Pink Floyd is known for making music that makes you think. Their songs often dive deep into life, society, and human emotions. But one song in particular — “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” — caused a huge stir when it was released in 1979. While it sounded like a simple protest song with a catchy children’s chorus, it was actually packed with meaning and misunderstood by many people.
The Meaning Behind the Song
Written by Roger Waters, the song is part of The Wall album, which tells the story of a man named Pink who builds an emotional wall around himself to protect against pain and disappointment. Each bad experience in his life becomes another “brick” in that wall. One of those bricks, according to Waters, was the strict and emotionless education system he grew up with in England.
When Waters wrote the famous line,
“We don’t need no education,
We don’t need no thought control,”
he wasn’t saying that children shouldn’t go to school. Instead, he was criticizing a school system that forced students to obey rules blindly and discouraged creativity and free thinking. It was about breaking away from control — not rejecting learning.
The Controversy
Even though the song carried an important message, many people took it the wrong way. Some thought Pink Floyd was encouraging kids to skip school altogether. The British government wasn’t happy, and even the then–Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, reportedly disliked it.
The children’s choir that sings in the song came from Islington Green School in London. Their music teacher, Alun Renshaw, thought it would be an amazing experience for the kids to be part of something so powerful. He didn’t ask for permission first, which upset the school’s head teacher at the time — but later, the head teacher admitted it turned out to be a valuable experience for the students.
Despite the backlash, “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” became one of Pink Floyd’s biggest hits, reaching No. 1 in several countries. Its message about standing up against oppression resonated far beyond classrooms.
A Global Symbol of Rebellion
The song didn’t just make waves in the UK. In 1980, it became an anthem for South African students protesting against apartheid — the country’s system of racial segregation. The South African government was so threatened by the song’s message that they banned it. Ironically, that only made it more powerful.
Over the years, Roger Waters has explained that he’s not against education itself, but against any system — schools, governments, or workplaces — that suppress individuality and freedom of thought.
“The song is meant to be a rebellion against people who have power over you, who are wrong,” Waters once said.
Looking Back
Decades later, guitarist David Gilmour reflected on the song’s impact. He admitted that, while the message was valid, maybe releasing it as a single wasn’t the best idea — since people often misunderstood it. Still, there’s no denying the song’s legacy. It has stood the test of time as both a protest against conformity and a call for independent thinking.
In the End
“Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” is more than just a rock anthem. It’s a reminder to question authority, to think freely, and to stand up for individuality. Pink Floyd used music to start conversations — and this song, perhaps more than any other, proved that rock can challenge systems and inspire change.