47 Best Pink Floyd Songs Ever

“Lucifer Sam” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1967

From their debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, at first glance, “Lucifer Sam” appears to be a song penned by Syd Barrett about his Siamese cat. He also references his then-girlfriend Jennifer as a witch.

The song has a twangy guitar sound not typical of other Pink Floyd tracks. Just like his cat, this track is difficult to explain.

“The Happiest Days of Our Lives” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1979

“The Happiest Days of Our Lives” is a lead-in to “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” from Pink Floyd’s album The Wall. The song seems to suggest that these weren’t happy days at all.

An overriding theme on the record is the oppressive nature of authoritative figures, in this case, schoolmasters. They will deride the children and expose their weaknesses at every turn, then show their weaknesses when they go home at night.

“Arnold Layne” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1967

“Arnold Layne” was the band’s first single, released in 1967 when they were still known as ‘The Pink Floyd.’ It was an early attempt to create a three-minute song that could get played on the radio.

Syd Barrett wrote the song about a transvestite with a habit of nicking women’s undergarments from his mother’s washing line. An early black & white promotional video got created for the track showing band members on a beach with a mannequin. 

“On the Run” by Pink Floyd 

Song Year: 1973

“On the Run” is an instrumental track from one of the best-selling albums of all time, Dark Side of the Moon. It is a prog-rock fusion of sound effects that became a signature of Pink Floyd.

The sound of an airport in the background, blended with chaotic noises, suggests the grind of traveling when a band is touring.

“Free Four” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1972

“Free Four” is a folk-rock song from Pink Floyd’s seventh studio album, Obscured By Clouds. It has an upbeatmelody despite the subject matter: death.

Written by Roger Waters, there are references to his father who was killed in World War II. Pink Floyd is quick to remind us of our mortality, and that life is brief while death is a ‘long cold rest.’

“Apples and Oranges” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1967

Not a band known for their love songs, Syd Barrett went off script when he penned the track “Apples and Oranges.” It was Pink Floyd’s third single ever released.

Barrett met a young woman at the supermarket and was inspired to write the psychedelic pop song. Unfortunately, the production value for the track was not the best quality, and it hindered the song from charting in the UK.

“Summer ‘68” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1970

A track from one of Pink Floyd’s more obscure albums, Atom Heart Mother, contains a catchy tune titled “Summer ‘68.” It is one of the few Floyd songs written and sung by keyboardist Richard Wright.

Wright sings about having a one-night stand, barely speaking to his lover. He knows that he will never see her again and that she will get replaced by another just like her in the next town. But before she leaves, he needs to know: how do you feel?

“A Saucerful of Secrets” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1968

“A Saucerful of Secrets” is the title track from Pink Floyd’s second studio album. The 12-minute progressive rock classic was a staple at their live performances until 1972.

Originally titled “The Massed Gadgets of Hercules,” the mysterious, haunting opening of Pink Floyd’s instrumental was on full display during their epic concert documentary filmed without an audience in Pompeii, Italy, in 1972.

“Pigs on the Wing, Part 1” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1977

The dark, satirical content of Pink Floyd’s album Animals gets offset with two lighter tracks, “Pigs on the Wing” (Parts 1 and 2). The mellow vocals, accompanied by acoustic guitar, set up the listener before unleashing the heavier tracks, “Dogs,” “Pigs,” and “Sheep.”

The track is a love song penned by Roger Waters for his wife, Carolyne. By all accounts, she was a strong-willed woman who did not back down from an argument. Perhaps Waters was inspired to write the song by hearing his wife say more than once– when pigs fly.

“The Nile Song” by Pink Floyd

Song Year: 1969

In 1969, Pink Floyd recorded the soundtrack for Barbet Schroeder’s directorial debut, More. The film is about heroin use and free love on the island of Ibiza, Spain.

“The Nile Song” is more heavy metal acid rock than the usual psychedelic progressive sounds Floyd was known for. The lyrics are about a woman, the temptation, and the inevitable destruction that she may bring.