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Another Brick In The Wall (part II)
by Pink Floyd
Album:
The Wall Released: 1979
US Chart:
1 UK Chart:
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Songfacts:
You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page. |
| Roger Waters wrote this about his views on formal education. He hated his grammar school teachers and felt they were more interested in keeping the kids quiet than teaching them. The wall refers to the wall Waters built around himself because he wasn't in touch with reality. The bricks in the wall were the events in his life which propelled him to build this proverbial wall around him. His school teacher was another brick in the wall. (thanks, Daniel - Tyler, TX) |
| The chorus came from a school in Islington, England, and was chosen because it was close to the studio. It was made up of 23 kids between the ages of 13 and 15. They were overdubbed 12 times, making it sound like there were many more kids. |
| Their producer, Bob Ezrin, had the idea for the chorus. He used a choir of kids when he produced Alice Cooper's "School's Out" in 1972. Ezrin liked to use children's voices on songs about school. |
| There was some controversy when it was revealed that the chorus was not paid. It also didn't sit well with teachers that kids were singing an anti-school song. The chorus was given recording time in the studio in exchange for their contribution; the school received 1000 pounds and a platinum record. |
| The Disco beat was suggested by their producer, Bob Ezrin. This was completely unexpected from Pink Floyd, who specialized in making records you were supposed to listen to, not dance to. He got the idea for the beat when he was in New York and heard something Nile Rodgers was doing. |
| Pink Floyd rarely released singles that were also on an album. They felt their songs were best appreciated in the context of an album, where the songs and the artwork came together to form a theme. Producer Bob Ezrin convinced them that this could stand on it's own and would not hurt album sales. |
| The concept of the album was to explore the "walls" people put up to protect themselves. Any time something bad happens, we withdraw further, putting up "another brick in the wall." |
| The Wall was one of 2 ideas Waters brought to the band when they got together to record in 1978. His other idea was The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking, which he ended up recording as a solo album. |
| Water's original demo for this was just him singing over an acoustic guitar. |
| When they first recorded this, it was 1 verse and 1 chorus, and lasted 1:20. Producer Bob Ezrin wanted it longer, but the band refused. While they were gone, Ezrin made it longer by inserting the kids as the second verse, adding some drum fills, and copying the first chorus to the end. He played it for Waters, who liked what he heard. |
| This is often paired with "Happiest Days of Our Lives" when played on radio stations, and it follows "Happiest" on the album. "Happiest Days of Our Lives" depicts how childhood was great and there was nothing to worry about, until the teachers came along and tried to oppress and suppress the children. Waters then describes that the teachers must have it rough in their own homes, and take out their frustration on the students. (thanks, Patrick - Conyers, GA) |
| To make this album, they came up with the concept of the character "Pink." Bob Ezrin wrote a script, and they worked the songs around the character. The story was made into the movie The Wall, starring Bob Geldof as "Pink." Many people believe you have to be stoned to enjoy the film. |
| For the stage show, a giant wall was erected in front of the band using hidden hydraulic lifts as they played. It measured 160x35ft when completed, and about halfway through the show, the bricks were gradually knocked down to reveal the band. |
| Waters sang lead. When he left Pink Floyd and the band toured without him, Gilmour sang it. |
| The original idea for the concept of the actual Wall they wanted to create came from a problem Roger Waters was having during their concerts. When he started thinking about the show, he wanted to isolate himself from the public because he couldn't stand all the yelling and shouting. "The Wall" was not just a symbol and a concept, but a way of separating the band from their audience. (thanks, raul - Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
| The line "We don't need no education" is grammatically incorrect. It's a double negative and really means "We need education." This could be a commentary on the quality of the schools. |
| On July 21, 1990, Waters staged a production of The Wall in Berlin to celebrate the destruction of The Berlin Wall. |
| The 1998 movie The Faculty has a version of this song remixed by Class Of '99. (thanks, Riley - Elmhurst, IL) |
| In England, this was released in November 1979 and became the last UK #1 of the '70s. (thanks, Alan - Blackpool, Lancs, England) |
| Part 1 of this song is often overlooked. It is saying that because Pink's father went off and died in WWII, he built The Wall to protect him from other people. In the movie you see him at the playground with the other kids and their fathers, then one of the kids leaves with his father and Pink tries to touch the father's hand. The father pushes him away quite aggressively then leaves. (thanks, Andres - Santa Rosa, CA) |
| In 2004, Peter Rowan, a Scottish musician who runs a royalties firm, started tracking down the kids who sang in the chorus, who were by then in their 30s. Under a 1996 copyright law, they were entitled to a small amount of money for participating on the record. Rowan was no so much interested in the money as in getting the chorus together for a reunion. |
| On July 7, 2007, Roger Waters performed this as the Live Earth concert at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. Live Earth was organized to raise awareness of global warming, and the slogan for the event was "Save Our Selves" (S.O.S.). Waters poked fun at Pink Floyd and the event by flying a giant inflatable big overhead, which was a classic Pink Floyd stage prop, except this one was emblazoned wit the words "Save Our Sausages." (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France) |
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| Comments: |
Joel in Columbia SC, this whole website is about analyzing AND over-analyzing songs. Stop berating people for silly reasons.
- Heather, Los Angeles, CA |
Roger Waters should try being a teacher.
- Heather, Los Angeles, CA |
Overused and overplayed. This isn't what Floyd is about.
