What makes Animals by Pink Floyd so great? Album analysis & review

What makes Animals by Pink Floyd so great may not be apparent on first listen, but it continues to resonate with audiences today. It still sounds fresh. Understanding Animals is easy when you break it down, lyric by lyric as I do in the video. We look at the meaning behind each song. By any other band, Animals would be their best record, but the fact that it followed two giants and then was overshadowed by the monumental Wall, it’s easy to see why this can get overlooked by new listeners. But it shouldn’t be ignored, it’s fantastic, wonderful, and beautiful.
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[@jamesfetherston1190]

A pig, a dog and a sheep are sitting at a table. A plate of 20 biscuits are served. The pig grabs 19 and says to the dog “watch out, that sheep wants to take your biscuit.”

[@c.d.dailey8013]

Nice analogy. I thought of what it would be like for Animal Farm. A pig, a dog and a sheep are sitting at a table. A plate of 21 biscuits are served. The animals make an agreement. Each animal gets 7 biscuits. Each is equally served. The animals start eating. The pig gorges on 7 biscuits and keeps going. It eats a total of 15. Then the dog and the sheep each eat 3. The pig declares that is is served more equally than others. Heck, if this was really like Animal Farm, the pig would wash down the biscuits with booze.

[@jaynewton5278]

Hahaha that's top.

[@teleespantoso]

Tree Fiddy

[@bobthebear1246]

In other words, the pig is a Republican.

[@stevetomlinson3894]

Fabulous! That l'll remember.

[@EugeneAxe]

The lyrics are far more relevant today than they were in the mid seventies. Genius album. A true masterpiece way ahead of it's time.

[@capttrips1523]

Hell, they've been relevant throughout most civilization

[@jimj9729]

I guess it just depends on which group of Pigs and Dogs you want lording over you. Some want to stop you from saying certain things; others want to force you to say certain things.

[@uniido1108]

@@REALLYPROFIT wow, a dog in action!

[@DarthLore00]

The album is very much a product of the turmoil of the time was made in, things just haven't changed much since then

[@thenextgreat8652]

I’d simply say they’re equally relevant today as they were in 77.

[@harrygoodchild4563]

Nice roger mug on the table

[@SuperDeadknife]

🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿

[@ryebreadstick8533]

🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿

[@beeee__]

r/PinkFloydCircleJerk gang rise up

[@Mmmald397]

🐎 🐴 🎠 🏇 🗿 🗿

[@user-sw6xf6hw9z]

🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🐕🐖🐑

[@frankcarlone5130]

"Have you heard the news? The dogs are dead. You better stay home and do as you're told." The dogs are dead but the sheep are still sheep, doing what they're told to do, only by a different leader. It's a message of futility.

[@johnnyscorp5893]

Hmm that can make sense but tying it too what he video said it also shows how they have become dogs. the quote sounds almost like a command that you would give to a dog. Another of great aspect of pink floyd: their lyrics were often poetry meaning it can mean lots of different things to different people.

[@jeffbishop5381]

"Get outta the road if you wanna grow old"

[@Randsurfer]

Reminds me of the Bolshevik revolution.

[@ericmaher4756]

To me this sounds prophetic in the disappearance of this buffer between the controlling elite and the crowd. Dog’s dirty work for the pigs is done, they’ve amassed all the wealth for them by now. Sheep are pitted against themselves and are giving a peering look into “the dream”, but it’s not time for a revolution as they think, it’s time to hide and let the chaos pass. This is today, little man.

[@GarrettMerkin]

One of my uncles always said Pink Floyd is depressing and the older I get the more I realize the really are. Love em, still. Especially Animals.

[@nikonikic269]

I like how you give credits to Nick Mason, not many do that.

[@nmol9733]

Nick Masons best work is on animals IMO.

[@JammyGit]

People tend not to give Rick credit either but in my opinion each member of the band brought something unique to the table. They mainly concentrate on Roger or Dave, but there's no "I' in band 😎👍

[@COLE-ud2wi]

Rick is the special sauce that makes Pink Floyd what it is imo

[@scottscottsdale7868]

Mick was the perfect percussionist for Pink Floyd.

[@scottscottsdale7868]

@@COLE-ud2wi add in Nick. Funnily enough when I was a kid in 70’s I thought the band looked so scary. But it turns out they were the nicest guys and soft spoken

[@thebreakfastmenu]

David Gilmour is the reason I first picked up a guitar when I was 14. He's phenomenal. No one, not even the shredders, will deny his brilliance. But his creativity on Animals is otherworldly. Using harmonics to mimic a dog's whine, and a talk box to sound like a pig. And that Sheep outro gives me goosebumps every single time to this day, despite having heard it probably literally over a hundred times. As much as I love C Numb, his playing on Animals deserves the spotlight more often

[@SDsailor7]

Another guitarist that can give you goosebumps is Andy Latimer from the group Camel Cheers

[@richs4878]

Yes. The Sheep outro. Giving me goosebumps since 1977 when I was 14 years old. 😌

[@Nova-fh2et]

Didn't know how to spell "comfortably" or what?

[@thebreakfastmenu]

@@Nova-fh2et Aww show me where the abbreviation hurt you

[@Nova-fh2et]

@@thebreakfastmenu who said anything about that? I'm not the idiot using abbreviations

[@Krebfest]

That moment when you realize that this video isn’t even as long as the longest song on the album

[@SpaceCattttt]

Stop whining, Zoomer. You're with the big boys now.

