The Wall
Released January 23, 1977

Thematically, this album concentrates on individuality vs. conformity and autonomy vs. authority; Waters' choice of words fit perfectly and are quite understandable, in contrast to his previously equivocal lyrics. The Wall is one of Floyd's best albums.

Album Songs
(right-click on song and choose 'save target/link as' to download MP3):

"In The Flesh?"
"The Thin Ice"
"Another Brick in the Wall, Part I"
"The Happiest Days of Our Lives"
"Another Brick in the Wall, Part II"
"Mother"
"Goodbye Blue Sky"
"Empty Spaces"
"Young Lust"
"One of My Turns"
"Don't Leave Me Now"
"Another Brick in the Wall, Part III"
"Goodbye Cruel World"

"Hey You"
"Is There Anybody Out There?"
"Nobody Home"
"Vera"
"Bring the Boys Back Home"
"Comfortably Numb"
"The Show Must Go On"
"In the Flesh"
"Run Like Hell"
"Waiting for the Worms"
"Stop"
"The Trial"
"Outside the Wall"

Credits

Written By Roger Waters
Except
Young Lust : Waters / Gilmour
Comfortably Numb : Gilmour / Waters
Run Like Hell : Gilmour / Waters
The Trial : Waters / Ezrin

Produced by : Bob Ezrin, David Gilmour, Roger Waters
Co-Produced and Engineered by : James Guthrie
Other Engineers : Nick Griffiths, Patrice Quef, Brian Christian, John McClure, and Rick Hart
Sound Equipment : Phil Taylor

Orchestra Arranged by : Michael Kamen and Bob Ezrin
Backing Vocals : Bruce Johnston, Toni Yennile, Joe Chemay, John Joyce, Stan Farber, Jim Haas, and Islington Green School

Sleeve Design : Gerald Scarfe and Roger Waters

Recorded at : Superbear (France), Miravel, Producers Workshop (Los Angeles), CBS (New York) between April and November 1979

Lyrics

Disc 1

In The Flesh?

"...we came in?"
So you thought you might like to
Go to the show
To feel the warm thrill of confusion
That space cadet glow
Tell me is something eluding you, Sunshine?
Is this not what you expected to see?
If you wanna find out what's behind these cold eyes
You'll just have to claw your way through this disguise
[Pink:] "Lights!"
"Turn on the Sound Effects"
"Action"
"Drop It. Drop It On 'Em"
"Drop it On Them!"

The Thin Ice

Momma loves her baby
And Daddy loves you too
And the sea may look warm to ya, Babe
And the sky may look blue
Oooooo Babe
Oooooooo Baby Blue
Oooooo Oooooo Babe

If you should go skating
On the thin ice of modern life
Dragging behind you the silent reproach
Of a million tear-stained eyes
Don't be surprised when a crack in the ice
Appears under your feet
You slip out of your depth and out of your mind
With your fear flowing out behind you
As you claw the thin ice

Another Brick In The Wall, Part I

Daddy's flown across the ocean
Leaving just a memory
A snapshot in the family album
Daddy, what else did you leave for me?
Daddy, whatcha leave behind for me?
All in all it was just a brick in the wall
All in all it was all just bricks in the wall

"One, two, three, (whistle), hey"
[Teacher:] "You! Yes, you! Stand still laddy!"

Happiest Days of Our Lives

When we grew up and went to school
There were certain teachers
Who would hurt the children any way they could
"Ooof" (someone being hit)
By pouring their derision
Upon anything we did
Exposing every weakness
However carefully hidden by the kids
(mananical laughter)

But in the town it was well known
When they got home at night
Their fat and psychopathic wives would thrash them
Within inches of their lives

Another Brick In The Wall, Part II

We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teacher, leave them kids alone
Hey, Teacher, leave them kids alone
All in all it's just another brick in the wall
All in all you're just another brick in the wall

We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers, leave them kids alone
Hey, Teacher, leave us kids alone
All in all you're just another brick in the wall
All in all you're just another brick in the wall

(all repeating)
[Teacher:] "Wrong, Do it again."
"If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding.
How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?"
"You! Yes, you behind the bike sheds, stand still laddy!"

