Why is Dark Side of the Moon so Popular? vinyl album review / analysis

[@RyanWehr]

The lyrics are there, the music is there. At times it’s so simple. Perfect notes places at just the right time. It’s the Mona Lisa of albums.

[@anthonyclarke5579]

Nailed it matey.

[@scottbubb2946]

"No one told you when to run, You missed the starting gun." Not only is this lyric poetic, it resonates with so many people. Who wouldn't be able to relate? And Brain Damage/Eclipse just builds and builds to this epic crescendo that's euphoric and orgasmic. It's almost like they were channeling something devine. It's as close to perfect as mere mortals can achieve. And, it is kind of cool to listen to it with The Wizard of Oz.

[@DeadnWoon]

Sure, but let's agree, musically it's Time and Money that are distinguishable and have really unique melodies - the rest of the album is either sound effects or one extra long Breathe... Now, imagine you don't understand the language of the lyrics...

[@thatderek]

What really amazes me is the life perspective it took to not only put these types of feelings into clear and relatable words but also perfectly capture the shifting moods with such beautiful soundscapes and melodies. These guys were only in their 20's when they worked on this but somehow had the perspective of old men looking back and reminiscing over a lifetime of memories. Incredible and unmatched, this album is a piece of my soul, I am forever greatful.

[@Iamrooq]

You know you love Pink Floyd when you can listen to someone dissect the same album you’ve dissected hundreds of times ❤️

[@BiserAngelov1]

great music - check, great lyrics - check, great sound - check, great ideas - check.

[@jackdowner7086]

"and you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking" "racing around to come up behind you again" "the sun is the same in a relative way but you're older" "shorter of breath and one day closer to death" best lyrics ever.

[@4Mr.Crowley2]

I always sob at “and everything under the sun is in tune/but the sun is eclipsed by the moon” - meaning no matter how we mortals think we have mastered our lives that we will inevitably die (“matter of fact it’s all dark”) and everything we ever loved or valued etc will also fade away with us. It’s so heartbreakingly perfect. Absolutely beautiful and shattering at the same time…the heartbeat at the beginning marks the beginning of life (Clare’s shrieking vocals (which we will later hear in full in the Great Gig in the Sky) are like a woman giving birth into the madness of the world) and the end as “Eclipse” reminds us of death as we hear the heartbeat isolated and as we hear those brilliant final lines “there’s no dark side of the moon really…matter of fact it’s all dark”

[@Wayner71]

A large component of its success is the high audio fidelity of the album. Although fifty years old, it sounds as crystal clear as anything since.

[@YodaPagoda]

When us 90s kids got ahold of the rebellious chords of The Wall, a lot of us ignored Dark Side to our detriment. We were foolish kids, and I'm glad I got to appreciate the brilliance of this record. It's a wonder to listen to from beginning to end!

[@pacoelizalde8491]

The music, the lyrics, the recording, the packaging, the cover and other aspects are absolutely top notch. It moves everyone that has listened to it in one way or another. Plus is one of few albums that gives you the actual urge to sing along, laugh, cry and do your air instrument of choice the whole way through, over and over.

[@jorgelarios438]

My daughter has been listening to this album since she was a baby. 12 years later she’s the biggest Pink Floyd fan in her school

[@DerekPower]

A few things from me : What’s amazing about this album is given how ubiquitous and seemingly omnipresent it has been for fifty years, everyone can have their own unique and personal experience with it. This is also incredible given how very clear and direct the lyrics are. It’s also incredible how it became popular on its own terms. Yeah there were campaigns and such. But if you think about it, it wasn’t either the “AM rock” nor the glam rock of the time. Sure it had catchy tunes, but it also had sonic experimentation. And again, it can be appreciated on its own terms but definitely gives you room to (clears throat) breathe. I have literally grown up with this album and it still amazes me how I can still enjoy and appreciate this album on many many many levels. Well done, lads. Well done =]

[@combinemetro]

I haven't listened to this band or watched this channel in years. Out of nowhere an hour ago I decided to pop on Wish You Were Here and start downloading Dark Side... and then I see this uploaded 10 minutes ago. Music finds its way! great to see you still pumping out content.

[@austinhunt4260]

Just got a M copy of the 1973 UK Quad. It’s is sublime. Greatest treasure in my collection. Thanks for celebrating this album.

[@marniethedyslexic6445]

I agree with you. There is nothing more human than this album. I don’t care who you are or what stage of life you’re in you feel this album in your soul. My opinion is this is the greatest album ever written it’s beautiful beyond words.❤️✌️🌼

[@VinylRewind]

Thanks again to our sponsor, Magic Spoon! To get $5 off your Magic Spoon order click here: sponsr.is/magicspoon_vinylrewind and use code VINYLREWIND at checkout!

[@thedude4672]

I love cereal but hate all the sugar. Thank you for letting me know about this product! Also, I love your show

[@50Something]

I bought my copy in 1980, and listened to it hundreds of times and still listen today. I was so impressed, I bought a Stratocaster around the same time but just recently learned the Time solo note for note because there is no way I can go to the grave without being able to play, perhaps, the greatest solo of all time. I'm almost there with all those crazy bends...

[@mattlonnen8664]

Remember that the album was toured for a year PRIOR to release. This gave the band plenty of time to hone the songs - in the same way that the Beatles did in the lengthy studio sessions only Pink Floyd did this on front of an audience. It is this that IMHO gives this album the X factor, great music, lyrics and concept are all a given!

[@jbossmusicandart]

I used to listen to this album almost every night before I went to bed. I never really analyzed it the way you did. But I think you're right on great job.❤

[@paulh1862]

Turned 50 years old this year but is still sooo relevant. Theres no other record in the entire music industry like this one. It’s themes apply to all of us, while we exist on this Earth simultaneously. Its a must listen.

[@Paolo8772]

Very well explained and enhances the aesthetic appreciation of this album. Thanks for posting!

[@youarenotme01]

no, he doesn’t understand at all. neither do you.

[@strawmancomics]

I think “Any Colour you Like” is a reference to Henry Ford who once quipped about the model-t “you can get it in any color you like as long as it’s black.” Meaning that society tends to present a choice but sometimes there’s nothing there.

[@kevinsmith8328]

Us and Them is my favorite song on this album and the rest flow together quite well. Every time I listen to t, is album I discover something new, it seems. There is a lot going on on this record and keeps my interest. Very good review.

[@lynby6231]

That sax though 👌

[@PrankZabba]

Pure lightning in a bottle. This album is a few years older then me. But this was probably the first album that i kept wanting to play over and over when i was a kid. Even when i had my own copy at 5 years old, i remember just leaving my suitcase record player on the floor and watching the triangle spin. Its still hypnotic to this day. It sure looked strange as a blue triangle when i was a teenager. I dont know how many times i have owned this album, tape, cd, and 8 track. Lots of times. In fact, i got the weird pressing i found back in the 90s in a thrift store. Still had the 1979 receipt inside it. This album will never ever get old. But i like Atom Heart Mother the best.

[@brandonmessner7848]

I love that there's just a KZbin channel that makes videos about 4 of Pink Floyds albums.

[@dixielandfarm]

I think it comes into most people's lives when they are listening to music that wasn't normal pop music, added with the angsty subtext, then coupled with the whole idea of what is life, it just ticks off all of those things and it can mean different things at different times when you listen.

[@thecwazycrowla9534]

I think a wise decision on Hipgonisis' part is making the cover a prism reflecting colours - I think the title "Any Colour You Like" is representative of all the paths in life you can take. The song is a moment of clarity on all of the paths humankind could take, that the album explores, and the cover reflects on that. God, I love this record.

[@kerryberry5786]

Hipgnosis were only middle-men, my uncle did this cover.

[@임소영-h3x]

Any Colour You Like is a quote from ford. "You can have it any colour you like as long is it's blue" I think this song is about choices that we think we have the control but actually doesn't

[@robertwhite7071]

Sometimes lightning strikes multiple times and greatness isn't always easy to define.

[@hahalol1452]

i feel like the heartbeat in the beginning vs the heartbeat in the end feel different. i remember my first time listening to it front to back really changed my perspective on life and how i live it. at first the heartbeat in speak to me feels uncomfortable, like it was anticipating something big. and when you hear it at the end, it felt like the album was reminding me that i am in fact alive, i have this heartbeat, and i am living my life right now. it really changes your view but that was just me

[@Michael69]

You've outdone yourself, Eric. You said in the beginning of the video, "what is there left to say?", and I thought surely you wouldn't be able to add anything new... But, the way you have articulated it here managed to make certain themes of DSotM clearer and more pronounced to me. I'm 29 and have been having a tough time dealing with the intrusive existential thoughts, "what's it all about?", "why am I here?", "why anything?" Fun thoughts to entertain from time to time but not every single day for months on end. Your analysis has helped to remind me that worrying about what is beyond our control is an injustice to the magical time we do have here, which deserves to be enjoyed in every inch. I needn't say more except thank you.

[@walterfechter8080]

For me, "Dark Side of the Moon" is like a candy "sampler" -- there's something for everyone -- moody/melancholy ("Us and Them") -- the brevity of life ("Time"). This LP stands alone. Nothing like it has ever been produced, nor shall it ever again. Alan Parsons had a hand in this brilliant LP. Thank you, Vinyl Rewind.

[@jp-st8vn]

My most favourite tracks in the album is actually great gig in the sky and any colour you like.

[@bltvd]

This video made me think about how I have thousands of vinyl records and been listening to music for 40 years but never owned or sat down and listened to this.

[@juanjo5534]

It's one of the few albums that you can put and listen from the beginning to the end and it feels like your listening to this long amazing single song.

[@dyldog]

My favorite song ever for the longest time was Us And Them. I never did any drugs but that one on some good speakers sends me to a new plain of being

[@michaelsilvestri202]

My dad died a few years ago at the age of 50 from brain cancer, he was a life long pink floyd fan, and as he was bed bound for a few months before he passed, he listened to his DSOTM CD every day for those last few months. I will always remember coming downstairs and more often than not, the song ‘The Great Gig in The Sky’ would be playing. I never really thought about it until now but when you talked about the meaning of that particular song it really hit home. It really was a mid life crisis, and i’m sure he was thinking about his own mortality.

[@timcox5373]

I love the care that went into this album, it gets lost a little with CD and streaming (and CD was my first DSOTM experience). But when you look at the original vinyl release: side one ends with Great Gig In the Sky and reflects on this idea of your own mortality you face after your twenties and then the record ENDS and you literally have to come back to reality to flip the record over. I think that was a completely intentional choice by the band to force an experience by the listener using (and abusing) the format

[@michaelrochester48]

Us and Them Is one of the most touching beautiful and spine tingling songs of all time if you don’t get hair on your arm goose bumpy you are not human

[@sugadelicsavagesoul8623]

Same with the Great Gig In The Sky. My two favorite songs on there.

[@crunchyfrog555]

I would say that the summary that I took from DSOTM was that it helped me with dealing with death. Getting older (I'm in my fifties) and being disabled, I got the inevitable midlfe crisis where I worried about dying and the obvious fear of missing out and so on. So focusing more on this album I realised and it gradually sunk in that we shouldn't worry unduly about our day to day worries because the bottom line is it's wasted. You have one life - you are FAR better off spending ervery moment enjoying what you like and not worrying abaout the banal.

[@kushking420]

Alan Parsons is a master, glad you mentioned him for being the engineer on Dark Side.

[@jasonburns1407]

I never get tired of listening to this album.Absolute masterpiece.

[@gamantri6540]

Excellent review! Outstanding piece of art! And Man, your diction is superb! Can't believe how many perfect lines you threw in one take! Congrats!

[@EddwardScissorhands]

So many things I want to say, but I’ll keep it as short as I can, this was an awesome video. There’s too many timestamps for me to wanna go through, but man you did an excellent job, especially during, well, all of it very insightful, very well thought out video it was worth the wait. I’ll be 34 next month. When I was 16 and I was smoking pot, I showed my friend, dark side of the moon and he was sober at the time, but he loved it. When he told his father, I played him dark side of the moon he assumed that I must be on drugs and he was a little bit concerned about our friendship. Not that it matters, but my friend started smoking pot shortly after, and he always thanked me for that. For what it’s worth that’s my little story. Love you brother 🥂

[@thermionic1234567]

Love your sepia tone missives!

[@Danjoker.]

It’s a brilliant album first and foremost. It has one of the most iconic albums covers of all time, and it's from an iconic band. Plus the themes are so wide and relatable that it still manages to be relevant to new audiences.

[@KmF0X]

I discovered this album with a tribute band who was making it live without any samples It was amazing

[@vivlund]

Aussie Floyd just played the entire DSOTM live for the 50th anniversary and it was the most enjoyable concert I’ve ever been to, right there with Paul McCartney, that’s how good they were to me

[@princessfrank2453]

Hey man. I love your channel. This particular album deals in universal themes and that is why it is a classic that hits on so many levels to so many different generations/listeners🤘🏽🤘🏽🫶🏽

[@martingriggs6362]

I love "Dark side of the moon". Pink Floyd was one of my favorite bands when I was younger. I think their album "Wish you where here" is my favorite. My third favorite - "The Wall" came out when I turned 18. The Bible in 1 Timothy actually says The love of money is the root of all evil.

[@BeatStylist]

WOW! Look at you, sittin' at nearly a quarter of a million subs! I can say I knew you when! I always knew you'd blow up. Hope all is well in your world.

[@saml302]

its an album filled w simple musical ideas that come together to make grand pieces that all play off each other

[@kerryberry5786]

My uncle , Ian 'Bush' Hollyhead co-designed that cover. He also did the Houses of the Holy Led Zep logo to cover the naked girls for the USA market; the robot arms grasping each other for Floyd, the first Animals designs amonst many others. His business partner did the DSOTM postcards.

[@MichaelBoltonsEntireCatalog]

First heard it when I was 7 or 8 (1982/83) on the old man's stereo. It really spaced me out, like in a good way. Got my own copy at 13 on cassette. Now I have it in 5 or 6 different formats...original US Harvest, 1982 rainbow Capitol, reissue from a few years ago, 80s CD, 1992 CD, Immersion....

[@ryanfrye4816]

Thanks for this video! It’s such a great look at one of my all time favorite albums. Brilliant insights into the album and you’ve added a new layer to my enjoyment of it.

“Home, home again…” siempre me meo en esa parte pa

[@juuso2248]

The real reason why Dark Side of the moon had phenomenal success isn't only the lyrics of Waters or David's and Rick's vocals, but Bhaskar Menon, the chairman of capitol devoted more attention to Floyd. Menon also persuaded Steve O'Rourke to stay with him for Dark Side, and Menon moved heaven and earth to mount a phenomenal media campaign. They also released "money" as single, that was the biggest factor. Sales went trough the roof.

[@pwagzzz]

You hit it up front... all great art, particularly great music, elicits a profound emotional response

[@KrisMcphee]

Up...*insert perfectly executed and fitting keys fill*...and Down....

[@KarterTB79]

Man, your anyliysis on these albums are great! Although David Gilmour isn't singing us and them, it's Rick Wright who is

[@revolution_9]

What I like the most about this album, it's the ambience that it generates. And, in my opinion, they did it again a few years later, with Animals. ✌

[@tho2295]

The lyrics in Breathe are addressed to a newborn baby. The Great Gig In The Sky actually describes the three stages of dying…

[@djsoulfilter]

Timeless classic album!!

[@davidwhitney1171]

I'm 65 and grew up with this album (went through several vinyl copies, cassette and then CD). 50 years have now got behind me. At this stage in my life I will not associate with anyone of my generational cohort who admits to disliking this album- seriously.

[@youarenotme01]

interestingly, i measure a person’s intellect by this album if they don’t get it i know with certainty they will not survive into the future.

[@vivlund]

My husband and I both think this the best album ever made. So we are compatible that way

[@jacob_n_r_z8755]

Please review other floyd albums like Meddle, division bell, and Piper . PLEASE🙏

[@madontherun]

It flows with repeated motifs and chords and vibes , you get a short sharp shock with the intro to time , designed to wake up the dozy stoner , and then it all flows back to the land of cool

[@the.bloodless.one1312]

“Why is Dark Side of the Moon so popular?” That’s like asking why do humans need oxygen and water to not die. 🥰🥰 You know.. my whole life I’ve been listening to this album, and only just the other month did I realize what the title really means. The working title was “A Piece for Assorted Lunatics”. Lunatics, luna, moon. The title is “the dark side of madness” 🤯🤯 can’t believe that went clear over my head all these years.

[@timkis64]

one of the weird things i found over the 40 years of listining to this album.everytime i hear it, its like seeing an old friend i havent seen in years.few albums give me that feeling.

[@VMX1.]

In 1973 as a teenager this album spoke to me. That's it.....simple....it spoke to me and to be honest? I think it spoke to 45 million other people, and, it speaks to everyone every day. I am old now....but still listen to it once a week on average.

[@whiptech]

The album is a journey through ones life from Breathe (birth) to Brain Damage/Eclipse (death) with the middle songs as the journey through their life and career. *

[@ricknorris1466]

As a total Beatlemaniac I have to admit that DSOTM is the greatest Album ever done.

[@vivlund]

I agree. While I love the Beatles, DSOTM and Wish You Were Here are my favorite albums ever and because of that, they are my favorite band, too!

[@benjones8876]

The word ‘lunatic’ comes from the Latin word ‘Luna’, which means moon. Whether it’s intentional or not, to start the close of the album with that term specifically, seems very right to tie things all together

[@AY-uf4oz]

Roger has always basically said about Syd that there but the grace of god go I.

[@trevertravis8963]

Pink Floyd is my favorite band. But Dark Side of the Moon is somewhere in the middle when I rank their albums. I prefer Animals, Meddle and Wish You Were Here over it.

