In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
(Yes, and disciplinary remains mercifully)
(Yes, and um, I'm with you Derek, this star nonsense)
(Yes, yes)
(Now, which is it?)
(I am sure of it)
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?
Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
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
(Yes, and um, I'm with you Derek, this star nonsense)
(Yes, yes)
(Now, which is it?)
(I am sure of it)
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?
Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
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
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae, edited by kehlankr, galaxiaad, bwheeler78, sharkycharming, JohnEightThirtyTwo, GrimTone, robodok, dimaqq, afloyd674, nasses321
Wish You Were Here Lyrics as written by Roger Waters David Gilmour
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Killer interpetation WWYH,.. but If I am not mistaken,...
(Which I could be, I recall reading it on wikipedia) but I believe the band knew Gilmour before they had even formed, and I am half tempted to say that he was a high school friend of either, Barret or Waters... But like I said, I am not exactly positive on that....
This song is a classic, it's one of those songs that has such a wide spread appeal that can transcend time and generations but at the same time carries such a unique and original sound, that almost anyone instantly knows who it is,...
and the coolest thing about it, is that it's such a simple song, there is absolutely nothing revolutionary or groundbreaking about it, it has a simple riff that a child could have come up with ( I say that in as POSITIVE of a way as possible) and the lead part is pretty simple too,
I'm not trying to take away from the majesty and downright awesomeness of this song, I am just trying to point out it's strong-point, the lyrics... and Gilmour's vocals soar, with the same simple quality that the rest of the song posseses....
The fact of the matter is that the reason this song is so beautiful is because of the sincerity, the expression through every note, through every drumbeat and word, you can feel the song, it just connects,
I really need to start listening to Floyd more often, I mean I love them, but they have a lot of stuff,..
Somethings, you just can not explain, the masterpiece that this song is can not be explained... it is too powerful...