There’s more to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon than its trippy music: ‘Astonishingly relevant’

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Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, since its 1973 release, has become renowned for so many facets of its musical ambition — from production to song structure. But, as drummer Nick Mason notes, the forward-thinking intellect of its narratives has also played a huge role in making the album a visceral experience for generations since.

Principal lyricist Roger Waters was still on the cusp of 30 when Dark Side arrived in stores, as were Richard Wright and Mason. The younger David Gilmour was about to turn 27.

And yet the album’s themes on growing older, regrets and approaching death — notably on songs like “Time” — connect on a level far beyond their years.

“I think the lyrics are astonishingly relevant,” Mason tells Dave Kerzner, “to an age group who were so much older than the band was at the time. Some of Roger’s writing is more relevant to a 50 year old than to a 23 year old. That’s important.”

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