Over the course of their career, Pink Floyd has become one of the most influential bands of all time, thanks to their incredible discography. The impact they have had is comparable to other legendary bands, such as the Rolling Stones, Chicago, and AC/DC. What these bands have in common is a mindset of innovation that has made them stand out from their contemporaries. Whether it's creating hit songs or best-selling albums, they have found the formula of success.

The journey of Pink Floyd dates back to 1965, but the beginning of their career required true determination, as one of the founding left the band before they could even really start their career. Nonetheless, they persevered and dominated the 1970s, not only producing traditional records but also a rock opera. Although their recording days slowed down after this, they still made an impact in the decades that followed. With their studio days now over, the band's legacy lives on through the songs they have created, helping to define them.

10 See Emily Play

Album: The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn (1967)

During the first couple of years as a band, Pink Floyd worked hard to build a catalog of songs while they aimed for a debut studio album. The band's primary writer at the time, Syd Barrett, created the band's first two singles, "Arnold Layne" and "See Emily Play." While both contributed significantly to their early exposure, "See Emily Play" became a chart-topping hit for them, as it reached the Top 10 in the UK.

As the band released their first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, "See Emily Play" was included on the US edition. In fact, the band gave it a prime position, as it was the first track on side one. The song has become a classic in the psychedelic rock genre. The story of the song became an interesting one, as Barrett was said to have written it after one of the band's first significant concerts called Games for May.

9 Wot's... Uh The Deal?

Album: Obscured By Clouds (1972)

Even after the departure of Syd Barrett in 1968, Pink Floyd didn't miss a beat, as they recruited David Gilmour. They continued recording, releasing a slew of albums. By the time they reached 1972, they were already on their seventh studio recording, Obscured by Clouds. One track that stood out because of its name was "Wot's... Uh the Deal?" The five-minute song had an interesting composition, as it featured multi-track vocals from Gilmour.

Although the song didn't become one of the band's most mainstream hits, it still resonated with Gilmour. During a string of live performances in 2006, he included this tune in his setlist. Later, his live performance was turned into a DVD and vinyl. Due to this subsequent exposure, it helped the legacy of the song grow. It gained much more meaning, knowing that it was one Gilmour picked out among many others he could have chosen.

8 Money

Album: The Dark Side Of The Moon (1973)

Pink Floyd will always hold a prominent place in music history as their 1973 album, The Dark Side of the Moon, is one of the best-selling ever, with over 45 million copies sold worldwide. Its success was no surprise, as it instantly became a hit for the band, reaching the top spot on multiple Billboard charts, including on the coveted 200. Of course, the cover of the album has become iconic, but it wasn't just great artwork that led to its popularity; it was the songs it contained.

Having been around for less than a decade, the band was still seeking to build consistent recognition internationally. From this record, the song "Money" helped them do that, as it had a Top 10 finish on the Cash Box chart and a 13th place peak on the Billboard Hot 100. The song became known for its sound effects, and its unusual time signature. Additionally, there are elements of multiple different rock genres, adding to the tune's mystique.

7 Wish You Were Here

Album: Wish You Were Here (1975)

One of the key elements that made Pink Floyd excellent was the band's ability to make people truly stop and listen to their songs. Their instrumentals and lyrics called for complete concentration, causing listeners to feel everything they were hearing. The song "Wish You Were Here" didn't need much help, as the words already evoke emotion. However, when heard as a whole, the song becomes a journey through the human spirit.

The song may not have had as much success on the charts as some of their other tunes, but this didn't stop it from becoming a radio hit. Over the years, it has been placed on numerous lists and cited as one of the greatest rock songs of all time. The lyrics have been open to interpretation, allowing listeners to envision their own image of someone as the song plays. However, many people, including David Gilmour, see it as a tribute to Syd Barrett.

6 Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2

Album: The Wall (1979)

Coming up with an album is no easy task, but creating a rock opera may be even more difficult. These are not just a collection of random songs; they are meant to tell an actual story. In 1979, Pink Floyd took on this task as they released The Wall. The story follows a musician named Pink, who builds a psychological wall of isolation. One of the greatest feats on the album is the three-part song "Another Brick in the Wall."