[@Krebfest]

teppolundgren bro I own the album on vinyl I was making a joke lol

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@Krebfest Oh yeah? Which pressing?

[@Krebfest]

teppolundgren I believe it’s a 1977 second press. I also own copies of Dark Side, Piper at the Gates, Meddle, The Wall, Wish You Were Here and Final Cut. Not sure what plant it was pressed at tho

[@kevinandthezits4408]

Guys calm down let’s all just enjoy the music

[@brycewalker6110]

Fun fact: the “stone” that repeats on dogs, is in the same location on side one, as it is on side two. I’m sure they did this to think like, you were “dragged” through the record.

[@WaldoJeffers65]

I'd wondered about that for 40 years. It wasn't until last year that someone pointed that out to me.

[@jeffreypryor4549]

Interesting. I never realized that.

[@killawhatt8620]

Bryce Walker The sounds are incredible....it’s a perfect album.

[@GamePlayWithNolan]

I checked the original copy and this is incorrect. It is not in the same place

[@fellowshipofthemystery6154]

This was the album that made Pink Floyd my favorite all-time band in 1978, when I first listened to it. Smoke-filled truck, stereo cranked, head-rush city.

[@brettlowton6961]

I was OBSESSED with this album when I was 15 years old. I'm 54 now and still think it's an amazing album. Alongside "Meddle" and "The Wall" it's one of my top three favourite Pink Floyd albums.

[@brokenmarbles70]

Echoes blew my mind as a kid

[@420Gold]

Yes! I’m 33 and animals, the wall and meddle are fucking incredible! Been a huge fan for over a decade, and their music never gets old.

[@COLE-ud2wi]

Dogs is one of the greatest songs ever made

[@fredi1505]

On god

[@UlyssesM]

It's definitely on par with Echoes and Shine On in terms of song writing.

[@davidbanan.]

Notreallu

[@mikem3543]

Without question.

[@golfingcub02]

@@UlyssesM best version of it is from Montreal '77 ;)

[@Zappappappappa]

Gilmour's guitar playing and Rogers cynical yet brutally honest lyrics on his experiences dealing with record executives combined with the already bone chillingly relevant novel that is Animal Farm.

[@thenextgreat8652]

My favorite album of all time even though it’s not even widely considered the best Floyd album of all time. First and foremost, the music is phenomenal. Second, lyrically it mirrors the reality of everyday life as much today in 2020 as it did back in the 1977 when it was released. Just an absolute masterpiece.

[@ricklewis5804]

Nathan MacKitton29 It’s a dark album but very good. I’ve never seen a video of the post Waters PF perform any song from Animals.

[@kenttekulve5506]

Second that

[@marcosvideos6787]

Animals is my favorite Pink floyd album as well. 1977 seems so far away.

[@benrobinson9473]

“Wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream”

[@iaincook5835]

Superb lyrics on this track.

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

Orwellian forboding in a lot of the lyrics. Mary Whitehouse was one of the worst witches of that time as well lol. She got all the snowflakes going and started a process in the uk of getting programs on tv removed or edited for swear words or any sexual content. It’s why we are where we are today with tv becoming crap.

[@Stonecutter334]

Sounds like Trump supporters doesn’t it.

[@iaincook5835]

BLM (Burning Looting Marxists) setting fire to Jewish and inner city minority businesses to bring about the revolution?

[@UlyssesM]

That lyric has to be the best lyric ever. It was always my favorite. It summarizes the entire album in one line.

[@audiophool864]

The problem is the album came after dark side and wish you were here. Is is a totally different style. It actually has some of best guitar work of any pink Floyd album.

[@jennifersman7990]

I think a lot of that was the band’s reaction to the punk movement of 1977

[@jeffreypryor4549]

Agreed, some of the best guitar I've ever heard.

[@scottscottsdale7868]

I have heard Roger Waters perform Dogs and Pigs in concert. They are great live.

[@AnthonyRitfw]

Yeah, the slow part at the beginning of the Dog's solo is incredible. One of the best guitar pieces from the band.

[@tb-cg6vd]

Well that's a record; 5 KZbin comments in a row that I totally agree with.

[@timothyrice1621]

The harmony guitar solos on Dogs give me chills everytime

[@theboofin]

Yes.

[@lamppostwillie]

One of the few albums that never get old, no matter how much I listen to it. It always feels fresh.

[@OfSoundNFury]

I disagree. The album is actually stale and dirty, gritty. That what makes it great to me

[@nateds7326]

Why is animals so great? It's 3 masterpiece prog rock suites sandwiched between 2 short and sweet ditties, all tied together by an amazing concept and lyrics from Roger waters, masterful guitar solos and bass lines from David Gilmour, impeccable drum fills from Nick mason, and some great organ work from richard wright. In other words, it's a pink floyd album.

[@gbsailing9436]

And a banger from start to finish!

[@HAL.9000]

Open the pod bay doors, HAL

[@markstedman8186]

I never really thought of Pink Floyd as prog, to my understanding prog is non blues based music and you definitely can't say that of Pink Floyd

[@Aaron628318]

@@markstedman8186 I think of prog as rock that is progressive, i.e. musically advanced and thought provoking. Pink Floyd qualifies. I don't see any need to narrow the definition.

