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)
Nobody Home
Roger Waters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a bag with a toothbrush and a comb in.
When I'm a good dog they sometimes throw me a bone in.
I got elastic bands keeping my shoes on,
Got those swollen hand blues,
Got thirteen channels of shit on the TV to choose from.
I got electric light, and I got second sight.
And that is how I know
When I try to get through on the telephone to you,
There'll be nobody home.
I got the obligatory Hendrix perm
And the inevitable pinhole burns
All down the front of my favorite satin shirt.
I got nicotine stains on my fingers,
I got a silver spoon on a chain.
Got a grand piano to prop up my mortal remains.
I got wild staring eyes,
And I got a strong urge to fly,
But I got nowhere to fly to
(fly to, fly to, fly to, fly to, fly to, fly to, fly to).
Oooooh, babe, when I pick up the phone,
There's still nobody home.
I got a pair of Gohill's boots,
And I got fading roots
In the song "Nobody Home," Roger Waters narrates the loneliness and emptiness of success after reaching the pinnacle of his career. He metaphorically describes his life as a dog, only being given attention when he is well-behaved. The little black book with poems in and the bag with the toothbrush and comb represent remnants of a life he once had before being caught up in fame. He continues to rely on elastic bands to keep his shoes on, indicating that even the smallest of things elude him, and his swollen hand blues mean he has worked so hard for so long, he has become physically and mentally exhausted. Thirteen channels of garbage on TV is a commentary on the homogeneity of the media and the lack of meaningful content in it.
Waters also talks about having electric light and amazing powers of observation that allow him insight into his situation. He knows that even if he tries to get in touch with someone, which could presumably be a lover or friend, there will be nobody home for him. He has a Hendrix perm and pinhole burns on his favorite satin shirt as a result of the drug culture that he is part of, and nicotine stains on his fingers show that he has become consumed by his vices. He even has a grand piano to prop up his mortal remains, reflecting his nihilistic attitude towards life. The wild staring eyes and the strong urge to fly indicate a desire to escape from reality, but he has nowhere to fly to. In the end, when he picks up the phone, there is still nobody home.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a little black book with my poems in,
I keep my poetry in a small notebook.
Got a bag with a toothbrush and a comb in.
I have a bag with my personal care items.
When I'm a good dog they sometimes throw me a bone in.
Being obedient sometimes earns me a reward.
I got elastic bands keeping my shoes on,
I lack resources to fix my shoes.
Got those swollen hand blues,
My hands are swollen, maybe due to physical labor or arthritis.
Got thirteen channels of shit on the TV to choose from.
There are many TV channels, but they all have terrible content.
I got electric light, and I got second sight.
I have access to electricity and a heightened sense of perception.
Got amazing powers of observation.
I am very observant.
And that is how I know
My powers of observation allow me to know
When I try to get through on the telephone to you,
When I attempt to call you
There'll be nobody home.
There will be no answer.
I got the obligatory Hendrix perm
I have the popular hairstyle resembling that of Jimi Hendrix.
And the inevitable pinhole burns
I have cigarette burns on my clothing, which is a common occurrence.
All down the front of my favorite satin shirt.
The burns are on my favorite shirt made of satin material.
I got nicotine stains on my fingers,
My fingers are discolored due to smoking cigarettes.
I got a silver spoon on a chain.
I wear a spoon on a chain as a symbol of wealth or status.
Got a grand piano to prop up my mortal remains.
I own a large piano, which might be a status symbol, but ultimately won't benefit me when I die.
I got wild staring eyes,
My eyes are wide and intense
And I got a strong urge to fly,
I feel a desire to escape, to go somewhere else.
But I got nowhere to fly to
I have no particular place to go or escape to.
(fly to, fly to, fly to, fly to, fly to, fly to, fly to).
This is repeated like a mantra, emphasizing the longing to fly away.
Oooooh, babe, when I pick up the phone,
When I answer the phone
There's still nobody home.
No one is on the other end of the line.
I got a pair of Gohill's boots,
I own a pair of boots made by the brand Gohill.
And I got fading roots
My hair color is fading or becoming more gray due to age or stress.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Roger Waters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tory Taylor
I saw Roger and The Floyd perform this on Feb 12, 1980 in LA, what an experience. Bought two tickets from a fellow airman for $50 and after getting to the Coliseum, people offered as much as $600 for each ticket. So glad I did not take the cash! Thanks, Roger for all the stirring lyrics you have written and performed!
Andres Mirich
Why i wasn't born earlier. Today music sucks. Seen roger and david in argentina when i could. But seen this must been outstanding
Tory Taylor
@Andres Mirich pick up an instrument, write a tune, orchestrate one, or sit at a mixing board and make today's music better!
OH_I _Will
@Tory Taylor amen brother….tired of the Modern Music sucks garbage…just means others can’t evolve with the times
SchmackusKaktus
Usually not a fan of Waters' vocals, but that "OOOOH BABE" was flawless
zoyde
This song shows the most disgusting, but sadly true side of modern life.
Niccolò Mineo
Solo is top notch. Absolutely astounding.
Black And Gold
beautiful
Jose Cavalcante
QUE LINDO SOLO DA GUITARRA MARAVILHOSO....
Cataldo
Excellent version, maybe the best, Snowy;great!!!