| Released | November 30, 1979(UK) December 8, 1979(US) |
| Recorded | December 1978 – November 1979 |
| Genres | Progressive rock |
| Studio | Britannia Row • Super Bear • Miraval • 30th Street • Producers Workshop • Cherokee |
| Length | 2:10(The Wall) 2:14(Is There Anybody Out There?) 3:54(with What Shall We Do Now?, Is There Anybody Out There?) 3:47(Live in Berlin) 2:46(Roger Waters: The Wall) 4:16(with What Shall We Do Now?, Roger Waters: The Wall) |
| Label | Harvest(UK) Columbia/CBS(US) |
| Vocalists | Roger Waters |
| Songwriters | Roger Waters |
| Producers | Roger Waters • David Gilmour • Bob Ezrin • James Guthrie |
"Empty Spaces" is a song by the English rock band Pink Floyd which appears as the eighth track on their 1979 rock opera, The Wall. In the song, the album's main character, Pink, reminisces on his estranged relationship with his wife and questions how he can complete the construction of his internal wall. The song contains a backmasked message, a technique that songwriter Roger Waters would reuse for his song "Perfect Sense" from his 1992 album Amused to Death. "Empty Spaces" is one of three songs from The Wall to not appear in its film adaptation, instead being replaced with an extended version called "What Shall We Do Now?"
Music[]
Hidden (Backmasked) Message[]
Right before the lyrics start, there is a hidden message. When heard normally, it appears to be some random gibberish. If the listener plays it backwards however, the following message is heard:
Roger Waters: Hello Looker! Congratulations, you've just discovered the secret message! Please send your answer to Old Pink. Care Of The Funny Farm
James Guthrie: Roger!
Roger Waters: Chalfront-
James Guthrie: Carolyn's On The Phone!
Roger Waters: Okay. *Ends the recording.*
Plot[]
Alternative versions and live performances[]
During Pink Floyd's tour of the Wall from 1980 through 1981 and Waters' solo tour from 2010 through 2013, live performances of "What Shall We Do Now?" were split into two different songs played together; the first verse of the song is listed as "Empty Spaces" while the second verse retains its original name. "What Shall We Do Now?" was played in its entirety at Waters' 1990 Berlin concert but is listed as "Empty Spaces" on the album. The song in its original form has never been performed live by Pink Floyd or Roger Waters.