To say that this band means a lot to me would be an understatement. It was my gateway to a new world of music For anyone who knows about Pink Floyd, there is something otherworldly about them. And while some might argue that one needs drugs to enjoy them, we know that Pink Floyd is the drug itself.
What makes them so remarkable is that their songs aren’t just songs, they’re journeys. They’re well-known for their concept albums. Their albums are cohesive wholes and every song is a part of the whole. Their most iconic one The Dark Side Of The Moon(1973) encapsulates life, from birth to death. This album was followed by the equally legendary Wish You Were Here(1975) which criticizes the music business. The Wall(1979) is a double album that seems to explore human despair and self-imposed isolation. Of course, they have a vast discography and try to push the envelope in every album, but these three are by far my favorite ones.
I usually wouldn’t recommend listening to individual Pink Floyd songs because each song is like a chapter in a novel. This list is by no means objective, but just a brief list of songs I’ve always loved and connected with.
1.Breathe
This is the opening track of an album that’s objectively one of the greatest albums ever made, The Dark Side Of The Moon. Since the album is about life, the song begins with a heartbeat, marking the beginning of life. It talks about how you must appreciate your life and find your own ground. A lot of people get stuck digging one hole after the other, and never actually take a second to breathe in the air. Society tells one to ride the tide and go for the biggest wave, but that might send you to an early grave.
2. Time
The listener is awakened by a loud alarm clock, reminding him of the passage of time. This song talks about how time passes by so fast that it makes your head spin. We battle against against the pressures of our lives, putting off our plans indefinitely until we realise that time is short. Time passes faster the older we get, leading to a sense of despair over missed opportunities.
From the same album, this song explores the concept of death. It probably has one of the best vocal improvisations I’ve heard so far. The soothing prelude gives way to goose bump-inducing singing or rather wailing. The vocalist’s harrowing voice really gets to you. I don’t really associate the song with death, but it does evoke intense feelings within me. It’s just a great song irrespective of the meaning it’s supposed to have. This was my favorite song made by any band for a long time.
This was the first Pink Floyd song I ever heard. I was enraptured the moment it started. I would enjoy this song like it were a bottle of fine wine- I indulged in it occasionally, careful not to get bored of it. Like most of their music, the soft intro and gradual buildup feel like being transported to another realm. After you’ve been warmly welcomed into the realm by the organ, you are escorted by a lead guitar into the verse. This song was written for their former band member Syd Barrett, though I think that backstories detract from the musicality.
The Wall explores the life of a jaded fictional rock star named Pink. Having faced the demise of a loved one, an abusive mother and teachers, Pink builds a proverbial wall around himself. After trying to find solace in drugs, he finally decides to visit a therapist in this song, who administers a medicine. A rather melancholic song, this talks about how our character feels disconnected from the world and all the harsh reality of it. He might have had a fleeting sense of hope when he was a kid, but now all his hopes have been washed away. He’s now fine being oblivious to life and is comfortably numb from his emotions.
ExclusivelyMusic 