I don’t think this is a surprise. Most of you would have guessed from day one…
No.1: “The Dark Side Of The Moon” by Pink Floyd (1973)
My all-time favourite album is in a league of its own. It’s the story of life from start to end. What theme could possibly eclipse that?
Forty-three minutes, 10 songs, 45 million sales, one unbroken U.S. chart run from 1973-1988, an unbroken Top 40 placing in the U.S. rock album charts since 1985, the third best-selling CD of all-time, the No.1 album of the 1970’s in combined votes from thousands of sources, etc etc etc…
It’s awesome. It’s so absolutely well made in every sense; the music, the score, the performances, the lyrics, the band on top form, the enigmatic sleeve which I can just stare at for hours on end. I have an obsession with this record. I have umpteen t-shirts, videos, bootlegs, key rings, badges, mugs, hoodies, stickers, a lampshade, canvas prints, posters, a cushion and a chair.
I could sit here enthusing about this record – and I do to my friends who all love it just as much – but I’ll simply analyse the track listing (based on the original vinyl release):
Side One:
1. Speak To Me
A heartbeat. Recorded voices, noises of madness in a building crescendo to some final screams.
2. Breathe
After the heartbeat there is life. The music plummets into a lush beauty, wallowing in splendour. Time to completely relax, taking it all in.
3. On The Run
Footsteps, echoes, more strange voices.
4. Time
Gentle ticking of clocks. Alarms. Big Ben. Nick Mason with his extremely intricate drum pattern, tapping away until the rest of the band take their places for the ultimate in musical pieces. The world of work, the drudge of everyday life and finally getting home again and relaxing. That’s what it’s all about isn’t it? The lyrics speak for themselves.
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5. The Great Gig In The Sky
Lust. Sex. Clare Torry with her moment. Beautiful piano accompaniment courtesy Rick Wright.
Continued…