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)
Who Needs Information
Roger Waters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Billy:] "No, Jim you schmuck, the Valleys;
Male voice choirs, Wales." [Jim:] "Ah, you're from Wales!
Now is this sperm or blue-tip?"
[Billy:] "Ha, ha, ha, ha. Very funny Jim."
[Jim:] "Sorry."
[Billy:] "Me and Benny went out."
[Jim:] "Who's Benny?"
Looking for fun
Supping ale in the moonlight
Waiting for the dawn to come
Benny pointed at a HiFi shop
He said, hey man, look at all the stuff they've got
How'd you make a have out of a have not
Hmmmm
Who needs information
When you're working underground
Just give me confirmation
We could win a million pounds
Benny climbed up on a footbridge
And he teetered on the parapet
He said can you see the whites of their headlights
Are they coming yet
Who needs information
This high off the ground
Just give me confirmation
We could win a million pounds
Who needs information
When you're living in constant fear
Just give me confirmation
There's some way out of here
Some way out of here
Benny hefted a breeze block
And tried to let go
Got hung up on a tear drop
So me and Benny went home
Who needs information
When you're living in constant fear
Just give me confirmation
There's some way out of here
Some way out of here
Who needs information yeah
When you're living on borrowed time
Just give me confirmation
There will be a winner this time
Who needs information
When you're working underground
Just give me confirmation
We could win a million pounds
Who needs
Who needs
Who needs information
This high off the ground
Just give me confirmation
We could win a million pounds
Yeah
[Jim:] "Um. (lights a cigarette)
So your brother's in jail?"
The lyrics to Roger Waters's song, Who Needs Information, are a conversation between Jim and Billy, two friends who are hanging out and drinking beer. The song seems to be a commentary on the human need for information, and the lengths that people will go to get this information or confirmation. The first verse sets the scene, with Billy and Benny out for a night of fun, looking for something to do. Benny points out a HiFi shop, and they start discussing how to make something out of nothing. This is followed by the chorus, which tells us that confirmation is everything, and that some people will do anything, including climbing up on a footbridge, to get it.
In the second verse, Benny takes things even further, picking up a breeze block and trying to let go of it. However, he fails, and Billy and Benny eventually go home. The chorus is repeated again, with the final verse adding the idea that the need for confirmation is even more intense when people are living in constant fear or on borrowed time, and that this confirmation could mean the difference between winning or losing. The song ends with Jim asking Billy about his brother being in jail, changing the subject and ending the conversation.
Line by Line Meaning
You're from the valley?
Jim asks if Billy is from the geographical valley, but Billy clarifies that he is from Wales- a place with many valleys.
Ah, you're from Wales!
Jim understands that Billy is from Wales, despite his initial confusion.
Now is this sperm or blue-tip?
Jim makes an inappropriate joke, which Billy doesn't appreciate.
Me and Benny went out.
Billy went out with his friend Benny.
Who's Benny?
Jim doesn't know who Benny is, so Billy clarifies that Benny is his friend.
Looking for fun
Billy and Benny were searching for entertainment.
Supping ale in the moonlight
Billy and Benny were drinking beer outside at night.
Waiting for the dawn to come
Billy and Benny were staying out all night and waiting for morning to arrive.
Benny pointed at a HiFi shop
While walking, Benny pointed out a shop that sold high-end audio equipment.
He said, hey man, look at all the stuff they've got
Benny was impressed by the number of items in the shop.
How'd you make a have out of a have not
Benny wondered how someone poor could obtain these expensive products.
Who needs information
When you're working underground
When you're making a living out of the public eye or under illegal circumstances, information may not be relevant.
Just give me confirmation
We could win a million pounds
Billy is more interested in the possibility of winning money than obtaining information.
Benny climbed up on a footbridge
And he teetered on the parapet
Benny climbed up onto a high bridge and stood close to the edge.
He said can you see the whites of their headlights
Are they coming yet
Benny was watching out for someone or something, and asked if Billy saw anything suspicious.
This high off the ground
Standing on the bridge, Billy and Benny felt physically elevated and separated from the world below.
Who needs information
When you're living in constant fear
When you are afraid most of the time, information is not a priority.
Just give me confirmation
There's some way out of here
Even though Billy is scared, he seeks reassurance that there is a way to escape their situation.
Benny hefted a breeze block
And tried to let go
Got hung up on a tear drop
So me and Benny went home
Benny picked up a concrete block and thought about throwing it, but changed his mind and looked upset instead. Billy and Benny went back to their own homes at the end of their night out.
When you're living on borrowed time
Billy feels like he is running out of time, or may not have long to live.
There will be a winner this time
Billy is optimistic about having another opportunity to win financial rewards.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROGER WATERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
websurfer
🎵I need information
But the rock stars are all dead
They've shut their traps, put on their masks
allow evil to go ahead
I need information
'Bout how they're working underground
Where are all the rebels?
They're nowhere to be found
Nowhere, nowhere,
nowhere to be found
nowhere to be found
I need information
Were you ever for humanity?
Or do they have you compromised?
It seems that this must be
I need information
Aren't you afraid to die?
How can you stay so silent
When all they do is lie?🎶
The Bishop
I saw this tour, too. Did a hit of blotter before the show. Roger's bass notes vibrated my whole seat --- it was fantastic!
Steve-O
Like ya style Bishop (•‿•)
hipgnosisninetythree
I also saw it it was mind-blowing and the versions of the Pink Floyd songs were just next level
Flyover Dispatches
I actually did a hit of black windowpane.. the people in the row in front of me were smoking a joking with PCP in it…. When they did “the gunners dream” everyone within 100 feet of me was sobbing like their mom died…. I remember the end of the show when the house lights came up, and I was still clutching those armrests like my life depended on it. Not a concert… it was a “multimedia extravaganza”.
themjfoote
Roger Waters has been a Gift to us over the years,, and we do get too much information ! love his works, and yes underrated
RuataF17 Ralte
Now we get the information
Karl Straughan
Such a bloody great song.
Peter Henel
Just now I found up this Roger's album and I can say it's fantastic. Mainly Who needs information together with Me or him are brilliant and magic. I can't stop to listen it to again and again. ...and so long time it exists.
Jñananinja
Hope you find his other solo works and get addicted to them as well. Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking is simply a masterwork.
Julian Alderson
Old but really good thoze songs. Yer' thanx rodger