The Dark Side of the Moon

The sound of The Dark Side of the Moon, released by Pink Floyd in March 1973, was largely born from the band's live performances. Before entering the studio, the group was already exploring the ideas that would shape this work, conceiving it as a concept album. This approach marked a difference from their previous recordings, as it moved away from extensive instrumentals to focus on a more direct message. The recording took place in two sessions during 1972 and 1973 at EMI Studios, now known as Abbey Road Studios, in London. To achieve its distinctive sound, the band employed advanced techniques for the time, such as multitrack recording, tape loops, and analog synthesizers, including experimentation with models like the EMS VCS 3 and the Synthi A. Engineer Alan Parsons was a key figure in defining many of the album's sonic aspects, and it was also he who contacted session singer Clare Torry for one of the album's most memorable pieces.

Year: 1973
Songs: 10
Duration: 43 min 11 seg

Listen to the album ★

10 song|s

Song list

# Title Available ⏱

Speak to Me

Easy

1:08 00

On the Run

Intermediate

3:36 00

Time

Intermediate

6:53 00

The Great Gig in the Sky

Advanced

4:44 00

Us and Them

Intermediate

7:49 00

Any Colour You Like

Intermediate

3:37 00

Brain Damage

Advanced

3:58 00

Eclipse

Intermediate

2:15 02

Breathe (In The Air)

Piano · Intermediate

2:49 05

Money

Bass · Piano · Saxophone · Intermediate

6:22

About the album

The Dark Side of the Moon, according to DoReSol

The Dark Side of the Moon delves into themes such as conflict, greed, the passage of time, death, and mental illness. This thematic exploration was partly inspired by the pressures the band faced due to their demanding lifestyle and the mental health issues of Syd Barrett, the former founding member who had left the group in 1968. To enrich the narrative, the album incorporates fragments of interviews with the band's touring crew and others, along with philosophical quotes. Among the songs that capture this essence is «The Great Gig in the Sky», where Clare Torry's voice adds a unique emotional layer. Other central tracks released as singles were «Money» and «Us and Them». The album's visual identity is also notable: its cover, featuring a prismatic spectrum, was designed by Storm Thorgerson at the request of keyboardist Richard Wright, who sought a simple yet bold design that represented both the band's lighting and the album's concepts.

Since its release, The Dark Side of the Moon has become a global phenomenon. The album reached the top of the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart in the United States and, notably, remained on the charts for 990 weeks, a milestone that positions it as one of the longest-charting albums in history. With over 45 million copies sold worldwide, it is Pink Floyd's most successful work and the best-selling album of the 1970s. Its cultural and historical significance was recognized in 2012, when the Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry. Over the years, the album has been remastered and reissued multiple times, maintaining its relevance and connection with new generations of listeners.

Discography