Mother

Mother, do you think they'll drop the bomb?
Mother, do you think they'll like this song?
Mother, do you think they'll try to break my balls?
Mother, should I build the wall?
Mother, should I run for President?
Mother, should I trust the government?
Mother, will they put me in the firing line?
Is it just a waste of time?

Hush now baby, baby, don't you cry
Momma's gonna make all of your nightmares come true
Momma's gonna put all of her fears into you
Momma's gonna keep you right here under her wing
She won't let you fly, but she might let you sing
Momma's will keep Baby cozy and warm
Oooo Babe
Oooo Babe
Ooo Babe, of course Momma's gonna help build the wall

Mother, do you think she's good enough
For me?
Mother, do you think she's dangerous
To me?
Mother will she tear your little boy apart?
Mother, will she break my heart?

Hush now baby, baby, don't you cry
Momma's gonna check out all your girlfriends for you
Momma won't let anyone dirty get through
Momma's gonna wait up until you get in
Momma will always find out where you've been
Momma's gonna keep Baby healthy and clean
Oooo Babe
Oooo Babe
Ooo Babe, you'll always be Baby to me

Mother, did it need to be so high?

Goobye Blue Sky

[Child:] "Look, Mummy. There's an aeroplane up in the sky."
Did, did, did, did you see the frightened ones?
Did, did, did, did you hear the falling bombs?
Did, did, did, did you ever wonder why we had to run for shelter
When the promise of a brave new world
Unfurled beneath a clear blue sky?

Did, did, did, did you see the frightened ones?
Did, did, did, did you hear the falling bombs?
The flames are all long gone
But the pain lingers on

Did, did, did, did you see the frightened ones?
Did, did, did, did you hear the falling bombs?
Did, did, did, did you ever wonder why we had to run for shelter
When the promise of a brave new world
Unfurled beneath a clear blue sky?

Goodbye, blue sky
Goodbye, blue sky
Goodbye
Goodbye
"The 11:15 from Newcastle is now approaching"
"The 11:18 arrival..."

Empty Spaces

[Backwards message:] "Congratulations, You have just discovered the secret message. Please send your answer to 'Old Pink,' Care of the funny farm, Chalfont..." - Roger Waters
"Roger, Caroline's on the phone..." - Unknown Voice
What shall we use
To fill the empty spaces
Where we used to talk?
How should I fill
The final places?
How should I complete the wall?

Young Lust

I am just a new boy
Stranger in this town
Where are all the good times?
Who's gonna show this stranger around?

Ooooo I need a dirty woman
Ooooo I need a dirty girl

Will some woman in this desert land
Make me feel like a real man?
Take this rock n roll refugee
Ooo Babe, set me free

Ooooo I need a dirty woman
Ooooo I need a dirty girl

Ooooo I need a dirty woman
Ooooo I need a dirty girl

(Phone Ringing)
[Man:] "Hello?"
[Operator:] "Yes, a collect call for Mrs. Floyd from Mr. Floyd.
Will you accept the charges from the United States"
(Phone is Hung Up)
"He hung up. Is this your residence, sir?"
"I wonder why he hung up..."
"There must be someone else there
besides your wife to answer."
(Phone Ringing)
[Man:] "Hello?"
[Operator:] "This is the United States calling."
"Are we reaching?"
(Phone is Hung Up)
"See he keeps hanging up."
"But it's a man answering."
(Operator cuts connection)

