Pink Floyd Animals
Studio Album, released in 1977
Songs / Tracks Listing
- 1.Pigs On The Wing Part 1 (1:25)
2. Dogs (17:04)
3. Pigs (Three Different Ones) (11:28)
4. Sheep (10:16)
5. Pigs On The Wing Part 2 (1:25)Total Time: 41:38
Well where does ‘Animals’ sit with me as far as Pink Floyd records are concerned? I can happily say that it sits at the very top. For me, this album has it all. It must have been nearly impossible to follow up on the two predecessor ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ and ‘Wish You Were Here’ but with ‘Animals’ Pink Floyd have succeeded.
A very dark album loosely based on George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’. Roger Waters taking the main song writing reins here and to great effect too. Water’s strong, uncomfortable lyrics relay innuendos and snide remarks. Songs about hate, control and death drag this album screaming into battle. It is a battle that Waters wins easily. Conveying the strong message that ‘man’ is responsible for ‘man’s’ actions. Man is not happy, but what else is there?
Side one starts with the wit and humour of Waters on acoustic guitar with the short ditty ‘Pigs on the Wing Part 1’. Then we have ‘Dogs’ an acoustically driven epic that concentrates on the aggressive ruthlessly competitive world of business. Describing how a high powered businessman preys on others, whilst in all appearances he seems harmless enough. Only to attack the weak at the right moment. The song ends with a comparison to dogs being trained to fit in with the norm, as a businessman must fall in line to exist, losing their individuality.
Side Two brings us ‘Pigs, Three Different Ones’ The songs three verses representing different ‘pigs’, the identities of which are uncertain, although it is an educated guess that the last verse is about Mary Whitehouse the morality campaigner. ‘Sheep’ (originally called ‘Rooling and Drooling’) continues the side in great form. And then finish the album with the wit of Waters again and ‘Pigs on the Wing Part 2’
A perfect album with an iconic cover.
Peter Devine September 2016
