Pink Floyd Songs Featuring Richard Wright on Lead Vocals

July 4, 20254 min read

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Pink Floyd was a band marked by inner conflicts, musical disagreements, and personal rivalries. Given their tumultuous history, much of the discussion around the group often centers on the tensions between its members and the shifting dynamics at play. However, one individual remained a steady presence throughout it all: Richard Wright, whose contributions are often overlooked despite their significance.

While not the frontman, Wright’s influence on Pink Floyd’s sound was vital from the beginning. He first met bandmates Roger Waters and Nick Mason while studying architecture at Regent Street Polytechnic in London, and it was Wright who organized the band’s initial recording sessions back in the mid-1960s.

Wright’s presence is especially monumental on their celebrated debut album, *The Piper at the Gates of Dawn*, where he shares lead vocals alongside Syd Barrett on the opening track. The two had a close relationship, even sharing an apartment in Richmond at one point. When Barrett was forced out of the band in 1968 due to mental health issues and drug use, Wright reportedly considered leaving as well.

After Barrett’s departure, Roger Waters emerged as the dominant force in Pink Floyd. Unfortunately, this meant that Wright’s songwriting and vocal contributions became less frequent. Although he still had standout pieces like “Sysyphus” and “Summer ’68,” the freer creative environment that characterized the band’s earlier years was diminished.

Yet, Wright still added remarkable highlights to Pink Floyd’s catalog after Barrett’s exit. His contributions to iconic tracks like “Time”—from *The Dark Side of the Moon*—showcased his mastery on the organ and his ability to share co-lead vocals, which greatly enhanced the song’s appeal.

Possibly his most significant moment with the band is found in “Echoes.” Featuring Wright on lead vocals with David Gilmour, the song stands out as one of Pink Floyd’s most ambitious and transformative works. Live performances at Pompeii solidified its status, but it was Wright’s distinct touch that made it extraordinary. Notably, Gilmour refused to perform the song in later years after Wright’s passing in 2008, underlining Wright’s essential role in its creation.

Despite having contributed to a variety of Pink Floyd’s tracks, Wright faced a setback in 1979 when he was asked to leave during the recording of *The Wall*. This occurred largely due to perceived underperformance in the album’s sessions, a decision mostly influenced by Waters.

Fortunately, Wright’s absence was brief. He returned as a touring member shortly after and later rejoined fully for *A Momentary Lapse of Reason*, the first album produced without Waters. In the intervening years, he also enjoyed a brief solo career that further showcased his brilliance as a songwriter and performer. Wright’s moments in the spotlight within Pink Floyd undeniably represent some of the band’s most exciting and innovative work.