For Christmas someone bought me Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" on CD. I had the vinyl version many years ago but had never "updated" it to CD. Over Christmas I read that this album still sells 250,000 copies every year almost 33 years after its original release in March 1973. I started to wonder...why? What is it about this collection of songs that has endured the test of time? Why does an album that contains three instrumentals continue to attract new audiences?

I start with some of my own musings...first of all the obvious...the songs are great. From the sweeping Em opening chord of "Breathe" through the 7/8 time opening bass riff of "Money" to the closing words of Eclipse..."there is no dark side of the moon as a matter of fact it's all dark" there is not weak moment on the album.

For it's time the level of production and engineering were amazing (I think it was all recorded on 8 track).

The main theme of the album (IMO that the stresses of modern life can drive you mad) is universal and still applies today.

Roger Waters' lyrics are fairly simple and direct.

Any thoughts???

For my generation it's been the THE thing to listen to when trippin'.

I don't know. I never thought the album was all that great, but I was never much of a Floyd fan. I remember there was a period of about 15 years in which it was continually in the Top 200 Billboard Album seller's list.

To answer the question it is the same reason Beethoven still sells, or Shakespeare still sells, or even the Godfather still sells. It is great art.

Because they are one of the great bands, and the album is their best along with "The Wall."

Because a lot of people still watch "The Wizard of Oz".

The same reason why people watch old movies or still love old TV shows.

I actually keep forgetting to try that, just for a bit of quick entertainment. I also recently heard that "The Division Bell" (last studio-Floyd album) matches up to 2001 A Space Oddessey.

But, back to the question, Floyd has been one of my favorite bands of all time. Along with bands like The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, they are probably one of the top five rock acts of their generation, which just so happens to be the golden or defining generation of rock. I can also say that Floyd has influenced me as a casual musician in an active rock band that is starting to grow locally.

Dark Side of The Moon is the peak of their career, many would say. Their big break. And why not? There isn't a single bad song on the album (Even while listening to the anti-melodic "On the Run", I can't bring myself to switch tracks. It simply ruins the flow and feel of the album). I will still argue that "The Wall" is probably their greatest achievement, but Darkside of the Moon is second in line, and one of the ten greatest rock albums of all time.

Still, I'm a little upset about the raging popularity of Dark Side, only because the other albums don't get the recognition they deserve. It seems to be increasingly popular in school now to wear Dark Side of the Moon shirts, but when I have a conversation with the people who are found wearing them, it usually turns out its the only album they've listened to, with few exceptions having enjoyed The Wall. But, maybe 5% of the ones I've spoken to (if that...) have heard the other great albums the band produced in their years together, like "Animals", "Wish You Were Here", "Meddle", "Atom Heart Mother", and so on.

Overall, the answer to your question is, it's just a great piece of modern art. It's a masterpiece... I've heard many rumors, and even that he was offered 134 million euro's to do so, but I just with Roger Waters would agree to another reunion with the classic Pink Floyd members. Maybe a bit closer to New York this time. :p

Reasons why I think the album rocks:
1) Its all one long track. Don't believe me? Get a look at the original vinyl album sometime. There are no track dividers.
2) Goes great with Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz
3) Took 2 years to make
4) Quality

That's another thing I love about Floyd! The majority of their albums flow as one long track, if not literally made as a single track. It's a purely revolutionary idea, and it makes listening to the album alot more exciting. And, how else to follow up amazing and revolutionary way of recording albums, but with equally ground-breaking live stage-shows.

Oh, how I'd of KILLED to see a Floyd show in person, at their peak. The Wall Tour could be one of the most amazing rock shows ever. Any presentation of "Laser-Floyd", on any major album tour, as well.

Maybe people keep replacing their album copies with cd's, or someone 'borrows' their copy and they have to replace it. I used to have that problem with Pretty Hate Machine by 9 Inch Nails.

Dark Side is just a great and seemingly timeless album that reaches a lot of people in different ways. I remember the long conversations we had in college about it's meaning, whether it was about a man's death, and each song is looking back on a part of his life, or whether it was about a guy who had reached a point where he questioned everything in his life, or if it was just a dream, which would fit in with the Wizzard of Oz thing. I need to try that sometime.

That's what recently happened to me. Oh well, it's the small price well paid for converting a friend into a Floyd fan.

"Brain Damage/Eclipse" sums everything -- and I mean everything! -- up so well.

This actually works btw. It is particularly noticeable during "Time" and "Great Gig in the Sky."

Anyway... The Floyd is by far my favorite rock and roll band of all time. I keep hearing that the younger generation (My Generation), is still embracing them. I'd like desperately to meet these people, because everyone I know that is my age cant stand them.

Dark Side is un-arguably a magnificent achievement. "Money", "Time", and "Us and Them" are some of my personal favorites, but I dont prefer this album to others by the Floyd. My two favorites are definetly "Wish You Were Here" and "Animals." I would agree that Dark Side hogs up too much of the spotlight, which should be shined equally on all of Floyd's albums.


Btw LLC, I own a Dark Side T-shirt :p

:p I didn't necessarily mean you. There are plenty of people who've expanding their Floyd listening beyound Dark Side. I personally like my Animals shirt the best; It just says "Pink Floyd" and then has a big pink big on it.

You and I can start the official BB leg of the "Pink Floyd fan club for generation Y".

sounds like a plan

Sounds great!

Ok, so it has already been proven that "The Dark Side of the Moon" matches up with The Wizard of Oz, and that "Meddle" matches up with 2001: A Space Odyssey... So I say our first goal is to match the remaining 12 studio albums to movies.