The Dark Side of the Moon
The Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released in 1973.
The Dark Side of the Moon is the eighth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released in 1973. It is a concept album associated with themes such as conflict, greed, time, death, and mental illness, and is widely regarded as one of the best-selling and most influential albums in rock music.
Background and release
The Dark Side of the Moon was developed from live performances before studio recording began in May 1972. It was released in the United States on 1 March 1973 and in the United Kingdom on 16 March 1973.
Music and themes
The album is structured as a concept album and links its tracks through recurring musical and lyrical ideas. Its themes include conflict, greed, time, mortality, and mental illness.
Commercial performance
The album became a major commercial success and is frequently listed among the best-selling albums in history. Published sources cite worldwide sales above 45 million copies and a record-setting chart run in the United States.
Legacy and recognition
The Dark Side of the Moon is widely regarded as a landmark in rock music and progressive rock. It has been recognised by major music institutions and continues to be cited as one of the most influential albums ever made.
Key facts
- It is Pink Floyd’s eighth studio album and was released in 1973.
- The album is a concept work dealing with everyday pressures and larger themes such as time, money, death, and mental illness.
- It became one of the best-selling albums of all time, with reports placing worldwide sales at over 45 million copies.
- The album spent an exceptionally long time on the Billboard 200 chart, with sources describing a run of many years or 937 weeks.
- It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London during 1972 and early 1973.
The album has had major influence on Canadian rock listeners and radio audiences, and it remains a staple reference point in classic rock culture in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Who recorded The Dark Side of the Moon?
When was The Dark Side of the Moon released?
What kind of album is it?
What are the album’s main themes?
How successful was it commercially?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Side_of_the_MoonSupports: Release dates, album identity, themes, and general album details.
- Rolling Stone — https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/pink-floyds-dark-side-of-the-moon-10-things-you-didnt-know-201743/Supports: Sales figures, chart performance, recording period, and thematic discussion.
- Library of Congress — https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/dark-side-of-the-moon.pdfSupports: Cultural significance, chart longevity, sales estimate, and engineering recognition.
- Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Dark-Side-of-the-MoonSupports: Album identification as a Pink Floyd release.
- Pink Floyd — https://www.pinkfloyd.com/albums/the-dark-side-of-the-moon/Supports: Recording history, release context, and thematic framing from the band’s official site.
- Pink Floyd (official video) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSLJHJSNTAMSupports: Album cover description, release dates, studio, and worldwide sales claim.