[1][2] This song tells of a man's isolation, depression, sexual repression and rejection.

At the end of the song he attempts suicide but "never had the nerve to make the final cut".

Additionally, the song may be told from its main character of Pink.

"The Final Cut" is one of four songs (along with "The Hero's Return", "One of the Few", and "Your Possible Pasts") used in The Final Cut that had been previously rejected from The Wall.

The song made an appearance as the B-side of the "Selections from the Final Cut" radio promo single (with "Your Possible Pasts" on the A-side.