Surprisingly, it wasn't the first or third part that received the biggest recognition; it's actually part two. The song has become famous for its lyrics against corporal punishment and abusive schooling. After its release, it reached number one in multiple countries, including the United States on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has retained its magic over the years, as it now has over one billion streams on Spotify, making it the band's top song on the platform.

5 Comfortably Numb

Album: The Wall (1979)

As Pink Floyd created their rock opera, The Wall, they made 26 songs for the album. Although there were so many tracks, it didn't dilute any of them, as the band created not just one signature song, but multiple. Tucked away on side three is arguably the band's most famous tune, "Comfortably Numb." It has become well-known for its orchestral and stripped-down arrangements. Additionally, it features two iconic guitar solos.

The song has not only been appreciated by music pundits, placing it on many greatest-of-all-time lists, but also by fellow musicians. It has been covered many times, with the most recent being in 2024 by Ice-T's band, Body Count. To make it even more special, David Gilmour actually played with them. This helped add to the legacy of the song, which was celebrating 45 years as a staple of classic rock.

4 Not Now John

Album: The Final Cut (1983)

After accomplishing their feat of creating a rock opera in 1979, Pink Floyd took a few years before releasing their twelfth studio album in 1983. This album consisted of some new material and some leftovers from what they had just done. Most importantly, it was the last album recorded with founding member Roger Waters, which made his presence even more significant.

One song that captures a great moment for the band is "Not Now John." This track features both David Gilmour and Waters lending their vocals. Since this was a special occurrence on the album, the song was released for promotion as a single. A music video was also made for it, which tells a story throughout a factory and ultimately ends in tragedy. Although the song has received mixed reviews over the years, its main importance lies in its historical significance.

3 Learning To Fly

Album: A Momentary Lapse Of Reason (1987)

The first Pink Floyd record without Roger Waters debuted in September 1987. A Momentary Lapse of Reason found popularity, ranking number three on the Billboard 200. This proved that the name Pink Floyd would carry on, even with internal changes, but more importantly, that the music was still good. The first single released was "Learning to Fly," and it became a hit, ranking in the 70th position on the Billboard Hot 100 and finishing at number one on the Mainstream Rock chart.

While this song could be credited to David Gilmour's real-life ion for flying, many fans saw this song as a metaphor for the band's new chapter.

It was particularly enjoyed for its dreamlike qualities. It had all the elements expected from the band, but it also felt modern for the '80s. While this song could be credited to David Gilmour's real-life ion for flying, many fans saw this song as a metaphor for the band's new chapter. It was a different period without Waters around, especially since writing can be dramatically affected with a key element missing. However, Pink Floyd was up for the challenge.

2 Take It Back

Album: The Division Bell (1994)

After multiple decades of making albums, the 1990s marked the beginning of the end of Pink Floyd's recording days. The only release they had was The Division Bell in March 1994, but it became a success for them, as it finished at number one on the Billboard 200. One of the album's key songs was "Take It Back," which was released as a single. Being their first one in seven years, this tune had a lot of expectations to meet.

While a 73rd-place finish on the Billboard Hot 100 may not have been exactly what the band had wanted, the fourth-place finish on the Mainstream Rock chart certainly was. The tune became popular for its musical elements and strong message. It touches on the fragility of nature, a subject that resonates with many. This is also another example of how Pink Floyd could maintain their signature sound while fitting into the time period as well.

1 Louder Than Words

Album: The Endless River (2014)

Just when fans thought a new Pink Floyd record might not happen, the band returned for their 15th and final studio album in 2014. The record included material that had been previously recorded and some new works. Since co-founder Richard Wright had died in 2008, the previously recorded tracks allowed for him to be on the album posthumously. One song that included his playing was "Louder Than Words."

As the last song on their final album, it was a suitable end for the band.

The overall composition of the track was very atmospheric and powerful. The music video was also very moving as it featured several images of Richard Wright. This was a fitting tribute to him and, as the last song on their final album, it was a suitable end for the band. Pink Floyd has meant so much to millions of fans around the world, and their contributions will never be forgotten. They are firmly cemented as icons of classic rock.