The 3 Longest Pink Floyd Songs: The Definitive Studio Vs. Live Ranking (Updated 2025)
For decades, the question of Pink Floyd's longest song has sparked a passionate debate among progressive rock fans, often resulting in a three-way tie between the band's most ambitious side-long epics. This complexity arises because the answer changes depending on whether you count a single, continuous track, a multi-part suite, or an extended live performance. As of , we cut through the confusion to provide the definitive, updated ranking of the longest tracks in the Pink Floyd discography.
The true champion is an undeniable 25-minute masterpiece, though the runner-up, a sprawling orchestral suite, holds the title for the longest single, continuous studio recording. From the early experimental days with *Atom Heart Mother* to the emotional core of *Wish You Were Here*, these monumental compositions define the band's genius for sonic architecture and thematic depth. Here is the ultimate breakdown of the band's most epic tracks.
The Definitive Answer: Pink Floyd's Longest Studio Track (Combined Suite)
When measuring Pink Floyd’s entire studio output, the undisputed longest composition is the nine-part, two-half epic that bookends the 1975 album *Wish You Were Here*.
Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1–9)
- Album: Wish You Were Here (1975)
- Combined Running Time: Approximately 25:00+ minutes
- Key Entities: Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Richard Wright, Nick Mason
While officially split into two tracks on the album—"Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I–V)" and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI–IX)"—the piece is universally recognized as a single, cohesive work. It was conceived and recorded as a tribute to founding member Syd Barrett, whose mental health decline and departure from the band in 1968 profoundly affected the remaining members.
The total running time of the two separate album tracks is just over 25 minutes, making it the longest single work of music the band ever recorded for a studio album. This claim was solidified when, for the 50th-anniversary archival releases, Pink Floyd officially released the nine parts as one continuous 25-minute track for the first time.
The Syd Barrett Incident
The recording of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" at Abbey Road Studios is famous for a deeply moving and bizarre event. On June 5, 1975, while the band was mixing the song, a heavy-set man with shaved eyebrows and a shopping bag entered the studio. The band members initially did not recognize him. It was Syd Barrett. His appearance, during the recording of the very song written about him, was a stark, heartbreaking moment that underscored the song's theme of loss and absence.
The Longest Single, Continuous Studio Track (The Great Debate)
The distinction between the longest *combined suite* and the longest *single, continuous track* is where the debate truly heats up. Excluding the split "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," the battle for the top spot is fought between two early, sprawling progressive rock masterpieces that defined the band's transition into stadium-filling giants.
1. Atom Heart Mother (Suite)
- Album: Atom Heart Mother (1970)
- Official Running Time: 23:44
- Key Entities: Ron Geesin, Abbey Road Studios, Orchestra, Choir
The title track of the 1970 album, "Atom Heart Mother," is a six-part instrumental suite that occupies the entire first side of the original vinyl LP. Clocking in at 23 minutes and 44 seconds, it is the longest piece of music Pink Floyd ever released as a single, continuous track on a studio album. The composition is notable for its ambitious use of a full orchestra and choir, arranged by avant-garde composer Ron Geesin, who worked closely with the band to realize their vision.
The suite is a landmark in the band's history, showcasing their willingness to push the boundaries of rock music by integrating classical elements. Ironically, the band members, particularly Roger Waters and David Gilmour, later expressed dissatisfaction with the final result, finding the orchestral arrangement unwieldy and difficult to perform live.
2. Echoes
- Album: Meddle (1971)
- Official Running Time: 23:31
- Key Entities: Alan Parsons, "Ping" effect, Pompeii
Just 13 seconds shorter than "Atom Heart Mother," "Echoes" is arguably the band's most beloved and critically acclaimed side-long epic. Released on the 1971 album *Meddle*, the track takes up the entire second side of the vinyl and is considered the moment Pink Floyd truly found their signature sound, blending psychedelic exploration with structured progressive rock.
The song evolved from a series of musical fragments, each given a descriptive title like "The Man," "The Return of the Son of Nothing," and "The Massed Gadgets of Hercules," before being stitched together. The famous "ping" sound was a result of David Gilmour plugging his guitar into a Leslie rotary speaker cabinet, which was then mixed by engineer Alan Parsons.
The Longest Live Performance: The 38-Minute Monster
While studio recordings provide the official times, Pink Floyd was famous for stretching their epic tracks to incredible lengths in concert, transforming them into entirely new, improvised experiences. The live stage is where the true endurance test occurred.
Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1–9) — Montreal 1977
- Performance Date: July 6, 1977 (Inferred from tour data)
- Estimated Running Time: ~38:12 minutes
- Context: In The Flesh Tour (Animals Tour)
The longest known recorded performance of any Pink Floyd track belongs to "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." During the band's famously tense 1977 *In The Flesh* tour (the *Animals* tour), the song was often stretched well beyond its album length. One bootleg recording from Montreal in 1977 reportedly clocks in at a staggering 38 minutes and 12 seconds.
This extreme length was partly due to the band's willingness to improvise, but also, as Nick Mason and others have alluded to, moments where the band would get lost in the arrangement, extending instrumental sections as they tried to find their way back to the main theme.
Other Extended Live Epics
- "Echoes" (Cleveland 1971): Various live recordings of "Echoes" from the 1971 tour (including the famous BBC sessions) often exceeded 26 minutes, with one performance in Cleveland, Ohio, reportedly stretching past 28 minutes.
- "Atom Heart Mother" (Early 1970s): Before being deposed by "Echoes" in the live set, the *Atom Heart Mother* suite was a concert staple, with some performances reaching an estimated 31 minutes.
- "Interstellar Overdrive" (Amougies Festival 1969): This early psychedelic jam, featuring Frank Zappa, is another contender for the longest live track, clocking in at approximately 23 minutes.
Final Ranking of Pink Floyd’s Longest Songs
To summarize the complex world of Pink Floyd's epic tracks, here is the final, definitive ranking based on the most common and official metrics:
| Category | Song Title | Official Running Time | Album / Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Longest (Live) | Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1–9) | ~38:12 | Montreal 1977 (Bootleg) |
| Overall Longest (Studio, Combined Suite) | Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1–9) | ~25:00+ | Wish You Were Here (1975) |
| Longest Single, Continuous Studio Track | Atom Heart Mother (Suite) | 23:44 | Atom Heart Mother (1970) |
| Second Longest Single, Continuous Studio Track | Echoes | 23:31 | Meddle (1971) |
Whether you prefer the orchestral majesty of "Atom Heart Mother," the atmospheric brilliance of "Echoes," or the emotional depth of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," Pink Floyd's longest songs are not just tests of endurance; they are sprawling, complex musical journeys that define the very peak of the progressive rock genre.
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