In a recent appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” legendary Pink Floyd singer and guitarist David Gilmour finally broke his silence on the long-standing rumors connecting the band’s iconic album “The Dark Side of the Moon” to the classic film “The Wizard of Oz.”
Gilmour, who was on the show to promote his latest solo effort “Luck and Strange,” couldn’t avoid the persistent urban legend that has captivated fans for decades. Host Jimmy Fallon pressed the rock icon on the so-called “Dark Side of the Rainbow” phenomenon, where the album purportedly syncs up eerily well with the 1939 movie when played simultaneously.
At first, Gilmour jokingly played along, quipping “Of course it was” when Fallon asked if the synchronicity was intentional. But the 78-year-old musician quickly backtracked, admitting he only learned of the theory “years later.”
“Someone mentioned that when you insert the needle into the vinyl, the film automatically begins to run.” And on the third roar of the MGM lion, you put the needle on for the beginning of Dark Side, and there’s these strange synchronicities that happen,” Gilmour explained to Fallon. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer revealed that he and his wife, longtime Pink Floyd collaborator Polly Samson, have even tried syncing up the album and film themselves.
“We listened to it, Polly and I, years ago,” Gilmour told Fallon. “There are these strange coincidences. I’ll call them coincidences.” While Gilmour didn’t definitively confirm or deny the theory, his coy responses suggested the synchronicity between “The Dark Side of the Moon” and “The Wizard of Oz” may indeed be more happenstance than intentional design.
The “Dark Side of the Rainbow” phenomenon has long captivated Pink Floyd fans, with many believing the band masterfully crafted their 1973 album to perfectly accompany the beloved MGM film. The rumor goes that if you start playing “The Dark Side of the Moon” at the exact moment the familiar MGM lion roars three times at the beginning of “The Wizard of Oz,” the music will align seamlessly with the on-screen action.
From the album’s opening heartbeat coinciding with the movie’s tornado to the lyrics about “running” matching Dorothy’s journey down the yellow brick road, the “Dark Side of the Rainbow” purportedly creates an eerie, psychedelic experience for viewers.
But according to Gilmour, the connection was simply a fortuitous accident—even if it has led to some “strange coincidences” over the years. In the interview, Fallon jokingly speculated that maybe Gilmour’s new solo album “Luck and Strange” would sync up with the upcoming “Wicked” film in a similar fashion. Gilmour couldn’t help but chuckle at the idea, simply responding, “Who knows?”
Gilmour’s appearance on “The Tonight Show” went beyond just addressing the “Dark Side of the Moon” and “Wizard of Oz” rumors. The legendary musician also discussed his early days as a male model and whether his famous cough in the song “Wish You Were Here” led him to quit smoking. You can view the full interview on NBC’s website and watch Gilmour’s performance of “Dark and Velvet Nights” from his new solo album on YouTube.
Gilmour is currently wrapping up a five-night stand at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, with the final two shows taking place this weekend on November 9th and 10th. Tickets are still available for the remaining dates. Whether or not David Gilmour intentionally crafted “The Dark Side of the Moon” to sync with “The Wizard of Oz,” his enduring impact on rock music is undeniable.