One Of My Turns

[Groupie:] "Oh my God, what a fabulous room!
"Are all these your guitars?"
[Film in background:] "I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean to startle you!"
[Groupie:] "God, this place is bigger than our apartment."
"Uh, could I get a drink of water?"
[Film:] "Let me know when you are entering a room" Yes sir!"
[Groupie:] "Ya want some? Huh?"
[Film:] "Yes"
[Groupie:] "Oh wow! Look at this tub!"
"You wanna take a bath?"
[Film:] "I'll have to find out from Mrs. Bancroft what time she wants to meet us, for here main..."
[Groupie:] "What're you watching?"
[Film:] "If you'll just let me know as soon as you can....Mrs. Bancroft. Mrs. Bancroft..."
[Groupie:] "Hello?"
[Film:] "I don't understand..."
[Groupie:] "Are you feeling ok?"

Day after day
Love turns gray
Like the skin on the dying man
And night after night
We pretend it's all right
But I have grown older
And you have grown colder
And nothing is very much fun, anymore
And I can feel
One of all my turns coming on
I feel
Cold as a razor blade
Tight as a tourniquet
Dry as a funeral drum

Run to the bedroom
In the suitcase on the left
You'll find my favorite axe
Don't look so frightened
This is just a passing phase
One of my bad days
Would you like to watch TV?
Or get between the sheets?
Or contemplate the silent freeway?
Would you like something to eat?
Would you like to learn to fly?
Would ya?
Would you like to see me try?
Ohh, No...

Would you like to call the cops?
Do you think it's time I stopped?
Why are you running away?

Don't Leave Me Now

Ooooo Babe
Don't leave me now
Don't say it's the end of the road
Remember the flowers I sent
I need you, Babe
To put through the shredder in front of my friends
Oh Babe
Don't leave me now
How could you go?
When you know how I need you
To beat to a pulp on a Saturday night
Oh Babe
Don't leave me now
How can you treat me this way?
Running away
Oooo Babe
Why are you running away?

[Sound of many TVs coming on, all on different channels)
"The Bulls are already out there..."
"....(many more)..."
[Pink:] "Aaaarrrrggghhh!!"

Another Brick in the Wall, Part III

(Sound of many TVs Being Smashed) I don't need no arms around me
And I don't need no drugs to calm me
I have seen the writing on the wall
Don't think I need anything at all
No. Don't think I need anything at all
All in all it was all just bricks in the wall
All in all you were all just bricks in the wall

Goodbye Cruel World

Goodbye, cruel world
I'm leaving you today
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

Goodbye, all you people
There's nothing you can say
To make me change my mind
Goodbye

Disc 2

Hey You

Hey you
Out there in the cold
Getting lonely, getting old
Can you feel me?
Hey you
Standing in the aisles
With itchy feet and fading smiles
Can you feel me?
Hey you
Don't help them to bury the light
Don't give in without a fight

Hey you
Out there on your own
Sitting naked by the phone
Would you touch me?
Hey you
With your ear against the wall
Waiting for someone to call out
Would you touch me?
Hey you
Would you help me to carry the stone?
Open your heart, I'm coming home

But it was only fantasy
The wall was too high, as you can see
No matter how he tried he could not break free
And the worms ate into his brain

Hey you
Out there on the road
Always doing what you're told
Can you help me?
Hey you
Out there beyond the wall
Breaking bottles in the hall
Can you help me?
Hey you
Don't tell me there's no hope at all
Together we stand, divided we fall

Is There Anybody Out There?

(TV) [Man1:] "Well, only about an hour of daylight left."
"Better get started."
[Woman:] "Is it unsafe to travel at night?"
[Man1:] "It'll be a lot less safe to stay here."
"Your father's gonna pick up our trail before long."
[Woman:] "Can Loca ride?"
[Man2:] "Yeah, I can ride...."
[Man1:]"Margaret, time to go!"
"??Ingred??, thank you for everthing."
"Let's go."
[Woman:] "Goodbye, Chenga"
[Man3:] "Goodbye, miss..."

Is there anybody out there?
Is there anybody out there?
Is there anybody out there?
Is there anybody out there?

