album · September 8, 1987
A Momentary Lapse of Reason
Pink Floyd RecordsSee this day
classic rockprog rockpsychedelic rock
The band's first studio album since the acrimonious departure of bassist Roger Waters, "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" was released in 1987. It marked a return to the charts for Pink Floyd, albeit with a sound distinct from their previous work.
- The album was primarily written and recorded by guitarist David Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason, with input from Richard Wright on a part-time basis. The cover art, featuring a group of empty hospital beds on a beach, was conceived by Storm Thorgerson and photographed by Robert Dowling. "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" reached number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and number 9 on the US Billboard 200.
- The album's reception was mixed, with critics divided on whether it represented a true continuation of the Pink Floyd legacy or a departure into a more mainstream rock sound. It nonetheless achieved considerable commercial success, selling millions of copies worldwide.
- The album's most famous song, "Learning to Fly," was released as a single and became a staple of classic rock radio. The accompanying music video, directed by Storm Thorgerson, featured imagery of a flying biplane and abstract visuals.
Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. They are one of the most commercially successful and influential rock bands in history.
Tracklist
