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)
Flushed With Wine
Roger Waters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Flushed with wine Marie Antoinette
Casts down her red, white and blue rosette
An impetuous and dangerous vignette
OFFICER
And then with her harming little shoe
She grinds the precious symbol underfoot
The regiments all follow suit
The regiments
CHORUS
The regiments
OFFICER
The regiments
CHORUS
The regiments
OFFICER & CHORUS
The regiments all follow suit
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST
Red, white and blue and they all follow suit
CHILDREN'S CHORUS
Red, white and blue and they all follow suit
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST
In Paris there is nothing to eat
CHORUS
Not a crust, not a crumb
Not a grain of wheat
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST
They think that starving may weaken the man in the street
CHORUS
Not a chance, they're used to the heat
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST
In Versailles they drink wine and dine on freshly baked bread
CHORUS
The peacock sprawls upon his bed
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST
We choke on the bones of swallowed pride instead
CHORUS
Soon they'll see what a feast they've made
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST
A bitter feast
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST & CHORUS
For the Parisians
CHORUS
...for the Parisians
RINGMASTER
These hags, these shrews, these courtesans
These animals we call women
Have marched hear through the pouring rain
TO bring the baker home again
CHORUS
Louis protests; he cries
KING
Veto, veto! I'll give you all bread if you just let me go!
RINGMASTER
These fishwives with their babies, these animals called ladies
Will carry back home to Paris
The King, The Queen, and The Dauphin
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST
Versailles has loomed to the regiments' final bow
CHORUS
Versailles bloomed
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST
All fawning before
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST & CHILDREN'S CHORUS
The Austrian cow!
CHORUS
Fawning on bended knee
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST
The party's over
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST & CHILDREN'S CHORUS
Take down the marquee
CHORUS
Hang up your dancing shoes in the hanging tree
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST
We'll take the baker back to Paris
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST & CHILDREN'S CHORUS
Back to Paris
TROUBLEMAKER & MALE CHORUS
He'll make bread for the prince we decree
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST, CHILDREN'S CHORUS, & FEMALE CHORUS
The shrews, the hags and the courtesans
TROUBLEMAKER & MALE CHORUS
The animals we call women
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST, CHILDREN'S CHORUS, & FEMALE CHORUS
Will take back the King to Paris
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST & CHILDREN'S CHORUS
The crowd now seven thousand strong
TROUBLEMAKER & MALE CHORUS
Bore the royal coach along
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST & CHILDREN'S CHORUS
With trophies raised on pikes above
TROUBLEMAKER & MALE CHORUS
The guardsman’s heads they had cut off
TROUBLEMAKER
Adieu Versailles
MALE CHORUS
It rains, it pours, the crowd roars
REVOLUTIONARY PRIEST
Bonjour Paris
CHORUS
Adieu Versailles
COMPANY
Bonjour Paris, adieu Versailles
The lyrics of "Flushed With Wine" speak of the French Revolution, particularly the bread riots that happened in the late 1700s. The main subject of the song is the uprising of the French people against the French monarchy during a time when people were dying because of starvation, and Marie Antoinette's excesses, which angered the people even more. The opening lines talk about Marie Antoinette throwing down her red, white and blue rosette, which represents the French flag, while being tipsy on wine. The lines that follow describe her as dangerous and impetuous, which is a hint at how her actions added fuel to the growing dissatisfaction of the people towards the monarchy.
The song also portrays a contrast between the luxurious lifestyle of the French aristocracy and the poverty and hunger that plagued the common French people, as Versailles, the symbol of extravagance, was just a few miles away from a perpetually starving Paris. The revolutionary priest in the song comments on the situation, saying that the people of Paris are starving while the people of Versailles are "drinking wine and dining on freshly baked bread." In the chorus, the people of Paris are described as having nothing to eat, which is contrasted with the decadent extravagance of the wealthy who are "sprawling upon their bed." The whole song is a commentary on the class disparity that caused the French Revolution, and how the French monarchy's lack of empathy for the suffering of their people eventually led to their downfall.
Overall, "Flushed With Wine" is a socially conscious song that tells the story of the French Revolution through a series of narrative vignettes. It portrays the growing anger of the French people towards the extravagance and indifference of their rulers, and how that anger eventually led to a revolution that changed the course of French and European history.
