Dogs

Pink Floyd's 'Dogs,' from their 1977 album 'Animals,' is a scathing critique of the cutthroat nature of business and the dehumanizing effects of capitalism. The song uses the metaphor of dogs to represent the ruthless business people who will do anything to succeed, even if it means betraying their own humanity and those around them.

The lyrics paint a picture of a world where one must be vigilant and aggressive to survive ('You gotta sleep on your toes, And when you're on the street, You got to be able to pick out the easy meat'). The song suggests that in the business world, trust is a tool for manipulation ('You have to be trusted, By the people that you lie to'), and as one grows older, the consequences of such a life become apparent ('Yeah, and in the end, you'll pack up, And fly down south, Hide your head in the sand, Just another sad old man, All alone and dying of cancer'). The imagery of cancer could symbolize the internal decay caused by a life of exploitation and moral compromise.

The latter part of the song reflects on the confusion and isolation that come with realizing the hollowness of such an existence ('Got to admit, That I'm a little bit confused'). The repeated questioning ('Who was born in a house full of pain?... Who was dragged down by the stone?') serves to emphasize the loss of identity and the ultimate downfall that awaits those who live like 'dogs' in a system that values profit over people. The 'stone' could be a metaphor for the weight of guilt and the inescapable consequences of one's actions.