[Man1:] "Alright, I'll take care of them part of the time,
but the somebody else that needs
taking care of in Washington."
[Man2:] "Who's that?"
[Man1:] "Rose Pilchitt"
[Man2:] "Rose Pilchitt, who's that?"

---

Nobody Home

(child screams in background --- "Shut Up!")
[Man1:] "36-24-36. Does that answer your question?"
[Man Screaming:] "Oi! I've got a little black book with my poems in!"
[Man2:] "Who iss she?"
[Man1:] "She was 'Miss Armoured Division' in 1961...."

Got a little black book with my poems in
Got a bag, got a toothbrush, and a comb
When I'm a good dog they sometimes throw me a bone
I got elastic bands keeping my shoes on
Got those swollen hands blues
I got thirteen channels of shit on the TV to choose from
I got electric light
And I got second sight
I got amazing powers of observation
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
Ooooo Babe
When I pick up the phone
[Gomer Pyle:] "Surprise, surprise, surprise...."
There's still nobody home

I got a pair of Gohill's boots
And I got fading roots

(TV)
"Where the hell are you?"
"Over 47 German planes were destroyed with the loss of only 15 of our own aircraft"
"Where the hell are you Simon?"
(Machine gun sound followed by a plane crashing)

Vera

Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?
Remember how that she said
That we would meet again
Some sunny day

Vera!
Vera!
What has become of you?
Does anybody else in here
Feel the way I do?

Bring the Boys Back Home

Bring the boys back home
Bring the boys back home
Don't leave the children on their own, no, no
Bring the boys back home

(repeating)
"Wrong, do it again!"
"But it's a man answering, but he keeps hanging up."
"(Knock, knock, knock) Time to go!"
"Are you felling Okay?"

Is there anybody out there?

Comfortably Numb

Hello
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone at home?
Come on, now
I hear you're feeling down
Well, I can ease your pain
Get you on your feet again
Relax
I need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?

There is no pain, you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're sayin'
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain, you would not understand
This is not how I am
I have become comfortably numb
I have become comfortably numb

Ok
Just a little pinprick
There'll be no more --Aaaaaahhhhh!
But you may feel a little sick
Can you stand up?
I do believe it's working, Good
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on it's time to go

There is no pain, you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're sayin'
When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown, the dream is gone
I have become comfortably numb

The Show Must Go On

Oooh, Ma, Oooh, Pa
Must the show go on?
Ooooh, Pa. Take me home
Ooooh, Ma. Let me go

There must be some mistake
I didn't mean to let them
Take away my soul
How much you want?
Is it too late?

Oooh, Ma, Oooh, Pa
Where has the feeling gone?
Oooh, Ma, Oooh, Pa
Will I remember the songs?
The show must go on

In The Flesh

"Fagot...."
So ya thought ya
Might like to go to the show
To feel the warm thrill of confusion
That space cadet glow
I got some bad news for you, Sunshine
Pink isn't well
He stayed back at the hotel
And they sent us along as a surrogate band
We're gonna find out where you fans really stand
Are there any queers in the theatre tonight?
Get 'em up against the wall
Now there's one in the spotlight
He don't look right to me
Get him up against the wall
And that one looks Jewish
And that one's a coon
Who let all this riffraff into the room?
There's one smoking a joint
And another with spots
If I had my way
I'd have all of ya shot

Run Like Hell

"Pink Floyd, Pink Floyd, Pink Floyd, ...."
Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run
Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run
You better make your face up
With your favorite disguise
With your button-down lips
And your roller blind eyes
With your empty smile
And your hungry heart
Feel the bile rising
From your guilty past
With your nerves in tatters
As the cockleshell shatters
And the hammers batter
Down your door
You better run

Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run
Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run, Run
You better run all day
And run all night
And keep your dirty feelings deep inside
And if you're taking your girlfriend out tonight
You better park the car well out of sight
'Cause if they catch you in the back seat
Trying to pick her locks
They're gonna send you back to Mother
In a cardboard box
You better run

"Hey, open up! HaHaHaHaHaHaaaaaaa!"
(Sound of car skidding, followed by loud scream)
"Pink Floyd, Pink Floyd, Hammer, Hammer, ...."

