In the iconic film "The Wizard of Oz," there are several instances of occult music that add depth and mystery to the story. One of the most notable examples is the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," sung by the main character Dorothy. Despite its seemingly innocent and hopeful lyrics, this song has been interpreted by some as a representation of an occult journey or transcendence. During the scene where Dorothy sings "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," she is depicted in black and white, symbolizing the mundane and ordinary world she comes from. As the song progresses, the scene transitions to vibrant technicolor, suggesting a transformation or spiritual awakening. This change in visuals can be interpreted as a metaphor for entering a higher realm, which aligns with occult beliefs in otherworldly dimensions.
This change in visuals can be interpreted as a metaphor for entering a higher realm, which aligns with occult beliefs in otherworldly dimensions. Furthermore, the lyrics themselves can be analyzed through an occult lens. The phrase "somewhere over the rainbow" can be seen as an invitation to explore hidden realms or alternative realities beyond the ordinary.
Does this not all but prove The Dark Side of the Moon is in fact a secret soundtrack for The Wizard of Oz?
P·U·L·S·E is a live album that was released in May '95, which contains a complete live version of The Dark Side of the Moon. Hidden on the cover are references to The Wizard of Oz.
source: Pink Floyd’s “Pulse” Album Cover Shows The Wizard Of Oz “Dark Side Of The Rainbow” Clues
Pink Floyd thus blatantly linked The Dark Side of the Moon to The Wizard of Oz. And it doesn't appear that they were simply trolling fans. Here's why.
The first time the rumor of the synchronization got any attention from the press was in August '95, when the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette published an article about it . They reported:
In April [1995], someone posted about it on the Internet Pink Floyd newsgroup, saying he or she'd heard about it from "some people down in Los Angeles." Most users told the poster to go back to his drugs. And a recent posting on the alt.music.pink-floyd newsgroup asking for help in the mystery produced no clues to the origin of the oddity.
Why would Pink Floyd plant easter eggs on the P·U·L·S·E album cover referencing this phenomenon, only a month after it was first brought up online and not taken seriously? This theory did not have any traction in May '95 when P·U·L·S·E was released.
Then consider that it wasn't until '97 that a member of Pink Floyd went on record denying the connection, when Nick Mason said:
It's absolute nonsense. It has nothing to do with The Wizard of Oz. It was all based on The Sound of Music.
The Sound of Music is a film about a woman who heals a family through the love of music. So Nick Mason's denial here is somewhat sarcastic, but not nearly as sarcastic as what David Gilmour said in 2005 when asked about it:
some guy with too much time on his hands had this idea
'Time' is a song on The Dark Side of the Moon, so as a guitarist Gilmour is in fact 'some guy with too much Time on his hands'.
Now consider Alan Parsons, who in 2018 pointed out that VHS hadn't been invented in '72 when they were producing the album. This is obfuscation, as there were other ways to watch film back then, like VERA and quadruplex, so there was the means available. In fact, Pink Floyd worked on soundtrack albums before this, such as Obscured by Clouds, and their process is described :
As they had done on More, the band saw a rough cut of the film and noted certain timings for cues with a stopwatch. From this, they created a number of pieces that they felt could be cross-faded at various points in the final cut of the film.
So despite what Alan Parsons said, they did have the technical ability and experience to create a soundtrack album.
People I've spoken to think that because they've denied it, it can't be true. but what if Pink Floyd is using deception as an artform? Pink Floyd explores a lot of social and political themes, and so it would be consistent with the activism inherent in their body of work to use their music to show how easy it is to get away with lying. Governments and powerful individuals frequently lie, and we know by the success of the entertainment industry that humans can be quite adept at pretending. This phenomenon shows how easy it is to be gullible, when we admire those misleading us.
There are just too many "coincidences" for this not to be true. Besides all the ways the film and soundtrack line up (I recommend trying it yourself, but Goldmine Magazine also wrote about it here and I've outlined some of the evidence on my website here ), consider the symbolism of The Dark Side of the Moon itself.
The moon's dark side represents knowledge that was hidden from mankind, until we cooperated to advance our knowledge and technology to give ourselves a glimpse. The dark side of the moon isn't even literally dark (most of the time), it was just hidden until we found the proper motivation to see it. Information that is kept in the dark isn't necessarily 'bad', and similarly this truth about Pink Floyd's iconic album and the lies they've told to hide it has a purpose beyond just trolling fans. I look around and see a world of conflict, division, and despair, mingled with too few beautiful creations and insincere attempts at peace and unity. Now more than ever, mankind needs to explore our individual and collective dark sides, to discover the good and bad below the surface, which includes mankind's capacity for deception. and hopefully, our capacity to grow towards something better.
Pink Floyd has given us a timeless gift of supernal beauty. I hope you can see it, and that it inspires you as much as it has been a Promethean flame for myself.
P·U·L·S·E is a live album that was released in May '95, which contains a complete live version of The Dark Side of the Moon. Hidden on the cover are references to The Wizard of Oz.
This idea is further emphasized by the line "why, oh why can't I?" which suggests a longing to transcend the limitations of the physical world and access higher knowledge. Another example of occult music in "The Wizard of Oz" is the iconic song "Follow the Yellow Brick Road." This song, sung by the Munchkins, serves as a guide for Dorothy's journey and introduces her to the mystical path she must take. By following the yellow brick road, Dorothy is embarking on a spiritual quest, guided by unknown forces, which aligns with occult practices of seeking enlightenment and knowledge through a symbolic path. The mysterious and enchanting musical score of "The Wizard of Oz" also contributes to the overall occult atmosphere of the film. The haunting melodies and ethereal orchestrations provide a sense of otherworldliness and create an ambiance that suggests hidden, mystical forces at play. Overall, the inclusion of occult music in "The Wizard of Oz" adds an intriguing layer to the story and invites viewers to reflect on deeper themes of transcendence and hidden knowledge. Through songs like "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Follow the Yellow Brick Road," the film explores the idea of a journey into the unknown and the possibility of accessing higher realms of understanding..
Reviews for "Ritualistic Elements in the Music of The Wizard of Oz"
1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
I was really disappointed with "Occult Music from the Wizard of Oz". I found the whole concept to be bizarre and unnecessary. It felt like a forced attempt to re-imagine a classic film and turn it into something dark and eerie. The music itself was also quite jarring and unsettling, not at all what I was expecting from a soundtrack. Overall, I would not recommend this album to anyone who loves the original charm and magic of "The Wizard of Oz".
2. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
As a fan of "The Wizard of Oz", I was excited to hear what "Occult Music from the Wizard of Oz" had to offer. However, it fell short of my expectations. While I appreciate the attempt to create a darker version of the soundtrack, I found the execution to be lacking. The arrangements felt disjointed and out of place, leaving me longing for the familiar melodies of the original film. I believe that this album might appeal to a niche audience looking for an alternative take on the classic, but for me, it missed the mark.
3. Michael - ★☆☆☆☆
I have to say, I did not enjoy "Occult Music from the Wizard of Oz" at all. The whole concept of combining occult themes with the beloved story of Oz felt wrong to me. The music was unsettling and did not enhance the experience in any way. If anything, it detracted from the original magic of the film. I understand the desire to offer a different perspective, but I think this album missed the mark completely. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a pleasant and enjoyable musical experience.