Pink Floyd "Sheep"

Pink Floyd had to show up sooner or later right?

The Floyd was always one of those bands I had claimed to like but didn't really know. Of course I had always heard their hits like "Another Brick in the Wall" and "Money", and I always claimed to like the band, but like every good band...there's so much more! Which brings me to "Animals", probably my favorite album by Pink Floyd and possibly what garnered my love for them.

"Animals", released in 1977, is a politically charged allegory about humans and the hierarchy that we find ourselves in. The album is made up of just five songs:"Pigs on the Wing Pt. 1", "Dogs", "Pigs", "Sheep", and "Pigs on the Wing Pt. 2".

Disclaimer - The following is in the lens or world-view that is established in "Animals" and is not necessarily reflections of what I believe.

Now, this record, being nearly 40 years old by now, has been written and studied pretty heavily since its release. From what I have researched, and in my personal opinion, "Dogs" references individuals on the capitalistic journey of making it to the top, where the "Pigs" are. They achieve this through backstabbing, lying, and a by "any means necessary" approach. The "Pigs" are the alleged "Elite" group of people in our societies and economies; the people running the show. They have all of the money, the power, and ability to influence the people and consumers at the bottom...or the "Sheep".

My first interaction with "Animals" came from my pops. He, like my mom, had an enormous influence on my music interest. Whenever I would bring up Pink Floyd to him he would always reference "Animals". "You gotta listen to "Animals", man"! I remember when he showed me "Sheep" for the first time and thinking just how different yet familiar it sounded. The song starts with a funky keyboard layered on top of sheep and nature sounds (something "Animals" does throughout it's three main chapters). The bass eases its way in eerily, almost as a sign that something dark is coming. It's starts grooving and percussion comes in; all of this at a nice slow tempo. But then...a drum fill breaks the groove and things immediately shift gears and really start jammin. Roger Waters lays the foundation and tone of the song with "Harmlessly passing your time in the grassland away". 

What a great line to sum up what "Sheep" is all about. Sheep are notorious for their "herd" mentality. And this is a nod to the common consumers or in other words...you and me. Us! We as consumers are simply "passing our time in the grassland away", going about our days working towards living comfortable lives. But as we know, there are real threats out there, "You better watch out! There may dogs around!". Yes, the forces of evil, whatever they may be are out there and conspiring to keep us as nothing but comfortable, mind-less individuals, allowing the plotting "Dogs" to take advantage of us.

But the one thing that the "Pigs" and "Dogs" see as the major flaw of "Sheep" is the one thing that can free us... and that is each other! The "herd" mentality. During a re-imagining of sort of Psalm 23, Waters, in a strange robotic and almost unintelligible effect, states half-way through the song "Lo, we shall rise up, and then we'll make the bugger's eyes water". And that's what happens... "Bleating and babbling we fell on his neck with a scream". This is followed by an absolute triumphant lead guitar part that underscores the idea brilliantly. The "Sheep" stick together and do not allow the "Dogs"or "Pigs" to accomplish what they desire.

So who are you? A "Dog"? A "Pig"? or just a simple "Sheep"?

I would highly recommend listening to the album front start to finish when you have 40 minutes to spare. I will be well worth your time!. Enjoy!