1977 Rock Ballad, Finally Released in Its Full Version, Becomes a Gateway Classic
Before today, the only place you could find the extended version of Pink Floyd's 1977 rock ballad "Pigs on the Wing" was on the original 8-track cartridge edition of Animals. Today, however, that all changes with the band's new compilation, 8-Tracks, which brings the rare version to a wider audience for the first time.
The new Sony Music release is a curated collection of eight classics spanning the band's 1970s output, drawing from landmark albums including Meddle, The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and The Wall. As its title suggests, the tracklist features eight essential cuts such as "Money," "Wish You Were Here," and "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2," with the selection edited by Steven Wilson.
According to a press statement announcing the album, 8-Tracks has been described as "a starting point for new listeners to discover the depth and breadth of Pink Floyd's peerless album catalogue, as well as a carefully curated collection for longtime fans to appreciate."
Pink Floyd, 8-Tracks
- "One of These Days" (Meddle)
- "Wot's… Uh the Deal" (Obscured by Clouds)
- "Money" (The Dark Side of the Moon)
- "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2" (The Wall)
- "Wish You Were Here" (Wish You Were Here)
- "Time" (The Dark Side of the Moon)
- "Comfortably Numb" (The Wall)
- "Pigs on the Wing" (Animals 8-track cartridge)
Most notably, the compilation offers broader access to the full version of "Pigs on the Wing." Long considered a perfect entry point into Pink Floyd's expansive catalog, the track has often been described as a gateway to the band's wider sonic world.
Released in 1977, the rock ballad is a two-part acoustic love song. Written by Roger Waters for his then-wife, Carolyne, the song bookended the band's Orwellian Animals. Because the song was presented as a prologue and epilogue, it never charted as a single. Animals, however, spent 32 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 3 in March 1977.
The release marks the latest in a series of recent archival projects from the band, following Pink Floyd Live From the Los Angeles Sports Arena, April 26th, 1975, which arrived earlier this year.
Related: 1978 Timeless Soft Rock Hit Inspired by a Crush on a Rock Icon Became a Summer Anthem
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 2:38 PM.