1973 - March: Pink Floyd ”The Dark Side of the Moon”

Arguably the biggest album of the entire rock era, Pink Floyd's eighth studio album would propel them to superstardom.  The Dark Side of the Moon is one of the most acclaimed records in history, and it is commercially unmatched in its longevity.  It topped the US Billboard Top LP's and Tape chart, and charted for 962 weeks in total!

Pink Floyd at this time was David Gilmour on guitar and vocals, Roger Waters on bass and vocals, Richard Wright on keyboards, and Nick Mason on percussion.

The Dark Side of the Moon was envisioned as a concept album focusing on different types of pressure like greed, conflict, and death.  It also included examination of mental health issues - as would much of Pink Floyd's discography - inspired by the problems experienced by former front man Syd Barrett.  While singles were released, we strongly recommend listening to the album in totality to get the best experience out of it.

Bruce brings us this monster album, and friend of the show Mike Fernandez joins us in Wayne's absence.

 

Time This was released in the US as the second single from the album (after Money).  Roger Waters wrote the lyrics.  David Gilmour and Richard Wright share lead vocals - unusual for Richard Wright.  The sounds of clocks were recorded by Alan Parsons in an antique store as a quadrophonic test, but the sounds fit so well with the theme of this track that the band included it.  All four principal members were credited with songwriting, and this would be the last time this would happen in the band's history.

The Great Gig in the Sky This track follows Time, and is basically an instrumental with some spoken words at the front.  The band went around the studio asking people questions and Gerry O'Driscal's response is recorded on this track.  Female vocalizations are provided by Clare Torry, a session vocalist that Alan Parsons brought in.  She wasn't really told what to sing, but was told, "There's no lyrics.  It's about dying - have a bit of a sing on that, girl."  

Brain Damage Roger Waters is on lead in this song, with Gilmour providing backing vocals.  This and other insanity-themed lyrics are based on Syd Barrett.  The lyric, "And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes" has a historical basis, as Barrett would play a different song than the rest of the band on more than one occasion toward the end of his tenure with the band.  

Eclipse This final track is actually a different song from Brain Damage, but is commonly played with it on rock radio stations because there is no break between the two on the album.  The song reflects the ying and yang of life - good and bad, life and death, light and dark.  "And everything under the sun is in tune, but the sun is eclipsed by the moon."

 

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Theme to the television game show $10,000 Pyramid Dick Clark would serve as the initial host of this game show which started in March 1973.  

 

STAFF PICKS:

Crocodile Rock by Elton John Brian initiates the staff picks with the first number 1 song in the U.S. for Elton John.  The song has a 50's throwback sound, with lyrics that tell about a time when the singer danced the Crocodile Rock with Susie.  It was inspired by Australian band Daddy Cool and their song “Eagle Rock.”

The Cisco Kid by War Rob's staff pick is from War's 1972 album, “The World is a Ghetto.” It made it to number 2 on the charts.  There's a reggae feel, a little funk, and a little ZZ Top.  The song is about two cowboys, Cisco and Poncho, and their adventures.  The band wanted their music to spread brotherhood and harmony to displace greed, racism, hunger, and gangs.

Stuck in the Middle With You by Stealers Wheel  Friend of the show Mike Fernandez brings us one of the classic lines in rock music - “clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you.”  Gerry Rafferty  is the founder and principal songwriter for the group.  This is Stealers Wheel's biggest hit.

Danny's Song by Anne Murray Bruce wraps up the staff picks with a song Kenny Loggins wrote for his brother Danny at the birth of his son Colin.  It was first performed by a group called Gator Creek in 1970, then by Loggins and Messina in 1972.  This cover by Canadian country-pop singer Anne Murray would go to number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

 

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Also Sprach Zarathustra by Deodato This funky take on the Richard Strauss piece famous for its use in "2001:  A Space Odyssey" was on the charts in March 1973.

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