Front and back image album covers of album Animals
Pink Floyd – Animals (1977)
Complete Album Review, Credits, Tracklist, Charts, Awards, Trivia & Legacy
Animals (1977) is the tenth studio album by Pink Floyd, known for its dark, politically charged themes and concept loosely inspired by George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The album critiques social and economic inequalities, depicting human behavior through allegorical animal characters: Dogs, Pigs, and Sheep. It represents a stark, cynical period in Pink Floyd’s history, bridging the experimental sound of Wish You Were Here and the theatrical narrative of The Wall (1979).
Album Overview
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Artist: Pink Floyd
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Album Title: Animals
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Release Date: 23 January 1977 (UK)
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Label: Harvest Records (UK), Columbia Records (US)
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Genre: Progressive Rock, Concept Album, Art Rock
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Length: 41:46
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Produced by: Pink Floyd
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Recorded: April – November 1976
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Studio: Britannia Row Studios, London
Tracklist
Side One
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Pigs on the Wing (Part One)
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Dogs
Side Two
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Pigs (Three Different Ones)
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Sheep
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Pigs on the Wing (Part Two)
Track Highlights
🐕 Dogs
A 17-minute epic written by Roger Waters, depicting ruthless, power-hungry figures in society. The song features intricate guitar solos, dynamic time signature shifts, and Waters’ biting lyrics.
🐖 Pigs (Three Different Ones)
A scathing critique of the wealthy, politically powerful, and hypocritical elites. Gilmour’s guitar work complements Waters’ sharp, satirical lyrics.
🐑 Sheep
An allegorical take on conformity and rebellion. The track builds from ambient, atmospheric passages into explosive rock climaxes, symbolizing the uprising of the oppressed.
💔 Pigs on the Wing (Parts One & Two)
Two brief acoustic bookends that provide a personal and human counterpoint to the album’s cynicism, highlighting vulnerability and intimacy.
Album Credits
Band Members
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David Gilmour – Guitar, vocals
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Roger Waters – Bass guitar, vocals
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Richard Wright – Keyboards
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Nick Mason – Drums, percussion
Production
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Produced by: Pink Floyd
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Engineers: James Guthrie, Andrew Jackson
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Cover Design: Hipgnosis
The iconic cover features the Battersea Power Station in London with a floating inflatable pig, symbolizing the album’s critique of greed and corporate power.
Chart Performance & Commercial Success
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UK Albums Chart: #2
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US Billboard 200: #3
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Certified Platinum in both the UK and US
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One of Pink Floyd’s most commercially successful albums of the 1970s
Awards & Recognition
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The album is consistently listed among the greatest progressive rock albums of all time
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Recognized for its ambitious concept and socio-political commentary
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Influenced numerous bands in rock, metal, and alternative genres
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The floating pig from the cover became one of rock’s most famous visual icons
Musical Style & Themes
Animals combines:
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Progressive rock epics
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Dark, brooding atmospheres
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Extended guitar and keyboard solos
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Conceptual lyricism and social commentary
Themes explored in the album include:
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Corporate greed and corruption
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Social inequality
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Hypocrisy and power dynamics
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Alienation and rebellion
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Human nature as metaphorical animals
The album is heavier and darker than its predecessor, emphasizing tension, cynicism, and societal critique.
Fun Facts
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🐖 The inflatable pig on the album cover, known as Algie, famously broke free during a photoshoot and caused a near-closure of London airspace.
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🎸 David Gilmour’s solo on Dogs is considered one of his finest, showcasing intricate phrasing and emotion.
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🏭 The Battersea Power Station cover shoot required extensive planning and heavy visual effects for 1977.
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💿 The album was recorded entirely at Britannia Row Studios, which the band owned.
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📜 Roger Waters drew inspiration from Animal Farm but adapted it to critique contemporary British society.
Did You Know? (Trivia & Goofs)
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Did you know the album was conceived during tensions between Waters and the rest of the band? It reflects growing personal and creative rifts.
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Did you know “Sheep” was originally written as Raving and Drooling and performed live before the album sessions?
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Goof: Some early vinyl pressings accidentally reversed the labeling of Pigs and Sheep.
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Goof: The original inflatable pig had to be replaced multiple times due to punctures during the photo shoot.
Critical Reception & Legacy
Animals was praised for its musical ambition, lyrical sharpness, and conceptual cohesion. Critics and fans highlight it as:
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One of Pink Floyd’s most politically charged albums
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A blueprint for Roger Waters’ thematic dominance in later works
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A pivotal record bridging Wish You Were Here and The Wall
Its dark, cynical tone distinguishes it from previous albums, showcasing Pink Floyd’s evolution toward concept-driven storytelling and complex arrangements.
Final Verdict
⭐ Rating: 9/10
Animals is a daring, ambitious, and enduring work. Its allegorical critique of society, masterful musicianship, and conceptual focus make it essential for any Pink Floyd fan and a high point in 1970s progressive rock.