Lyrics Analysis: Echoes by Pink Floyd, by Jacinta Magoncia
[Instrumental Intro]
[Verse 1]
Overhead, the albatross hangs motionless upon the air
And deep beneath the rolling waves, in labyrinths of coral caves
The echo of a distant time comes willowing across the sand
And everything is green and submarine
Albatross is known for good luck, they are spotted by people who seem to be on sail “deep beneath the rolling waves”. The albatross “hangs motionless” which means one of the sailors had shot the bird, giving bad luck to them. “Echo of a distant time” is the past catching up to them.
[Chorus]
And no one showed us to the land
And no one knows the where's or why's
But something stirs and something tries
And starts to climb towards the light
Life is beginning and humans are evolving. We entered this earth with no guidance but our curiosity and experience is how we survive. To enlightenment.
[Verse 2]
Strangers passing in the street, by chance, two separate glances meet
And I am you and what I see is me
And do I take you by the hand and lead you through the land
And help me understand the best I can?
People meet for a reason and “I am you and what I see is me” means people can and are a reflection of yourself (subconsciously and consciously) what you see in them, you see in yourself. The singer asks another to guide them and be by their side.
[Chorus]
And no one calls us to move on
And no one forces down our eyes
No one speaks and no one tries
No one flies around the sun
There is no guidance being provided and no one speaking, trying, and flying are lost. Not realizing the potential one holds, we are powerful beings with infinite power. No one is making a bold move to change how we live, leaving us as followers. No effort in connection.
;[Instrumental 4:56 – 19:11]
Beautifully composed, when it is around 11:36 it starts to sound eerie, as if it is nightfall or going through a forest full of fog. At 15:58 the piano starts to share its sound, giving off a sense of hope after fighting off a terrible beast, climbing out of hell of defeat to save yourself. /It gets difficult to overcome what stands right before you: a dark version of you that wants to swallow you whole but you defeat it and everything becomes pure white in your vision and all you see is a wise albatross showing you the portal to a vast sea of pink and green. At 18:13 the guitar starts to pick up the pace and I am so happy listening to this conversation between a piano and a guitar.
[Verse 3]
Cloudless, every day you fall upon my waking eyes
Inviting and inciting me
to rise
Love is powerful and one human being can make a big impact.
And through the window in the wall, come streaming in on sunlight wings
A million bright ambassadors of morning
“Window in the wall” sounds like a connection to “Another brick in the wall” by Pink Floyd but this time the wall is being torn down or designed to protect yourself but keep an open view of the world and let people in. Or, the sun greets us every morning, forcing us to wake up with its bright radiance and reminding us that each waking moment is a new beginning and a step closer to happiness and being alive no matter what!
[Chorus]
And no one sings me lullabies
And no one makes me close my eyes
So I throw the windows wide
And call to you across the sky
The people who don’t sing lullabies or make others close their eyes do not care, they are selfish. This singer who met a person on verse 2 opens his windows (being vulnerable and loving) and calls them to meet them across the sky, to travel far and wide through the cosmos and become one. Despite the singer’s empty feeling inside, he was longing for human connection. It’s our choice to accept or deny relationships and how far we would go to strengthen that bond. Our relationships are like branches on a tree, it grows longer, full of flowers or leaves, or the dullness and length stays the same.
[Instrumental Outro]