This song is widely believed to be the band’s (and particularly David Gilmour’s) final parting shot at former frontman Roger Waters, who left the band in 1985 after a falling-out with Gilmour. In particular, the song’s final verse was purportedly a response to Waters' brusque rejection of his invita...
[Verse 1]
I was spending my time in the doldrums
I was caught in a cauldron of hate
I felt persecuted and paralysed
I thought that everything else would just wait
While you are wasting your time on your enemies
Engulfed in a fever of spite
Beyond your tunnel vision reality fades
Like shadows into the night
To martyr yourself to caution
Is not gonna help at all
‘Cause there’ll be no safety in numbers
When the right one walks out of the door
[Interlude]
"Ladies and gentlemen!
The winner
By a knockout"
[Verse 2]
Can you see your days blighted by darkness?
Is it true you beat your fists on the floor?
Stuck in a world of isolation
While the ivy grows over the door
So I open my door to my enemies
And I ask "Could we wipe the slate clean?"
But they tell me to please go fuck myself
You know you just can’t win
[Outro]
Lost for Words was written by Polly Samson & David Gilmour.
Lost for Words was produced by Bob Ezrin & David Gilmour.
Pink Floyd released Lost for Words on Mon Mar 28 1994.