[@markstedman8186]

@@Aaron628318 Well yes I think the definition has changed over the years, I think I was just stating what I took to mean by the term. The bands I got into when it started in the early 70's like yes, genesis, camel,ELP, Jethro tull and crimson were making a form of rock that was removed from its blues roots and I think that Floyd while making beautifully inventive music still retained a strong blues element, Gilmours guitar work especially is testament to this I think. I wasn't trying to be restrict the meaning of the genre, I was clarifying what my understanding of I think prog is. I also think that Pink Floyd can't really be put in any definite category, they really are unique

[@ian7136]

Only 22 here, listened to some pink floyd before but recently listened to “dogs”, I haven’t heard all of this album yet but this song man. This is the best song I’ve ever heard.

[@xbenci]

trust me, Sheep is even better. also, I don't wanna be that guy nor do I wanna tell you what to do, but listenening to this alrbum's songs individually is a shame (not a shame to you) because they are so connected and complement each other so incredibly well that they shouldn't be listened to separately in my opinion. again, don't take this as a critic to you, take it as a suggestion: listen to this thing as a whole, it's one of the best musical experiences you'll probably ever have

[@IxHATExUCLA]

Every Floyd album deserves to be played start to finish. That’s just how it is.

[@xbenci]

@@IxHATExUCLA of course, but I feel like with other records you can just play some tracks when you feel like and they'll work just fine (Money, for example, works amazing even as a single). Animals doesn't offer that IMO

[@rezonance1000]

Its too long and complex for this time to absorb all album. We are now going more deeper with analyses and need small bunchesor it

[@gliddofglood]

@@xbenci Nope. Dogs. The lyrics are savage - one of the best things Waters wrote. "Just another sad old man, all alone and dying of cancer!"

[@rileyroo1067]

I haven't listened to Animals yet... but guess what i'm gonna do now. Edit: thank you everyone for telling me about this amazing album. I just wanted to say , WOW that blew my mind.

[@deformem6622]

You should, its amazing

[@luucvinky2194]

Enjoy

[@iwasthewalrus613]

Oh boy, you're about to make one of the best decisions of your life.

[@OmriNamir]

Enjoy it!!!!

[@jaywaverly1]

Pigs is my fav

[@DeavTech]

Man, I found a vinyl copy of Animals at a Goodwill store, it didn't have the cover and was just the inner sleeve, best couple bucks I ever spent. Animals is my 2nd favorite Floyd album after Meddle.

[@davidsteer8142]

I can’t decide which is my favourite between Dogs and Echoes. So close......

[@bensmith4563]

I think meddle is the best

[@JohannesLabusch]

I appreciate that you use phrase like "to me". Personal interpretations of dense and obscure lyrics and music have the danger built in that your listeners will completely disagree, because they've come to different conclusions, or because they simply can't follow your line of reasoning. It's respectful and smart to make it clear in your wording that this is your personal way of seeing things. Great art always leaves several diverging views of its meaning open.

[@jchap15901]

disagree, it's redundant. he's speaking to us subjectively in the first-person, we can already assume everything he is saying is spoken from personal opinion (or at least that of VinylRewind) and not general consensus or stated fact.

[@JohannesLabusch]

@@jchap15901 disagree away, buddy, but my experience has been that people can state some weird ass interpretations and sound like they insist that's the only way to see it. All I said was that I like the way he does it.

[@joemomma3988]

Everyone raves about Dark Side but I’m a Wish you Were Here guy. The theme of longing and absence is astounding. From the truly heartbreaking opening solo to Shine on you crazy diamond to the soul crushing realization of being a cog in the the wheel of Welcome to the machine. This album hits hard. The title track well enough said just classic longing. And of course Have a Cigar with the tale of everyone loves a winner or fair weather friends and I use the term loosely. The album is just so melancholy and depressing I can see maybe it being a turn off for some. If you have the emotional maturity grab your beverage of choice from a stiff cocktail or a cup of tea. Slap on your headphones and enjoy one of the most emotionally honest records ever made. It’s my favorite Pink Floyd album. And that’s one mans opinion

[@markgarcia8253]

I completely agree but musically and concept wise, WYWH is just The Second Half of Dark Side. Especially how the latter ends and flows into the former. Like entering an eternal sleep after a lifetime of struggle Personally I always took my after work naps with WYWH playing in the back. Those were some vivid dreams

[@kenhernandez8128]

You are in wrong place. This is about Animals.

[@nickj7335]

Whenever I hear SHINE ON YOU CRAZYY DIAAMOND, it gives me chills

[@echoesoffloyd5000]

Comparision doesn't matter when a band comes out with only masterpieces in every album they make. Till today, every album of PF's has it's day to indulge in, in accordance to

[@michaelsalisbury1477]

But Wish you werr here is PFs worst album with Roger!!!!!!!!!!

[@jakebogaert2422]

i always thought “pigs on the wing” was a play on the phrase “when pigs fly”

[@5yearsout]

That's how I've always interpreted it too.

[@gururajchadaga]

Same.

[@gururajchadaga]

@Logan 5 You might be right. But The term Pigs on the Wing is an old war saying for enemy pilots that are in your blind spot, so to be a shelter from that is to protect someone from their enemies.

