Outside the Wall
Encyclopedia
"Outside the Wall" is a song by Pink Floyd
. It appeared on their 1979
album The Wall
. It was written by Roger Waters
.
", therefore not telling what actually happened to Pink after the wall was torn down. This may be because in Waters' original concept, the song opened the second half of the album, whilst a somewhat clearer conclusion was provided by the song "Never Too Late
" (followed by the coda section of "The Thin Ice
").
, a harmonica
is played. A fifteen-second segment of the melody of this song is duplicated in the introduction to "In the Flesh?
", with the result that the album itself is cyclical in nature: the last spoken words before the song cuts off are: "Isn't this where-". At the beginning of the first track of the album, "In the Flesh?
" the first words are: "-we came in?". The "isn't this where" and "we came in" segments were removed from the 8-track cartridge issues of the album.
"), and goes on to discuss the idea that many people have social barriers, and that this is somewhat repetitive in nature; as one person re-integrates themselves with society, another leaves.
A more traditional interpretation of the song follows: If one does not tear down their own metaphorical wall, those trying to get in will eventually give up and leave you to live out a lonely life. This is what happens to the main character, Pink, during the course of the album.
Roger Waters himself has explicitly refused to provide any explanation when asked for one.
It is unknown what eventually became of Pink but The Final Cut
album does give us somewhat of a hint as to what happened to him.
, the Pontarddulais Male Choir
and Roger Waters
singing the lyrics melodically, rather than reciting them as on the album version; in order to run through the entire end credits, it includes the chords and melody from "Southampton Dock", from The Walls eventual successor, The Final Cut
. This version was never released officially and was later reused for the credits for The Wall – Live in Berlin.
", where the performers came walking over the stage in front of the now demolished wall, playing acoustic instruments and singing the vocal tracks. Roger Waters
spoke the lead vocal and played clarinet, while David Gilmour
played mandolin, Richard Wright
played accordion, Willie Wilson played tambourine, Andy Bown
played 12-string acoustic guitar, and Snowy White
(replaced by Andy Roberts
for the 1981 shows), Peter Wood
and (unusually) Nick Mason
played 6-string acoustic guitars.
Roger Waters played clarinet during the 1980–81 The Wall Tour, and trumpet during the 2010–12 The Wall Live tour.
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
. It appeared on their 1979
1979 in music
See also:Record labels established in 1979* 1979 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1979.-January–February:*January 1...
album The Wall
The Wall
The Wall is the eleventh studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd. Released as a double album on 30 November 1979, it was subsequently performed live with elaborate theatrical effects, and adapted into a feature film, Pink Floyd—The Wall.As with the band's previous three...
. It was written by Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
.
Overview
This song is meant as a dénouement to the album. The story ends with "The TrialThe Trial (song)
"The Trial" is a track from the rock opera/concept album The Wall, by Pink Floyd. The song, written by Roger Waters and Bob Ezrin, marks the climax of the album and the film.-Plot:...
", therefore not telling what actually happened to Pink after the wall was torn down. This may be because in Waters' original concept, the song opened the second half of the album, whilst a somewhat clearer conclusion was provided by the song "Never Too Late
The Show Must Go On (Pink Floyd song)
"The Show Must Go On" , a song by English rock band Pink Floyd, that appeared on their 1979 album The Wall...
" (followed by the coda section of "The Thin Ice
The Thin Ice
"The Thin Ice" is a song by Pink Floyd. It appeared on The Wall in 1979.-Composition:The song is 2 minutes, 30 seconds in length. The first few seconds are occupied by the sound of a baby crying , lasting around seven seconds...
").
Composition
The song is one of the quietest on the album. It is 1:41 in length. In the original demo version of this song instead of a clarinetClarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
, a harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
is played. A fifteen-second segment of the melody of this song is duplicated in the introduction to "In the Flesh?
In the Flesh?
"In the Flesh?" is a song by Pink Floyd. It was released on The Wall album in 1979. The title is a reference to the band's 1977 "In the Flesh" tour, during which bassist and songwriter Roger Waters, in frustration, spat at a fan attempting to climb the fence separating the band from the crowd "In...
", with the result that the album itself is cyclical in nature: the last spoken words before the song cuts off are: "Isn't this where-". At the beginning of the first track of the album, "In the Flesh?
In the Flesh?
"In the Flesh?" is a song by Pink Floyd. It was released on The Wall album in 1979. The title is a reference to the band's 1977 "In the Flesh" tour, during which bassist and songwriter Roger Waters, in frustration, spat at a fan attempting to climb the fence separating the band from the crowd "In...
" the first words are: "-we came in?". The "isn't this where" and "we came in" segments were removed from the 8-track cartridge issues of the album.
Plot
Unlike the other songs on the album, this particular song offers little to the plot involving Pink as a whole. It acknowledges that "the wall" has now been demolished (as a result of actions in "The TrialThe Trial (song)
"The Trial" is a track from the rock opera/concept album The Wall, by Pink Floyd. The song, written by Roger Waters and Bob Ezrin, marks the climax of the album and the film.-Plot:...
