In the Flesh

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This article is about the twenty-first song on The Wall by Pink Floyd. For the first song on the album, see In the Flesh?. For other uses, see In the Flesh (disambiguation).
"In the Flesh"
"In the Flesh" cover
Song by Pink Floyd
from the album The Wall
Released 30 November 1979 (US), 8 December 1979 (UK)
Recorded April-November, 1979
Genre Art rock/Progressive rock
Length 4:13
Label Harvest Records (UK)
Columbia Records (US)/Capitol Records (US)
Writer(s) Waters
Producer(s) Bob Ezrin, David Gilmour and Roger Waters
The Wall track listing
The Show Must Go On
(7 of disc 2)		 "In the Flesh"
(8 of disc 2)		 Run Like Hell
(9 of disc 2)

In the Flesh is a song by the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd. It was released on The Wall album in 1979.

Contents

[edit] Composition

The song is rather loud in dynamics. It is approximately 4 minutes, 18 seconds in length. The introduction segment of the song features the same explosive organ sequence heard in the introduction to In the Flesh?. Following this, the song then moves into a slightly quieter, "angelic sounding" choir chorus, before the lyrical section. The end of the song features another organ sequence, and the song fades out to the chanting of "Hammer."

[edit] Plot

As with the other songs on The Wall, In the Flesh tells a portion of the story of Pink, the main protagonist. This song marks the first of a series of songs in which Pink, fuelled by a drug-induced state, likens himself to a dictator figure, crowing over his faithful audience; this particular song is his hallucination that his concerts can be likened to a political rally, and the song is essentially a satire of the fan-following modern musicians such as rock and pop stars are responsible for. It may also serve as an exploration of the actions of some as an effect of insecurity; behind their respective 'walls.'

This song and the two which follow it on the album - "Run Like Hell" and "Waiting for the Worms" - can also be compared to three stages of Hitler's rise to power. "In the Flesh" is his rallying cry for everyone to follow him. "Run Like Hell" is the beginning of his attempt to destroy those he hates, and "Waiting for the Worms" is the culmination of his insanity. In the end he forces his people to fear him than to follow him. In the movie this is seen in the sequence of people throwing their curtains closed as he passes by on the street.

[edit] Controversy

Certain segments of the lyrics may appear inflammatory to various groups of people, including homosexuals, Jews, and Blacks. Heard out-of-context, it could be assumed that the song is a racist work. In fact, it is intended as a satire - not only does it mock the loyal following of fans to musicians, it also mocks the prejudices against various groups; it would be considered ridiculous, for instance, to persecute those suffering from a bout of spots.

[edit] Social effects

Pink (Bob Geldof) at a fascist rally during the In the Flesh sequence of the movie.
Enlarge
Pink (Bob Geldof) at a fascist rally during the In the Flesh sequence of the movie.

While the song was intended as a satirical piece, during the filming of the corresponding sequence in The Wall, a number of the youths acting the parts of Pink's loyal cult members became considerably excited with the lyrics[citation needed]. Inadvertently, the film, and the song, inspired the group known as the Hammerskins' (an extreme white racist group) name and symbol.

[edit] Personnel

[edit] References

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