Benzi said:
what about Pink Floyd's The Wall. What are some political messages there?
Benzi,
Wow, great quetion that is very difficult to answer. There are MANY variables that determine your perspective on Pink Floyd's "The Wall". Most people agree that there is a Western (US &UK) and Eastern (Former Iron Curtain) opinion or interpretation of the album.
I think it is important to understand that Roger Waters intended "The Wall" to be a poetic interpretation of one young boy's life, starting from childhood and moving through adulthood. If you have seen the movie Pink goes "mad". This was not an original idea, but was added during the filming of the movie with Bob Geldof. Roger Waters has stated his original interpretation of Pink did not go this deep into mental problems.
The album addresses the issues that "Pink" (lead character) has to deal with. So I'll do my best to guide you through what I think the first 7 songs mean. This may help you to interpret the rest of the album, but maybe not.
"In The Flesh?" - This as most of the early song titles is obvious. This is the description of "Pink's" birth, a description of his forceful entry into the world.
"The Thin Ice" - The key words in this song include 'Momma' and 'Daddy' as Pink's father is still alive. Look to the second verse for some significant political references, and the beginning of Pink's downfall (in only song two).
"Another Brick In the Wall Part 1." - This most obviously is the first reference to Pick's withdrawl from society. The lyrics specifically reference Pink's Father leaving "across the ocean".
"The Happiest Days of Our Lives" - Pink is now schol age and though being tormented by his teachers, he knows that his teachers are also leading a tortured life themselves. Out of this he gains much enjoyment.
"Another Brick In the Wall Part 2" - Pink in school, do I really need to explain this? The escalation of Pink's retreat from society at a high school age.
"Mother" - (The best song on the album) - Pink's father has left for the war and he is living with his Mother and he doesn't know how to deal with the world. Hence him asking his Mother all those questions and his Mother responding that she will take care of him (and the killer guitar solo). This leads him further out of reality into his own world.
"Goodbye Blue Sky" - Just imagine Normandy on D-Day. Pink's Father die in the war (though many people debate this).
As a side note it is important to note that Roger Waters' (who wrote most of "The Wall") was an RAF pilot that was shot down during the war.
So from this begining you hould be able to get a general understanding of what "The Wall" stands for. From this I think ou can get an idea how "politics" affected Pink's life and therefore the album "The Wall".
This was really long, and probably a waste of space, but I thought it might help. Send me an e-mail if you want to talk about it more.
Pebcak
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