The Wall Songs Ranked

The Wall is the eleventh studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released on 30 November 1979 by Harvest and Columbia Records. It is a rock opera that explores Pink, a jaded rock star whose eventual self-imposed isolation from society forms a figurative wall. The album was a commercial success, topping the US charts for 15 weeks and reaching number three in the UK. It initially received mixed reviews from critics, many of whom found it overblown and pretentious, but later received accolades as one of the greatest albums of all time and one of the band’s finest works. The Wall is one of the best-known concept albums. With over 30 million copies sold, it is the second best-selling album in the band’s catalogue (behind The Dark Side of the Moon) and one of the best-selling albums of all time. Some of the outtakes from the recording sessions were used on the group’s next album, The Final Cut (1983). In 2000, it was voted number 30 in Colin Larkin’s All Time Top 1000 Albums. In 2003, 2012, and 2020, it was included in Rolling Stone’s lists of the greatest albums of all time. From 2010 to 2013, Waters staged a new Wall live tour that became the highest-grossing tour by a solo musician. Here are all of The Wall’s songs ranked.

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15. One of My Turns

“Great introduction and pacing and transitions. I love the descriptive lyrics and well played instrumentals. A song that literally turns from being something very tame and passive to an explosion of aggression.”

14. Nobody Home

“Some very nice orchestral qualities with contributions from Wright, and some softer vocals from Waters. Amazingly emotional song from Roger Waters. Even David Gilmour said it’s one of his favourites from the album.”

13. The Thin Ice

“I love the transaction from Gilmour’s soft voice to Roger’s high pitched voice and then the instrumental explosion that follows and segues into Another Brick in the Wall pt. 1. The lyrics are great, Rick’s playing during the singing is great and Dave’s playing is great as well.”

12. Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 1

“A song so catchy, most people probably don’t listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it’s not just about the pleasures of conformity and the importance of trends. It’s also a personal statement about the band itself.”

See more: Pink Floyd Albums Ranked

11. Empty Spaces

“”Empty Spaces” is the darkest and most sinister piece on the entire album and the words highlight every suspenseful chord and serious nature of the track; The rising build and crescendo is matched only by the dark atmosphere that equally matches the suspense of the piece. It is my second-favorite track on the entire masterpiece, second only to the “Another Brick in the Wall” tracks for the feel and emotion reflected by these lyrics running in synchronization with the very powerful melody of the piece itself.”

10. Is There Anybody Out There?

“Basic lyrics put into a moody and atmospheric place, with some elegant guitar work. Also reprised very well in bring the boys back home. The guitar solo is probably one of my favorites ever.”

9. In the Flesh

“Great lyrics and guitar. Roger Waters voice is slightly better on this than on in the flesh? When he says to feel it has a slight rasp that gives me goosebumps. Obviously David had a technically better voice but Roger Waters voice is very unique and really suits the wall.”

8. Young Lust

“Pink is, after all, a young, virile man who needs to get off to get on. He seeks pleasure in a groupie, whom he takes back to his apartment. Pink, it seems, wants his television…and that’s all. It appears that her seemingly harmless question, “What are you watching?” snaps him back to a time when everything had to be met with an answer: his psychotic wife. He erupts into a fit of rage, completely trashing his apartment and scaring off the groupie. Pink is not devoid of emotion, however, and feels ashamed and lonely when he’s left to pick up the pieces.”

7. Goodbye Blue Sky

“A hauntingly beautiful song that makes the listener wish it would never end. Although relatively simple, it is among my favorites by Pink Floyd. An incredible song based around the bombing of London during the blitz from the perspective of a child.”

6. Mother

“Comfortably Numb is *objectively* the best song on the album, and I can see why, but this song is so emotional for me and connects to my family situation so well that I can’t vote for anything else. The juxtaposition of the soothing, calm melody and the dark, depressing lyrics and message give this song a flavor that no other song on CD one really accomplished.”

See more: Pink Floyd Songs Ranked

5. The Trial

“This song is a great wrap-up to the entire album and I love the way Pink is doing a trial against himself in his head. It’s no “Comfortably Numb” or “Another Brick in the Wall”, but it is the epic ending of this incredible album.”

4. Run Like Hell

“A great mix of Hard Rock and even Disco. The riffs are pretty Hard Rock sounding but the beats are Disco sounding. The instrumental alone is enough to make this one of the best songs from The Wall.”

3. Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2

“The way this thing takes funk music and turns it into something dark, Namely a song about indoctrination and control in school while avoiding being obnoxious about it. The vocals are an ominous moan and the stern choir of kids actually works in this song’s favor since it fits with the dark and dictatorial themes of The Wall. The solo is a piece of psychedelic beauty and beyond atmospheric with those Hammond organs playing behind it.”

2. Hey You

“This song speaks to me, and it shows me what happens when I try to block everyone else off, Pink Floyd’s songs in general always help me through things, but this song is always the first I listen to.”

1. Comfortably Numb

“Having heard a lot of the album, this is clearly the stand out track. While Waters’ parts are very good, it’s Gilmour who truly sells with angelic vocals and wonderful production, particularly with some of the best solos to grace the rock genre in history. While the album may contain other great songs, none can top this masterpiece and is one of the best songs of all time.”