- Kate, Burnaby, Canada |
Overused and overplayed. This isn't what Floyd is about.
- Kate, Burnaby, Canada |
The Wall is the best Floyd song. In fact it's the only one that's any good.
- Fatty, Fu, CA |
i love this song... yet i hate it. Its the song that Non Floyd fans think of when they think of Pink Floyd. If you ask somebody what their favourite pink floyd song is, and they say Another Brick in the Wall... they dont know a thing about pink floyd. Especially if they just say another brick in the wall. Any true fan would say another brick in the wall "part 2". Hell ive even heard ppl call the song "The Wall"...
come on people!!
FLOYD 4 EVER!!!
- Jeremy, ventura, CA |
Another brick in the wall is not only about education, is also about war, is also about the way his father died, and he was just a brick in the wall, and all soldiers are just a brick in the wall, and at the end, it does not matters if they die or survive. Another brick in the wall, pt.1 speakes of it.
- Korine, guatemana, United States |
One word: Amaaaaaazing
- scott, bellevue, WA |
I love Pink Floyd no correction: their the best band of all freaking time! No one can compare to the power of Pink and since Roger Waters left there not the same and I think Roger should go back to the good times and rejoin the band with David, Nick and Rick. Please Roger! Anyways you can listen to a Pink Floyd song and every time get the same feeling as the first time. So I love Pink Floyd!!!!!!!!!!!
- Andrew, Bartlett, TN |
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat???? Classic, simply classic!
- Ed, Incognito, IL |
This song is in no way against school. It is actually against the harsh treatment the teachers put on their students. This song is trying to encourage individuality in people which the teachers of their time did everything they could to eliminate.
- Frank, Custer, SD |
I was raised on rock music. This disco beat sounds so unusual when used by Pink Floyd. This is the only disco kind of hit by Pink Floyd, right? The Pink Floyd members don't use the disco beat in their classic rock anywhere near as often as the Eagles or Steve Miller Band, do they? I think it's interesting. Pink Floyd rocks!! Literally!!
- andrew, birmingham, United States |
You people need to get a [censored] life. Another Brick in the Wall is about isolation. The students on the train in masks just shows how boring everything would be if we were all the same. I actually like ABITW part three alot better. "I don't need no drugs to calm me" et all.
Sorry to sound pissed but I really can't stand it when people over analize songs.
- Joel, Columbia, SC |
This comment is about how much better schooling was between 1947 and 1961, which were my school years (except in terms of technology.) Back in the good old days, dodgeball and other competitive games were encouraged, rather than today's "health-maintenance" dictum, cafeteria food was both nutritious and tasty, conformity was not effectively forced on students as it is today (I wore old army fatigues to school, listened to Glenn Miller, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra and drove a stately black 1932 Studebaker President two-door sedan in high school, which were all total opposites of everyone else's habits, history class was not "sanitized" (Anyone in my generation or who has read "Lies My Teacher Told Me" will know EXACTLY what I am talking about), winners won and losers took it hard in every aspect of school, chemistry class was fun (I loved putting metallic sodium in water and creating a fireball) and (in my school, at least) there was little or no prejudice, and teachers were competent and non-unionized.
Nowadays, things are different in every way- unionized teachers, kids getting their completely street-stock Hondas and other (read: older American) cars vandalized because they are not like those of "The Fast & The Furious", the music that I grew up on as well as rock and old country would make good fodder for teasing because kids only listen to rap nowadays, the government is creating useless, disabled young men and women in their highly intensified athletic programs (especially soccer and cheerleading), they have turned the Grand Game of Golf into a team sport, and there are too many other abominations to fit into a Songfacts comment box while leaving room for other comments.
- Darrell, Eugene |
I don't think the song is about school, teachers and students. School - country, teachers - government and students - people.
- Dubravko, Kakanj, Bosnia |
Luke, Louvain-la-neuve, Belgium - you're right. I've also heard it once. Those techno 'singers' have absolutely no idea what is this song about, but they still sing it.
- Dubravko, Kakanj, Bosnia |
Right before Happiest Days runs into this song, there is a shrill screaming noise. This noise is heard throughout other songs on the Wall as well, including Run Like Hell. This scream is straight Roger Water's own vocal cords.
- Caleb, Camp Point, IL |
Sorry, I meant to say that the scream is straight FROM Waters' own vocal cords.
- Caleb, Camp Point, IL |
In my opinion, the masks erase the individuality of the kids, making they look equal.
- Florencia, Santiago, Chile |
I think this is probably the most well known Pink Floyd song ever written. It's like the Stairway to Heaven of Pink Floyd so to speak. Even so, I still love it.
After listening to this song for a number of times, I always thought that the line "all in all you're just another brick in the wall" referred to how the teachers simply thought of the children as a unit as opposed to individual students. I based this of the idea that children were "meant to be seen not heard" which was promoted in 20th century and such.
- Daniel, Perth, Australia |
The wall, or rather, the sentense "All in all you're just another brick in the wall" is meant to tell people that they're just one of a million. That they're just acting like mashines, and that they don't stand out from the crowd at all. It tells us to stand up and dare to be different. To dare to be ourselves, which most people isn't, because they are affraid that they wont be accepted in society.
