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)
Lost Boys Calling
Roger Waters Lyrics
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I would not leave you here alone
In this dead calm beneath the waves
I can still hear those lost boys calling
You could not speak, you were afraid
To take the risk of being left again
And so you tipped your hat and waved and then
And in Mott street in July
When I hear those seabirds cry
I hold the child, the child in the man
The child that we leave behind
And in Mott street in July
When I hear those seabirds cry
I hold the child, the child in the man
The child that we leave behind
The spotlight fades, the boys disband
The final notes lie mute upon the sand
And in the silence of the grave
I can still hear those lost boys calling
We left them there when they were young
The men were gone until the west was won
And now there's nothing left but time to kill
You never took us fishin' dad and now you never will
And in Mott street in July
When I hear those seabirds cry
I hold the child, the child in the man
The child that we leave behind
The lyrics of "Lost Boys Calling" by Roger Waters are a poignant and emotional reflection on the loss of childhood innocence and the pain of growing up too fast. The song tells a story of a father who has abandoned his family and "left them there when they were young." The singer talks about hearing "those lost boys calling" in the "dead calm beneath the waves" and feeling a deep sense of loss and regret.
The opening lines "Come, hold me now, I am not gone, I would not leave you here alone" suggest that the singer is comforting someone who is mourning the loss of a loved one. The repetition of the phrase "I can still hear those lost boys calling" emphasizes the haunting quality of the memories that continue to linger.
The middle section of the song reflects on the idea of leaving childhood behind and growing up too quickly. The image of a child in a man's body highlights the loss of innocence and a sense of longing for what could have been. The lyrics "We left them there when they were young, The men were gone until the west was won" speak to the idea of generations of fathers leaving their families behind in pursuit of a better future.
Overall, the song is a powerful meditation on loss, regret, and the passing of time. It serves as a reminder to hold onto our memories and cherish our loved ones while we still have them.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, hold me now, I am not gone
I am still present with you, so please do not feel alone and lost.
I would not leave you here alone
I am committed to staying by your side, even in the darkest of times.
In this dead calm beneath the waves
Even in a place of total stillness and quiet, the echoes of the past still reverberate.
I can still hear those lost boys calling
The memories of youth and innocence that we have left behind still haunt me.
You could not speak, you were afraid
You couldn't bring yourself to express your feelings out of fear of being hurt again.
To take the risk of being left again
You were too scared to put yourself in a vulnerable position where you could be abandoned or rejected.
And so you tipped your hat and waved and then
Rather than express your true emotions, you feigned a polite farewell and departed.
You turned back up the gangway of that steel tomb again
You retreated to your safe haven, a place of artificial protection from the real world.
And in Mott street in July
During a particular moment in time and space under specific circumstances.
When I hear those seabirds cry
The sounds of nature evoke powerful memories and emotions within me.
I hold the child, the child in the man
The inner child that is still a part of me is alive and well, despite the passage of time.
The child that we leave behind
Even as we grow older and face new challenges, we must remember the innocence and wonder of youth that we have left behind.
The spotlight fades, the boys disband
As we move on from our youth, we lose the sense of belonging and camaraderie that comes with it.
The final notes lie mute upon the sand
The sounds of our past fade away, leaving only the silence of the present.
And in the silence of the grave
Even after we pass away, the echoes of our lives continue to resonate.
I can still hear those lost boys calling
The memories of those who have passed on still haunt and inspire us to this day.
We left them there when they were young
We move on from our youth and leave behind the people we used to be.
The men were gone until the west was won
We grow up and leave home, seeking new horizons and opportunities.
And now there's nothing left but time to kill
After we have achieved our goals, there is a sense of emptiness and restlessness that can be hard to bear.
You never took us fishin' dad and now you never will
Regrets and missed opportunities can weigh heavily on our hearts, long after it is too late to change them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ennio Morricone, Roger Waters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind