Pink Floyd - A Collection Of Great Dance Songs (LP)

Pink Floyd - A Collection of Great Dance Songs LP Vinyl Record

Released in 1981, A Collection of Great Dance Songs is a compilation album by English rock band Pink Floyd.

Short, sharp yet concise, this incredible record showcases some of Pink Floyd best works. Song such as Money, Wish You Were Here and Another Brick In The Wall Part 2 all make an appearance within the 43 minute run-time.

Fans new and old will not regret adding this awesome record to their collection!

"A Collection of Great Dance Songs" by Pink Floyd is an intriguing compilation album that was released on November 23, 1981. This album stands out in Pink Floyd's discography for a few reasons, not least of which is its somewhat tongue-in-cheek title, given that Pink Floyd is not typically associated with dance music.

The album was released by Harvest Records in the UK and Columbia Records in the US. It was put together as a way to circumvent licensing issues with Capitol Records, which held the rights to some of Pink Floyd's earlier work in the United States. As a result, the album features a mix of tracks from different periods of the band's career, but with a twist: some of the tracks had to be re-recorded or remixed to be included.

One of the most notable aspects of "A Collection of Great Dance Songs" is the re-recording of "Money." David Gilmour, the band's guitarist and one of its vocalists, played all the instruments on this version, except for the saxophone, which was performed by Dick Parry. This was done because Capitol Records owned the rights to the original recording, and Pink Floyd needed a version they could use for this compilation.

The album includes six tracks: "One of These Days," "Money," "Sheep," "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-4)," "Wish You Were Here," and "Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)." These songs are some of Pink Floyd's most iconic, showcasing their evolution from the early 1970s to the late 1970s. "Wish You Were Here" and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" are particularly poignant, as they reflect on the absence of former band member Syd Barrett and the pressures of fame.

Critically, the album received mixed reviews. Some critics appreciated the selection of tracks and the quality of the remixes, while others felt that the album was unnecessary, given that it did not offer much new material for dedicated fans. However, it did serve as a good introduction to the band for new listeners, providing a snapshot of their work up to that point.

Commercially, "A Collection of Great Dance Songs" performed well, reaching number 37 on the US Billboard 200 chart and number 14 on the UK Albums Chart. It was certified Gold by the RIAA in the United States, indicating its popularity among fans.

The album's cover art, designed by Hipgnosis, is also worth mentioning. It features a photograph of two dancers tied together with a ribbon, standing in a field. This surreal image is typical of Pink Floyd's album covers, which often feature enigmatic and thought-provoking visuals.

In terms of cultural significance, while "A Collection of Great Dance Songs" may not be as groundbreaking as some of Pink Floyd's studio albums, it does highlight the band's ability to adapt and navigate the music industry's complexities. It also underscores their enduring popularity, as even a compilation album could achieve commercial success.

Overall, "A Collection of Great Dance Songs" is an interesting piece of Pink Floyd's history. It may not be essential for those who already own the band's studio albums, but it offers a unique perspective on their work and serves as a testament to their lasting impact on rock music.