- Amy Camilla, Copenhagen, Denmark |
this song is my life. im arranging to have all the 8th graders in my school sing it at graduation in a few weeks
- Caitlin, Upper Township, NJ |
David Gilmour has been quoted as saying that this album (The Wall) has come to symbolize Rodger blaming all of his problems on other people.
- Jai, Atlanta, GA |
This is a good song. Actually most of the songs from The Wall are good. The video (Youtube) can be disturbing. The scene where the students fall into the meatgrinder, etc.
- Joel, Columbia, SC |
i must say one day while partying, i heard this masterpiece remixed. i was outraged. i dont know who im more angry with, the person who made the techno (yuck) remix, or Pink Floyd and company for letting them do it. ive rarely been so disgusted in my life
- Luke, Louvain-la-neuve, Belgium |
I LOVE this song! and Micheal from Tuscan: its Roger Waters and Syd Barret!poser...
But anyway- I absolutely love this song! Im 13 and I cant STAND school. and also to Micheal from Tuscan: its about Roger Waters. The album, i mean. Viva Pink Floyd!
- Strong Bad, London, England |
George, Las Vegas... you are right, songs don't always have to mean something, but considering that this is Pink Floyd and is on an extremely metaphorical, meaningful album, this song does mean something, like all the rest of the songs on "The Wall"
- Jordan, Calgary, Canada |
I just want to say something:
Waters got the inspiration for this album while they were touring. At a concert, some fans were ecspicially obnoxious, setting of firecrackers and taunting the band. Roger got so angry he stopped the music and made a spech with lots of cussing in it to the crowd. Later he wished he hadn't done it, and thought of the concept of a wall between the audience and band, and other metaphorical walls.
- Jordan, Calgary, Canada |
Did anyone ever stop and think that maybe this is just a song?? Songs don't ALWAYS have to mean something
- George, Las Vegas, United States |
Not exactly, Randy and Mitchell - many teachers actually go into the profession because they like working with children or enjoy helping the young learn, or even out of a love for the subject they are teaching. I went to a convent school and yes, I used to resent it when I had my buttocks whipped with a leather strap or bamboo cane by the nuns as much as the next best person, but it didn't harm me in the long term, and they were only acting in the manner that they had been trained and probably they were also subjected to similar treatment when they were young. Nowadays the balance has shifted too far in the other direction - pupils can abuse and assault teachers as they please, and teachers are totally powerless to defend themselves. I'm not defending apathetic teachers, but the reason why many kids do badly in school is often because they don't care about learning rather than teachers not caring about their needs
- Dave, Cardiff, Wales |
I always thought this song related to the Soweto school massacre in South Africa (1976).This was where a large group of black students protested against the educational system of the time. This system which was extremely racist in content but worse for them was their having to study in Afrikaans which they saw as the language of the oppressor.The police arrived to 'calm the protest'. Instead, police killed 180 and injured almost 500 of the 15000 students by opening fire everywhere. Given the timing I thought this song was a reaction to that event.
- Karina, Maputo, Africa |
Holy cow are most of the "facts" about this song wayyy wrong.
Let's catalog the errors shall we?
Ok:
The concept of the album is not walls that people put up to protect themselves. The concept is the wall that Waters felt was developing between the band and the audience.
"To make this album, they came up with the concept of the character "Pink." Bob Ezrin wrote a script, and they worked the songs around the character. The story was made into the movie The Wall, starring Bob Geldof as "Pink." Many people believe you have to be stoned to enjoy the film."
This is the single most ridiculous thing I have ever read and the webmaster of this site should be ashamed for trying to pass this off as a "fact".
"For the stage show, a giant wall was erected in front of the band using hidden hydraulic lifts as they played. It measured 160x35ft when completed, and about halfway through the show, the bricks were gradually knocked down to reveal the band."
WRONG. The show started with the band in full view. As the show progressed a wall was built in front of the band and stayed that way the entire second half of the show. At the end of the show the wall was knocked down.
"Waters sang lead. When he left Pink Floyd and the band toured without him, Gilmour sang it."
Waters and Gilmour sing lead vocals together on the album.
Pathetic.
- Gilmour, Lockport, NY |
Sometimes, of course, a song from an album released as a single will boost sales of said album. ("Money")
- Aylin, Montreal |
I agree with Tyler. I think the version where it's just Waters with an acoustic guitar is a lot better.
- Bill, Erie, PA |
And Katie: the fan that Roger spat at was being obnoxiously loud in between songs. According to Nick Mason, he kept yelling "Play "Careful With That Axe, Roger!" until he snapped.
- Bill, Erie, PA |
I wish some of you people would say "This album is about Walter Rodgers or Sid Barret." Does there have to be a reason for everything? Its a good story, and Rodgers even called it a CONCEPT album. You people aren't dense enough. I'll give you one thing, in the commentary Rodgers did say that this SONG was based off his school, but why cant you people accept that it was a great album and move on? And all of the lyrics that combine with something else in the lyrics, it is called coincedince. You people make such a big deal out of all the scrambled up kids. May I quote Phoebie Buffay in friends:
"Hey, Joker is Poker with a J! Coincedince?"
Chandler (sarcasticly):
"And Coincedince is Joincedince with a C!"
You guys screw up all the facts to make soething as small and undone as possible. Just listen and love the music.
- Michael, Tucson, AZ |
Sorry, I wish some of you WOULDN'T say that. I got mixed up.
