Roger Waters has identified a passage from Pink Floyd's 1971 album Meddle as the defining statement of his artistic identity. The 23-minute track 'Echoes' contains a brief lyric about two strangers recognising themselves in each other that Waters credits as encapsulating his entire worldview and message as a songwriter.

The lyric's significance stems from its restraint and reliance on subtlety rather than explicit instruction, embodying Waters' belief that empathy emerges most powerfully through suggestion rather than direct statement. The song represented a pivotal moment where Pink Floyd began integrating emotionally resonant lyrics with their typically instrumental-heavy compositions, demonstrating that expansive musical arrangements could centre on a clear emotional core.