The 1973 progressive rock record The Dark Side Of The Moon is one of Pink Floyd’s most timeless and beloved albums. The cover of the record is even more recognizable than the songs you’ll hear on the album. So, what’s the story behind it? What does that iconic triangle and rainbow really mean? Let’s take a walk through music history and uncover the story behind one of the most recognizable album covers of all time!
For anyone who has felt the stress of life and the uncertainty of the world we live in, The Dark Side Of The Moon is the kind of album that serves as a balm. And even those who haven’t really listened to this coming-of-age concept album can recognize the cover from a mile away.
Videos by American Songwriter
The artwork, which is a simple triangle with a beam of light passing through it, has gone beyond just an album cover. It’s one of the most recognizable symbols to make its way into band merch.
The Story Behind the Cover Artwork of ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ by Pink Floyd
The story behind the artwork itself is pretty fascinating. Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright got in touch with a graphic designer named Storm Thorgerson to create the artwork for the album. According to lore, Wright only asked for something both simple and elegant.
Thorgerson got to work with a group of artists from a London design group called Hipgnosis. He returned to the band with the legendary prism we all know and love today.
The prism you see is dispersing light and turning it into a rainbow. Thorgerson himself said that he saw a version of the image in the textbook about physics. Hipgnosis artist George Hardie was the one to draw the illustration.
It was an apt piece of artwork, as Pink Floyd was well-known for their use of light at their live shows. The band approved the cover image immediately. However, Roger Waters suggested that the rainbow should be extended and wrapped around the back of the LP cover to connect with a heart monitor blip.
It was a smart idea. The Dark Side Of The Moon is a concept album to examines the fragility of life. I can’t think of an album cover that more clearly and simply signifies the kind of music you’ll listen to on a record than The Dark Side Of The Moon’s famous prism.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
More Features
-
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – JULY 18: Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs live on stage at Paradiso on July 18, 1993 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. -
American singer and actress Madonna filming the video for her song 'Papa Don't Preach' in New York City, 1986. The video is being directed by James Foley. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images) -
Guitarists and singers Andy Powell (left) and Ted Turner performing with British rock group Wishbone Ash at a Chritmas concert at Alexandra Palace, London, 22nd December 1973. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
Photo by Stanley Bielecki/ASP/Getty Images -
th September 1976: British rock group Queen at Les Ambassadeurs, where they were presented with silver, gold and platinum discs for sales in excess of one million of their hit single 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. The band are, from left to right, John Deacon, Freddie Mercury (Frederick Bulsara, 1946 – 1991), Roger Taylor and Brian May. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) -
Left to right: Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page, of British heavy rock group Led Zeppelin, performing at Earl's Court, London, May 1975. The band were initially booked to play three nights at the venue, from 23rd to 25th May, but due to public demand, two more concerts were later added, for 17th and 18th May. Total ticket sales were 85,000. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
