"Run Like Hell" by Pink Floyd

Feel the paranoia in Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell," the driving hard rock anthem from 1979's The Wall! Released as a single April 21, 1980, its pulsating rhythm and menacing vocals depict a descent into fascist delusion. An intense progressive rock classic.

Issued as a single on April 21, 1980, following its appearance on the 1979 album The Wall, Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell" delivers a potent blend of hard rock and progressive rock. Fueled by a driving beat and David Gilmour's iconic delayed guitar riff, the track features intense, almost snarled vocals from Roger Waters, creating an atmosphere of menace.

"Run Like Hell" plays a crucial role in The Wall narrative (1979/1980), portraying the protagonist Pink's drug-fueled hallucination of leading a fascist rally from the stage. The song's relentless hard rock energy and intimidating progressive rock soundscape make it a powerful live piece, embodying themes of isolation turning into aggression, released as a single April 21st.

SONG MEANING: In the context of Pink Floyd's rock opera The Wall, "Run Like Hell" represents the protagonist Pink's descent into a fascist persona while hallucinating during a concert. The lyrics are his hateful commands to his "surrogate band" and audience, inciting violence against minorities and anyone deemed different ("you better run"), showcasing the peak of his isolated megalomania and paranoia.