We’re Just Two Lost Souls Swimming in a Fish Bowl: The Existential Angst

“Wish You Were Here” is a poignant and emotional song, and the lyrics are often interpreted as a tribute to Syd Barrett, the former leader of the band who suffered from mental illness and drug abuse and became estranged from his former friends and colleagues.

Analysis and Interpretation of the Line

The line “We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year.” is particularly striking, as it conveys a sense of isolation, loneliness and futility. The image of two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl suggests that they are trapped in a small and artificial world, unable to escape or connect with anything meaningful or real. The repetition of “year after year” implies that this situation is endless and hopeless, and that nothing ever changes or improves.

Meaning Behind the “Two Lost Souls”

Some critics have argued that the two lost souls refer to Barrett and Roger Waters, the main lyricist of the song and one of Barrett’s closest friends. They suggest that Waters is expressing his guilt and regret for not being able to help Barrett or maintain their friendship, and that he feels like he is also trapped in a cycle of fame, success and alienation that prevents him from finding happiness or fulfillment.

Others have suggested that the two lost souls could represent any two people who have lost touch with each other or with themselves, and who feel like they are living in a meaningless and superficial world. They could also symbolize the disillusionment and despair that many people felt in the 1970s, a decade marked by political turmoil, social unrest and environmental crisis.

Emotional Impact

Whatever the interpretation, the line “We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year.” is a powerful expression of sadness, nostalgia and longing for something more. It is a line that resonates with many listeners who can relate to the feeling of being lost, lonely or trapped in their own lives.