Mother

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Mother" from Roger Waters' The Lockdown Sessions, a track that’s got the Zoo Freaks vibing with its haunting, introspective energy. This version of "Mother," originally from Pink Floyd’s 1979 album The Wall, was re-recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown, capturing a raw, intimate feel. Waters shared on Facebook in May 2020 that performing "Mother" reminded him of “just how irreplaceable the joy of being in a band is,” a sentiment that resonates with the communal spirit of the lockdown sessions. The video for this rendition, featuring Waters and his band playing remotely, includes a cheeky moment where he mouths “No f***ing way!” after the lyric “Mother, should I trust the government?”—a classic Waters jab at authority, as noted by Billboard.

Another layer to this track’s trivia comes from its lockdown context. Waters began reworking Pink Floyd classics like "Mother" in 2020, sharing them via YouTube to connect with fans during isolation. The Lockdown Sessions version features Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of the indie pop group Lucius, whose vocals as “the mother” add a soaring, emotional depth, panned beautifully across the stereo spectrum, as described by Tracking Angle. Waters kept the original guitar solo by Jonathan Wilson note-for-note, staying faithful to the 1979 arrangement while infusing it with a fresh, minimalist intimacy. He told Rova that the idea for the album sparked from encores during his Us + Them Tour (2017–2018), where "Mother" was a staple, leading him to compile these reimagined tracks into a cohesive project.

Roger Waters’ journey as an artist began in Cambridge, England, where he was born in 1943. Growing up, he was shaped by the loss of his father in World War II, a theme that permeates his work, including "Mother," which reflects personal and societal alienation. In the mid-1960s, Waters co-founded Pink Floyd with Syd Barrett, Roger Mason, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright, initially playing R&B-influenced rock. As Barrett’s mental health declined, Waters took on a leadership role, steering the band toward the conceptual, psychedelic sound that defined albums like The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), and The Wall (1979). His lyrical focus on war, loss, and societal critique became a hallmark, earning him a reputation as Pink Floyd’s “grand conceptualist,” according to his YouTube bio. After leaving Pink Floyd in 1985 over creative differences, Waters launched a solo career with albums like Amused to Death (1992), while continuing to perform Pink Floyd classics in elaborate live shows.

Fans can dive deeper into Roger Waters’ world through his official platforms: his website, rogerwaters.com, offers tour updates and merch; his Facebook page shares personal reflections and political activism; his Instagram showcases behind-the-scenes moments; and his X account amplifies his outspoken views. For Zoo Freaks looking to connect with fellow fans, sites like Neptune Pink Floyd provide news, lyrics, and tour info, while the r/pinkfloyd subreddit and Prog Archives host vibrant discussions about Waters’ work. The Pink Floyd Fan Club on Facebook is another hub for devotees to share their love for tracks like "Mother" and debate Waters’ legacy.