1970s songs, drugs

#318 Comfortably Numb- Pink Floyd

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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.

Comfortably Numb Meaning
Pink Floyd

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

2000s songs, breakup songs

#317 Apologize- Timbaland/ One Republic

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I loved you with a fire red,
Now it’s turnin’ blue.

The relationship in “Apologize” has run its course. From the man’s perspective, he has been hanging by a thread, walking on eggshells around her. Where he once felt he couldn’t breathe if he didn’t have her, his patience has worn thin of her antics. What antics? We don’t know. So, she is very surprised when he breaks up with her. He tells her there is no need to apologize anymore, we’re done. He sounds happy.

Apologize Meaning
Timbaland

“Apologize is well-produced by Timbaland. It has the right combination of electronic effects and real instruments. The piano and strings help balance the effects and drum loops. The vocal helps sell this as a traditional pop song. We can hear that the lead singer is fed up, and his emotion carries the song. The beat is strong as well. This might be one of the more “hip” songs on this list.

Apologize Meaning
One Republic

Apologize Lyrics

I’m holding on your rope
Got me ten feet off the ground
And I’m hearing what you say, but I just can’t make a sound
You tell me that you need me
Then you go and cut me down, but wait
You tell me that you’re sorry
Didn’t think I’d turn around, and say

That it’s too late to apologize, it’s too late
I said it’s too late to apologize, it’s too late

I’d take another chance, take a fall
Take a shot for you
And I need you like a heart needs a beat
But it’s nothing new, yeah, yeah
I loved you with a fire red
Now it’s turning blue, and you say
Sorry like the angel heaven let me think was you
But I’m afraid

It’s too late to apologize, it’s too late
I said it’s too late to apologize, it’s too late, whoa
It’s too late to apologize, it’s too late
I said it’s too late to apologize, it’s too late
I said it’s too late to apologize, yeah
I said it’s too late to apologize, yeah
I’m holding on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground

Songwriters: Ryan Tedder

1960s songs, cheating

#316 Nothing in This World- The Kinks

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Met a girl, fell in love, glad as I can be
But I think all the time, is she true to me?

The Kinks’ “Nothing in This World” is another song about a guy who got screwed over by a girl. He was so happy and now he finds out she is two-timing. Why can’t she just be true to him. The song is kind of a revelation of sorts. It feels like the narrator is coming to terms with the truth that his woman is really a cheater and is telling us how he feels. His pride is hurt, he doesn’t understand what he did wrong when he would have done anything for that girl.

Nothing in this World Meaning
The Kinks

“Nothing in this World” is a bit of a departure from the usual Kinks fare. It is slightly more light- rock than the heavy rock they are best known for. This shows them off as a versatile band. It is also a bit more musically diverse than the electric guitars. Here we have a bass that contributes a lot to the melody. We still have the electric guitar, just as an accompanying instrument in this song.

Lyrics Nothing in the World
Met a girl, fell in love
Glad as I can be
Met a girl, fell in love
Glad as I can be
But I think all the time
Is she true to me?

‘Cause there’s nothin’ in this world
To stop me worryin’ ’bout that girl

I found out I was wrong
She was just two timin’
I found out I was wrong
She just kept on lyin’
Now she tries to tell the truth
And I just can’t believe

‘Cause there’s nothin’ in this world
To stop me worryin’ ’bout that girl

Tell me who can I turn to
Just who can I believe?
Tried to put her out of my mind
She’ll only cause me grief
But I love that girl, whatever she’s done
You know, it hurts me deeply

‘Cause there’s nothin’ in this world
To stop me worryin’ ’bout that girl

I know, she’s been with other fellas
Why she keep on lyin’?
It hurts me so when she says nothin’
I really feel like dyin’
I ache inside until I think
I know, it’s just my pride

‘Cause there’s nothin’ in this world
To stop me worryin’ ’bout that girl
‘Cause there’s nothin’ in this world
To stop me worryin’ ’bout that girl

written by Ray Davies