View source for Careful with That Axe, Eugene

{{good article}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name       = Careful with That Axe, Eugene
| cover      = PointMeAtTheSky.jpg
| alt        =
| caption    = 1968 Dutch single of "Point Me at the Sky"
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Pink Floyd]]
| album      =
| A-side     = [[Point Me at the Sky]]
| released   = {{start date|1968|12|6|df=yes}}
| recorded   = 4 November 1968
| studio     = [[Abbey Road Studios|Abbey Road]], London
| genre      = 
*[[Acid rock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7889845/pink-floyd-songs-best-hits-list|title=The 50 Greatest Pink Floyd Songs: Critic's Picks|website=billboard.com|access-date=9 April 2018|archive-date=8 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508012222/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7889845/pink-floyd-songs-best-hits-list|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[art rock]]<ref name=alan13>{{cite book|last=Di Pena|first=Alan|title=Guitar World Presents Pink Floyd|year=2002|publisher=Alan di Pena|location=London|isbn=1-84353-575-0|page=13|edition=1st|chapter=Mysterius Ways}}</ref>
*[[space rock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/fmjw/|title=BBC - Music - Review of Pink Floyd - Relics|first=Daryl|last=Easlea|year=2007|website=[[BBC Music]]|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
| length     = 
* {{duration|m=5|s=45}} (studio version)
* {{duration|m=8|s=49}} (''[[Ummagumma]]'' live version)
| label      = [[Columbia (EMI)]] <small>(UK)</small>
| writer     = {{hlist|[[David Gilmour]]|[[Roger Waters]]|[[Richard Wright (musician)|Richard Wright]]|[[Nick Mason]]}}
| producer   = [[Norman Smith (record producer)|Norman Smith]]
| prev_title = [[Let There Be More Light]]
| prev_year  = 1968
| next_title = [[The Nile Song]]
| next_year  = 1969
}}

"'''Careful with That Axe, Eugene'''" is an instrumental piece <!-- the presence of spoken works, screams, or scat vocals does not impede its being an instrumental --> by the English rock band [[Pink Floyd]].{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|p=96}} It was recorded in November 1968 and released as the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] to the single "[[Point Me at the Sky]]", and featured on the 1971 compilation album ''[[Relics (album)|Relics]]''. It was re-recorded for the 1970 film ''[[Zabriskie Point (film)|Zabriskie Point]]'', retitled as '''"Come In Number 51, Your Time Is Up"'''.

The song became a concert favourite for Pink Floyd. Live recordings can be found on various releases, such as the live half of the double album ''[[Ummagumma]]'' and the film ''[[Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii]]''. It was performed sporadically after 1973, with a final one-off performance in 1977. Various versions, both live and studio recordings, were released as part of the 2016 box set ''[[The Early Years 1965–1972]]''.

==Composition and recording==
{{Listen
| type = music
| filename = Careful with That Axe, Eugene.mp3
| title = "Careful with That Axe, Eugene"
| description = The song's only lyric, spoken, followed by the characteristic scream
| pos =
}}
Pink Floyd first attempted to record the piece in a Los Angeles studio on 22 August 1968, but this only resulted in a basic instrumental track and the session was abandoned.{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2017|p=141}} The second attempt was made at [[Abbey Road Studios]], in a single three-hour session on 4 November and produced by [[Norman Smith (record producer)|Norman Smith]].{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2017|p=141}}{{sfn|Mason|2004|p=107}}<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Relics|publisher=EMI Records|id=SRS 5071|year=1971}}</ref> It was created as part of a desire for Pink Floyd to move on from the early [[Syd Barrett]]-written songs and produce new music, adding a more advanced [[dynamic range]] compared to a typical pop song, though drummer [[Nick Mason]] later admitted this was just "quiet, loud, quiet, loud again".{{sfn|Mason|2004|p=107}}{{sfn|Wild|2017|p=69}} The title has no specific meaning; keyboardist [[Richard Wright (musician)|Richard Wright]] explained "We often pick titles that have nothing really to do with the songs".{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2017|p=140}}

The music consists of a light, organ-based jam, with Wright using the [[Phrygian mode]] and an accompanying bass guitar playing just one tone (in this case, D) in octaves. It starts off quietly, before settling into a soft backbeat. This leads up to a [[segue]] into the only lyrics: the title of the song, whispered; followed by bassist [[Roger Waters]]' inhaled-scream. The song becomes much louder and more intense before gradually settling down again.{{sfn|Reisch|2011|pp=108–109}} In the heavier parts and later, quieter parts, guitarist [[David Gilmour]] sings [[scat vocals]] in unison with lead guitar lines.{{sfn|Reisch|2011|pp=109–110}} It was one of the first extended instrumentals recorded by the group, which would be a recurring theme over the next five years.<ref name=am/>

