What Was Pink Floyd’s Mysterious Household Objects Album?

Imagine walking into a studio where mundane objects become instruments of creation. Rock fans revered Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here, but what if I told you that the band dabbled in something even more experimental? Enter Household Objects—an album that never saw the light of day.

This unconventional project sprung from the band’s desire for risk and innovation following their success in 1973. The seeds of this idea were actually sown back in the late ’60s during the Atom Heart Mother era, but it didn’t fully materialize until years later.

Stepping into the studio with engineer Alan Parsons, the band embarked on an audacious journey. Tracks like “The Hard Way,” featuring a rubber band as the star of the bassline, and “Wine Glasses”—which, as the name implies, employed the delicate tinkling of glasses—began to take shape.

Such groundbreaking experimentation didn’t resonate well with the band. In a revealing moment shared in a 2007 BBC documentary, Richard Wright recalled a conversation with Roger Waters where he candidly suggested, “Roger, this is insane!” David Gilmour concurred, noting that much of their work had devolved into what he called “plonky noises,” ultimately rendering the project unsatisfying.

Yet, the allure of Household Objects continually resurfaced whenever the creative juices ran dry. Waters teased to Zigzag magazine that the household creations were “turning into a really nice piece.” For weeks, the band engaged in a symphony of experimentation, scraping broomsticks, using axes to hit wood, and transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.

Ultimately, they shelved the entire project. Who could argue with that? Following the abandonment of Household Objects, Waters channeled his energies into exploring themes of loss—setting the stage for the now-iconic Wish You Were Here. This heartfelt masterpiece has since sold over 20 million copies worldwide, solidifying its place among the greatest albums of all time.

However, disappointment lingered. Parsons later admitted, “I was rather disappointed it never came to anything.” Despite its silence in history, Household Objects remains a fascinating glimpse into a band unafraid to experiment with sound, leaving behind a legacy that seamlessly blended innovation with emotion.

It’s a testament to Pink Floyd’s unyielding quest for creativity. Fans have often wondered what might have been. The echoes of those “plonky noises” still resonate, hinting at a hidden depth that never fully materialized, yet continues to captivate imaginations and inspire curiosity. The legacy of their adventurous spirit is indelibly etched in the annals of music history.