From morning to night I stayed out of sight
Didn't recognize I'd become
No more than alive, I'd barely survive
In a word, overrun

Won't hear a sound (he's curled into the corner)
From my mouth (but still the screen is flickering)
I've spent too long (with an endless stream of garbage to)
On the inside out (curse the place)
My skin is cold (in a sea of random images)
To the human touch (the self-destructing animal)
This bleeding heart's (waiting for the waves to break)
Not beating much

I murmured a vow of silence and now
I don't even hear when I think aloud
Extinguished by light, I turn on the night
Wear its darkness with an empty smile

I'm creeping back to life
My nervous system all awry
I'm wearing the inside out

Look at him now
He's paler somehow
But he's coming around
He's starting to choke
It's been so long since he spoke
Well, he can have the words right from my mouth

And with these words I can see
Clear through the clouds that covered me
Just give it time then speak my name
Now we can hear ourselves again

I'm holding out (he's standing on the threshold)
For the day (caught in fiery anger)
When all the clouds (and hurled into the furnace)
Have blown away (he'll curse the place)
I'm with you now (he's torn in all directions)
Can speak your name (and still the screen is flickering)
Now we can hear (waiting for the flames to break)
Ourselves again


Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae, edited by Mellow_Harsher, HighHopesInsideOut, Daed

Wearing the Inside Out Lyrics as written by Anthony Jon Moore Richard Wright

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

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Wearing the Inside Out song meanings
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46 Comments

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  • +8
    General Comment

    It's about isolation

    Lateralus518on October 26, 2007   Link
  • +7
    General Comment

    If you haven't been there, you won't know.

    afentonon March 22, 2002   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    An excruciating song. I'd never heard it before until very recently - which surprised me to start with. All I could say that it was the most oppressive and depressing song I think I've ever heard. I was prepared to hate it and found I was compelled to listen again and again. The man who wrote this nailed it. It describes this state of depression perfectly. Afenton said it best. "If you haven't been there, you won't know." Unfortunately, I know. Now that I've been able to get a handle on it I find it quite layered. The background singers and their counter melody gives it an unexpected and legitimate R&B spin. Very nicely done. Very appropriate song conclusion. I almost want to cry when I listen to this. I agree that it is a Rick Wright vehicle to describe Roger Water's domination of Pink Floyd and especially him. Dave Gilmour said that Rick was so negatively affected by Roger's dictatorship that Rick was virtually convinced he couldn't play his instrument anymore. Pink Floyd has always been a band with bizarre issues. Obviously there was the late great Roger 'Syd' Barrett issues. I don't think Roger Waters ever really got over that. Frankly I think it scared him for life. He keeps resurrecting the subject in one way or another. And now we become aware of the mental dysfunction of the band members under Waters.

    HungFaoon November 29, 2010   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    This song alone is worth the price of the album.

    Lateralus518on December 01, 2007   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    Richard was quite a reserved and quiet person, this song is about the struggles introverts face with the world, I also feel this song is partly aimed at Barrett "just give it time and speak my name" but that could also be to fans who feel depressed "speak my name" could be "look how far i've come with these problems"

    Richard is a legend, nearly all of my favourite moments of Dark Side Of The Moon were orchestrated by him.

    reecejon May 16, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Rick Wright is so underrated, his contributions were as good as Roger's or Dave's easily, but he had so few oppurtunities, I think they really underused him. I look at my list of favorite Pink Floyd songs and most are penned by his hand, and quite a few sung by him.

    TheFranzFerdinandon July 12, 2007   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This song comes from the album The Division Bell which is about Communication. This song communicates a message of healing to someone who is very depressed. "and with these words I can see clear through the clouds that covered me" With the words of this song, the person listening can come back, as in Coming Back to Life which is another song which communicates a message. The artwork for The Division Bell, two figures lying in a barley field, or gold Field or Field of Gold?? All that Glitters is not Gold peeps!!

    luvwingson December 18, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    God I love this song. Definitely my fav on the album. Fucking great.

    pink_floyd_ownz_youon June 21, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    been there as well... not that im happier now, but i do long for being 'there' again. as dismal as it sounds, depression is a great motivator and teacher.

    wickedeston March 31, 2007   Link
  • +1
    Lyric Correction

    From morning to night I stayed out of sight Didn't recognize I'd become No more than alive I'd barely survive In a word...overrun

    Won't hear a sound

    He's curled into the corner From my mouth But still the screen is flickering I've spent too long With an endless stream of garbage to On the inside out ...curse the place My skin is cold In a sea of random images To the human touch The self-destructing animal This bleeding heart's Waiting for the waves to break Not beating much

    I murmured a vow of silence and now I don't even hear when I think aloud Extinguished by light I turn on the night Wear its darkness with an empty smile

    I'm creeping back to life My nervous system all awry I'm wearing the inside out

    Look at him now He's paler somehow But he's coming around He's starting to choke It's been so long since he spoke Well he can have the words right from my mouth

    And with these words I can see Clear through the clouds that covered me Just give it time then speak my name Now we can hear ourselves again

    I'm holding out

    He's standing on the threshold For the day Caught in fiery anger When all the clouds And hurled into the furnace Have blown away ...to curse the place I'm with you now He's torn in all directions Can speak your name And still the screen is flickering Now we can hear Waiting for the flames to break Ourselves again

    artcrimeon February 04, 2010   Link

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