Last night, I was taken back to my teen years. My family, along with another, went to a laser light show featuring Pink Floyd’s The Wall. The show was great, and it brought back fond memories of friends and Buhl Planetarium in Pittsburgh, but the starkness of the music struck me—perhaps, because I have only listened to the songs individually over the last many decades. The Wall is, indeed, a depressing story of isolation and abandonment. The metaphorical wall is nevertheless a reality for many of us as it was in the 1970s.
The Wall speaks to bullying, helicopter parenting, inadequate educational systems, social isolation, and the many problems of today—particularly for our youth. It is a surprisingly relevant rock opera for today.
We all build walls—knowingly or unknowingly. In this technological age, it seems ever more efficient, as we bury ourselves behind digital screens. Pink, the protagonist in The Wall, is not unlike the youth of today. The only difference is that his isolation would appear much more visible and uncommon than it might today.
The song, “Mother”, especially hit a chord, last night.
“Mother do you think they’ll drop the bomb?
Mother do you think they’ll like this song?
Mother do you think they’ll try to break my balls?
Mother should I build the wall?
Mother should I run for President?
Mother should I trust the government?
Mother will they put me in the firing mine?
Is it just a waste of time?
Hush now baby, baby, don’t you cry.
Mama’s gonna make all your nightmares come true.
Mama’s gonna put all her fears into you.
Mama’s gonna keep you right here under her wing.
She won’t let you fly, but she might let you sing.
Mama’s gonna keep baby cozy and warm.
Ooh baby, ooh baby, ooh baby,
Of course mama’s gonna help build the wall.
Mother do you think she’s good enough?
For me?
Mother do you think she’s dangerous,
To me?
Mother will she tear your little boy apart?
Mother will she break my heart?
Hush now baby, baby don’t you cry.
Mama’s gonna check out all your girlfriends for you.
Mama won’t let anyone dirty get through.
Mama’s gonna wait up until you get in.
Mama will always find out where you’ve been.
Mama’s gonna keep baby healthy and clean.
Ooh baby, ooh baby, ooh baby,
You’ll always be baby to me.
Mother, did it need to be so high?”
I see so many of these questions being asked by our young. I see so many parents micro-managing their children and shielding them from any difficulty—(“Of course mama’s gonna help build the wall.”). It saddens me. I wonder, will this current generation ask the question: “Mother, did it need to be so high?”
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!