Pigs (Three Different Ones)

This piece is one of my all time favourite Floyd tracks, and I'd like to get more info's about it from people who might know something.

My big question is, who's the song about? Obviously the "pigs", taken from Orwell's "Animal Farm", reflect the powerfull, greedy corporate or political figures in our society, but seeing as the 3rd part of the song is 'dedicated' to Mary Whitehouse, I thought perhaps the 2 previous parts are about actual figures as well.

The 1st part of the song is obviously about a man: "Big man, pig man"

The 2nd part is also about an old woman, and I quote: "You f**ked up old hag"

So are these 2 parts about people made up in Roger's creative mind, or are these real persons, such as Mary Whitehouse?

All related comments are appreciated!


Edited by gold1ng

Mary Whitehouse was a real person. I guess she was really anti-sex or something like that.

Well I checked my usual favorite place for song facts... but not a lot on Pigs.. however take a look:

http://www.songfacts.com/detail.lasso?id=1695

This one was better:

http://www.brainyencyclopedia.com/encyclopedia/a/an/animals_ _album_.html

 

gold1ng wrote: Wizard, Whitehouse wasn't just anti-sex, but was anti-freedom of speech and legislated heavy laws concerning censorship in England. And gdub, both my father and I thought the "old hag" could be Thatcher as well. According to threefates' second link, the two women mentioned are in fact Thatcher and Whitehouse. Thanks guys.

It's a decent summary, but I don't think it's worth relying on as a reference (i.e., where are they getting their facts?). Thatcher is an obvious possiblity but she doesn't totally fit the description. Why, for instance, would Waters specifically refer to Whitehouse but not either of the others by name?

Actually they probably got that information from interviews he's done.  I've read where he's mentions Maggie Thatcher in reference to Animals a few times before. It might also have something to do with her picture, which was flashed several times on the big screen behind them at the concerts...

Edited by threefates

Reed Lover wrote: Yes,but Animals predates Thatcher.

really? ok...I was wrong and you were right.

there...I said it!.....you happy now?!

Historian I am not. I am a history enthusiast...is that a better way to describe it?You want to challenge me in the WWII bit then I welcome you to try RED Lover.

Barbarosa Baby!!...well only Barbarosa ...ya gonna have to try harder than that.

The Winter War in 39-40 was fought between who?

Reed Lover wrote: gdub411 wrote: Barbarosa Baby!!...well only Barbarosa ...ya gonna have to try harder than that. The Winter War in 39-40 was fought between who? . Dunno.....Soviets and Finns?

Yes

Edited by gdub411

Velvetclown wrote: Simon and Garfunkel ???????

I seem to remember Sweden bottling it just after the "Winter War"....now all the citizens have to go round in stupid clown masks as a punishment!

New rule for the forum:

Edited by Reed Lover