[@5yearsout]

@Logan 5 Thank you for the condescending reply, but the comment wasn't about the origins of the original phrase or the meaning of the original phrase but how Roger Waters used the phrase in this in this song. I always took the song as 2 people trying to keep a relationship together, 2 people who care and about each other but always fighting, and if they didn't care about each other they'd just go through the boredom and pain of a loveless relationship, wondering who to blame, and figuring it out when pigs fly. I've heard other people to take it literally as a reference to the pig on the album cover when it broke free of it's mooring during the photo shoot. I can see that the lyrics can mean different things to different people, and from the likes on the OP comments many people have taken it the same way.

[@mikenash7049]

I interpreted "watching for pigs on the wing" as meaning worrying about things that might happen that are actually impossible, as the phrase "pigs might fly" refers to an impossible event. In other words, being paranoid. Interestingly, at the Live 8 concert in which Roger Waters was reunited with the others, a fan in the crowd had a large sign saying "Pigs have flown" - meaning that the impossible had happened: Roger and the others were (at least temporarily) reconciled.

[@zosmaee]

You do not assume to have the "right" or the "unique" interpretation, and yet you do not hide yourself in general considerations. This is an excellent review of this album, congratulations for your work and thank you for sharing it with us.

[@Thomaszmccormick]

You don't dumb a single thing down. I love that. Very detail-oriented and charming. Great job on the most underrated Pink Floyd album.

[@Sinnsonido]

"Dogs" was once called "You Gotta Be Crazy" and "Sheep" was once called "Raving and Drooling". Both songs were being presented to live audiences as early as 1974. With Roger handing out demos to the band after _Animals_ , it was really their last great album as a band, though no longer a true democratic effort as in the past. Some of Roger's most incendiary work as a writer, and some of David's most dynamic guitar work ever. His vocals on "Dogs" are some of his most powerful to date.

[@minners71]

I was just about to post this, both early versions are available on youtube and are well worth a listen. They were originally going to be on Wish you were here with side one being Shine in you crazy diamond and side 2 being You've got to be crazy and Raving and drooling. Roger felt that Dave couldn't get the vocals right something that Dave felt he could but in the end Roger won the argument and they were shelved and Welcome to the machine,have a cigar and wish you were here were written for the album instead.

[@devinotero1798]

The wall?

[@Technicalectasy]

The early version of Dogs is a lot better than the studio album

[@pmaxgray]

@@minners71 You're not alone - so was I! Saw them perform them at the Liverpool Empire in November 1974.

[@culloden23]

I like the 1974 version of You Gotta Be Crazy. Dave sings it much faster

[@PaulJonesy]

Animals was my introduction to Floyd, I was at school when it came out and the mother of a friend of mine had a pre-release copy as she’d been involved in some part of the artwork. It’s no exaggeration to say this changed my life, I can recall it so well. Possibly my favourite album ever in the sense of being a coherent whole.

[@THEbadlnb]

Mary Whitehouse was calling for music censorship at the time and Roger did not like it or her.

[@ChromeDestiny]

Also film censorship.

[@TheVinylGuru]

My fav album of theirs. So dark. So good.

[@antalantal2366]

Musically speaking "Animals" contains some of the most sophisticated songs by PF. The chord progression on "Dogs" is, to my mind, somewhat reminiscent of the jazz-fusion period of the middle seventies.

[@KommentarSpaltenKrieger]

It is a very unusual chord progression. Together with the mostly very dry and acoustic sound and the keyboard work it creates a really unparalleled atmosphere I can't quite describe.

[@John_Locke_108]

Animals has always been my favorite Floyd record. David's guitar work in Dogs is just incredible.

[@Coolnesski]

The Dogs keyboard during “Stone” simulates being dragged underwater

[@henryorsomething]

Ah, my first Pink Floyd album

[@jaxob_5850]

listen to the wall, it’s so beautiful

[@henryorsomething]

@@jaxob_5850 already have mate. Animals was the first album I listened to out of their discography, is what I meant. I've only listened to 'the big four' though, so if you've got a suggestion for what album of theirs to listen to next I'd love to hear it.

[@noot007]

What an awesome place to start

[@henryorsomething]

@@noot007 funny you say that. I didn't quite know what to make of it at first. I was only used to 3 1/2 minute hip hop songs at the time, so jumping into 17 minute Pink Floyd epics was a bit ambitious lol. I didn't appreciate Animals until I'd grown to enjoy Pink Floyd's sound through The Wall and DSOTM. Love Animals now, though.

[@noot007]

@@henryorsomething That's dope. It took me some time to appreciate the album too.

[@JR_Taylor]

Worth a mention that the 8 track has an extra solo joining pigs on the wing 1 and 2 and forming a loop of the album. Animals is my fav

[@Mcrclerk]

Hoping someone was going to notice that. Also I prefer the 8 track version as we end on a bleak note, rather than Wing pt2.

[@willymccoy3427]

The 8 track version is my preference as well. The first version of Animals I ever bought was the 8 track. (dating myself)

[@unncommonsense]

Snowy White did that one.

