Pigs on the Wing (Part One) Lyrics – Animals – Pink Floyd
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Pigs on the Wing (Part One) (Waters) 1:24
If you didn’t care what happened to me,
And I didn’t care for you,
We would zig zag our way through the boredom and pain
Occasionally glancing up through the rain.
Wondering which of the buggars to blame
And watching for pigs on the wing.
About the Song
In the universe of Pink Floyd’s profound and complex discography, “Pigs on the Wing (Part One)” holds a unique position. This track opens the band’s 1977 album “Animals,” an opus often hailed for its conceptual depth and critical take on societal structures. However, this particular song diverges from the album’s primary themes, offering listeners a moment of tender respite.
The song, in its essence, is an acoustic love note, distinctly personal amidst the socio-political commentary of its companion pieces. It’s Roger Waters’ way of showing that within the cold mechanical world, which he later illustrates through ruthless pigs, obedient dogs, and mindless sheep, there is a space for warmth in human relationships. The song’s stripped-back guitar work accompanies Waters’ vocals, creating an atmosphere of immediacy and sincerity. It’s as if he’s sitting in the room, strumming and singing directly to the listener.
Lyrically, “Pigs on the Wing (Part One)” is a raw and open-hearted confession. The lines, “If you didn’t care what happened to me, and I didn’t care for you,” cut to the core of human need — the need to be seen, to be valued, to matter to someone. The song suggests that such mutual care can act as a bulwark against the harshness of life, symbolized by the ‘dogs’ of the album’s following tracks, who are after power, success, and control at any cost.
This brief song, less than two minutes long, might be easy to overlook, but it is the emotional linchpin of “Animals.” It suggests that despite the album’s dark dive into the vices of human nature and society, there is a sliver of hope. Love and personal connection can provide shelter from the storm, a protective wing to shield one from the biting winds of reality.
“Pigs on the Wing (Part One)” might not offer the epic guitar solos or complex sonic landscapes Pink Floyd is known for, but it doesn’t intend to. Instead, it provides a human connection, an affirmation that even in a world marred by greed and disconnection, personal bonds hold transformative power. It’s a reminder that in the face of life’s relentless onslaught, we are not alone — we have each other.
As you immerse yourself in the poetic honesty of “Pigs on the Wing (Part One),” take a moment to consider its message in today’s context. With the ever-growing disconnect in our digitized lives, perhaps this song’s plea for mutual care and connection is more relevant now than ever.
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