"Comfortably Numb" is a song on English rock band Pink Floyd's eleventh album, The Wall (1979). It was released as a single in 1980, with "Hey You" as the B-side. The music was composed by guitarist David Gilmour, and the lyrics were written by bassist Roger Waters.
Many people assumed the song was about drugs, but Waters insists it isn't. The lyrics are about how he felt when he was a child and had a fever. He had that feeling again as an adult, sometimes approaching a state of delirium in which he felt alienated from reality. The words "When I was a child, I had a fever/My hands felt just like two balloons" were personal. "I recall having the flu or something, an infection with a temperature of 105 degrees and being delirious," he explained. The hands didn't appear to be balloons, but they did appear to be far too large and frightening. A lot of people think those lines refer to masturbation. God knows why."
Lyrics
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 I have become comfortably numb O.K. Just a little pin prick There'll be no more aaaaaaaah! 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
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