Poles Apart Lyrics
And did you see it was all going to be so right for me
Why did we tell you then
You were always the golden boy then
And that you¹d never lose that light in your eyes
And did you see that it wasn't only me you were running from
Did you know all the time but it never bothered you anyway
Leading the blind while I stared out the steel in your eyes
I thought of you and the years and all the sadness fell away from me
And did you know...
I've heard that the first verse is about Syd but I don't see it. The entire song seems to be about Waters and his narcissistic vision of himself. Starting off with the legal struggles for the name of Pink Floyd. Waters and his camp felt HE was Pink Floyd. But the court said otherwise. The verse starting out with "hey you" is clear to me he is talking about Waters. Again, it seems clear throughout the rest of the song Gilmore is lamenting the loss of a stubborn bandmate that can't get over himself to put the past behind him and reconcile with the remaining band members.
@Jpay Come on – David Gilmour has a full life, surrounded by loved ones and lots of musicians. Why does everybody always think that he is hung up on Roger Waters or consumed with thinking about Syd? I see the song as a story of a love relationship where the partner turned away, and the writer was hurt and saddened, thinking that the loved one would always be as she was in the beginning – with the light in her eyes. Writers don’t always write about their own experiences. It could be a broad, fictional story that applies to many...
@Jpay Come on – David Gilmour has a full life, surrounded by loved ones and lots of musicians. Why does everybody always think that he is hung up on Roger Waters or consumed with thinking about Syd? I see the song as a story of a love relationship where the partner turned away, and the writer was hurt and saddened, thinking that the loved one would always be as she was in the beginning – with the light in her eyes. Writers don’t always write about their own experiences. It could be a broad, fictional story that applies to many (myself included).
In the first stanza I believe David creates a paradox betwen the two Rogers, Waters and Roger (Sid) Barrett. Sid being carefree and aloof and Roger being focused, egotistical.
"And did you see it was all going to be so right for me" again paradox speak. David taking Sids spot now taking Rogers spot as the bands leader.
The Golden Boy reference fits Sid in a pleasent way and Roger in a demeaning way. Loosing the light Sids (spark) and Rogers light (fight) for ownership.
Hey you... did you ever realise what you'd become (Sid drug addiict) (Roger Egomaniac) Neither realized it.
Final note. The carnival music? I'm sure we've all heard the term, "Media Circus" which I think this most private matter had become.
My thoughts... Please reply I'd love to know your thoughts on this and more. Matt
And did you see that it wasn't only me you were running from (Sid from Stardom) (Roger from the other group members)
Did you know all the time but it never bothered you anyway (Sid brain damaged) (Roger blind rage)
The rain fell slow, down on all the roofs of uncertainty (Outcome of the legal battle)
I thought of you and the years and all the sadness fell away from me (The legal battle was finally over David was happy that monitary issues would be rightly paid to those parties involved.
And did you know...
I never thought that you'd lose that light in your eyes
(Figured Roger would never give up the fight for the name Pink Floyd) (Again reflecting back at Sid)
Acoording to Polly Samson who helped write the lyrics, the first part of the song is about Syd Barret and the second part is about Roger Waters
I think most of the songs on "The Division Bell" are specifically about the band or can at least be easily applied to the band.
I agree. Losing the light in his eyes is a cross reference to Shine On You Crazy Diamond which is also about Syd. "Now there's a look in your eyes/ Like black holes in the sky"
I read that a few songs on the Division Bell refer to Waters.
I read that a few songs on the Division Bell refer to Waters.
I think, like some of you, that this references both Barret and Waters, and how different they were in both their running of the band and their personality. The first stanza seems to be about Barret, and the econd seems to be about Waters. What gets me is the third stanza. It's pure poetry; I only wish I knew who the "you" was. I think it's targeted for both Barrett <i>and</i> Waters. Both "And that you'd never lose that light in your eyes" and "Leading the blind while I stared out the steel in your eyes" show how they lost that lust that propelled the band... which led to the las tline "I never thought that you'd lose that light in your eyes."
I'm open for suggestions. I think I have the first stanza figured out, but the second and third stanzas are confusing me right now. Any ideas?
I just put in my two cents about the entire song being a paradox (duality) of the two Rogers... Seems to fit.
I just put in my two cents about the entire song being a paradox (duality) of the two Rogers... Seems to fit.
the first verse is definitely referring to syd coz i don't think gilmour would ever call waters 'golden boy'. besides, syd was the golden boy of the band as he kinda started it and was the creative genius behind it in the beginning and later he was the source of inspiration.
as for the second verse, i'm not too sure if it refers to waters or not. i dunno whether he means that waters is leading the blind because, that doesn't make sense. when he was in the band, they were at the peak of their success. i dunno, i'm totally conused after the 1st verse.
the last part might mean that gilmour is totally uncertain abt his feelings becoz well... after waters left the band they did get the freedom but it was never the same again. he's not sure if it was good or not. but he does acknowledge that the best times was when waters was there.
any suggestions, anyone??
The album, and this song, deal with communication, or lack there of. The first part is about Syd and the second deals with Waters. Great song.