- Michael, Tucson, AZ |
On the album, you hear a helicopter flying overhead and then a man (the teacher)yelling "You! Yes, you! Son! Get over here!" But in the movie, young Pink and a couple of his friends are playing on a train track, and when the train goes by with the other children, the teacher tells him to "stand still, laddie!"
- Patrick, Tallapoosa, GA |
The movie 'The Wall' can also be related to many other people and how they live their lives. Thats what makes the album and the movie so special to me, because at a certain time in my life, i too built a wall to isolate myself from society, so i can relate to Roger, Syd, and David. Pink Floyd Rules!!!! When i listen to them im in my own little world!
- Gerard Howard, Lone Tree, CO |
my freind is convinced that in the beginig of part 2 of another brick in the wall there is a man speaking german. an earlier coment said he was saying "You! Yes! You! Stand Still Laddy!" its right after the helicopter goes by. i think it sounds german too but im really not sure anymore!
- jac, boulder, CO |
This song is awesome! My Mom's A Teacher, Though.
- Mike, Germantown, MD |
its actually quite annoying when you listen to it over and over, in fact its one of my least favorites in The Wall
- Tyler, Petaluma, CA |
the song's ending leads into "Mother" with the telephone ringing. In the movie, Pink, as an adult, tries to call his wife back home, and her boyfriend leans over, picks up the phone, and abruptly hangs it up.
- Patrick, Tallapoosa, GA |
In the beginning of this song, you can hear a helicopter flying by, then a man shouts, "You! Yes! You! Stand Still Laddy!" Then that same voice is heard at the end, with a British phone ringing. What important role does the British phone ring play in the song?
- Annabelle, Eugene, OR |
Waters is absolutely right. Most teachers just come to make kids feel small and stpid, and to get their paycheck. That is just wrong. This song is awesome, especially the kids in the chorus. All hail Pink Floyd.
- Mitchell, Redding, CA |
I just saw the wall & i thought it was the BEST MOVIE i have ever seen. When the kids were going into the meat grinder to be processed into meat & then the teacher said "you cant have any pudding unless you eat your meat" well my thoughts on that were that kids are eating up other kids by bullying. i mean if you think about it, the teachers are totaly egnoring it to. if u go up to a teacher & say "i have witnessed some bullying going on & its getting pretty bad" well all they will say is "ill keep on the lookout for the bullys" like thats going to help!
- maura, hamilton, TX |
http://forum.songfacts.com/showtopic.php?tid/139755/
You can find a link to "The Wall" movie here :o)
- Sue, Wonderland |
I would really like to see the movie.
Where can I find it?
- Bob, Rio Vista, CA |
Another brick in the wall Part one talked about waters father that died in world war 2. when waters father died waters was only 1 or 2 years old and all waters had to remember him was a
'Snapshot in the family album'
- Nathaniel, pittsburgh, PA |
The solo on this is awesome, but otherwise I'm not crazy about it, simply because (as has already been said) it seems to be the song that characterizes Floyd in the eyes of general public. Kind of like Stairway to Heaven for led zeppelin, I guess. Even if the song's great, you get bored with it because it's so overrated. Of course, I love stairway, and this, while very good, is not pink floyd's best.
- Aylin, Montreal |
I have a friend who was always talking about how much he likes "The Wall" but when I played it in my car from begining to end, he only recognized Comfortably Numb, Run Like Hell, Hey You, and this song. A lot of the cool songs like One of My Turns and The Trial he didn't like. That's why he is a poser fan. I'm so sick of everyone only knowing those same damn songs!
- John, Davis, CA |
This song sucks on the subject on how commonly it is played and assumed to be pink floyd's staple song. there are many other songs better by pink floyd such as "childhood's end" or "Echoes".
- Evan, flower mound, TX |
I have so many comments about this song, but I forgot most of them so these are the ones I didn't forget: J4000 rocks. And Ryan, you should listen to the song before commenting, if not even clicking on Another Brick In The Wall pt 2 and looking at this message board. Also, I will not name names, but people should really READ the comments before making another comment of their own. Thanks.
- Johnny, Los Angeles, CA |
I also agree with Tawnee. It's also like that with Zep's Stairway.
- james, new york, NY |
whats the hi pitch sound about 1 - 2 sec into the song?
- Jake, Mt. Olympus, England |
Waters began writing this album after he was performing in the Olympic stadium and a fan tried to climb on stage and without thinking, he spit on the fan. He realized that his career had gotten huge and that he'd acquired a big ego, thinking he was better than that fan. He needed to get back to who he really was and dig deep to tell his story.
- Katie, Tallahassee, FL |
I would love to get my hands on one of those masks the kids wear in the video. They would fetch a mint on ebay. And I totally agree with Tawnee's comments a while back.
- Chris, Dundalk, MD |
Very Famous song, Ilike both the Pink Floyd and Korn versions. also check out comfortably numb, another great Pink Floyd song.
