Dark Side of the Queue

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

As fans of Floyd for well over a decade, my best friend, the Snakeman, and I had been well aware of the “Dark Side of the Rainbow” myth for sometime. And since we considered ourselves hardcore historians of the band, we always took the defensive side of the “Rainbow” conversation, convincing fair weather fans that there was no possible way Pink Floyd could have put together such an amazing album, alternately themed to a movie no less.

Our primary argument: VHS wasn’t really even invented until 1976 (Betamax a year prior) and The Wizard of Oz didn’t release onto video until 1980, thus making the matching process extremely improbable and largely impossible.

Clearly, we were some fun of music snobs to be around.

While in my final year at Long Beach State (CSULB), the Snakeman and I attended a Pink Floyd Laser Light Show. And just like all do-anything, early 20-somethings currently serving their ninth semester of a 4-year degree, we went through the highly original approach of procuring “produce” of the hallucinogenic variety; what state school student of that or any era wouldn’t have done the same thing?

Anyways, during this show, Dark Side played to its entirety, as The Wizard of Oz projected onto a screen. Far too distracted to appreciate the synchronicity, we belabored that there were likely much better movies to play with the album, and other Floyd classics too. Mind you, all of these conversations took place in between impersonations of the Ultimate Warrior and Andre the Giant, but they took place nonetheless.

The following are a few ideas we came up with that night:

Revenge of the Moon (Alternate Title: Dark Side of the Sith)

Dark Side of the Moon + Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

I know. I know. The prequels pretty much sucked, but get this: not only does the first half of Dark Side match magnificently with Sith’s opening space battle, but you’re also kind of lucky in that Hayden Christensen’s voice is replaced by that of Roger Waters. And though they’re both pretty whiney, the issues that Waters, David Gilmour and gang hit on work to a much more mature level than George Lucas’ daffy understanding of all things political.

Meddle of Honor (Alternate Title: Saving Private Floyd)

Meddle + Saving Private Ryan

Never heard of Meddle? If not, you’re definitely part of a large crowd, completely unaware of the amazing album that preceded Dark Side. Do yourself a favor: give it a listen, and while you’re at it, sync it up with the opening of Saving Private Ryan. Frightening? I guaran-damn-tee it. Right as the soldiers arrive on Omaha Beach, be ready for an unforgettable blend of intensity. You  just might never listen to Meddle again.

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

The Pig Lebow-bowski (Alternate Title: Bowling for Animals)

Animals + The Big Lebowski

If there were ever a perfect sync between a Floyd album and a film, this would win the silver medal (for gold, see The Walls). They follow similar themes with one another, but there’s a big difference in tone between these two, and it’s called “comic delivery” (Waters is unfamiliar with this term). The cheerful nature of the story you love so much? Gone, but regardless, the dark message of the lyrics match perfectly with Walter Sobchek’s facial expressions.

Wish Gandalf Were Here (Alternate Title: Shine On You Crazy Sauron)

Wish You Were Here + The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Just as the band’s camaraderie was largely non-existent when this album recorded, its dimly bookended, thematic nature largely match that of The Two Towers, where Frodo and Sam were separated from the Fellowship. And since the album’s lyrics were partly inspired by the disappearance of original lead singer, Syd Barrett (who had gone crazy due to mass drug addiction/consumption), it serves as a great backdrop for Gollum’s story to play out.

The Walls (Alternate Title: Walls-E)

The Wall + The Wall

C’mon, you had to know it was coming. What better a movie to match with a classic Floyd album than one that was literally inspired by and created from one of their grandest accomplishments, The Wall. Honestly, if you know one better than the other, simply seeing these two like creations blended together will likely give you a great appreciation of how different the film and album really are. And, yes, you will still end up feeling a little depressed.

Elijah Bates is a contributing writer to CBS Local

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