Pink Floyd – A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)
The Album That Revived Pink Floyd After Roger Waters
Released on September 7, 1987, A Momentary Lapse of Reason marked a dramatic new chapter in Pink Floyd’s history. It was the band’s first studio album without founding member Roger Waters, who had left in 1985 amid legal disputes and internal tensions. Led by David Gilmour, this record reintroduced Pink Floyd to the world — and proved the band could survive and succeed without Waters.
This SEO-optimized guide covers the album’s background, tracklist, full credits, commercial performance, ratings, and fascinating trivia.
Album Overview
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Artist: Pink Floyd
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Album: A Momentary Lapse of Reason
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Release Date: September 7, 1987
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Recorded: 1986–1987
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Studios: Astoria (Gilmour’s houseboat studio), Mayfair Studios, Britannia Row Studios
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Genre: Progressive rock, art rock
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Length: 51:14
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Label: EMI (UK), Columbia (US)
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Producer: Bob Ezrin, David Gilmour
Background and Context
After Roger Waters’ departure, he publicly declared Pink Floyd a “spent force.” What followed was a legal battle over the rights to the band name — ultimately allowing David Gilmour and Nick Mason to continue as Pink Floyd.
Richard Wright, who had been dismissed during The Wall, returned as a touring musician and later rejoined officially.
Unlike The Final Cut, which was largely Waters-driven, A Momentary Lapse of Reason leaned heavily on:
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David Gilmour’s songwriting
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1980s production techniques
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Synth-heavy textures
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Expansive, atmospheric guitar work
The album represented both a rebirth and a reinvention.
Tracklist
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Signs of Life
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Learning to Fly
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The Dogs of War
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One Slip
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On the Turning Away
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Yet Another Movie
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Round and Around
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A New Machine (Part 1)
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Terminal Frost
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A New Machine (Part 2)
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Sorrow
Album Credits
Pink Floyd Members
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David Gilmour – Lead vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass, programming
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Nick Mason – Drums, percussion
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Richard Wright – Keyboards (touring member during recording; later officially reinstated)
Additional Musicians
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Tony Levin – Bass guitar
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Bob Ezrin – Keyboards, production
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Jon Carin – Keyboards
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Scott Page – Saxophone
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Carmine Appice & Jim Keltner – Additional drums
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Michael Landau – Guitars
The album involved a large number of session musicians, giving it a polished and layered 1980s sound.
Commercial Performance (Grossing & Sales)
A Momentary Lapse of Reason was a major commercial success:
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UK Albums Chart: #3
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US Billboard 200: #3
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Certified 4× Platinum in the United States
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Multi-platinum worldwide
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Sold over 10 million copies globally
The supporting 1987–1989 world tour was one of the highest-grossing tours of its time and resulted in the live album Delicate Sound of Thunder (1988).
Critical Reception & Ratings
Initial reception was mixed but generally positive:
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Praised for Gilmour’s guitar work
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Criticized for heavy 1980s production
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Compared frequently to Waters-era Floyd
Retrospective Ratings:
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AllMusic: 3/5
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Mixed but increasingly appreciative reviews over time
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Fans often rank it below classic 1970s albums but above The Final Cut
Over the years, the album has gained renewed appreciation, especially after its 2019 remix, which restored more of Richard Wright’s keyboard contributions and softened the 1980s production elements.
Musical Style and Sound
Compared to the political intensity of The Final Cut, this album offers:
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Expansive atmospheric soundscapes
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Strong melodic hooks
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Signature Gilmour guitar solos
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Digital synth textures typical of the late ’80s
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A return to epic closing tracks (“Sorrow”)
“Learning to Fly” became the album’s standout single and a staple of Pink Floyd’s live shows.
Fun Facts & Trivia
🎵 Did You Know?
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The iconic album cover features hundreds of hospital beds lined up on a beach — designed by Storm Thorgerson of Hipgnosis.
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The beds were real, not digitally added.
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“Learning to Fly” was inspired by David Gilmour’s experience learning to pilot aircraft.
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The album’s production relied heavily on session musicians — some critics argue it’s closer to a David Gilmour solo album.
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The 1987–1989 tour helped re-establish Pink Floyd as a stadium-filling band.
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The legal battle with Roger Waters delayed the album’s release.
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A 2019 remix version rebalanced the mix to emphasize Wright’s keyboards.
The 2019 Remix & Reappraisal
In 2019, Pink Floyd released a newly remixed version of the album:
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Reduced dated ’80s production effects
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Increased Richard Wright’s presence
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Improved overall balance
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Included updated artwork
Many fans consider the remix superior to the original 1987 release.
Why A Momentary Lapse of Reason Still Matters
This album is significant because:
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It proved Pink Floyd could continue without Roger Waters
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It launched one of the most successful tours in rock history
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It bridged the band into the late 20th century
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It paved the way for The Division Bell (1994)
While not as conceptually unified as 1970s masterpieces like The Dark Side of the Moon or Wish You Were Here, it remains a powerful comeback record.
