Empty Spaces

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some mind-bending trivia about Pink Floyd's "Empty Spaces" from their 1979 rock opera The Wall, spinning now on THE ZOO! This track, the eighth on the album, is a haunting reflection of the protagonist Pink's emotional isolation, with Roger Waters singing about the crumbling relationship with his wife, asking, "How shall I complete the wall?" What makes this song truly wild is its hidden backmasked message, a rare gem in Pink Floyd's catalog. When played backward, you hear Waters cheekily say, "Congratulations. You have just discovered the secret message. Please send your answer to Old Pink, care of the Funny Farm, Chalfont," followed by a voice saying, "Roger, Carolyn is on the phone." This playful nod, possibly referencing former member Syd Barrett or Pink's descent into madness, is a slap at fans obsessed with finding hidden meanings, as noted on Reddit. Waters later used this backmasking trick again in his solo track "Perfect Sense" from 1992.

Another juicy tidbit comes from the song's production history. Originally, "Empty Spaces" was in D minor and slated to appear later in The Wall, between "Don't Leave Me Now" and "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 3." However, late in production, it was sped up to E minor and moved earlier, sharing a backing track with the first half of "What Shall We Do Now?"—a track that replaced it in the 1982 film adaptation, as detailed on Wikipedia. The film version of "What Shall We Do Now?" dives into Pink's disillusionment with fame, contrasting the album's focus on his personal relationships. Fans on Reddit rave about the seamless transition from "Empty Spaces" to "Young Lust," calling it a sonic rollercoaster that captures Pink's spiraling psyche. Waters has shared in interviews, like one referenced on The Wall Analysis, that his then-wife Carolyne's insistence on communication saved him from becoming as isolated as Pink, adding a deeply personal layer to the song's lyrics.

Now, let's rewind to how Pink Floyd got their start, Zoo Crew style! Formed in London in 1965, the band began as a psychedelic outfit led by Syd Barrett, with Roger Waters on bass, Nick Mason on drums, and Richard Wright on keyboards. They cycled through names before landing on Pink Floyd, inspired by bluesmen Pink Anderson and Floyd Council, as noted on Britannica. Barrett's whimsical, Lewis Carroll-esque songwriting defined their early sound, leading to hits like "Arnold Layne" and their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn in 1967. However, Barrett's struggles with mental health and LSD use led to his departure in 1968, with David Gilmour stepping in on guitar. Waters then took the creative reins, steering the band toward progressive rock masterpieces like The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. Their innovative live shows, complete with inflatable pigs and circular screens, cemented their legend status, as described on Wikipedia.

Want to dive deeper into the Floyd universe? Check out their official website at pinkfloyd.com for news and merch. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates, like the recent animated lyric video for Syd Barrett’s “Octopus.” For fan vibes, head to A Fleeting Glimpse, a dedicated fan site with band news and donation links to keep it grooving. Join the Pink Floyd Fans group on Facebook to connect with fellow freaks, or hop into the Grantchester Meadows Discord for real-time chats. Keep spinning those records, Zoo Freaks, and let Pink Floyd’s cosmic soundwaves take you to the moon!