- Billy, Boston, MA |
This song is not about not needing an academic education. The kind of education that the song is attacking is the indoctrination of ideas into children in schools. This was especially true during the cold war which this album is about. The most important line in this song is not "We don't need no education" but is "We don't need no thought control." This line clearly distinguishes this as indoctrination. During the cold war children living in the capitalist powers where taught to hate any other ideology without being allowed to come up with their own opinions on government and economics. From a young age they were told that communism was evil and because children can be easily convinced of things without solid evidence it was thought control. THis was the education Pink Floyd was attacking in this song. This song and the entire album attacks the policies of the western powers. The thought control in this song resulted in the fascist state of mind that Pink grew to have. Pink didn't exactly go insane but was always destined to become like a fascist because of the events in his childhood and the influences of others. Teachers, his mother, his lover and others all created a man that was blind to what was right and wrong, what should be acceptable and what should't be, and what the world really was. The wall represents the barriers between Pink and truth in the sense of what was really happening and what he should do. All of Pink's experiances and influences through his life that caused him to slowly lose touch with the real world created the wall so they were just bricks in the wall. This means that individually the events did not have enough influence over Pink to really change his life but over time they collectively changed his outlook and opinions on life. His education was something that he rebelled against but was unable to overcome and in the end he turned into exactly what his teachers were trying to make him. This reluctancy of immediately doing what he was told is a continuing theme on the album but untill outside the wall he could not overcome the negative influences in his life because he simply didn't know any better. The ignorance of not knowing the evils of the fascist views that he would embrace on the second disc was clearly demonstrated in "stop" in the line "Have i been guilty all this time." Pink could not see reality because of the opinions and outlooks he was taught and learned from his life experiences and the people who greatly influenced him. This song like the rest of the album is attacking the policies of the western powers, showing the dangers, and the possible outcomes of such poilicies. Of couse this is only one interpretation of the sond and album but i think it was a major political point that was being made by Roger Waters.
- Paul, Baltimore, MD |
This year, I have decided to make this my theme song. The song is so true it's not even funny. I decided to go into grade ten intensive English because I thought it would result in a more open-minded, creative class with less pointless work and more chances to express my views. I was horribly wrong- there is twice as much pointless work and the teacher and even my classmates are condescending. I don't even talk to them, those close minded jerks.
This song is pretty appropriate since so far I'm failing because I just don't care anymore. Sure, I may be disillusioned, distant, and a music, art and poetry obsessed demented weirdo, and that's also how everyone else sees me. My life is going nowhere, but I don't really care, I just want to get out of school. And that's my rant for the day.
- Ashley, Moncton, Canada |
The wall the movie is definitely based on poor Syd. Love him to bits. But I the song Another Brick in the Wall could be based on many things; my theory always was that it came from Syd and Roger's school days when school pretty much sucked, especially for Syd because it limited him and kept him contained in a box constantly, which was eventually broken out of through his musical career. But the other ideas about Roger sounds about right too. Pink in the wall is absoloutely based cheifly on Syd's behaviour after things went awry.
I hope Syd's well and happy.
- Rosie, Trondheim, Norway |
Pink in the Wall movie is definitely based on Syds behaviour after things went awry for him. Sometimes I think his only mistake was being far too vulnerable for the spotlight. Anyways, about the song another brick in the wall being about Roger, sounds about right. Ny theory always was that it mightve been partly inspired by Syd as well, considering he was extremely unhappy in school's conformative environment. Could be a mix of many things....
- Rosie, Trondheim, Norway |
eres a little known fact. The album 'the wall' syncs up perfectly with Cool Runnings. Enjoi :)
- mat, henderson, NC
- LOL
- notmyrealemail, Buffalo, NY |
He denies the movie being about him? In the DVD commentary of the movie, the interviewer says "now, who is pink? Your pink, right? Roger says "Yes, I'm Pink"
The movie the wall is about Pink.
Roger Waters is Pink.
The Wall is about Roger Waters.
Logic.
The wall is an awesome album, I do not like all this smack talking about it. Atom Heart Mother is the best album If not that, maybe Ummmagumma. Careful with that axe, Eugene.
Now, if you meet someone that says they like Pink Floyd, and they say "Another Brick in the Wall" is their favorite song....Don't make fun of them, get them a copy of Legendary Rock Stars Greatest Hits, this world needs more Floyd Fans.
- notmyrealemail, Buffalo, NY |
The album "The Wall" was written because waters finally got so pissed off at one of his concerts that he spat at an audience member. He felt bad about it, and he decided that the wall would be built around him to block out the annoyances,and so he does not do anything stupid again.
- Rony, Houston, TX |
Floyd just conjures up so many memories of high school and college - even tho i was in middle school when most of it came out, it was still being played (on radio AND by kids on "record players"). Kids these days don't know what they're missing out on, because there will be no more great concept albums forthcoming, what with the supremacy of the current crop of one hit wonders, driven by down loading just one favorite song and all that (I guess that's why "classic rockers" are still popular, after these many years).
- steve, lansdale, PA |
Part III of this song is also overlooked, which depicts that Pink doesn't need love or compassion from anyone, nor does he need drugs, or anything else. He is perfectly happy building the wall around himself alone, and wants everyone to leave him alone.
- Patrick, Conyers, GA |
Wow. Lots of folks that don't know a whole lot about Floyd.
The material that Waters wrote during this period actually spanned two other albums. As was mentioned The Pros and Cons of Hitchiking was an album he wrote while he was writing The Wall. The Final Cut, the last Floyd album with Waters on it, is almost exclusively made up of the songs rejected by the band when they did The Wall.
Waters was never the lead singer for the band. He wrote the material and sang some of it but David Gilmour has always been the band's lead singer since Syd was replaced in 1967.
