The iconic cover of Animals…
Pink Floyd’s Animals is one of those iconic rock albums that many are familiar with, even if they’re not progressive rock fans. I prefer it to other Floyd albums, though I am more of a Syd Barrett fan.
The iconic cover with a shot of Battersea Power Station is the reason I decided to pay the area a visit not too long ago. The power station is no longer active, having been decommissioned a while back, but it is still quite a sight to see with its massive four chimneys.
Battersea Power Station – 2012
The only thing that was missing was Algie, the flying pig featured in the cover. You’ll notice my photograph was taken at a different angle, still, you get the idea.
On a related note, if you’re a Pink Floyd trivia nerd, the original Pink Floyd (I am referring to the band Syd Barrett founded) used to rehearse in a North London pub called The Woodman back in the Sixties.
Now, unless you’ve been living under a rock or are too young, you should recognise this song, but if not, here’s a chance to hear it for the first time.
Alannah Murphy is a former rock musician turned writer, currently working on a rock'n'roll novel set in London. 
PS, you can make your comments go the other way around if you want – the later ones below. Via your dashboard – settings – discussion.
Thanks Val. Will have a look at that when I get a sec.
Sheep always sounds like it should lead into an Old Grey Whistle Test animation! (Did you see any of those?)
I love Pink Floyd – bought Piper at the Gates of Dawn (the first album) when I was about 16 so I’m definitely old enough to remember them. I like their early to mid period best.
I’m no longer anywhere I can go to gigs, unfortunately (out in very rural Wales miles and miles from anything other than sheep. And not this sort of sheep either!) But I like what I’ve seen of your blog so far.
Only seen bits of the Old Grey Whistle Test on YouTube but yes, I know exactly what you mean.
Doesn’t matter you cannot go to gigs, it’s nice to know you like the blog, that is always appreaciated so thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment as well.
Pink Floyd sang some excellent songs . . . Wish You Were Here.
Yes Nancy, think that one was written with Syd Barrett in mind, though Shine on you crazy diamond is most definitely about him and for him. Both Roger and David were deeply affected by his descent into madness, which was incredily sad since he’d been the driving force behind the band at the start of it.
Alannah, is the cover to Animals a photo or a painting? It looks like a classically painted picture to me from a couple of hundred years ago, but obviously that isn’t the case – imagine that!
I’m going to say I’m too young to know the piece of music… I started to listen to it, but the video stopped halfway through and wouldn’t continue for some reason. It doesn’t sound familiar to me, however… but then again, my music knowledge is quite limited.
At least by visiting your site, I’m getting to hear ‘new’ music to me, and I always like to hear something new.
WordPress acting up again, it had put MY answer to YOUR comment above yours!…grrr, here it is again:
Believe it or not, it is a photo, though apparently, it was taken on a very sunny blue-sky day, and the clouds were added later to give it more “atmosphere” the pig is real too, if you click on my reference to “Algie” the pig’s name, it will take you to a wikepedia link about Pink Floyd’s floating pigs…it’s quite funny, the floating pig, wondered off, and landed on a field, where a farmer complained about how it had scared his cows ha ha. I love weird rock trivia like that
Pink Floyd, at least they’re early days were before my time as well, but I was old enough to remember The Wall, etc. Shame the video stopped for you, it’s a very long song actually, the baaaaaa of the sheep always amuses me…