Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd are among the most influential and best-selling bands in rock history, known for concept albums, philosophical lyrics and vast, immersive live shows. They formed in London in 1965, with Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Nick Mason and Richard Wright, and David Gilmour joining at the end of 1967.

The early years

Under Barrett, the band became a cornerstone of London’s psychedelic scene, with the singles “Arnold Layne” and “See Emily Play” and the debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967). Barrett left in 1968 as his health declined, and Waters became the band’s main lyricist.

The Dark Side of the Moon

The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), with “Money” and “Time”, explored pressure, money and madness and spent close to 19 years on the US album chart, one of the longest runs ever. It remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Wish You Were Here and The Wall

Wish You Were Here (1975) opened with “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, a tribute to Barrett, and its title track became a standard. The Wall (1979), a rock opera by Waters, produced “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2”, the band’s only number-one single, and “Comfortably Numb”.

Later years and legacy

Waters left in 1985, while Gilmour, Mason and Wright carried on with The Division Bell (1994). The band reunited for the Live 8 charity concert in 2005. They entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and have sold more than 250 million records.

Most loved songs

A spread across the catalogue. Each title opens through the in-site player.

From a slow-building solo to a chant every classroom knows, the odds are good a Pink Floyd song is lodged in your memory. Type the line you remember into the search box above and you may find it leads back to them.