The Gunner's Dream

The Zoo Crew is spinning "The Gunner's Dream" by Roger Waters from his album The Lockdown Sessions, and Zoo Freaks, you're in for a treat with this one. This song, originally from Pink Floyd's 1983 album The Final Cut, got a fresh take during the COVID-19 lockdown, released as part of Waters' The Lockdown Sessions on December 9, 2022. Waters was inspired to revisit the track after watching the 2013 documentary The Man Who Saved The World, which tells the story of Stanislav Petrov, a Soviet officer who prevented a nuclear war in 1983 by recognizing a false alarm. Waters noted on X that he wrote the song in 1982, a year before Petrov's heroic act, and found it haunting to think that without Petrov, "none of us would be alive." He released the lockdown version on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2021, tying the song's anti-war message to themes of peace and shared humanity, calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

The lockdown recording of "The Gunner's Dream" is a collaborative gem, featuring Waters on piano and vocals, alongside his longtime bandmates like guitarists Dave Kilminster and Jonathan Wilson, drummer Joey Waronker, and bassist Gus Seyffert. The track also includes backing vocals from Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius, adding a tender layer to the song's poignant lyrics. Fans on platforms like Reddit have praised the intimacy of this version, with one calling it "one of the most beautiful songs ever written." However, some missed the original's iconic saxophone transition, as noted in comments on Pulse & Spirit. The black-and-white video, directed by Sean Evans, shows the band performing remotely, emphasizing the song's reflective mood and Waters' ongoing commitment to anti-war activism.

Roger Waters, born September 6, 1943, in Great Bookham, Surrey, England, began his musical journey far from the spotlight. Growing up without his father, who died in World War II, Waters had a strained relationship with his mother and showed little early interest in music. He briefly studied mechanical engineering before dropping out to hitchhike across Europe. Back in England, he enrolled at Regent Street Polytechnic, where he met Nick Mason and Richard Wright. In 1965, alongside Syd Barrett, they formed Pink Floyd, naming the band after blues musicians Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. Initially driven by Barrett's psychedelic vision, Pink Floyd became a cornerstone of the British underground scene. After Barrett's departure in 1968, Waters stepped up as the band's lyricist and conceptual leader, shaping landmark albums like The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) and The Wall (1979) before leaving in 1985 to pursue a solo career.

Zoo Freaks can connect with Roger Waters through his official website and social media on Facebook, Instagram, and X, where he shares updates on his music and activism. Fans also gather on dedicated sites like Pulse & Spirit, a hub for Pink Floyd and Waters enthusiasts, and Neptune Pink Floyd, which offers news and forums. On Facebook, groups like the "Roger Waters Fan Club" provide spaces for fans to discuss his work, from The Lockdown Sessions to his provocative live performances. Whether you're vibing to "The Gunner's Dream" or diving into Waters' storied career, the Zoo Crew knows this track carries a timeless call for peace that resonates with freaks everywhere.