Dark Side of the Moon

This year we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pink Floyd's legendary album, The Dark Side of the Moon. Below you'll find a few selections from the Dark Side along with some of the many variations and tributes that have appeared over the years.

Cover for the original 1973 release. The Dark Side of the Moon stayed on the Billboard charts 741 consecutive weeks - longer than any other album in history.

Dark Side of the Moon

Listen to Track 1: Speak to Me/Breathe:
Real Audio | Windows Media

The opening track fades in slowly before erupting with David Gilmour's slide guitar. It's a pedal steel Gilmour bought at a pawnshop in Seattle in 1968.

Cover for the 1993, 20th anniversary release. To date, Dark Side has sold more than 34 million copies worldwide.

Dark Side of the Moon

Listen to Track 5: The Great Gig in the Sky:
Real Audio | Windows Media

Claire Torry is the vocalist for this song. Apart from some hints from the band, she improvised the melody and recorded a half a dozen variations. The final song heard here is a compilation of the best parts from each take.

Cover for the 2003, 30th anniversary release. The Dark Side of the Moon was originally called Eclipse (A Piece for Assorted Lunatics).

Dark Side of the Moon

Listen to Track 6: Money:
Real Audio | Windows Media

"Money" was built around the bass line. The song follows traditional blues chord progressions. But it's anchored by an odd, 7-4 rhythm. To create the cash register rhythm, the band recorded the different sounds on analog tape, cut the pieces together and made a giant loop.

"Breathe" appeared as a Roger Waters solo track two years before it became part of The Dark Side of the Moon.

Music From the Body

Listen to Track 3: Breathe:
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This version of Breathe is from Roger Waters' 1970 solo album, Music From the Body. It was an early take on the familiar classic, recorded a couple of years before the band began working on Dark Side.

Released in early 2003, this is a meticulously crafted reggae version of the original album, from the Easy Star All Stars.

Easy Star All-Stars

Watch: Breathe
from the CD Dub Side of the Moon (Easy Star Records)

We originally featured this album on All Songs Considered Episode 32.

Listen to the audio-only version:
Real Audio | Windows Media

The entire original album reproduced solely on violin, viola and cello.

String Quartet Tribute to Dark Side of the Moon

Listen to Track 7: Any Color You Like:
Real Audio | Windows Media

Performed by the string quartet, The Section, this version of Dark Side of the Moon was released to celebrate the original album's 30th anniversary.

We have no purchase information for this album. Try contacting the label at its Web site: www.vitaminrecords.com

Pickin' On Pink Floyd

Listen to Track 8: Breathe:
Real Audio | Windows Media

This tribute features a number of Pink Floyd favorites performed bluegrass style, including two tracks from The Dark Side of the Moon: "Money" and "Breathe."

The Wizard of Oz

Legend has it Dark Side synchs perfectly with The Wizard of Oz. Start the CD at the third roar of the MGM lion at the beginning of the movie and set your CD player to loop the album.

Listen to NPR's feature on the Wizard of Oz connection:
Real Audio | Windows Media

      Copyright 2003, NPR