The Wall is not exclusively about Waters' feelings on being on stage in front of thousands of people, it is not exclusively about Syd, and it is not exclusively about his father. It is a combination of all three. For instance the scene in the movie where "Pink" shaves his head and eyebrows is something Syd did during the period when he was visiting the Floyd in the stuido while they were recording Wish You Were Here.
Roger Waters never had a problem with dementia so it is not about him going deeper and deeper into seclusion. However the "bricks" are the things in his life that he feels isolates him from the rest of the world.
The movie is interesting whether you are stoned or not.
The incident where a promoter asked "Which one's Pink?" happened in Seattle around 1968.
Not everyone in the band felt the Wall that Waters did. These feelings in this album are his own.
- Gilmour, Lockport, NY |
Very good song! I still havn't found out what the face masks meant in the video for it O_o.
- Stephen, Altamont, IL |
Its The Perfect Song To Rebel to.
- David, Port HawkesBury, Canada |
It's quite confusing when you're not a native speaker of english and try to find out lyrics by listening to songs. When I listened to this one first, instead of "no dark sarcasm in the classroom" I understood "no dog's orgasm in the classroom"! Funny, ain't it? But don't get me wrong, people, that's nothing against this song or Pink Floyd. Both are awesome!
- Benjamin, Heidelberg, Germany |
I think "Another Brick in the Wall" is a classic rock song. Especially the solo really took me to the Dark Side of the moon. Allthough it ain't that hard to play, actually, its easy...But, with one word... Amazin'!!!!!!
- Stefan, Hamm, Germany |
I would just like to say that "the scottish man" at the end of Another brick in the wall is Billy Connely. He also has a singing part in another pink floyd song "The happiest days of our lives"
I thankyou!!!
- Andy, Auckland, New Zealand |
the wall was the concept albums of concept albums
- greg, brantford, Canada |
I have to say something in response to Roger in Ottawa: Okay, first of all, whoever thinks that Pink Floyd would put words into songs that would have no meaning and just sound cool is obviously wrong. They're there for a purpose- You're not going to just throw random words out of nowhere into a song, match them together and call it a day. You're going to work for a long time on those words until they all fit together and match the mood of the song, and then hopefully have the exact idea you were looking for or better, which is incredibly hard to do. Unless you really, really don't care about your music and are doing it only to get rich, then you're not going to write lyrics like these and not mean it.
- Ashley, MOncton, Canada |
Could anyone please tell me what the significance of the scottish man shouting at the end is? Is it symbolic of some sort of abusive teacher or what? thanx
- Michael, Preston, England |
Maureen in Prospect, VA: The bands name was taken from the names of two Georgia bluesmen they admired: Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. I will e-mail you about this as well.
- Ash, Charleston, WV |
My daughters enjoyed the gig at Hyde Park.( Live8 )
The old rockers still doing it.
The band not my daughters...................!
- chris, Brighton, England |
classic song
- Matt, Millbrae, CA |
Pink was NOT mentioned in "Have A Cigar". "Which one's Pink?" was a question that a record company executive once asked the band. Which fits in with the rest of the song, which describes how evil the record industry is.
- Bill, Erie, PA |
Awesome song I think u are all right but i also think the Wall refers to the wall we all have and everything that pushes slowely to the point of insanity until we break it down. but that's just my view
- Drewso, Unknown, MA |
OK, I love Floyd, and this song. But, I think everyone is reading way too much into what this song is all about, and for that matter, what any Floyd songs are about. I really don't think they are about anything in particular. They just sound cool and sound like there is some kind of deep meaning behind them. I really don't think there is, they (Floyd) just wants people to beleive that. It can mean whatever you want it ti mean
- Roger, Ottawa, Canada |
Wow.What a lot of chatter about one song.Fans seem to get caught up in the myth or uncovering the truth about the song rather than just the music itself.I agree with my fellow Canadian from Sudbury,James.This is my least favourite song by Floyd and I hated it when it came out and I was in school at the time.It brought Floyd many more streamlined fanbase who only bought the Wall for one single.The wall as an album is good but overrated in my opinion try-Dark Side,Meddle,Wish you were Here for more band collaboration on Floyd records,not just Waters,Ezrin and some Gilmour input.
- Andrew, Toronto |
Scary story:
After the song was on air, a former principal of a private boarding school killed himself. This school had a great reputation for its musical lessons and the chorus singing in this song's background happened to be from that same school.
Investigators found out that he massively abused students on the attic, which was an open secret there and referred to as "he takes another one up the roof".
The children were too frightened to report, but when asked to perform they took revenge: instead of singing "all in all you're just a..." they sang "hol ihn, hol ihn unters Dach" (german: take him, take him under the roof) which is pronounced very similar. The man killed himself in fear of being prosecuted.
NOTE: This is _not_ a true story. Tell this to a native german speaking person and he will freak out listening to the song, because you really hear the modified lyrics after you heard the story. Funny thing how much one's brain contributes to perception...
- Matthias, Karlsruhe, Germany |
the school that was in this song still not got the royalty for it
- LEE, WELWYN, England |
Because I had been listening to this song one morning, when my friend said he didn't want to be late for school, I just looked at him and said, "Dude, we dont need no education". He looked at me and rolled his eyes. About a week later when I played him my Echoes cd, he left my house with a new favorite song.
- Brad, Pittsburgh, PA |
Lets face it, EVERY pink floyd song is just AMAZING.
