Lyrics
The lyrics to “Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)” by Pink Floyd are a call to action against oppressive educational systems. The song speaks to the idea that education should be about fostering creativity and not about control and conformity. The chorus of the song is a call for teachers to leave the students alone and allow them to express themselves in the classroom.
The lyrics also suggest that oppressive educational systems stifle creativity, with the spoken interlude being a reference to the strict and often authoritarian atmosphere that exists in some schools. The song serves as a rallying cry for students to stand up against oppressive educational systems and demand a more creative and free-thinking educational experience.
We don’t need no education
We don’t need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teacher, leave them kids alone
Hey, teacher, leave them kids alone
All in all it’s just another brick in the wall
All in all you’re just another brick in the wall
[Chorus by pupils from the Fourth Form Music Class Islington Green School, London]
We don’t need no education
We don’t need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers, leave them kids alone
Hey, teacher, leave us kids alone
All in all you’re just another brick in the wall
All in all you’re just another brick in the wall
[Spoken:]
Wrong! Do it again!
Wrong! Do it again!
If you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding!
How can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat?!