Wish You Were Here
Sparklehorse Lyrics


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So, so you think you can tell heaven from hell
Blue skies from pain
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail
A smile from a veil

Do you think you can tell
And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts
Hot ashes for trees
Hot air for a cool breeze
Cold comfort for change

And did you exchange a walk-on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage
How I wish, how I wish you were here
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl

Year after year
Running over the same old ground
What have we found




The same old fears
Wish you were here

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Sparklehorse's rendition of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here are quite poignant, and can be interpreted as a commentary on the struggles of modern society. The opening lines question whether one can distinguish between heaven and hell or between joy and pain. The following lines suggest that even more basic distinctions have become muddled or lost, like telling the difference between a natural green field and a cold metal rail, or between a genuine smile and a deceptive veil. This poses the idea that things are not as clear-cut as they once were, that the lines between good and bad have been blurred by societal norms, and that we are left with a sense of confusion and emotional detachment.


The second verse seems to address the idea of trading one's self for the false promises of society. The use of the term "heroes" could refer to ideals or values that one holds dear and could have once fought for. It then states that one has had to give up those "heroes" in exchange for "ghosts", or empty representations that only appear to be fulfilling. The last few lines of this verse further reinforce this idea of false exchange and the cost of change, suggesting that the exchange may have left the individual trapped with little choice, like a "lead role in a cage".


Overall, the song is a wistful and mournful tribute to the struggles of modern humanity, particularly the sacrifices made in the pursuit of society's ideals. It is a reminder that amidst all the hustle and bustle of life, it is the simple joys of being with loved ones that matter the most.


Line by Line Meaning

So, so you think you can tell heaven from hell
Are you confident in distinguishing between good and bad?


Blue skies from pain
Can you tell the difference between happiness and sadness?


Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail
Can you discern between something natural and something man-made?


A smile from a veil
Can you see through someone's pretense?


Do you think you can tell
Are you sure you're able to distinguish these things?


And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts
Were you convinced to abandon your role models for something insubstantial?


Hot ashes for trees
Did you give up something valuable for something meaningless?


Hot air for a cool breeze
Did you settle for something mediocre instead of something refreshing and invigorating?


Cold comfort for change
Did you choose safe and familiar over challenging and transformative?


And did you exchange a walk-on part in the war
Did you give up a small and insignificant part in a larger struggle?


For a lead role in a cage
In exchange for a more visible position, did you give up your freedom?


How I wish, how I wish you were here
I really miss you and wish you were with me.


We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl
We feel directionless and trapped, like we're confined in a small space.


Year after year
This feeling has persisted for a long time.


Running over the same old ground
We seem unable to break free from our routine and are stuck in a monotonous cycle.


What have we found
Despite all this repetition, we still haven't discovered anything new or significant.


The same old fears
Our anxieties and concerns remain unchanged.


Wish you were here
Once again, I really miss you and wish you were here with me.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: David Gilmour, Roger Waters

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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