What Do You Want from Me (Live 1994)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the hypnotic grooves of "What Do You Want from Me (Live 1994)" by Pink Floyd from their live album Pulse, and the Zoo Freaks are vibing to its bluesy, soul-searching energy. This track, originally from the 1994 album The Division Bell, was captured live at Cinecittà Studios in Rome on September 21, 1994, and released as a single in Canada, climbing to number 28 on the Canadian Top Singles chart. David Gilmour, the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist, described the song as a "straight Chicago blues tune" in an interview, reflecting his enduring love for the blues. He also revealed that the lyrics, co-written with his wife Polly Samson, stemmed from a personal argument but evolved into a broader dialogue, possibly between a performer and their audience, touching on themes of expectation and communication central to The Division Bell. Fans on Reddit have praised the live Pulse version for its raw emotion and Gilmour’s searing guitar work, with some speculating the song subtly nods to tensions with former member Roger Waters, though Gilmour clarified it’s more about personal relationships than band drama.

Another layer of intrigue comes from the Pulse tour’s production. The live performance featured a massive visual spectacle, with a mirror ball descending from the ceiling during the Division Bell tour, surprising fans as it was lowered from a hidden spot rather than rising from the stage, as noted on the fan site Pink Floyd and Company. The song’s recording for Pulse was meticulously crafted, with producer James Guthrie and the band fixing minor flaws by lifting solos and vocal lines from other shows, ensuring a polished yet authentic live experience. A 2022 post on X from Pink Floyd’s official account highlighted a newly edited video for the song, using rehearsal footage from their 1994 Earl’s Court run in London, blending Nick Mason’s original drums, Gilmour’s bass, Richard Wright’s keyboards, and backing vocals by Sam Brown, Claudia Fontaine, and Durga McBroom. The Pulse album’s packaging was iconic, featuring a blinking red LED on early CD versions that pulsed to the heartbeat of The Dark Side of the Moon, a detail celebrated by fans on A Fleeting Glimpse.

Pink Floyd began in London in 1965, emerging as pioneers of the British psychedelic scene. Founded by Syd Barrett (guitar, vocals), Nick Mason (drums), Roger Waters (bass, vocals), and Richard Wright (keyboards, vocals), the band took their name from two American blues musicians, Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. Barrett’s whimsical, surreal songwriting defined their early sound, with hits like “Arnold Layne” and their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967), blending blues, music hall, and experimental psychedelia. Their performances at London’s UFO Club built a cult following, marked by Barrett’s improvisational flair and the band’s sonic experiments. By 1968, Barrett’s mental health struggles and LSD use led to his departure, with David Gilmour joining as his replacement. Waters then took the creative helm, steering the band toward conceptual masterpieces like The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) and The Wall (1979), cementing their status as progressive rock legends with over 250 million records sold worldwide.

Stay connected with Pink Floyd through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for the latest news and releases. Fans can dive deeper into the Floyd universe on dedicated sites like A Fleeting Glimpse, which offers news, interviews, and community updates, or Pink Floyd and Company, packed with discography trivia and quotes. Join fellow Zoo Freaks in fan communities like the Pink Floyd Fans Facebook group or the r/pinkfloyd subreddit, where discussions about tracks like “What Do You Want from Me” and the Pulse tour’s epic visuals keep the psychedelic spirit alive.