Run Like Hell (Live 1980)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to dive into the wild energy of Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell (Live 1980)" from the album Is There Anybody Out There? The Wall: Live 1980–1981, as spun by your favorite hippie DJs at THE ZOO! This track, recorded during Pink Floyd's legendary 1980-1981 performances at London’s Earls Court, is a high-octane piece of their rock opera The Wall. One juicy bit of trivia comes from the live shows themselves, where Roger Waters would hype the crowd with unique intros before the song. For instance, on February 7, 1980, at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, he shouted, “Do you like my pig? This next song is for all the paranoids in the audience… it’s called ‘Run Like Hell Piggy’!” These intros, often referencing the giant inflatable pig prop, varied nightly, making each performance a collector’s gem for fans. The live album’s version even blends speeches from June 15 and 17, 1981, giving Zoo Freaks a taste of that raw, chaotic vibe.

Another tidbit from the Pink Floyd Facebook page highlights the album’s release on March 27, 2000, noting the eerie “life masks” used for the surrogate band in the original concerts, adding a creepy visual layer to the live experience. The song itself, written by David Gilmour and Roger Waters, is a paranoid sprint through the mind of The Wall’s protagonist, Pink, who’s hallucinating himself as a fascist dictator. Fans on Reddit point out how the track’s menacing lyrics, like “Feel the bile rising from your guilty past,” tie into the album’s themes of alienation and societal breakdown, with the live version cranking up the intensity. Fun fact: during these shows, Waters sometimes called it “Run Like Fuck,” a cheeky nod to its frantic energy, as noted in fan discussions on Pink Floyd Fandom.

Let’s rewind to how Pink Floyd got rolling. Formed in London in 1965, the band started as a psychedelic outfit led by Syd Barrett, alongside Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright. They met while studying at college, initially playing blues before Barrett’s quirky blend of psychedelia, inspired by Lewis Carroll and music hall styles, set them apart. Their debut, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967), became a cornerstone of British underground music, with hits like “Arnold Layne.” Barrett named the band after bluesmen Pink Anderson and Floyd Council, a nod to their roots. By 1968, Barrett’s mental health struggles and LSD use led to his exit, with David Gilmour stepping in. Waters then took the creative helm, steering the band toward concept albums like The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) and The Wall (1979), cementing their legacy as progressive rock giants.

Zoo Freaks can connect with Pink Floyd’s official world at their website, where you’ll find tour archives and merch. Follow them on Facebook for throwback posts, like the one about the Is There Anybody Out There? artwork, or on Instagram for stunning visuals of their iconic album covers. Their X account shares updates on releases, like Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets project. For fan vibes, check out A Fleeting Glimpse, a fan site since 1998 with news and rare photos, endorsed by band associates like Guy Pratt. Join the Pink Floyd Fans Facebook group for lively discussions, or hop into the Grantchester Meadows Discord, linked via Reddit, to chat with fellow Floyd freaks about “Run Like Hell” and beyond.