Us and Them

When the composition of The Dark Side of the Moon began at EMI studios in London, between 1972 and 1973, Roger Waters took Wright's instrumental base and added lyrics. These lyrics explore themes such as the irrationality of war, racial prejudice, and indifference to the suffering of others, reflecting a critique of consumer society and materialism. The song's musical structure, with its jazz-influenced chord progression, presents a particular sound, especially the use of the D minor major 7 chord, uncommon in rock music of the time. The piece was recorded with David Gilmour on lead vocals and Richard Wright contributing vocal harmonies and solos. The sound is further enriched by the participation of saxophonist Dick Parry, who performs two solos throughout the song. In the middle of the piece, a spoken fragment by Roger "The Hat" Manifold, a band roadie, can be heard, adding a touch of authenticity and rawness. Us and Them was released as the second single from the album in the United States in February 1974, reaching number 72 on the Cash Box Top 100 Singles chart. The version that appears on the album The Dark Side of the Moon is the most extensive, with a duration of 7 minutes and 49 seconds, making it the longest track on the record. Later, in 2001, it was included in the compilation Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd, albeit with an edit at its end to avoid the fluid transition to the next song on the original album.