Pink Floyd’s “Us and Them” Meaning, Song Facts & Lyrics

Song by Pink Floyd

Us and Them is the last track on Pink Floyd’s 1973 album The Dark Side of the Moon. It is also the longest track on the album at 7 minutes and 49 seconds. The music was written by Richard Wright, the lyrics by Roger Waters and sung by David Gilmour. 

“Us and Them” was released as the second single from The Dark Side of the Moon in the United States, peaking at No. 72 on the Cash Box Top 100 Singles chart in March 1974.

The song was originally written by Wright for the film Zabriskie Point but was rejected because it was too sad and didn’t fit in with the other songs in the film. 

The backing vocals were by Doris Troy, Lesley Duncan, Liza Strike, Barry St. John. “Give ’em a quick, short, sharp shock …” was spoken by one of Pink Floyd’s roadies, Roger “The Hat” Manifold.

Song words:

The lunatic is on the grass
The lunatic is on the grass
Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs
Got to keep the loonies on the path

The lunatic is in the hall
The lunatics are in my hall
The paper holds their folded faces to the floor
And every day the paperboy brings more

And if the dam breaks open many years too soon
And if there is no room upon the hill
And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too
I’ll see you on the dark side of the moon

The lunatic is in my head
The lunatic is in my head
You raise the blade, you make the change
You rearrange me ’till I’m sane

You lock the door and throw away the key
And there’s someone in my head, but it’s not me

And if the cloudbursts thunder in your ear
You shout and no one seems to hear (Oh, woah)
And if the band you’re in starts playing different tunes (Hey, hey, hey)
I’ll see you on the dark side of the moon! (Oh, oh, oh)

I can’t think of anything to say except…
*laughter*
I think it’s marvellous!
*laughter*

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Here’s Pink Floyd “Us and Them” Official Video