Young Lust (Live 1980)

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some far-out vibes as The Zoo Crew spins "Young Lust (Live 1980)" by Pink Floyd from the epic live album Is There Anybody Out There? The Wall: Live 1980–1981. This bluesy, hard-rockin’ track, clocking in at about 3 minutes and 25 seconds, is a gritty dive into the hedonistic world of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, as told through the story of Pink, the jaded rock star from The Wall. According to a quote from Roger Waters in Tim Morse’s Classic Rock Stories, the song’s original lyrics were about a young guy skipping school, hanging outside porno theaters and bookstores, too shy to act on his desires. By the time it hit the album, it morphed into Pink’s tale of seeking casual flings to escape the grind of touring, with David Gilmour’s raw vocals and blistering guitar riffs stealing the show. Fun fact: Gilmour even plays bass on this one, a rarity for Pink Floyd tracks!

The live version from 1980, recorded at Earls Court in London, cranks up the energy with an extended intro that fans on Reddit rave about, saying it “shines” with extra solos that outdo the studio cut. One X post from a fan gushed that the stick-count intro gives them “goosebumps every time.” Unlike the album, where a phone call revealing Pink’s wife’s infidelity cuts into the outro, the extended 7-inch single version released in Italy, South Africa, and Rhodesia stretches to 3:58 with a clean 32-bar outro, no operator interrupting the groove. In the 1982 film Pink Floyd – The Wall, the song’s context shifts slightly—Pink only hooks up with a groupie (played by Jenny Wright) after learning of his wife’s affair, painting him as less of a hypocrite than in the album’s narrative. Oh, and did you know Canadian rocker Bryan Adams belted out “Young Lust” during Roger Waters’ 1990 The Wall – Live in Berlin concert? Talk about a wild crossover!

Pink Floyd kicked off their journey in 1965 in London, born from the psychedelic underground. Originally led by Syd Barrett, the band—named after bluesmen Pink Anderson and Floyd Council—mixed blues, trippy sound effects, and Lewis Carroll-inspired lyrics. Their debut single, “Arnold Layne,” about a clothes-stealing transvestite, stirred controversy but scored a hit, followed by the landmark album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn in 1967. Barrett’s heavy LSD use and mental health struggles led to his exit in 1968, with David Gilmour stepping in. Roger Waters then took the creative reins, steering the band toward concept albums like The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) and The Wall (1979), cementing their legacy as prog-rock giants. Despite internal tensions—Waters left in 1985, and Wright was briefly a hired hand during The Wall tour—the band’s elaborate live shows and philosophical lyrics made them one of the best-selling acts ever, with over 250 million records sold by 2013.

Stay connected with Pink Floyd through their official website, where you can dive into their discography and tour history. Follow them on Facebook for updates and throwback posts, check out stunning visuals on Instagram, and catch fan chatter and band announcements on X. For deeper fandom, join the r/pinkfloyd subreddit, where Zoo Freaks can geek out with over 300,000 members, or hop into the Pink Floyd Fans Facebook group for lively discussions. Another gem is Brain Damage, a fan site packed with news, reviews, and tour archives. Keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let’s keep the Pink Floyd freak flag flying!