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Today we will talk about some of the best Pink Floyd songs. Due to their unique and experimental musical style, Pink Floyd is regarded by many as a great band. They were renowned for their elaborate live performances, creative use of special effects, and concept albums that included a narrative or political statement. Additionally, they had a distinctive sound that combined aspects of classical, psychedelic, and rock music.
Pink Floyd’s popularity and enduring success can be attributed to this fusion of musical and visual elements. Pink Floyd was a product of a particular place and time, and their music was influenced by the social and political climate of the 1960s and 1970s. That explains why there has yet to be another band quite like them. It’s also possible that no other band has made an effort to replicate the specific set of components that made Pink Floyd’s music so distinctive.
Let’s jump to our list of the best Pink Floyd songs that you can listen to explore the gravity of Pink Floyd’s music.
Best Pink Floyd Songs
It is difficult to rank the best Pink Floyd songs because the band has many different styles of music in their albums. They made 15 studio albums that each have a unique sound. Many of their songs are part of concept albums.
There are many options to choose from when making a list of Pink Floyd’s best songs. The band was prolific and recorded many tracks over the course of their career. As a result, it can be difficult to compare and rank Pink Floyd’s songs. Despite the challenging task at hand, we have ranked our top 15 Pink Floyd songs for you.
15. Mother
Ranked at the bottom of our list “Mother” is one of the best Pink Floyd Songs from the band’s 1979 release “The Wall”. The song starts with an acoustic guitar melody and an eerie soundscape. That sets a melancholic and introspective tone and later progresses into a more complex sound.
Written by Roger Waters, the song deals with the theme of childhood trauma. Specifically, the relationship between a mother and her child, and how this relationship can shape a person’s life and personality. Rather an overblown power ballad from The Wall’s first side that unexpectedly became a classic rock standard. It continues to be one of the least fitting tracks to smuggle on Mother’s Day playlists every year. This does not take away from the song or the fact how much of mesmerizing a song it is.
14. The Great Gig in the Sky
Ranked at number 14, “The Great Gig in the Sky” is another best Pink Floyd song from the album “The Dark Side of the Moon”. It deals with the subject of death and the afterlife and the notion that death is just the start of a new adventure rather than its conclusion.
Clare Torry provides the vocals, which have a sense of longing and desperation to them. The song also features one of Rick Wright’s greatest spotlight piano riffs.
13. Hey You
“Hey You” is one of the best Pink Floyd songs from the album “The Wall”. The Wall tells the narrative of Pink, a teenage rock star who is isolating himself and withdrawing from society. Pink attempts to reestablish connections with society after realizing his error in avoiding it in “Hey You.
However, he is unable to see or hear past the wall. As Pink starts to realize there is no way out, his call gets more and more frantic. The way it uses sound effects, such as the sound of a telephone bell; enhances the theme of isolation and creates a sense of longing, a sense of urgency, and tension. This adds an extra layer of atmosphere to the song and helps to create an immersive listening experience.
12. Dogs
The 17-minute official opening song from Animals, “Dogs” features lyrics about societal decay and the ways in which those in power exploit and manipulate the “dogs” or working class.
The song starts with lengthy but perfect guitar lead harmonies, heart-pounding acoustics, and several tempo changes. And yes, there are plenty of barking noises from the title characters.
The song’s discrete sections all stand out as individually arresting and handing off to the next at what seems to be just the right moment. But, there are enough memorable lyrical checkpoints from Waters and Gilmour to mark time and maintain interest throughout. Although it sounds exhausting, it is surprisingly not.
11. Echoes
Echoes is one of the best Pink Floyd sons that you should check out. With their sixth album, Pink Floyd began to move away from ambient set pieces. It predominated their earlier work and toward more structured songs.
The album’s standout track, “Echoes,” still clocks in at over 23 minutes. However, it serves as a prelude to The Dark Side of the Moon, which changed the course of the musician’s career. A profound and emotional experience is created by the song’s introspective and emotive feel together with its rich melody and orchestration.
10. Us and Them
“Us and Them” is a popular song by Pink Floyd that appears on their album “The Dark Side of the Moon”. The lyrics of this best pink Floyd song explore themes of conflict; and the divide between different groups of people that are thought-provoking and resonate with many listeners.
It has a catchy and memorable melody, which is carried by a distinctive saxophone line. The song’s structure is also noteworthy, as it features a long intro and a number of instrumental sections. This allows for musical exploration and creates a sense of atmosphere.
The use of the organ in the song also adds to its atmosphere and contributes to its overall sound.
9. Money
Ranked at number 9 is “Money” another well-known Pink Floyd song from their album “The Dark Side of the Moon”. There are multiple reasons why it is a fantastic song. The groove, which is supported by a funky bass line and strong use of percussion, is one of the factors. It is memorable and catchy.
Many listeners find the song’s lyrics, which address the corrupting effects of materialism and money, to be thought-provoking and relevant. The song’s arrangement is particularly notable since it has several tempo and dramatic shifts that keep the listener interested.
The trademark riff that plays throughout the song, along with the usage of electric piano, the subtle use of odd time signature; as well as other sound effects, all contribute to the song’s distinctive sound.
8. A Pillow Of Wind
The song ranked at number 8 on our best pink Floyd song list is a song from the band’s 1971 album “Meddle”. “Pillow of Wind” is an instrumental track that combines electronic effects, keyboard, and guitar.
The guitar sections, which are performed on a Fender Telecaster, are greatly processed with reverb and delay effects to produce a roomy and atmospheric feel. These give the sound depth and dimension, a sense of space and movement. The keyboard sections also have a lot of processing, including tape delay and phasing, and are performed on a Hammond organ and a Mellotron.
