[ConstitutionalConservative]

"His dad was killed in WWII was he not? "


Yes, his dad was killed in WWII. I think he was actually listed as missing. If ya notice a lot of his lyrics deals with not having a father around. He seems very bitter about it. It is mentioned several times in "The Wall" and "The Final Cut". Also in the song "When the Tigers Broke Free" That song is about a WWII battle, the last line says "thats how they took me daddy from me"
I have heard that the line in "Wish You Were Here" thatt says "did you exchange your walk on part in a war for a lead role in a cage" is about his dad too. The theme seems to be a major topic for his lyrics.


P.S.
On the "Final Cut" the song "Fletcher Memorial Home" is named for his dad Eric Fletcher Waters 1918-1944

[wardaddy]

Thanks for the info....that probably has contributed to both his creativity, thirst for validation and the subsequent alienation from his bandmates/chums.

[Aquinasfan]

If ya notice a lot of his lyrics deals with not having a father around. He seems very bitter about it. It is mentioned several times in "The Wall" and "The Final Cut"...

Listen to "The Gunner's Dream" with that understanding and you can't help but be moved. It's a tremendous song. As Americans, we don't fully understand the effect of having a war fought on our own soil. Both of my parents were caught up in WWII, being English and Polish, and the war stayed with them their entire lives. My father used to watch "World at War" seemingly every weekend. Half of his family was wiped out in the war. Also, having lost my dad when I was in my early 20's, I can empathize with Waters' sense of loss. His sadness is real, and not posturing.

I have heard that the line in "Wish You Were Here" that says "did you exchange your walk on part in a war for a lead role in a cage" is about his dad too. The theme seems to be a major topic for his lyrics.

That's my favorite line in any rock song. I didn't know where it came from, though. Thanks.

P.S. On the "Final Cut" the song "Fletcher Memorial Home" is named for his dad Eric Fletcher Waters 1918-1944

Another great, heartfelt song from the album. The politics are wrong, but the sentiment is understandable.