Line by Line Meaning
Flushed with wine Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette, under the influence of wine, is feeling excited and confident.
Casts down her red, white and blue rosette
Marie Antoinette throws away the red, white and blue symbol of France arrogantly without realizing the danger of her actions.
An impetuous and dangerous vignette
Marie Antoinette's action is reckless and threatening, and could cause serious consequences.
And then with her harming little shoe
Marie Antoinette uses her shoe to crush the symbol, which shows her disrespect for the values of the people.
She grinds the precious symbol underfoot
Marie Antoinette treats the red, white and blue symbol, which represents France, as worthless and unimportant.
what a lark, what a hoot
Marie Antoinette finds the act of destroying the symbol amusing and entertaining.
The regiments all follow suit
After seeing Marie Antoinette's actions, the army follows her lead and shows contempt for the symbol.
In Paris there is nothing to eat
People in Paris are dying of hunger and there is a scarcity of food.
Not a crust, not a crumb
No food is available, not even a small piece of bread.
Not a grain of wheat
There is no grain left to make bread or feed people.
They think that starving may weaken the man in the street
The authorities believe that by starving the people, they will become weak and easy to control.
Not a chance, they're used to the heat
The people are resilient and accustomed to hardships and suffering; they will not be weakened.
In Versailles they drink wine and dine on freshly baked bread
The royal court in Versailles is living in luxury and enjoying all the comforts while the people are starving.
The peacock sprawls upon his bed
The king lives a lavish lifestyle, like a peacock who flaunts his beauty and arrogance.
We choke on the bones of swallowed pride instead
The people are forced to swallow their pride and suffer in silence while the king and his court enjoy their opulence.
Soon they'll see what a feast they've made
The authorities will soon realize the consequences of their actions and how the people will seek revenge.
A bitter feast
The feast will not be a joyful celebration, but a bitter and angry one, full of resentment and revenge.
For the Parisians
The feast will be for the people of Paris who are starving and suffering.
These hags, these shrews, these courtesans
The singer refers to women who are treated badly and are looked down upon, by using derogatory and sexist language.
These animals we call women
The artist dehumanizes and insults women by calling them animals, reinforcing the idea of women's inequality and mistreatment.
Have marched hear through the pouring rain
Women, despite the stormy weather, have joined the protest to demand justice and equality.
Louis protests; he cries
The king, in a state of panic, tries to resist and stop the protest.
Veto, veto! I'll give you all bread if you just let me go!
The king tries to bribe the people with bread, hoping to quell the protest and escape punishment.
Will carry back home to Paris
The people, including the king and his family, will be forced to return to Paris against their will.
Versailles has loomed to the regiments' final bow
The end of the royal reign is approaching as the army is compelled to surrender and give up their power.
Versailles bloomed
The palace of Versailles, once glamorous and extravagant, is now fading and dying.
All fawning before
The army shows devotion and admiration to the king, despite his faults and failures.
The Austrian cow!
The artist insults and dehumanizes the queen, who is Austrian, by calling her a cow.
Fawning on bended knee
The army is submissive and obedient to the king, bowing down on their knees to show respect.
The party's over
The end has come for the royal reign and their extravagant lifestyle.
Take down the marquee
The luxurious tents and decorations used for entertainment must be taken down, symbolizing the end of the royal party.
Hang up your dancing shoes in the hanging tree
The end of the royal party is so significant that the artist suggests hanging the dancing shoes as a reminder of their downfall and punishment.
He'll make bread for the prince we decree
The baker who was kidnapped from Paris will be forced to make bread for the people, including the prince, whom they have chosen to rule.
Bonjour Paris, adieu Versailles
The people welcome the return of the king to Paris but also say goodbye to Versailles and the royal court's reign of luxury and extravagance.
The crowd now seven thousand strong
The people have joined together in a strong and united force to demand justice and equality.
Bore the royal coach along
The people carry the royal family back to Paris in a coach, which shows their power and control.
With trophies raised on pikes above
The people celebrate their victory by displaying the heads of the guards as trophies on pikes.
Adieu Versailles
The people say goodbye to Versailles, which represents the end of the royal court's reign of luxury and abuse of power.
It rains, it pours, the crowd roars
The weather is stormy, but the people's determination and passion for justice is strong and unwavering.
Bonjour Paris
The people welcome the return of the king and hope for a new era of justice and equality.
Contributed by Ellie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.