"Animals" is the tenth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released on 21 January 1977 through Harvest and Columbia Records. The album is a concept album, focusing on the social-political conditions of mid-1970s Britain, it provides a scathing critique of the socio-political conditions of its time.
"Animals" was recorded at the band's studio, Britannia Row, in London, but its production was punctuated by the early signs of discord that three years later would culminate in keyboardist Richard Wright leaving the band. The album's cover image features a pig floating between two chimneys of the Battersea Power Station, conceived by the band's bassist and lead songwriter, Roger Waters.
Inspired in part by George Orwell's political fable "Animal Farm", the album is categorized as a British rock opera, reflecting leadership and social stratification themes. “Animals” includes five tracks, notably “Dogs,” “Pigs (Three Different Ones),” and “Sheep.” The songs are lengthy progressive rock pieces that feature the distinctive guitar work of David Gilmour and thought-provoking lyrics of Roger Waters.
"Animals" was a commercial success, reaching number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and number 3 on The Billboard 200 in the US. Although it received mixed reviews from critics initially, it has since been acclaimed as one of the greatest albums of all time.
