Pink Floyd - Careful With That Axe, Eugene (1968-69)
11"Careful With That Axe, Eugene" was recorded by Pink Floyd in December 1968 as a B-side to "Point Me At The Sky," but remained unreleased to US audiences until it appeared on
the Relics album in May 1971. Relics was more than a "greatest hits"/compilation LP, but was a welcome addition to the group's late 1960's repertoire, containing songs never before heard by American audiences. The album included the previously unreleased gem "Biding My Time" as well as British B-side singles such as "Paintbox" and "Julia Dream," as well as "Arnold Layne" (an A-side single in the UK only). Most US fans had only heard "Careful With That Axe, Eugene" in its live form on the LP, Ummagumma.
The psychedelic rock sensation "Careful With That Axe, Eugene" is among my favorite early Pink Floyd songs along with "Arnold Layne," "Julia Dream" and "Paintbox." This version is one of three: the other Ummagumma version I already mentioned, but another for the film Zabriskie Point was also recorded under the title "Come In Number 51, Your Time Is Up." This is one of the earliest songs recorded by Pink Floyd that explores the role of horror and shock value in psychedelic or progressive rock music. There have been a number of live versions of this song done by Pink Floyd as well, including this one from 1973 that I have used to synchronize the Relics CD track with, allowing some elements of the original live track to work together with the studio. I have also included an image and some film clips to highlight the only lyrics in the song, "Careful With That Axe, Eugene" ... and the screams that follow. Hope you will all enjoy this little excursion into rock horror ... hang on to your seats, it's going to be a bumpy ride!