Pink Floyd
"Eclipse" is the final track on Pink Floyd's landmark 1973 album, The Dark Side of the Moon. Written and sung by Roger Waters, with harmonies from David Gilmour and Rick Wright, the song forms the emotional and philosophical climax of the album. It seamlessly follows "Brain Damage," so closely that the two are often played together as a single piece12.
Lyrics (Excerpt)
The lyrics are repetitive and mantra-like, listing contrasts and universal experiences in life:
All that you touch
And all that you see
All that you taste
All you feel.
...
And everything under the sun is in tune
But the sun is eclipsed by the moon2.
Meaning and Interpretation
"Eclipse" serves as a summation of the themes explored throughout The Dark Side of the Moon—the pressures and paradoxes of life, the dualities of human nature (such as love/hate, create/destroy), and the passage of time. Roger Waters explained that the sun and moon are metaphors for the light and dark aspects of existence, and that the "eclipse" symbolizes how the darker elements of our nature or experience can obscure life's harmony and potential1.
He noted:
"I think it's a very simple statement saying that all the good things life can offer are there for us to grasp, but that the influence of some dark force in our natures prevents us from seizing them."
“I'll see you on the dark side of the moon” expresses empathy—a recognition that everyone battles with these dark impulses and feelings1.
The song concludes with the voice of Abbey Road Studios' doorman, Gerry O'Driscoll, stating:
"There is no dark side of the moon, really. Matter of fact, it's all dark. The only thing that makes it look light is the sun"12.
Musical Context
"Eclipse" is notable for its crescendo, building with layered vocals and instrumentation to a powerful finish, and then fading out with a heartbeat sound—mirroring the album's beginning and creating a cyclical listening experience2.
Legacy
As the closing statement of The Dark Side of the Moon, "Eclipse" is regarded as one of Pink Floyd's most profound songs, tying together the album's existential reflections with poetic brevity and emotional weight23.
