3 of the Best Opening Lines From Pink Floyd Songs of the 1970s

The psychedelic, surrealist British-born band Pink Floyd is known for its sweeping instrumentation, swelling guitar solos, and heady lyrics. With albums like The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here, Pink Floyd remains one of the most popular bands from the era that gave us the best of classic rock music.

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Here below, we wanted to take a look at three songs from the group, which formed in 1965, that not only stand out for their musicality but impress thanks to their lyricism. Specifically, their opening lines. Indeed, these are three of the best opening lines from Pink Floyd 1970s classic rock songs.

[RELATED: 3 Eternal Classic Rock Songs by Pink Floyd]

“Time” from The Dark Side of the Moon (1974)

A song about the most precious resource in the entire world—time. This track from Pink Floyd’s classic 1974 album The Dark Side of the Moon is also about making the most of your life. Don’t let time slip away, don’t let your life go right before your eyes. Those are the messages the band’s lead vocalist David Gilmour sings about on this tune, which can make you feel inspired as much as remorseful, depending on how you spend your … time. Indeed, to open the track Gilmour sings,

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
Fritter and waste the hours in an off-hand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way

“Comfortably Numb” from The Wall (1979)

The lyrics for this song from the band’s 1979 double album The Wall were written by Roger Waters. He was inspired to write about being injected with tranquilizers before a performance in 1977. But when the specific becomes the universal, that’s when you have some great art. And such is the case with this eerie song about consciousness and pain and drug-induced haze. Indeed, on the track, lead vocalist Waters opens,

Hello
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone at home?

“Wish You Were Here” from Wish You Were Here (1975)

A song about absence. This track, which is from the band’s 1975 LP of the same name, is another example of the personal becoming universal. While the tune might have several meanings depending on who you ask, at its core it’s about connection (or lack thereof). Some say it’s about missing Pink Floyd’s original founder Syd Barrett, who suffered from mental health issues and left the band early on. Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour said the track is about connection to self. Regardless of the true inspiration, it hits home. And the tune opens with the lyrics,

So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell, blue skies from pain
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

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