The helicopter sound effects were captured by engineer and record producer Jack Douglas on location at Edwards Air Force Base.
Douglas explains, "One of the guys in the band, I can't recall which, maybe it was Gilmour, asked if I could do them a favor and go to this Air Force base in the desert and record some helicopters and jet fighters.
2" with a loud, high-pitched scream by Roger Waters, similar to one of the band's earlier works: "Careful with That Axe, Eugene".
Because of this segue, many radio stations play one right after the other, and subsequent Floyd compilation albums (both Echoes and A Foot in the Door) use this song as the extended intro to "Another Brick in the Wall".
The Wall tells the story of Pink, an embittered and alienated rock star in retreat from society and personal relationships.
"The Happiest Days of Our Lives" concerns Pink's youth, attending a school run by strict and often violent teachers who treat the pupils with contempt.
The following scene shows the Schoolmaster in his own home, being forced to eat a piece of tough meat during dinner at his wife's silent command.