"Mother" explores the complex relationship between a child and their overprotective parent, delving into themes of isolation and the construction of personal barriers. The song begins intimately with a solo voice and acoustic guitar, gradually building in instrumentation to include pump organ, piano, drums, electric bass, and electric guitar. It is notable for its varied use of time signatures, which even presented a challenge for the band's own drummer. The song's structure mirrors its narrative, with Roger Waters singing the verses and David Gilmour taking the chorus, before concluding with a stripped-down arrangement and a poignant question about the metaphorical wall. At its heart, the song plays like a deeply personal reflection on the origins of emotional walls.