January 30, 2023

1980 - January: Pink Floyd “The Wall”

43 minutes

Pink Floyd would score another big hit and some mainstream crossover success with their eleventh studio album, The Wall. Originally conceived by bassist Roger Waters, The Wall explores the self-isolation of a cynical rock star named Pink, and portrays events in his life from the loss of his father, to childhood trauma, to the pressures of rock stardom as bricks forming the wall. Parts of the story are autobiographical from Waters, and parts naturally are based on former front man Syd Barrett. The album was a commercial success, the most successful double album of all time, the second most popular Pink Floyd album behind their monstrous hit "Dark Side of the Moon," and would produce the groups only number 1 single on the charts with "Another Brick in the Wall, part 2." Critical reviews were mixed at first, with some considering the rock opera to be pretentious, but the reviews would turn more positive over time.

This would be the last album to feature the classic band lineup. Richard Wright would be fired by Roger Waters during production, though he would stay on as a studio musician for the album. One further studio album would be produced before acrimony would lead to Waters departure from the band.

What the Riff co-founder Brian Dickhute brings us this album for today's podcast. Brian is also using this as a swan song of sorts as he takes a break from regular podcasting duties to spend more time with the family. Thanks so much for all your work over these hundreds of podcasts, Brian!

Hey You

This well-known track leads off side three of the album and reflects the desperation as Pink realizes how the wall of isolation he has built has trapped him in a cell of his own creation. The inspiration for this song was the breakup of Waters' marriage.

Is There Anybody Out There?

In the film this song is used to transition from Pink the rock star to Pink the dictator. Session musician Joe DiBlasi was brought in to play the fingerstyle guitar on this piece.

Nobody's Home

The last song written for the album was the result of a fight between Roger Waters and David Gilmour. It was inspired by the isolation Waters felt during their 1977 tour and musings on Syd Barrett. Some of the lyrics are also built around Richard Wright, keyboardist, who was allegedly dealing with drug addiction at the time.

Vera

This song is a flashback to days of World War II. The title was inspired by Vera Lynn, a British singer popular during the war who sang the song "We'll Meet Again." Waters lost his grandfather in WWI and his father in WWII.

Bring the Boys Back Home

Roger Waters considers this brief song the central theme of the album. The idea is that not just war, but all activity including business and rock music should not be allowed to isolate a person from friends and family.

Comfortably Numb

One of the more popular songs from the album, the music was written by David Gilmour and the lyrics by Roger Waters. A significant argument occurred between Gilmour and Waters on the arrangement of this piece, with Gilmour preferring a stripped-down format and Watters wanting a more symphonic approach. The contrasting sections of orchestration and more simplistic riffs is the result of the compromise made for the piece.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Frosty the Snowman by Jimmy Durante

No, it isn't Christmas again. Popular entertainer Jimmy Durante passed away in January of 1980, and his is one of his best known songs.

STAFF PICKS:

The Spirit of Radio by Rush

Bruce sneaks another Rush song in for Brian's final episode as a regular podcaster. The lead-off track to Rush's album "Permanent Waves" was inspired by the slogan of CFNY-FM in Toronto. FM radio was moving from a more free-form format to a more commercial format, and CFNY was bucking the trend.

Damned If I Do by the Alan Parsons Project

Rob brings us a piece from Alan Parsons' fourth studio album called "Eve." The album is focused on the strength and characteristics of women and the difficulties they face in a world of men. "Damned if I do, damned if I don't, but I love you."

Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights) by Pat Travers

Wayne's staff pick is a boogie woogie cover of a blues song originally released by Little Walter in 1957. It is a well known party song which would not be politically correct today. There's some great guitar playing, and an excellent call-and-response in the live version.

Ladies Night by Kool & The Gang

Brian's staff pick was a popular song in the dying days of disco. This song would see a revitalization of Kool & the Gang's popularity going into the early 80's.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Pipeline '76 by Roger Powell

It is unusual to find surfing instrumentals during the early 80's, but this one was around at the time.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

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