Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 (Live 1980)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with the Zoo Crew as we spin Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 (Live 1980) by Pink Floyd from the album Is There Anybody Out There? The Wall: Live 1980–1981. This iconic track, a protest anthem against rigid schooling and corporal punishment, was penned by bassist Roger Waters and features a children’s choir from Islington Green School. Producer Bob Ezrin suggested adding a disco beat to make it radio-friendly, a move guitarist David Gilmour initially resisted, thinking disco was “awful.” Yet, Ezrin’s vision paid off, and the song became Pink Floyd’s only number-one hit in the US and UK, selling over four million copies worldwide. The live 1980 version captures the band’s theatrical Wall tour, where a 40-foot cardboard brick wall was built between the band and audience, complete with animations by Gerald Scarfe and giant inflatable puppets.

Here’s a wild story: in 1980, South African schoolchildren adopted the song to protest apartheid’s educational inequalities, leading to a nationwide ban of the single and The Wall album in South Africa. The lyrics, especially “We don’t need no education,” struck a chord, but Waters clarified it wasn’t about rejecting academic education but rather the “thought control” of abusive systems. Another tidbit: the Islington Green School choir, whose voices define the track, didn’t get royalties initially. After a 1996 UK copyright law change, the kids successfully claimed royalties in 2004, tracked down via the social network Friends Reunited. And did you know? During the 1980 Wall tour, a “surrogate band” wearing hyper-realistic masks of Pink Floyd members kicked off shows, a nod to the band’s commentary on fame and identity.

Pink Floyd started in London in 1965, born from the psychedelic underground. Originally led by Syd Barrett, the band cycled through names before settling on Pink Floyd, inspired by blues musicians Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. Barrett’s whimsical blend of blues, music hall, and Lewis Carroll-esque lyrics shaped their early sound, with hits like Arnold Layne and their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967). After Barrett’s departure in 1968 due to mental health struggles, David Gilmour joined, and Roger Waters stepped up as the primary lyricist. The band evolved into progressive rock pioneers, crafting concept albums like The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall, known for sonic experimentation and philosophical themes.

Connect with Pink Floyd on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can dive deeper at sites like Neptune Pink Floyd or join communities such as the Pink Floyd Fans Facebook group. The band’s legacy lives on, inspiring countless artists and Zoo Freaks alike with their mind-bending music and rebellious spirit.