“In the Flesh?” introduces the story of Pink, a rock star. It begins with the opening of a rock concert. The lyrics inform us that despite his outward appearances, things are much different behind these cold eyes and that if the listener wants to know what’s going on with Pink, they’ll have to claw your way through this disguise.

The song also subtly indicates that Pink’s father is killed in a war, with the sound effect of the dive-bomber. Finally, we hear a baby crying, indicating that Pink and his mother are left without a father and husband, respectively (this is expanded upon two songs later, in “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 1”.

Later in the album, the story goes back to this concert where Pink is losing his mind on the track “In the Flesh” (note absence of the question mark).