Pink noise and white noise are some of the electronic effects used in the song. This combination of these effects gives the electronic sounds a sense of movement and adds to the dreamy and ethereal atmosphere of the song.
The song’s concept of the fleeting nature of existence and the sense of the wind is evoked through the usage of all these sound choices and effects. One of the defining characteristics of Pink Floyd’s experimental sound; the employment of unusual noises and effects is also why the album Meddle.
7. Breathe (In the Air)
At no 7 is one of the best Pink Floyd songs “Breathe” from the album “The Dark Side of the Moon”. Released in 1973 and is the opening track of the album. The song is divided into two parts. The first part is an instrumental introduction called “Breathe (In the Air)” and the second part is the vocal section called “On the Run”.
“Breathe (In the Air)” features a mix of guitar, keyboard, and electronic effects. The guitar parts are played on a Fender Telecaster and are heavily processed with delay and reverb; creating a spacious and atmospheric sound. The keyboard parts played on a Hammond organ and a Mellotron, also feature a significant amount of processing, including tape delay and phasing.
The electronic effects used on the track include white noise and pink noise. “On the Run” is the vocal section that starts with a sound collage of various sound effects, including airplane engines, sirens, and explosions, it creates a sense of chaos and urgency.
Roger Waters and David Gilmour’s recitation of words uttered in a frantic; scared manner instead of singing the song fit with the musical introduction and the sound collage; which heightens the confusion and urgency. This theme fits with the album’s general exploration of the “dark side” of society and human nature.
6. High Hopes
“High Hopes” is from the album “The Division Bell” which was released in 1994. It’s the final track of the album and it’s considered one of the best Pink Floyd songs.
“High Hopes” is considered a great song for its masterful blend of songwriting, instrumentation, and production. Its introspective lyrics, paired with its dynamic and intricate melody and arrangement, create a powerful and emotional experience. The song’s message of perseverance and hope, combined with its beautiful and polished sound, make it a timeless classic.
5. Shine On You Crazy Diamond
“Shine On You Crazy Diamond” is one of the best Pink Floyd songs from the album “Wish You Were Here”. The song is divided into two parts. It’s a tribute to Syd Barrett, the band’s original frontman, who had left the band due to his mental health issues. Because of its brilliant fusion of songwriting, instrumentation, and production, “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” is regarded as a fantastic song.
A profound and emotional experience is created by the song’s introspective and emotive vibe together with its rich melody and orchestration. The song’s theme of longing, loss, and tribute, together with its lovely and polished sound, make it a timeless classic and one of Pink Floyd’s most well-known and memorable songs.
4. Wish You Were Here
Ranked number 4, “Wish You Were Here” is my personal choice of best Pink Floyd song from the album “Wish You Were Here” which was released in 1975. It’s the title track of the album and it’s considered one of Pink Floyd’s greatest and most popular songs.
The lyrics, written by Roger Waters, reflect on the absence of Syd Barrett, the band’s original frontman. It conveys the need for connection and understanding together with feelings of loss, longing, and regret. The song’s concept and melody go nicely with the words, which are performed in a reflective and melancholy style. All of these together with its gorgeous and polished sound, make it a timeless classic.
3. Another Brick in the Wall
“Another Brick in the Wall” found on the 1979 album “The Wall.” is ranked at number 3 on this list of best Pink Floyd songs. There are three sections to the song: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
Despite the fact that each section of the song deals with a separate subject, they are all united by the album’s general concept, which is a rock opera that explores issues of alienation and the loss of individuality, innocence, and creativity in modern society. The song’s message of alienation, education, and conformity, combined with its raw and polished sound, make it a timeless classic and one of the most popular and enduring songs of Pink Floyd’s career.
2. Time
“Time” is a song from the 1973 album “The Dark Side of the Moon.”. Roger Waters’ lyrics focus on the idea of time and how it might affect a person’s life, particularly the idea of time running out and the stress of not having enough.
The song’s opening sound effect of a ticking clock establishes the song’s overall theme of time. A stunning artistic masterpiece,
“Time” is an emotional and immersive experience due to its flawless songwriting, musicianship, and production. The song is a timeless classic and one of Pink Floyd’s greatest and most iconic songs thanks to its complex structure, dynamic arrangement, powerful instrumentation, and thought-provoking lyrics.
1. Comfortably Numb
At the top of our list of best Pink Floyd songs is the song “Comfortably Numb” from the album “The Wall”. It was released in 1979. The song opens with David Gilmour’s guitar riff that establishes the song’s mood, which is a mix of melancholy and detachedness.
The song’s orchestration becomes increasingly intricate as it goes on, adding layers of keyboards, drums, and vocals. The guitar melody serves as a linking element that appears repeatedly throughout the song. While the percussion and keyboards offer a strong foundation that keeps the song going forward, the guitar’s melody gives the song a hint of tenderness and closeness.The addition of backing singers enhances the song’s emotional effect by creating a feeling of harmony and unity.
The lyrics were written by Roger Waters where David Gilmour and Roger Waters are responsible for the vocals; Gilmour sings the verses in a reflective and melancholy tone, and Waters sings the choruses in a more distant and resigned manner. All the elements mentioned combined with its beautiful and polished sound, make it a timeless classic and a deserving number-one pick.
Final Words
Pink Floyd has produced some of the most iconic and timeless songs in music history. From the dreamy and experimental soundscapes of “Echoes” to the political and socially conscious lyrics of “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2,” Pink Floyd’s songs are as powerful and relevant today as they were when they were first released. No matter what your taste in music is, Pink Floyd’s best songs have something to offer everyone.
Let us know in the comment if you agree or disagree with our list of best Pink Floyd songs. Also, mention the best Pink Floyd songs that should be listed here.
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