(Ooh, ma, ooh, pa) must the show go on?
(Ooh, pa) take me home, take me home, take me home
(Ooh, ma) let me go

There must be some mistake
I didn't mean to let them take away my soul
Am I too old, is it too late?

(Ooh, ma, ooh, pa) where has the feeling gone?
(Ooh, ma, ooh, pa) will I remember the songs?
(Ooh, ah)
The show must go on


Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae

The Show Must Go On Lyrics as written by Roger Waters

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Walt Disney Music Company, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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The Show Must Go On song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • +3
    My Opinion

    You get a very strong sense of weariness and regret from this song. In some point in your life you are tired of putting on mask for the sake of outer world. You are tired and washed out and all you want to do is go home (not ment as physical place but more as a concept, a place where you are safe and free of all the worries of the hostile enviroment out there)

    Turtle1631991on January 25, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Pink realizes that hes created this wall and and hes trying to break out of it, and is wondering if he can remeber what he accomplished as well

    Iamexpiriencedon June 14, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is also a reference to the music industry

    Pink realizes that he gave up every chance of a real life by abandoning his education And resolves that he has just become a show for his managers

    Existentiatoron November 07, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    strange, I'm looking at my parents' vinyls (both, I've got two) and the lyric sheets say:

    "does the show have to go on do I have to stand up wild eyed in the spotlight what a nightmare why?!"

    but I don't hear it.... was it a mistake?

    here's a pic: i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p551/fiction1228/Snapbucket/38C2489F.jpg

    oXguitarchickXoon January 17, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Iamexpirienced is correct, I like this little short song although it's not in the movie.

    TheTrialon December 28, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Throughout the last few songs he has doubts about the Wall, and they are embodied here. However, at the end he resolves he has to continue inside the wall, and destroy everything outside it. This begins with In The Flesh, until he becomes of his real self in Waiting For The Worms. He is afraid though, and equates his true self (the worms) with Nazis.

    whapcapnon May 11, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is a really good song. I dont like the wall at all but the ehhh...harmoinizing voices reminds me of beach boys or soemthin are very pleasant and easy to listen to...where has the feeling gone?, gives me chills. Good line.

    JuliaDreameron October 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Parts of this reminds me of "I am the Walrus"

    crashkaboomon May 31, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    On his The Wall Live tour, Roger Waters has re-inserted the original first verse:

    OOOOOOH AAAAHHH

    Must the Show go on? OOOOH Ma Take me home (3 times) OOOOH Pa Let me go (3 times) Do I have to stand up, wild eyed in the spotlight? What a nightmare, why don't I turn and run? (turn and run) OOOOH Ma Take me home (3 times) OOOOH Pa Let me go (3 times)

    Then on to the: It was just a mistake...

    hakimikeon June 19, 2012   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    I fucking love this, one of my favourite things off The Wall!

    wow thats awesomeon October 22, 2005   Link

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