The Dark Side of the Moon is unquestionably their masterpiece. It also marked the beginning of the end for Pink Floyd. The album marked the pinnacle of their creative and commercial success. It laid the groundwork for the dissolution of the group’s classic lineup and Roger Waters‘ bitter departure 12 years later.
Even Waters has spoken openly about how the classic concept album “finished” his old band. In an interview with Chris Salewicz in 1987 about his second solo album, Radio KAOS, Waters said, “But of course, Dark Side of the Moon finished Pink Floyd off once and for all. Every group strives for that level of success. And once you’ve cracked it, it’s over. In retrospect, I believe I finished Pink Floyd as long ago as that.
In the years since its release, it has been observed that ‘Speak to Me‘ played a significant role in the breakdown of inter-band relations. The track contains no lyrics, only portions from conversation tapes recorded by people invited into the studio to answer a series of questions and a brief clip of Clare Torry’s iconic wailing from ‘The Great Gig in the Sky‘.
‘Speak to Me’ is an incredibly multifaceted number for its time. It was with several sound effects that build up until it segues into the album’s first performance, ‘Breath‘. They frequently record the pair together and play them as a unit on the radio. And the later release has even merged the two.
The song includes recorded lines like, “I’ve been mad for fucking years, absolutely years“. It contributes to the album’s prominent theme of mental decline. Working with bands has driven me insane for years. I think ‘Crikey’.”
Perhaps the most famous is: “I’ve always been mad; I know I’ve been mad, as have the majority of us. It’s difficult to explain why you’re mad, even if you aren’t.” This sentiment was fueled by the very public and tragic collapse in the mental health of Pink Floyd’s original frontman, Syd Barrett. It was made worse by the group’s road manager, Peter Watts’ crazed laughter. He was the father of Mulholland Drive actor Naomi Watts, who died of a suspected heroin overdose at the age of 30 in 1976.
The tangible references to Syd Barrett’s heartbreaking story, ‘Speak to Me‘ would also contribute to the band’s most successful iteration’s demise. It’s a rare number because it’s the only time Pink Floyd has given all composing credit to drummer Nick Mason. He rarely wrote tracks and claims he created them himself. However, Waters and keyboardist Richard Wright later described it as a “gift” to Mason. It further strained their relations.
