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"In the Flesh" (working title "The Show") is a song by English progressive rock band Pink Floyd.[1] It appears on their 1979 album The Wall.[2]
The song is rather loud and dynamic. The introduction 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 choir chorus, before the lyrical section. The end of the song features another organ sequence, and the song fades out to the chanting of "Pink! Floyd! Pink! Floyd!".
As with the other songs on The Wall, "In the Flesh" tells a segment of the story of Pink, the story's protagonist. This song marks the first of a series of songs in which Pink, in a drug-induced hallucination, believes himself to be a fascist dictator, crowing over his faithful audience; this particular song is his hallucination that his concerts can be likened to a political rally. He begins exhorting his fans to show their devotion to him by throwing undesirables such as "queers", Jews, and "coons", "up against the wall". He punctuates the end of the song with "If I had my way I'd have all of you shot!". The iconic hammers represents the audience opression. The incited crowd then chant Pink's name as the song segues into "Run Like Hell".
The film version of the song picks up shortly after Pink's transformation into the Dictator. The song is one of the most radically changed out of all of the movie versions, having been converted to an orchestral piece.
As with the Dictator's first appearance in "In the Flesh", the Dictator questions the loyalty of the fans, while setting his dogs against the "queers" and "coons" he singles out. As the song ends, the crowd's chant of "Pink Floyd!" is replaced with "Hammer," invoking the film motif of hammers. In addition, both Pink and the crowd display the "Hammer" salute, arms crossed in front of the chest at the wrists like a pair of crossed hammers. In addition, the "Marching Hammer" logo can be seen everywhere. The song immediately segues into "Run Like Hell."
As with "In The Flesh?," this version of the song is also performed by Bob Geldof. Reportedly bassist Roger Waters was displeased with Geldof's sneering delivery of the lyrics.
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