[@jodyhowell9164]

When I was 9 years old (1982) I bought the 8 track at a yard sale for $1.00. I never heard this album before that, so this version of "Pigs On The Wing" was the only way I knew the song. I played it constantly and of course the tape finally broke and I was devastated, so my mom asked her little brother (My Uncle) to record his album onto cassette for me and he did. When I listened to the tape I immediately notice something was wrong but being so young I couldn't explain what was different so my complaints fell on deaf ears. 25 years later I see this 8 track on E Bay and I bought it and I was instantly 9 years old again, I absolutely love this album!

[@MWL4466]

Holy shit.....yeah...i remember that. Dam i'm old !

[@SEGAClownboss]

Props for paying attention on the importance of the album art.

[@OliSpleen]

I would say the most obvious interpretation of “waiting for pigs on the wing” is waiting for something that will never happen. The British expression “when pigs fly” is normally intended to describe a event which in reality will never manifest itself.

[@soloexperiencer]

Obvious to a Brit, probably, but not to the rest of the world 🙂 I've been listening to the album for the last 30 years, but only now I found out about the expression and its meaning, so - thank you!

[@co94]

Nice word salad there.

[@2hotnips]

It could possibly mean how the Pigs will never have 100% control of the world like they want to. The Sheep and Dogs are dreading when it happens, and are waiting for when the scales fully tip, and the Pigs take wing, but perhaps it's an irrational fear. It always looks like the Pigs have the world in the palm of their hands (hooves?), but in reality, they've been trying to take over the world for a long time, and have come close, but not that close.

[@dugger0]

Pretty sure in WW2 "pigs on the wing" referred to enemies in your blind spot.

[@bobthebear1246]

*Animals* is my all-time favorite album, as it is my favorite album by my favorite band of all-time. This for me is the greatest album ever made. An absolute masterpiece from beginning to end - all killer, no filler - it is a masterpiece on every single level: Musically, thematically, lyrically and emotionally. This should be one of the 100 essential albums that any Rock fan must listen to. Absolutely amazing. (10+++/10)

[@schrisdellopoulos9244]

So you like it or not?

[@adrianhallich6101]

A day before this review came out I was watching WKRP in Cincinnati’s “Turkey’s Away” episode. Dogs played for a minute and a half with Johnny strobing out while Arthur Carlson came in. It’s hilarious, i watched it half a dozen times.

[@adrianhallich6101]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5bRl6Jur9Nmlck

[@Jbones72]

Always cut out of the reruns, streaming episode. Mr Carlson’s reaction is classic!

[@acerjuglans]

Yes! I loved that episode!

[@cornfedjuggalo]

Animals has always been my favorite album, and I do not mean favorite Pink Floyd album but my favorite album of any artist at any time....

[@domroc5776]

Me too

[@alexcastro7339]

Waters howling voice captured the mood of despair and hopelessness to a T.... When you hear the album in retrospect decades later, it becomes even more striking and pronounced......

[@markcharron]

This album, and pf in general, shattered my childhood illusions as a teenager

[@alanlowe9716]

My wife and I had been to a friend's place the night before. He asked if we had heard Pink Floyd, Animals. He didn't have it but said he heard it and was impressed. Next morning, my wife was up before me, went out and bought the record. She put it on when she got back and I slowly woke up to it thinking I was tripping... it was awesome :D

[@cashbruce8590]

Animals is probably my favorite album on terms of actual songs, while The Wall is my favorite in terms of concept, flow, and overall playing style; I can't decide 🤔

[@gbsailing9436]

Why...do you need to... Love both equally

[@prettyshinyspaghetti8332]

Tbh Animals was always difficult to get into because the 2 previous albums and those after it were sonically amazing. The clarity of the sound effects and instruments defined PF for me. Then there's this album that comparatively sounds like it was recorded in a garage

[@jjackomin]

My favorite album. Dogs is majestic.

[@sitnstill4now]

I'm so glad for your numerous videos and extent of appreciation for the album Animals. It is one of my favorite Pink Floyd albums.

[@rubicon-oh9km]

I consider Animals to be the best rock recording of the 20th century. Ask me why and it's incredibly hard to put it into words. I just think pure chemistry. Water's nihilistic lyrics. Gilmour's ax work. The always underrated Wright keyboard contributions and the always solid Mason drumming. Something magical happened in that studio in 1976 that people will be listening to 100 years from now.

[@markplank5929]

Fabulous break down of this amazing album.

[@T-Dawg-lp2sh]

Man I love animals! I think as far as pink floyd albums go it's the most atmospheric, there is just so much to look into, like you said even the cover art gives you a taste of the album without listening to the music, whilst keeping a good amount of mystery to be discovered within the music, I wish I could have the opportunity to listen to it again for the 1st time! Brilliant review as always!!! Also just out of curiosity do you plan on revisiting the idea of looking at the lifetime of Gilmour's fender stratocaster?

[@andrewpappas9311]

I read Animal Farm in high school and never made the connection between the album and the book but when I first started getting into the album I was absolutely blown away by Roger’s songwriting and the insanity of the songs, and it quickly became one of my favourite Floyd albums

[@siljeff2708]

I love Pigs on the Wing, both parts. However, the best part of the song was lost. The Bootleg A Tree full of Secrets has the original version of the song with both parts combined, with a really cool guitar solo connecting the two!