"), and goes on to discuss the idea that many people have social barriers, and that this is somewhat repetitive in nature; as one person re-integrates themselves with society, another leaves.
A more traditional interpretation of the song follows: If one does not tear down their own metaphorical wall, those trying to get in will eventually give up and leave you to live out a lonely life. This is what happens to the main character, Pink, during the course of the album.
Roger Waters himself has explicitly refused to provide any explanation when asked for one.
It is unknown what eventually became of Pink but The Final Cut
The Final Cut (album)
The Final Cut is the twelfth studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd. It was released in March 1983 by Harvest Records in the United Kingdom, and several weeks later by Columbia Records in the United States. A concept album, The Final Cut is the last of the band's releases to...
album does give us somewhat of a hint as to what happened to him.
Film version
A longer and more elaborate version was recorded for the film which runs for a little more than four minutes and includes the National Philharmonic OrchestraNational Philharmonic Orchestra
The National Philharmonic Orchestra was a British orchestra created exclusively for recording purposes. It was founded by RCA producer Charles Gerhardt and orchestra leader / contractor Sidney Sax due in part to the requirements of the Reader's Digest-History:...
, the Pontarddulais Male Choir
Pontarddulais Male Choir
The Pontarddulais Male Choir is a Welsh male voice choir from Pontarddulais near Swansea in the United Kingdom.It is the most successful choir in Wales and is internationally renowned as it has appeared in many parts of Europe as well as Canada and the United States.It has achieved a record...
and Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
singing the lyrics melodically, rather than reciting them as on the album version; in order to run through the entire end credits, it includes the chords and melody from "Southampton Dock", from The Walls eventual successor, The Final Cut
The Final Cut (album)
The Final Cut is the twelfth studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd. It was released in March 1983 by Harvest Records in the United Kingdom, and several weeks later by Columbia Records in the United States. A concept album, The Final Cut is the last of the band's releases to...
. This version was never released officially and was later reused for the credits for The Wall – Live in Berlin.
Stage performance
The stage performances of The Wall ended with "Outside the Wall" after "The TrialThe Trial (song)
"The Trial" is a track from the rock opera/concept album The Wall, by Pink Floyd. The song, written by Roger Waters and Bob Ezrin, marks the climax of the album and the film.-Plot:...
", where the performers came walking over the stage in front of the now demolished wall, playing acoustic instruments and singing the vocal tracks. Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
spoke the lead vocal and played clarinet, while David Gilmour
David Gilmour
David Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
played mandolin, Richard Wright
Richard Wright (musician)
Richard William Wright was an English pianist, keyboardist and songwriter, best known for his career with Pink Floyd. Wright's richly textured keyboard layers were a vital ingredient and a distinctive characteristic of Pink Floyd's sound...
played accordion, Willie Wilson played tambourine, Andy Bown
Andy Bown
Andy Bown is an English musician, who has specialised in keyboards and bass guitar. He is a member of the rock band Status Quo.-Career:...
played 12-string acoustic guitar, and Snowy White
Snowy White
Snowy White is an English guitarist, known for having played with Thin Lizzy and with Pink Floyd and, more recently, for Roger Waters'...
(replaced by Andy Roberts
Andy Roberts (musician)
Andrew "Andy" Roberts is an English musician.He gained a violin scholarship to Felsted School. He then attended Liverpool University. He has played with The Liverpool Scene, Plainsong, The Scaffold, Roy Harper, Chris Spedding, Pink Floyd, Hank Wangford, Kevin Ayers, Vivian Stanshall and Grimms...
for the 1981 shows), Peter Wood
Peter Wood
Peter John Wood was an English musician, born in Middlesex, England. In his early years he lived with his parents in Hythe Field Avenue, Egham, Surrey...
and (unusually) Nick Mason
Nick Mason
Nicholas Berkeley "Nick" Mason is an English drummer and songwriter, best known for his work with Pink Floyd. He was the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965...
played 6-string acoustic guitars.
Personnel
- Roger WatersRoger WatersGeorge Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
– vocals - Frank Marrocco – concertinaConcertinaA concertina is a free-reed musical instrument, like the various accordions and the harmonica. It has a bellows and buttons typically on both ends of it. When pressed, the buttons travel in the same direction as the bellows, unlike accordion buttons which travel perpendicularly to it...
- Larry Williams – clarinetClarinetThe clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
- Trevor VeitchTrevor VeitchTrevor Veitch is a Canadian musician/record producer who has worked behind the scenes on many pop trends from the 1960s to the present. He is mostly known for his involvement in the popular 60s folk rock group, 3's a Crowd...
– mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single... - Children's choir from New York – backing vocals
Roger Waters played clarinet during the 1980–81 The Wall Tour, and trumpet during the 2010–12 The Wall Live tour.