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)
Bird In A Gale
Roger Waters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Does the pain of your loss seep into your feathers like rain?
Do the bars of your cage feel warm or cold to the touch?
Were my caresses too gentle?
Did I love you too much?
Your dog is scratching at the door
The boy is drowning in the sea
The loon is howling at the sea
Can I crash out on your floor?
Is there room in the story for me?
In Roger Waters's song "Bird In A Gale," the lyrics suggest that the singer is questioning someone (perhaps a lover or friend) who is going through a difficult time by comparing them to a bird in a gale. The metaphor symbolizes the idea that the person is being tossed around in the violent storm, unable to find their footing or escape from the overwhelming emotions they are experiencing. The metaphor is reinforced by the questions that follow, asking whether the person's pain is seeping into their feathers like rain and whether they feel trapped in their own "cage."
The lyrics then shift to a more hopeful tone, as the singer offers to stay with this person through their struggles, asking if he can crash on their floor. The mention of a dog scratching at the door and a boy drowning in the sea adds to the sense of chaos and turmoil that the person is experiencing, but the offer of companionship and solace suggests that the singer is committed to helping them through their pain. Finally, the question about whether there is room in the story for the singer implies that he wants to be a part of this person's journey, to share in their struggles and triumphs and be a part of their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you blowing like a bird in a gale?
Are you being tossed around uncontrollably like a bird in a storm?
Does the pain of your loss seep into your feathers like rain?
Is your grief so overwhelming that it feels like it's seeping into your being?
Do the bars of your cage feel warm or cold to the touch?
Do you find comfort or discomfort in the structure and routine of your life?
Were my caresses too gentle?
Did I not show you enough love and affection?
Did I love you too much?
Did I become too involved or attached to you?
Your dog is scratching at the door
Your pet needs your attention
The boy is drowning in the sea
There is a crisis that needs to be addressed
Can I crash out on your floor?
Can I stay with you for a short while?
The loon is howling at the sea
The natural world is crying out for attention
Is there room in the story for me?
Do I have a place in your life?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GEORGE ROGER WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind