Richard BodinThe Dark Side of the Moon
A Colossal Undertaking, Accomplished in Nine Months
Though it seems like it required monumental effort, The Dark Side of the Moon was recorded over nine months, often interrupted by mini-tours. By the time Pink Floyd entered Abbey Road’s Studio 2, most of the songs already existed in early forms, often under different names. What remained was refining arrangements and polishing lyrics.
The band embraced a fusion of rock and emerging electronic music, using synthesizers like the now-iconic VCS3 for the first time and experimenting with sampling. The recording process went smoothly, with everyone contributing ideas that were developed further under the guidance of sound engineer Alan Parsons. Known for his knack for creative sound manipulation, Parsons transformed every little sound into something substantial.
Recorded in quadraphonic sound, the album was a technical marvel and a delight for Hi-Fi enthusiasts. The Dark Side of the Moon was Pink Floyd’s first true concept album. Its structure resembled a rock symphony, with all tracks seamlessly flowing into one another.
According to Nick Mason: “The concept grew out of group discussions about the pressures of real life, like travel and money, but Roger expanded it into a meditation on the causes of madness.” Waters then wrote the lyrics, bringing clarity to the album’s themes. “For me, it was the first time we had good lyrics. The others were just okay, rushed, or outright bad,” admitted David Gilmour.
The result was extraordinary. Storm Thorgerson complemented the album with a timeless cover design: a simple prism dispersing light into a spectrum against a black background—minimalist but unforgettable.
Breaking Records and Tensions
EMI recognized the album’s potential to finally conquer the American market. Their plan was threefold:
- A pre-tour with an increasingly impressive show to attract fans.
- Release the album, which was expected to sell exceptionally well.
- Follow up with a stadium tour supported by a single release.
And that’s exactly what happened. The pre-tour began on March 4, 1973, in Madison, Wisconsin, with the band performing across the U.S. and Canada. On March 24, the album was released and immediately topped the Billboard 200 chart as well as charts in over 15 countries, including the UK, France, and Germany.
The success exceeded all expectations. The Dark Side of the Moon shattered records, remaining on the Billboard Top 200 for 740 weeks (until 1988) and is now the third-best-selling album worldwide.
However, this monumental achievement also marked the beginning of tensions within the band.
The First Cracks Appear
After returning from the pre-tour, the band received the first copies of the album. At the bottom of the sleeve was a small note: “All lyrics by Roger Waters.” While true, this broke the band’s unspoken rule of democracy, where no one member was spotlighted above the others. The group only learned about the decision at the last minute, and resentment simmered. Waters later reflected:
A band needs a dynamic. At that time, I’ll be honest—Rick’s lyrics were terrible, Dave’s were harmlessly inept, and Nick knew it. We made music together, and I wrote the lyrics alone. I never wanted to ‘be’ the band or its leader. If I became that, it was because of their lack of initiative. Someone had to provide the dynamic, and I had plenty of it. That’s the truth—it only hurts liars and cowards. I may have plenty of flaws, but not that one!”
Tensions escalated further with the release of the single Money in June. Despite the band’s objections, EMI, backed by their manager Steve O’Rourke, insisted on releasing it, forcing the group to relent.
The strained atmosphere took its toll, and after an exhausting second tour, the band members went their separate ways for a while. Gilmour pursued solo projects, collaborating with Paul McCartney’s Wings and producing for friends. Nick Mason assisted Robert Wyatt in creating the critically acclaimed Rock Bottom. Roger Waters got married, and Rick Wright took a long trip abroad.