[@jimnewberry2759]

On the 8 track tape version of the album you'll find that awesome guitar solo

[@blankslate8002]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIGkioVrg7eYe5o here it is

[@DerekPower]

Yeah, the combined version was done for the 8-track due to the format’s particular sequencing demands. But I think it’s fair to say that the vinyl issue is the definitive presentation. (The cassette splits Pigs to make the music spread more even between sides) Also it was Snowy White who did that POTW guitar solo.

[@varunbhattacharyya9356]

Yeah. Snowy White played that guitar solo and often played it live as well during the 1977 shows

[@98Dreadboy]

No that was solo was a bit too tacky in my opinion and would not fit a floyd album it doesn't sound like gilmour or floyd. I'm glad they left it off the album it's a cool bonus track however.

[@glassslide]

Animals isn't just my favorite Pink Floyd album (by far) it's one of my favorite albums period. Excellent review, really enjoyed your insights, great job.

[@hurfnurf2487]

Meddle has been my favorite for awhile ive never gave much attention to animals but ill check it out now

[@norbitcleaverhook5040]

Dude. It kills Meddle. Its one of those albums that has never gotten old for me. Might take a lil to get your head around, but all the best albums do.

[@matthewcoombs3282]

It is a tough listen, but Gilmour's work in particular is the best he ever did on a Floyd record.

[@philipmichel215]

I all but worn out my turntable and later cassette player in my 60 Ford Falcon playing Animals daily my junior and senior year of high school! Always great to go back today and listen to it again .. it never gets stale or old.

[@dunkelstevenson4413]

I love this album, dogs is my favorite song ever

[@CosmicCatlady]

My brother got the album on an 8-track tape and played it all night the first night, I kept waking up wondering, " What are all those dogs barking? Where are they?" It wasn't until a few weeks later I found out the dogs were in the recording. My favorite Pink Floyd song by far.

[@egmjag]

I was 10 when this album was released. I didn't understand it and probably didn't even pay attention to the lyrics. But Dogs was the most memorable song of this album for me at that time. 25 years later I would rediscover this album as well as most of Pink Floyd's albums. The arrangements and instrumentation on Dogs are fascinating. Animals is one of my favorite albums, regardless of genre, and Dogs is my favorite song. I recently listened to the album every day for weeks, as if it had just been released. I never get tired of listening to it all day. I can't say that about any kind of album or music that I'm familiar with. I purchased practically all the albums on CD around 2000-2001. It was during this time that Animals really gelled with me. I was taking several busses in the morning and at night to get from one job to the next while listening to most of Pink Floyd's albums on an iPod that were released in the early to late 70s. I had never heard some of their songs and albums but Animals really hit hard for me, especially the song Dogs. I promised myself I would never be that character in Dogs who compromises his values, stabs others in the back just to obtain what he wants, and eventually dies of a disease caused by his evil behavior. I would later work among people in that kind of environment and almost got sucked into that lifestyle of climbing the ladder of success. I worked in academia at several universities, and I saw the kind of despicable behavior that Animals focuses on. I was glad that I avoided the trap and from obtaining a PhD just to achieve something that wasn't necessarily fulfilling for personal reasons.

[@acceler9]

Huge Floyd fan here... This is my favorite album, by far. But, I don't listen to it often. It tends to make me seriously depressed (one of only a very very few albums that can totally change my mood). It is that powerful. Great review!!

[@Wayner71]

This album was a real triumph as Punk/New Wave had taken over in the UK by 1977. As other great bands (and solo artists) from the late 60's/early 70's fell by the wayside in this period, Pink Floyd took this setback in their stride and produced a masterwork. A thoughtful and erudite analysis and review as usual.

[@Luke-1296]

Btw Thames is pronounced tems.

[@danielh4241]

Temmz*

[@PaulJonesy]

Beat me to it.

[@davidburns1193]

Tipical american

[@cozzernator]

Made me laugh his pronunciation😂

[@michaelmcdonald2348]

hey i used to think it was pronounced THAYMS and i'm british

[@neurosis333]

Excellent analysis....before your video started, the VERY first word that came to my mind knowing that the dissection was about to commence was DYSTOPIAN.

[@davide.7327]

Animals is definitely my favorite Pink Floyd record and my favorite record of all time. Every member of the band absolutely kills it on this record and the concept is so intriguing and well executed. Excellent video, keep up the good work!

[@dominickdepaolo6668]

Around age 15 (1983), I remember pedaling my BMX bike 8 miles each way to buy the 'Animals' LP from Caldor department store. Well worth the trip and the possible peril of having the album bungee'd to the frame on the back of my bike for the trip home. Memoriiiiiiiies. :-)

[@altosaxguy94]

This album gets NO respect and attention, so thank you for making this video. Too many people want to talk about DSotM and The Wall, but this is the true masterpiece. (Don't get me wrong, DSotM and The Wall are both phenomenal albums, amongst the greatest of all time.)

[@robis66]

Great analysis! I've been listening to this album for 35 years and it never ceases to amaze me in its creativity, musicianship, depth and enjoyability. It's definitely my favorite Pink Floyd album and I like a LOT of them. Very much enjoyed what you had to say about the album, great work!

[@CoopDVille-rx3hp]

God,I love this album. I've never heard anything like it. It's like it's been designed to cater to MY specific tastes.

[@kennthy]

My favorite Pink Floyd album, and my favorite album, period. The balance between lyrics and music is just perfect.

