutes" by Roger Waters is a commentary on impending doom in which an announcer Jim introduces himself and says that the station is Radio KAOS. He then reveals that they only have four minutes left on air with a countdown in the background. Suddenly, Jim hears news that something disastrous has happened which could be interpreted as a nuclear attack. Billy, Jim's co-worker, is AWOL and Jim pleads him to get in touch if he is listening. The announcer continues to provide commentary on the world as they prepare for the worst.
The latter half of the song reflects on a variety of regrets, promises, and desires of life that people often encounter as they approach death or disaster. Mentioning near-death experiences on a plane, the first kiss, and a drunk driving incident, the song is pointing to the importance of appreciating the present and never letting things go untouched or unsaid. The concluding lyrics of the song feature the announcement of a nuclear disaster while the countdown ends with "Goodbye Billy."
Line by Line Meaning
Four minutes and counting.
The end of the world is near and it is only four minutes left.
O.K.
Accepting the situation that going towards End.
They pressed the button, Jim.
The missile has been launched and can not be stopped now.
They pressed the button Billy, what button?
Questioning the inevitable action of missile launch.
The big red one.
The missile launch button is the big red one.
You mean THE button?
Reiterating the importance of that big red button.
Goodbye, Jim.
Parting from radio presenter 'Jim'.
Goodbye! Oh yes. This ain't aurevoir, it's goodbye! Ha! Ha!
Parting from Radio Station KAOS and its audience.
This is KAOS. It's a beautiful, balmy, Southern California summer day. It's 80 degrees ... I said balmy ... I could say bomby ... Ha! Ha! ...O.K. I'm Jim and this is Radio KAOS and with only four minutes left to us, let's use this as wisely as possible.
Radio Station KAOS providing its last message before the World ends.
Everybody got someone they call home.
Everyone has their loved ones and family they wish to be with, in their last moments.
Out at Dodger Stadium. It's the bottom of the seventh, the Dodgers are leading three to nothing over the Giants, and for those of you who are looking to go surfing tomorrow, too bad.
Giving a last update on the baseball match and the unfortunate situation of not being able to surf tomorrow due to the impending apocalypse.
(Telephone rings) I'm kinda lost in here to tell you the truth ... O.K. good. Ladies and gentlemen, if the reports that we are getting are correct, this could be it. Billy, if you're listening to me, please call now.
Answering a phone call and giving out a message to Billy if he is listening, to call back. Confirming the possible imminent end of the World.
After a near miss on the plane, you swear you'll never fly again
Humans make promises they are bound to break after near-death experiences, e.g., not traveling by air after nearly surviving an air crash.
After the first kiss when you make up, you swear you'll never break up again
They say promises made during intimacy don't last long for couples, e.g., not to break up after making up.
And when you've just run a red light, Sit shaking under the street light You swear to yourself you'll never drink and drive again
People make promises to themselves, especially after committing blunders, e.g., not to drink alcohol and drive again after getting caught for DUI.
Sometimes I feel like going home, You swear you'll never let things go by again.
At times, one becomes nostalgic and get filled with regret, swearing not to let go of things again.
Sometimes I miss the rain and snow And you'll never toe the party line again And when the east wind blows Sometimes I feel like going home
Occasionally, humans miss places, people, or conditions with regret, and go in a cycle of same mistakes and false promises.
Billy, if you are listening, please call.
A repeating call to Billy for him to call back.
Sole has no eyes.
'Sole' is not alive to experience the world and have eyesight, unlike humans who can make apocalyptic predictions and prepare themselves accordingly.
Goodbye little spy in the sky. They say that cameras don't lie. Am I happy, am I sad, am I good, am I bad?
Referencing a satellite as a 'spying eye' that is observing the events on Earth, without indicating the truth of the situation - happy, sad, good, or bad.
Ten, nine, eight, seven
Starting a countdown to the end with 4 minutes left before the World ends.
Our own independent nuclear deterrent has helped to keep the peace.
Discussing the importance of having nuclear weapons as a deterrent for keeping peace and to avoid conflicts between nations.
Six, five four, three,
Continuing the countdown as it moves closer to the end.
You've go a job
A reminder for Billy and all others to act as responsibly as possible before the end.
Two, one,
The countdown is reaching its end.
For nearly forty years
Seemingly another random thought as wisdom before the World ends.
Goodbye Billy.
Sending a goodbye message to Billy as the World nears its end.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROGER WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind