Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon' turns 50 today

Today we are putting 'The Dark Side of the Moon' by Pink Floyd in the spotlight. That's because the iconic album turns 50 today. Did you already know this about the album?

Third best-selling album of all time

With more than 45 million copies sold, 'The Dark Side of the Moon' is the third best-selling album of all time. 'Thriller' by Michael Jakson (70 million) and 'Back in Black' by AC/DC (50 million) are doing even better.

736 weeks in the Billboard 200

The album spent a total of no less than 736 (!) non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200 album chart in the United States. Yet the album spent only one week there at number one.

First live, then the album

Pink Floyd first played the songs from the album live at the Brighton Dome on January 20, 1972, more than a year before the album was released. The band continued to play and refine the songs live throughout the year, only to record them in the studio afterwards.

Paul McCartney not funny enough

The album was recorded at the iconic Abbey Road studio, where Paul McCartney was also recording an album. The band conducted all sorts of interviews with everyone working in the studio - from artists to staff - and then incorporated them onto the record. McCartney was also interviewed, but his answers proved useless because, according to Roger Waters, he was trying to be too funny.

Eclipse

The album was almost called 'Eclipse', because 'Dark Side of the Moon' had already been used by the band Medicine Head. But when that album flopped, Pink Floyd changed the title back to their original choice.

Central themes

By the way, the title has nothing to do with astronomy, but rather with mental health, and the challenges that come with it. The pressures of being a musician and ex-member Syd Barrett's mental health formed the basis for the album.

Monty Python

Part of the album's proceeds went toward the making of 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail', as the members of the band were all fans of the program.

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On May 14, Roger Waters is coming to the Sportpaleis. He will perform his solo hits as well as songs by Pink Floyd. Buy your tickets now.

Listen to the album below.