Comfortably Numb

Time was when my generation was young. And pain was our fuel.

Time was when rebellion was our default state. Rebels without a cause maybe but rebels still.

Time was when  money was just those few notes in our pocket, soiled and crumpled, something to pay for the cigarettes and the bus fare and the occasional street food treat and not a string of electronic zeros defining our self-worth.

Time was when we rooted for the underdog because we were him and not because it made us feel good.

Time was when we had the freedom of the dirt road instead of being prisoners of the white lines of the freeway.

And then life happened.

Success happened. The underdog became someone who didn't make it and the devil did take the hindmost. And money became the deep shadow in which forgotten, long dead dreams lay.

Middle-age happened. And as the aches and pains of an aging body multiplied the aches of the soul are forgotten.

Life happened. And we all became comfortably numb.


PS In the 70's when I first heard "Comfortably Numb" from the seminal Pink Floyd album "The Wall" I thought of chemically-induced mind expanding trances. How was I to know that 40 years or so down the line it would take on a meaning almost exactly opposite? Whatever the meaning, it remains one of rock's greatest songs with an all-time great guitar solo embedded in it. Enjoy.

             

                                                         

                                                              "Comfortably Numb"

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
I can ease your pain
And 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

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
And I have become
Comfortably numb.