I do believe it’s working, good/
That’ll keep you going through the show/
Come on it’s time to go.
The narrator in Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” recalls an experience before a show when he was feeling sick- sick like he hadn’t felt since he was a child. He hears a knock at the door and it is either a doctor or perhaps a drug dealer. The narrator lists off his symptoms and the doctor says that there is no problem, we can fix this, but there may be a little prick and it may make you feel a little sick.
After administering the drugs, the doctor helps the narrator up and tells him it seems to be working, and that should help get him through the show. He seems to describe a sedative that perhaps takes away the anxiety and allows him to feel “comfortably numb”.
The sound of the song is very dream-like, and that works well for “Comfortably Numb”: a song about getting drugged. It is also a sweet title. I think this has a strong lead guitar solo, and I am usually indifferent to them. I feel “Comfortably Numb” is Pink Floyd’s at their best.
Comfortably Numb Lyrics
Hello? Hello? 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’ll 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 smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re saying
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
Okay
Just a little pinprick
There’ll be no more, ah
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, smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re saying
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
Songwriters: David Jon Gilmour / Roger Waters