---

Waiting For The Worms

"Hammer, Hammer, Hammer,...."
[Pink:] "Einse, svei, drei, alle!"

Oooo, You cannot reach me now
Oooo, No matter how you try
Goodbye cruel world, it's over
Walk on by

Sitting in a bunker
Here behind my wall
Waiting for the worms to come
In perfect isolation
Here behind my wall
Waiting for the worms to come

[Man using megaphone:] "We're waiting to succeed and going to convene outside Brixton Town Hall where we're going to be...."
Waiting, to cut out the deadwood
Waiting, to clean up the city
Waiting, to follow the worms
Waiting, to put on a black shirt
Waiting, to weed out the weaklings
Waiting, to smash in their windows
And kick in their doors
Waiting, for the final solution to strengthen the strain
Waiting, to follow the worms
Waiting, to turn on the showers and fire the ovens
Waiting, for the queers and the coons
And the Reds and the Jews
Waiting, to follow the worms

Would you like to see Britannia
Rule again, my friend?
All you have to do is follow the worms
Would you like to send our colored cousins
Home again, my friend?
All you need to do is follow the worms

[Man with Megaphone:] "The worms will convene outside Brixton Bus Station. We'll be moving along at about 12 o'clock down Stockwell Road .... Abbot's Road .... twelve minutes to three we'll be moving along Lambeth Road towards Vauxhall Bridge. Now when we get to the other side of Vauxhall Bridge we're in Westminster Borough area. It's quite possible we may encounter some Jew boys ... by the way we go...."
"Hammer, Hammer, Hammer, ..."

Stop

STOP
I wanna go home
Take off this uniform and leave the show
But I'm waiting in this cell because I have to know
Have I been guilty all this time?

The Trial

Good morning, Worm, your honor
The Crown will plainly show
The prisoner who now stands before you
Was caught red-handed showing feelings
Showing feelings of an almost human nature
This will not do

Call the schoolmaster

I always said he'd come to no good
In the end, your Honor
If they'd let me have my way
I could have flayed him into shape
But my hands were tied
The bleeding hearts and artists
Let him get away with murder
Let me hammer him today

Crazy
Toys in the attic, I am crazy
Truly gone fishing
They must have taken my marbles away
Crazy
Toys in the attic, he is crazy

You little shit, you're in it now
I hope they throw away the key
You should've talked to me more often than you did
But no! You had to go your own way
Have you broken any homes up lately?
Just five minutes, Worm, your Honor
Him, me alone

Baaaaaabe
Come to Mother, baby
Let me hold you in my arms
M'Lord, I never wanted him to get in any trouble
Why'd he ever have to leave me?
Worm, your Honor, let me take him home

Crazy
Over the rainbow, I am crazy
Bars in the window
There must have been a door there in the wall
When I came in
Crazy
Over the rainbow, he is crazy

The evidence before the court is incontravertible
There's no need for the jury to retire
In all my years of judging I have never heard before
Of someone more deserving of the full penalty of the law
The way you made him suffer
Your exquisite wife and mother
Fills me with the urge to deficate
"Go on Judge, Shit on him!"
Since, my friend
You have revealed your deepest fear
I sentence you to be exposed before your peers
Tear down the wall
"Tear down the wall, Tear down the wall, ..."

Outside the Wall

All alone, or in two's
The one's who really love you
Walk up and down outside the wall
Some hand in hand
And some gathered together in bands
The bleeding hearts and the artists
Make their stand
And when they've given you their all
Some stagger and fall, after all it's not easy
Banging your heart against some mad bugger's wall

"Isn't this where..."

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