[@theo9952]

ΒEST Pink Floyd for me : Animals, Meddle, Atom Heart Mother. No order of preference. I love all three equally.

[@fredericlatreille]

"All animals are equals, but some animals are more equals than the others" ... Animals is the best album of all time !!! I can't wait to have my 2018 mix get to my house in the next fex days ... finaly!!! .... best Guilmour guitar work ever (and I'm just talking about Dogs ... the rest is just f....ing icing on the cake)

[@fredericlatreille]

If it wasn't clear, "Animals" is the best Pink Floyd album and is on the "Top albums of all time" ... it's no 1 for now, but I'm putting it against other albums ... Even though the Beatles (as a band or solo) are my forite artists of all time, ... Welllll .... "Animals" is still number 1! ... We'll see ;)

[@artamussumatra6286]

I’ve only ever owned one Pink Floyd album, the one with the cow on it. Recently, I’ve really been digging their early stuff, when they were “The” Pink Floyd. I like that stuff much better than their big hits that came later.

[@Mcrclerk]

The b side of that cow album(called atom heart mother) is actually lyrically really good, and ends with a semi instrumental. Meddle is another great album to check out by floyd

[@theeoddments960]

Artamus Sumatra the piper at the gates is a pretty good record but to think that it’s superior to their “big hits” is a stretch. I hear that argument often like people think they sold out in 73 even though dark side of the moon was incidental. I don’t think anyone from the band were expecting it to be the hit it was.

[@artamussumatra6286]

Special Agent Jim Harris, SSD. I don’t think they sold out, good for them that they got super popular, but personally, I just like the early stuff better. Especially the singles, Arnold Layne, and See Emily play, those are great. The newer stuff has alot more sound effects, and more slowed down tempos, just not my thing.

[@98Dreadboy]

The early stuff is very cool but the late stuff is where things get real interesting in my opinion. 1970 to 1980 is such a great pink floyd period.

[@artamussumatra6286]

Rat Boy I like money, great song - despite it being ridiculously overplayed, even today - but I can’t really think of any other songs from that period that do much for me. Early on, I didn’t like The Wall much, too Disco for me. I’ve since learned to appreciate the Disco genre much more, and I now like that album, but It’s still not on my must have list - again, it gets played CONSTANTLY on several stations, so I’m kinda burnt out on it. Basically, I’m like : The Pink Floyd = 😁❤️👍, Pink Floyd =🙂.

[@ENGBriseB]

No one thought it could be done. But Pink Floyd smashed it. One of my favourite Albums.

[@brendanm8938]

I LITERALLY JUST WATCHED THE WALL VIDEO AND WAS HOPING YOU’D MAKE ONE ON ANIMALS

[@browe]

Spending time with the recent Remix LP... I'm back to slotting 'Animals' as my fave PF album. It's been over four decades now of listening to one of my all time favorite bands, and during that time I've put 'The Wall', 'Obscured By Clouds', 'Meddle', Wish You Were Here', 'DSotM', 'Final Cut', and a totally sus Italian bootleg 3 CD live set I bought in Germany when I was 15 at the top my my list... 'Animals' is it. Roger and David deliver some of their best vocal performances here. Nick, Richard, David, and Roger each serve up their most nuanced instrumental playing (not the most *iconic*.) It feels like a real ensemble. At the time of writing this it's almost 2023, and yet 'Animals' feels fresh and relevant. This Remix reissue has a ton to do with that; I've never heard it like this.

[@billytrespassers3123]

YES! Unequivocally their best work, if you ask me!

[@faustofg5136]

The wall is deeper tho

[@thegreatpiginthesky3904]

@@faustofg5136 but the wall is too long and over the top

[@billytrespassers3123]

@NotaSheep pedestrian

[@thegreatpiginthesky3904]

@NotaSheep how is it objectively the best? DSotM is no where near as conceptual or well thought out as the other 3 big boys. Just because all the songs melt into one doesn't mean it is more polished. Animals main theme is about the different types of people in society. The wall is about pink and how fame and music can effect ones mental health and overall life. WYWH is about Floyd's fallen member Syd, and just how scummy and little the music industry cares about artists. Please explain to me how DSotM has a greater theme or is more polished than any of those albums? I'm not hating DSotM but I dont think it holds up compared to the other three.

[@thegreatpiginthesky3904]

@NotaSheep I also like to think that Gilmour did his best work on animals and WYWH. Waters on the wall. Wright on WYWH and animals. Mason is always great! Point being, i believe those albums were the band members best work.

[@jeffmouton]

it took me over 40 years to listen such an accurate analysis ! Thank's a lot.

[@averageenthusiast5689]

Awesome review. In my opinion, Animals is very underrated. I can't say it is my favorite, but then I have never been able to pick a favorite album. My order of least to most favorite Pink Albums has changed over time and will most likely continue to change. I will say this, even the most casual Pink Floyd listener should have this album in their collection.

[@senorchips8528]

Had a good friend of mine introduce this album to me 2 months ago and it’s one of my favorite albums I’ve ever listened to. It’s a phenomenal masterpiece.

[@TheHyperBassist]

The true under appreciated album of the Big 4

[@thejonathandoan]

This album is, to me, so very ahead of its time. It’s almost impossible to imagine this was released in ‘77. Didn’t sound like anything of the time, and it’s so very sophisticated and forward-thinking. One of the best albums ever made, to be sure.

