Careful With That Axe Eugene Lyrics – Pink Floyd – Ummagumma

by Keith J · Published October 17, 2000 · Updated November 3, 2023

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Careful With That Axe, Eugene (Waters, Wright, Mason, Gilmour) 8:50

(Instrumental)

01. Astronomy Domine
02. Careful With That Axe Eugene
03. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
04. Saucerful Of Secrets
05. Sysyphus
06. Grantchester Meadows
07. Several Species Of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together…
08. Narrow Way
09. Grand Vizier’s Garden Party

About The Song

Pink Floyd’s “Careful With That Axe, Eugene” is an auditory journey into the realms of tension and release. Unlike their other tracks, this one forgoes traditional lyrics for murmurs, whispers, and an iconic, chilling scream from Roger Waters. The title itself, seemingly a cautionary statement, sets a scene of suspense and impending chaos.

The track starts with a serene and meditative arrangement, dominated by Richard Wright’s haunting organ notes and the gentle plucking of David Gilmour’s guitar. The steady, muffled beat from Nick Mason’s drums creates a hypnotic rhythm that lulls the listener into a trance-like state. This tranquility is abruptly shattered by Waters’ primal scream, which serves as a powerful climax that breaks the mounting tension.

After the scream, the song explodes into a frenetic jam session, showcasing the band’s ability to convey emotion and narrative through instrumentation. The absence of clear lyrics allows the music itself to tell a story, with each instrument adding its voice to the narrative.

“Cautious With That Axe, Eugene” is a testament to Pink Floyd’s experimental phase, where they played with the boundaries of rock and pushed the envelope of what music could express. It’s a piece that exemplifies the band’s ability to craft a compelling experience using minimal verbal language, instead relying on the universal language of sound to evoke emotion and storytelling.