What Shall We Do Now?

Pink Floyd

About What Shall We Do Now?

"What Shall We Do Now?" (working title "Backs to the Wall") is a song by Pink Floyd, written by Roger Waters. It was originally intended to be on their 1979 album The Wall, and appeared in demo versions of The Wall, but was omitted due to the time restraints of the vinyl format. In its place is a much shorter song, titled "Empty Spaces", which segues directly into "Young Lust". This was a last-minute decision; the album's sleeve notes still feature the song in its track listing, and include its lyrics.  


Year:
2000
1:40
397 
#1

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What shall we use to fill the empty spaces
Where waves of hunger roar?
Shall we set out across the sea of faces
In search of more and more applause?

Shall we buy a new guitar?
Shall we drive a more powerful car?
Shall we work straight through the night?
Shall we get into fights?
Leave the lights on?
Drop bombs?
Do tours of the east?
contract diseases?
Bury bones?
Break up homes?
Send flowers by phone?
Take to drink?
Go to shrinks?
Give up meat?
Rarely sleep?
Keep people as pets?
Train dogs?
Race rats?
Fill the attic with cash?
Bury treasure?
Store up leisure?
But never relax at all
With our backs to the wall

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Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd were an English rock band formed in London. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. more »

59 fans

Written by: ROGER WATERS

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Album Inclusion
"What Shall We Do Now?" is a track by the band Pink Floyd, which was initially meant to be included in their eleventh studio album, "The Wall."
Deletion Detail
The song was deleted from the final pressing of "The Wall" due to the lack of physical space on vinyl.
Concept Development
This song further builds on the theme of Roger Waters' increasing alienation and dissatisfaction, which is a significant highlight of The Wall album.
Concert Performance
Despite its absence on the vinyl album, "What Shall We Do Now?" was performed during the live concerts of "The Wall".
Lyric Content
The song lyrics describe a list of societal distractions, reinforcing the album's theme of isolation.
Animation Element
During live performances of this song, a specially commissioned animation by artist Gerald Scarfe would be projected showing various creatures and characters.
Variation Existence
A shorter version of the song, named "Empty Spaces," appears on the final album.
Film Inclusion
"What Shall We Do Now?" appears in full in the 1982 film adaptation of "The Wall".
Digital Release
The track was only released digitally and on CD in 2012, as part of the "The Wall - Immersion Box Set".
Influence Inspiration
"What Shall We Do Now?" captures the band's artful innovation, inspiring experimental and progressive music for generations after its inception.
Song Duration
The duration of this track is 5 minutes, 22 seconds, making it one of the longest songs on "The Wall".
Mysterious Presence
While the song was removed from the album's final version, its lyrics remain printed on the original sleeve.
Band Membership
At the time of the song's creation, Pink Floyd consisted of band members Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright.
Song Representation
This track is considered a representation of Roger Water's creative genius and integral to the story of The Wall.

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