[@ikymagoo]

Great video, and nice review!

[@javierservigon]

One could talk about it all day long. What I want to point out is that it hits you harder if you”re in your 20s and starting to question certain things. If you’re a teen you probably haven’t thought too much about its themes and if you’re in your 30s you’re probably too jaded by that point. 20s is the sweet spot when you listen to it and think to yourself that’s exactly how I feel about that.

[@MarkThomas-hm3ju]

Maybe already mentioned but, another reason for its popularity are the musicality, sonics and very good artful recording. It stands as a monolith, nothing touches it in character or its iconism. It stands alone and nothing like it will ever come about. It emanates from the land of Cambridgeshire and is totally entangled with that and the Syd Barrett story.

[@charlesroeckeriv6226]

My interpretation of the album is: "The lion roars, the credits roll, and Dorothy appears with Toto and . . ."

[@jeremybrysoncordova2418]

My favorite song on the album is "Time" ⏰,it has a interesting melody and the lyrics are so powerful

[@DeadnWoon]

As the man from the former USSR, I must say it's not considered that high among many of us (I'd rather say, we prefer The Wall). Was not and is not. Because, let us be honest, first of all, without the lyrics the album loses a lot. Then, the melodies are bluesy psychedelia, mostly sounding the same. One may or may not say that we all are vodka drinkers (I am not, my parents weren't), but to our sober states of mind... There are moments in the album that are memorable, but without getting to the lyrics, without being familiar with the blues (Russian Empire never had colonies in Africa...), without being exposed to the wide use of LSD and its relatives, without being familiar with the singing style of gospels the album just sounds, well, innovative to some extent, with all its sound effects, the clever use of them. Like, Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin or King Crimson were never THAT MUCH popular among the Soviet audiences, while The Beatles, Deep Purple, Queen, Uriah Heep, Nazareth indeed were... So, you see, the popularity question is always a bit questionable.

[@malcolmburn1113]

Dark Side is popular because of it's universalist themes which still resonate today as much as they did 50 years ago

[@josed7576]

It is the Greatest Album Top to Bottom well it's always been for me and many reasons you touched on

[@racegts]

At or near the TOP of ALL TIME greatest albums EVER!!!

[@RayWyland]

Wow! Great analysis on Darkside of the Moon

[@carlomarx1246]

Beautiful review, nice job. Thank you for this.

[@phillwilkinson8319]

I'm a rap fan but I have to say DSOTM is the greatest album ever made.. the new redux by waters is pretty damn good too

[@ManzaMediaTV]

Very well said - you get it, geek!! Always wanted your take on this album and here it is.

[@trupax2210]

Very nice talk! Thanks.

[@BlueDodgerman]

I remember about 9 years ago; you made a vid about how you did not like PF. But then Auntie Vinyl comes along and tries to give you the gift of Floyd. :)

[@plashe9041]

I say Eclipse is saying that everything you do and what happens to you is important and will effect you no matter how minor and that the most important day in your life with your life flashing before your eyes so dont try to waste it and try to make sure you die without regret

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Because its bloody brilliant

[@samuelalexandre9934]

You should do one of those for OK Computer from Radiohead. Great video.

[@snikzophrenia]

please do a review of "wish you were here"

[@AverageUser-]

I love this album 🔥

[@williamhermann6635]

Its not an album, its a whole vibe

[@mvd3517]

I love your videos, always watching 👍 You should do a Halloween 🎃 songs special reaction/view. Songs that must be included are everything from King Diamond ”Halloween” to ”On The Night Of Halloween” with VOITH. And of course, you must have a cool Halloween costume for this special 👻

[@beyer66]

Are you going to do a video on Rogers redux version?

[@maxxlovesmilk6542]

I swear that the first time i read it, it said "the great BIG in the sky"

[@mikecook7334]

And the guitar-playing is fantastic…🎸

[@rustyrobinson8027]

Thanks for the review ❤

[@jennythescouser]

I disagree with your take on Brain Damage - I think that the 'lunatics' are the contents of the newspaper delivered by the 'Paper Boy'. And the spoken voice was 'Gerry The Doorman'. He was the dorman at Abbey Road Studios 😇

[@briangallagher2236]

The first time I heard “Us and Them”, the line “And after all, we’re only ordinary men”. May be about not wanting to fight get in wars. It could also be Pink Floyd are not genius demigods ( Roger’s ego would say otherwise). Dave always thought Floyd was “four boring guys who drank beer”.