- Grace, Palm Springs, CA |
<> ...Others are sure of it...The Korn version bites... <> ...You're thinking of "Free Willy"...
- Nessie, Sapporo, Japan |
Toni Tenille of The Captain and Tenille sang backup on The Wall album, and Thin Lizzy guitarist Snowy White joined them (and several other musicians) as part of the lve band when they presented The Wall in concerts.
Dave, Toronto
- David, Torornto, Canada |
As the band plays this song on stage, as part of the show, a brick wall is built around them.
- Brian, Corpus Christi, TX |
Korn did a remake of this song
- Angelo, New York, NY |
"The Wall" is one of my favorite albums and also one of my favorite movies. The theory that you will only understand it if you are stoned is not true. The movie is about a rock star (Pink) whose life is haunted by events in the past. He is terrified of where his father is. His father left to fight in WWII but he never came back. He is also very sick of formal education. All of his other problems in his band was just "another brick in the wall." The wall was a psycological wall between him and the rest of the world. At the end of the movie he finds his inner self and breaks through the wall.
- Jake, Philadelphia, PA |
To be honest... I have never heard the original version. All I know is it was hard to take that history test this morning with the line "We don't need no education" from Korn's cover playing in my head over and over again.
- Ryan, Mobile, AL |
I agree with John, KoRn's version of this song is sickening...
- Bryant, Salina, KS |
Heres a little known fact. The album 'the wall' syncs up perfectly with Cool Runnings. Enjoi :)
- mat, henderson, NC |
How can ya have any meat if ya dont have your pudding.
- Kevin, Fallston, MD |
I LOVE this song! it's one of Floyd's best. IT describes how I felt when I went to school.
- Takashi, Tokyo, Japan |
Wow. Lots of misconceptions to clear up here.
1. Roger Waters got the idea for the album when he became frustrated with touring. Many people go to concerts for the experience, and not to listen to the music. These people, screaming, lighting firecrackers, etc., are what frustrated Waters. The 'last straw' was a show in Montreal on the 'Animals' tour (not the 'Wall' tour as somebody said - how would that have been possible?). "I was onstage and there was one guy in the front row shouting and screaming all the way through everything. In the end I called him over and when he got close enough, spat in his face. I shocked myself with that incident enough to think: hold on a minute--this is all wrong. I'm hating this," according to Waters. (quote from http://www.angelfire.com/va/battersea/tour.html)
2. Syd Barrett was the inspiration for several Pink Floyd works, most notably 'Wish You Were Here' ('Shine On You Crazy Diamond' in particular). However, 'The Wall' is indeed based on the life of Roger Waters, not the life of Syd Barrett. Roger's dad was killed in World War II, he had an overprotective mother, befriended a poisoned rat, had horrible teachers, the whole bit. However, once Pink starts to go off the deep end, some of his quirks and behaviors are based on Syd's.
3. "the movie "the wall" is believed to be about roger waters life, even though he denies it"
- james, sudbury, Canada
No, he doesn't. The DVD commentary track features Roger explaining in great detail what inspired the movie, as he has an entertaining conversation with Gerald Scarfe, the film's production designer and animator.
4. The 'Have A Cigar' incident does not relate to The Wall in any way. It's a retelling of an actual occurence and helps to illustrate the cluelessness of most record executives.
5. "Actually the wall wasn't origionally about Pink, or bariers between people. He got the Idea for the movie when he was on the wall tour. he spat on a concert attender when he was trying to climb the wall. Later he realized how cold it was to have done that, and felt really bad. Thus the wall (movie) was born. I found this in the "Making of" on the wall dvd."
- Chas, Webster, NY
That's not what it says. The idea was born during the 'Animals' tour in 1977. How on Earth could he get the idea for The Wall while performing The Wall? That would have created a time paradox and destroyed the Earth.
6. The phrase 'Another brick in the wall' refers to various events in Pink's/Roger's life that encouraged or forced him to build a protective wall around himself. His father's death, his mother's doting, his terrible school experience, the breakup of his marriage, pressures of touring, drugs, etc.
7. "any hardcore fan of Pink Floyd would appreciate the sheer mastermind of Roger Waters' writing in the song but the song itself sucks."
- Cristian, Brentwood, Canada
Wow. Just ... wow.
- J4000, Your House, AK |
Korn butchered the hell out of this song. It's unbearable.
- John, Calgary, Canada |
Pink Floyds cd "the wall" was NOT about Roger Waters, it was about Syd Barrett. Another Brick in the wall is ONE of their most famous songs EVER, however any hardcore fan of Pink Floyd would appreciate the sheer mastermind of Roger Waters' writing in the song but the song itself sucks. If he had recorded it the orginal way of him singing over an acoustic guitar and it being 1min and 20sec long it would have been MUCH better. The best song on that cd in my oppinion has to be comfortably numb.
- Cristian, Brentwood, Canada |
This song is really cool and I like the words and phrases that are used to describe Waters' life within the song. I love Pink Floyd. If anyone actually knows what 'Pink Floyd' really means, pleze email me! Thanks!
reenybiddle@yahoo.com
- Maureen, Prospect, VA |
thank you tawnee...