[@illegalewahrheiten2911]

I've listened to this album many, many times and still the 3 main songs are like a blur to me. I struggle to differentiate them and their individual structures. Where the other albums have a range of moods, this feels uniquely singular. And each time I finish with the album I can immediately start playing it again, still feeling fresh and unknown. It's like a gift you can never fully unwrap. It makes for a very mysterious experience.

[@robertcronin6603]

Well said 🔥

[@jfleeman6776]

My absolute favorite of all time from the greatest band ever. Holds up after all this time.

[@jethrofloyd67]

Came here cause it's my favorite Floyd record, and was about to have a fit over you saying "Dave's bass playing" repeatedly.. I thought you didn't know what you're talking about, but lo and behold I just never knew he played the bass on Pigs and Sheep. You went from infuriating me to deepening my appreciation for this record. Well done!

[@dougefresh7765]

Ditto , I had the same reaction 😏

[@culloden23]

Yeah I was the same way when I found out. It’s a fret less bass on Pigs Dave plays.

[@jethrofloyd67]

@@culloden23 fretless? Interesting.... Wonder if he played the fretless on Hey You also? Gotta do some research now

[@culloden23]

jethrofloyd67 I think he did.

[@Clarence_Oddbody]

The phrasing on the line “What is to be gained by pretending the danger’s not real” is astounding.

[@billytrespassers3123]

I flew over that power plant on my way to Germany and they had a blow-up pig there! I'm fairly certain it wasn't the original but still a neat tribute.

[@davidvaness5081]

I loved this record back in 77 and it just gets better every time I listen to it now my fav

[@adatur6837]

Could you do "The final cut" ? It would be amazing.

[@bjrnsjohnsen1278]

Ehhhhh no

[@capttrips1523]

Totally underappreciated album. Funny how it was their last together and while there was so much turmoil in the band, yet it sounds like an amazing collaboration

[@killawhatt8620]

I think this is a very darkest album....but good.

[@peterwright5249]

Great album 👌👌👌

[@anthonyfarshaw8619]

To say it in Dutch, it would be "finaal kut!"

[@ricimercury9490]

One of the best music accounts on KZbin

[@dannypacini9820]

More Floyd !!❤️

[@jakehudson7118]

Probably my fav album from them, Gilmour's guitar work on the album is just incredible and the concept for the album is genius

[@glenbellefonte9620]

Most underrated: Final Cut. Or as I call it, Their Final Album.

[@mcasteel2112]

Cant stop lose job mind gone silicone

[@jeremybennett5547]

Never cared to much for the final cut myself.

[@glenbellefonte9620]

@Streetrider I like the way his voice turns into the sax solo

[@mcasteel2112]

@Streetrider in my rearview mirror, sun is going down...

[@mandalyn7]

Animals has always been my favorite Pink Floyd album, I enjoyed listening to you review it! I have often wondered why it’s not more appreciated

[@postworld1185]

Not sure how I got here. I was a kid in 70's. Saw the Animals tour. They played the whole Animals record first, then all of Wish You Were Here in order then all of Dark Side of the Moon in order. Mind bending.

[@jakecattoi4983]

they did play all of Animals and Wish You Were Here, but they didn't play all of The Dark Side of the Moon on the In The Flesh Tour of 1977.

[@AHA-bo8zm]

Excellent review of the album and interpretation of the songs. This has always been my favorite Pink Floyd album, and probably my favorite album altogether.

[@dollarama5142]

Underrated tbh Jokes aside,one of the best albums i've ever had the pleasure to listen

[@1dbanner]

Your vinyl lounge looks fantastic, and your channel has the feel of just chilling out with you while listening to LPs. Cheers.

[@isaiahpollack]

Is the first lyric of the song Sheep "harmlessly passing your time in the grassland away" or "hopelessly passing your time in the grassland away" ...I've seen it both ways. Personally, I prefer the latter, but I'm very curious to know what Roger's original lyric was.

[@TheTigersfan20]

“Harmlessly”...it’s that Estuary accent, ya know?

[@SoNextJenn]

I thought it was helplessly

[@ChristopherRoss.]

Looking at the gatefold sleeve on my LP, its written as "harmlessly".

[@IxHATExUCLA]

Always heard it as “harmlessly”

[@Jbones72]

Always loved the end of Sheep fading to Pigs 2, brilliant.

[@polishrocker93]

“Animals sold the least amount of copies and had little it the way of radio friendly singles, but why is it for some fans their favorite record by Pink Floyd?” For exactly those reasons

[@gustavogutierrez2709]

A bit pretentious if those are the only reasons

[@josephmorales652]

Gustavo Gutierrez lmao good point. I still need to give it a listen, but yeah, I hate when people list reasons like that.

[@bricemartin3]

best Analysis of it so far, both 4 the music & the lyrics, great job!

[@GamePlayWithNolan]

This is the best album ever created in my worthless opinion

[@colingullberg]

No one who loves Animals has a worthless opinion.

[@BeYounique...Maryanne]

This was the best review of "Animals." It's my favorite Pink Floyd album. I was only 14 when it came out. Back then, 1977, kids didn't have internet, so we'd just listen to albums and stare at the covers, and memorize the lyrics. It's still so relevant today. They were such young men making this record, and so wise, and so ahead of their time.