Pink Floyd Songs Each Band Member Loved the Most
Pink Floyd’s catalog has proven remarkably timeless, continuing to resonate with fans of progressive and psychedelic rock decades after its release. The band’s members themselves have often reflected on the songs that meant the most to them—tracks that captured key moments in Pink Floyd’s evolution and showcased the group’s experimental spirit. Below are several Pink Floyd songs that individual members publicly singled out as personal favorites.
“Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun”
(A Saucerful of Secrets, 1968)
First released on 1968’s A Saucerful of Secrets, “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” stands as one of Pink Floyd’s earliest and most daring experiments. Written by Roger Waters and inspired by classical Chinese poetry, the song unfolds as a slow-burning space-rock journey, marked by hypnotic rhythms and atmospheric tension. Nick Mason’s use of timpani mallets gives the track an unmistakable texture, helping set it apart from the band’s other early recordings.
Mason has cited the song as his favorite Pink Floyd composition. Speaking to GQ, he explained that he enjoys it because “it’s fun to play and has interesting dynamics,” a nod to the track’s evolving structure and rhythmic complexity.
“Us and Them”
(The Dark Side of the Moon, 1974)
One of the emotional centerpieces of The Dark Side of the Moon, “Us and Them” is often regarded as one of Pink Floyd’s most reflective and haunting songs. Despite its stature today, the track peaked at just No. 72 on the Cash Box Top 100 Singles chart when it was released.
Roger Waters later described the song as a personal standout. In a 2003 documentary, he named “Us and Them” his favorite track from what he considered the band’s strongest creative era. “‘Us and Them’ probably stands the test of time as well, if not better than any of the other songs on the record,” Waters said.
“See Emily Play”
(The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, 1967)
“See Emily Play” occupies a unique place in Pink Floyd’s early history. While it appears as a bonus track on some editions of The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, the song was originally released as a standalone single and became an early example of the band’s whimsical, psychedelic pop sound.
The late Syd Barrett reportedly held the song in special regard. According to his sister, after watching a 2001 Omnibus documentary about his life, Barrett commented that he enjoyed hearing “See Emily Play,” suggesting a rare moment of personal connection to his early work with the band.
“Echoes”
(Meddle, 1971)
Often hailed as one of Pink Floyd’s greatest achievements, “Echoes” represents the band at the height of its progressive-rock ambition. Spanning more than 20 minutes, the track blends extended instrumental passages with rich melodic themes and sonic experimentation.
The song was a favorite of keyboardist Richard Wright. David Gilmour later revealed that “Echoes” was removed from Pink Floyd’s live repertoire following Wright’s death, acknowledging that his contributions to the piece were essential and impossible to replicate.
