Creating a list of the top ten Pink Floyd songs that everybody will agree with is impossible. Everyone has different tastes and their own preference of the best of Pink Floyd. This aside, I have done my best to assemble a list of the top ten Pink Floyd songs and a short history of each that I believe even the most diehard Pink Floyd fan will find reasonable.
10. Jugband Blues
Featured on Pink Floyd’s album, “A Saucerful Of Secrets,” Jugband blues was the only piece on the album to be written by Syd Barret, which happened to be the last song he ever published for the band. Many view the song as a farewell piece by Barret, who knew his days in the band were coming to an end. A sad ballad with a cheerful Salvation Army Band section in the middle, this song is worth listening to.
9. Brain Damage
Featured on Pink Floyd’s the album, “The Dark Side of the Moon,” Brain damage (Originally called Lunatic), is a slow song featuring a repeating lyrical pattern and chorus. The theme of the song is based on former band member, Syd Barett’s mental instability. The song, not as brilliant as material the band would later create, is still definitely one of their best.
8. Dogs/Sheep
Both songs are featured on Pink Floyd’s album, “Animals“, released on January 23, 1977. Both songs include metaphors as well as double metaphors relating to human society. In the song Dogs, “dogs,” represent businessmen who use their power to gain wealth and become more powerful, at others expense. This is the only song on the album that is not written solely by Roger Waters, due to the fact that David Gilmour wrote all the chords. Originally, the title of dogs was “You got to be crazy,” but was changed to fit into the Album theme. In the song sheep, “sheep,” represent mindless people who do nothing but follow the herd, unable to break away. As was dogs, the name of this son was changed to fit the album theme. The original name of the song was “Raving And Drooling.” This song is slightly controversial due to a subliminal message that can be heard beneath the music with a slightly robotic and distorted voice. It happens to be a takeoff of the
Lord’s Prayer. The words are:
‘The lord is my shepard, I shall not want
He makes me down to lie
Through pastures green he leadeth me the silent waters by
With bright knives he releaseth my soul
he maketh me to hang on hooks in high places
He converteth me to lamb cutlets
For lo, he hath great power, and great hunger
When cometh the day we lowly ones
Through quiet reflection and great dedication
Master the are of karate
Lo, we shall rise up
And then we’ll make the bugger’s eyes water”
7. Astronomy Domine
Most likely a representation of the space race between the US and the Soviet Unions, Astronomy Domine is a simple song with some great instrumentals. This song is featured on Pink Floyd’s album, “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.” The word Domineer means to control something in a superior fashion, leading one to guess that the title means that both the US and the Soviet Union wished to control space to fulfill their own personal needs.
6. Hey You
A song from Pink Floyd’s hit album, “The Wall,” Hey you is about how one can long for human interaction, yet at the same time hide behind a wall of their own creation, making it impossible to reach what they crave so badly. David Gilmour and Roger Waters share lead vocals in this rather mystifying song. Some speculate that the song is actually based on the Holocaust, and how those in concentration camps suffered constantly while trapped behind a wall, and the outside world did nothing to help. An amazing song with some great guitar solo’s and bass played by David Gilmour, this song deserves its place in the top ten.
5. Us and Them
From the Album “The Dark Side of the Moon,” Us and Them is written by Roger Waters and Rick Wright, and features lead vocals by Dave Gilmour. The song also features female backup singers and a saxophone played by Dick Parry. The Band refers to the song as “the violent sequence,” due to the fact that it was meant to be played during a particularly violent scene in the movie Zabriskie Point. Like many other songs on the album, Us and Them contains random voices. These voices were recorded by using flashcards to ask questions around the studio, and recording the answers. This song is one of my personal favorites.
4. Another Brick in the Wall (Parts 1-3)
Featured on Pink Floyd’s album “The Wall,” all three parts of another brick in the wall include very similar tune and lyrical makeup. Each part of the song gets gradually louder and angrier, starting with part one which is a sad, slower song, to part three, which sounds almost infuriated. Part two of this song has been banned in many countries due to its protesting statements regarding rigorous schooling. All three parts were written by Roger waters.
3. Comfortably Numb
Found on Pink Floyd’s album, “The Wall,” Comfortably Numb is written by Roger Waters, based on his experiences as a child when he was sick with fever. Many speculate that this song is about drug use, but Waters denies the claims. The music was written by Dave Gilmour while he was working on his solo album. This is the last song Gilmour and Waters wrote together. Comfortably numb features an amazing guitar solo by David Gilmour, and is easily one of Pink Floyd’s greatest accomplishments.
2. Wish you were here
Found on Pink Floyd’s album, “Wish you were here,” Wish you were here is a song about the isolated feeling many live with throughout their life. It depicts how these people withdraw physically, mentally, or emotionally to cope with the world. Wish you were here is written by Roger Water’s, who states that the inspiration for the song came from Syd Barret’s fall to Schizophrenia. It may also depict the shared feeling of the band members relating to Syd, wishing he was still with them. The song seems to be a final tribute to Syd, who the band knew would never return. At the end of the song, you can faintly hear the sound of a violin in the background, along with the sound of the wind. The violin was played by Stephane Grappelli. An amazing song, wish you were here is far worth listening to over and over again. It easily grabs the number two spot on the list.
1. Shine on you Crazy Diamond (Both Parts)
And finally the number one Pink Floyd song, Shine on you Crazy Diamond is featured on the album, “Wish you were here.” The song is a tribute to Syd Barrett, the original Pink Floyd lead guitarist and songwriter, before falling victim to Schizophrenia. If you look closely at the title, you find that the first letter of three of the word’s spell out Syd’s name (Shine on You Crazy Diamond). During the recording of the song, Syd actually wandered into the studio, and was prepared to help out in any way he could. This is an incredible coincidence, that the long lost band member walked in just as the band was finishing their tribute to him! Sadly, this is the last time any member of the band ever saw Barrett. Waters sang lead, assisted by Roy Harper, a friend of Pink Floyd. Dick Parry also played Sax on the album. A truly remarkable song, I sympathize for those who have never had the satisfaction and enjoyment of listening to this song over and over again.
This wraps of my list of the Top Ten Pink Floyd Songs ever. Some honorable mentions are:
On the turning away, Time, Money, Echoes, The great gig in the sky, On thin ice, Eclipse
Entire List:
1. Shine on you crazy diamond
2. Wish you were here
3. Comfortably numb
4. Another brick in the wall
5. Us and them
6. Hey You
7. Astronomy Domine
8. Dogs/Sheep
9. Brain Damage
10. Jugband Blues