- Ben, Aguadilla, United States |
The Wall, album or movie, is semi biographical of Syd Barrett''s (the original singer for Floyd) Life. After having issues with the band, Barrett went out on his own the went insane shortly there after. Roger Waters is perfectly sane and Have A Cigar is not refering to the Pink of The Wall. Another Brick In The Wall Part 2 is not a very good song. It is ok, but I like parts 1 and 3 better. I also like Mother. But you are supposed to listen to the album as one whole song. Darkside Of The Moon is there greatest album.
- Andres, Santa Rosa, CA |
I hate people who ONLY know this song and think theyre some hardcore floyd fan because of it.
poser: I LOOOOOVE Pink FLoyd
Fan: really? whats your favorite song?
poser: we don't need no education, what else?!?!
fan: you idiot
- tawnee, Tucson, AZ |
my mom used to jam up "the wall" really loud i coud hear it from my room.i thoght she was so kool blasting we don't need no education...cuz u know like many kids they hate skool..like me.now i listen to the stones and the beatles and of course flyod
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cut the crap, this song is awesome
- alex, st louis, MO |
The "wall" reference changes from part I to part II. In part I the "wall" seems to refer to World War II and the "daddy" that flew across the ocean never came back, he died and was just a brick in the wall of history. Ultimately an anonymous sacrifice. Too great a one perhaps, ?Daddy what else did?ya leave for me? DADDY WHAT'YA LEAVE BEHIND FOR ME? All in all, it was just a brick in the wall...? beautiful
- Adeeb, Dhaka, Other |
The date of 1979 is a little premature as it didn't even debut in the U.S. Top 40 until Feb 9, 1980. Then it later ran up to #1 and stayed there for 4 weeks. So 1980 is much more accurate.
- Larry, Palm Springs, CA |
This song was played, to great applause, on the night that the first brick was thrown from the berlin wall. After playing tis song, as well as a few others, pink floyd proceded to grafitti the wall, writing, "MOTHER, SHOULD I TRUST THE GOVERNMENT?". This was a very famous act of the Floyd.
- gavin, hampden, MA |
The wall refers to the wall Roger Waters built around himself because he wasn't in touch with reality. The bricks in the wall are the events in his life that propelled him to build this perverbial wall around him. His school teacher was just another brick in the wall.
- Daniel, Tyler, Tx, TX |
The character, Pink, was mentioned in the song "Have A Cigar" from the Wish You Were Here album. The line goes "The band is really just fantastic, that is really what I think. Oh, by the way, which one's Pink?"
- Paulo, New York, NY |
The video for this song is on the dvd for the wall, the video includes parts of the film
- owen, Suffolk, England |
Actually the wall wasn't origionally about Pink, or bariers between people. He got the Idea for the movie when he was on the wall tour. he spat on a concert attender when he was trying to climb the wall. Later he realized how cold it was to have done that, and felt really bad. Thus the wall (movie) was born. I found this in the "Making of" on the wall dvd.
- Chas, Webster, NY |
teachers don't care (generally) about your potential, or your needs in learning. You come out of school knowing only how to raise your hand and sit in rows. Just another thing contributing to the oppression of self expression... in other words, "Just another brick in the wall..."
- Randy, Bolivar, NY |
Correct me if i'm wrong but i believe the movie is about sid barret
- Nick, Shelton, CT |
I was raised on country music. Of course I listen to a little R & R from time to time as a teenager. Now my dear ole Mom was Pasty Cline and Lorretta Lynn through and through. Can you imagine my surprise when one day after school I walked in to hear Dear ole Mom jamming out to Another Brick...
I ask her, "Girl, what are you doing listening to to Pink Floyd?" She said," I just like the way it sounds." I don't believe she ever really listen the lyrics.
- Doc, Baytown, TX |
the movie "the wall" is believed to be about roger waters life, even though he denies it
- james, sudbury, Canada |
both pink floyd's most popular and worst song
- james, sudbury, Canada |
A pretty good hit for the band. But very far from being one of their best songs. Trust me.
- Corey, Dark Side Of The Moon, Other |
watch the wall. then it kinda makes sense
- Gonny, FakeTown, GA |
the line "no dark sarcasm in the classroom" is a really interesting line because the children are all singing "we don't need NO education" you see the no makes that line incorrect grammar wise, so the kids saying that they don't need an education with bad grammar is in fact dark sarcasm
- scott, Bismarck, ND |
in the movie, the wall. when the first in the flesh song is played with the riots of the kids and police was based on a show they had in Los angelas. the chief oh police there had started a revolt against rock and roll and especially pink floyd because they dared to play a show in a sports arena downtown. it was durring th animals tour(animals album mocked society and athority) and after the show the police attacked and searched every kid with a pink floyd ticket.
- Lee, Durham, NC |
Roger Waters said that while he was in Montreal playing at the Big O some one from the crowd tried to climb up on stage. Roger then tells us that he spat in the face of this fan; he then stopped and asked himself "why am I doing this?" -- As per an interview with Roger Waters which can be found on the Pink Floyd The Wall DVD.
- Nicholas, Markham, Canada |
The idea for this concept album came to Waters
during a concert in the Olympic stadium
(the big O)in Montreal where he did feel a Wall
between the band and the crowd. This stadium is
huge and the band felt isolated on the stage,like
being behind a Wall.
The concert was played before a full house and
was a huge success.
Æ?mile from Sherbrooke, Qu?bec
but everybody (well almost) spoke french increa-
sing the feeling of a Wall
- Ã?mile, Sherbrooke, Canada |
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Thursday, May 22, 2008 
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