For the soundtrack to the film ''[[The Committee (film)|The Committee]]'', recorded in early 1968, one piece has the band playing a long instrumental featuring a very similar riff.{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|pp=69–70}} The song was re-recorded in December 1969 for the 1970 film ''[[Zabriskie Point (film)|Zabriskie Point]]'', in a different key (E instead of D) and retitled "Come In Number 51, Your Time Is Up".{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|p=96}}{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2017|p=214}} Director [[Michelangelo Antonioni]] had been interested in working with Pink Floyd after hearing "Careful with That Axe, Eugene", and the re-recording was placed in the film's climax where the heroine imagines a villa in Arizona is exploding in [[slow motion]].{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=118}}{{efn|The title "Come in Number 51, Your Time Is Up" was a [[Surrealism|surrealistic]] line by comedian [[Spike Milligan]] shouted through a [[megaphone]] as part of his act in the [[BBC TV]] show ''[[Q... (TV series)|Q5]]'', and was derived from a command for [[boat livery]] renters to return because their rental period had expired.{{sfn|Guesdon|Margotin|2017|p=214}}}} A further remake was attempted during the ''Zabriskie Point'' sessions, and was eventually released as "Explosion" on ''[[The Early Years 1965–1972]]'' box, as part of the ''1970: Devi/ation'' volume.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=The Early Years 1970 Devi/ation|publisher=Pink Floyd Records|id=PFREY4|year=2016}}</ref>

==Live performances==
[[File:Farfisa Compact Duo (2nd version) - Expo Pink Floyd.jpg|thumb|left|[[Richard Wright (musician)|Richard Wright]]'s [[Farfisa]] organ and [[Echorec]], used for live performances of the song]]
Pink Floyd performed the piece frequently in concert from 1968 to 1973, and it became a live favourite.{{sfn|Blake|2011|p=127}} Concert performances gradually became significantly longer than the recorded version, often around ten minutes, and some performances feature different spoken lines by Waters.{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|p=69}}{{sfn|Mason|2004|p=107}}

An embryonic form was performed on 31 May 1968 at the [[Paradiso (Amsterdam)|Paradiso]], Amsterdam, under the original title of "Keep Smiling People", which was filmed by [[Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|NTS]] and broadcast on 5 July.{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=95}} Another version was recorded on 25 June 1968 at the [[BBC]] studio as "Mudererotic Woman", and broadcast on [[John Peel]]'s ''[[Top Gear (radio show)|Top Gear]]'' radio programme on 11 August which Peel introduced as "Muderistic Woman".{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=97}}{{sfn|Wild|2017|p=63}} By November, it had become a regular part of the group's live show.{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=103}}

A version was recorded live on 2 May 1969 at the [[Manchester College of Commerce]] for the ''[[Ummagumma]]'' live album.{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|p=69}}{{sfn|Wild|2017|p=63}} The ''Ummagumma'' version is considerably longer than its studio counterpart, as well as having the organ parts played on Wright's [[Farfisa]] Compact Duo rather than a [[Hammond organ|Hammond]].{{sfn|Manning|2006|p=160}} A further live version was recorded on 12 May for the BBC.{{sfn|Wild|2017|p=63}} For ''[[The Man and The Journey]]'' live suite, performed during mid-1969, "Careful with That Axe, Eugene" was played in the second half of the show, under the title "Beset by Creatures of the Deep".{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=86}} For a time, "Careful with That Axe, Eugene" was performed as the second part of a medley with "[[Green Is the Colour]]".{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=134}} A performance at [[Mont-de-l'Enclus]], Belgium on 25 October 1969 was filmed and shown at select French cinemas during 1970, but not generally released.{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=356}} The song was played at a [[BBC Radio 1]] concert in the BBC Paris Cinema on 16 July 1970, and at a free concert in [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] two days later.{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=134}}

The band recorded two takes of "Careful with That Axe, Eugene" for the live film ''[[Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii]]'' in October 1971. Contrary to the film's title, the song was recorded at Studio Europasinor, Paris.{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=357}} One version was used in the final film and another, titled "Careful with That Axe, Eugene (alternate version)" was released on CD as part of the ''Early Years'' box set. Both versions run for under seven minutes.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Pink Floyd The Early Years 1972 Obfusc/ation|publisher=Pink Floyd Records|id=889-85384-382|year=2016}}</ref>

Footage also exists of the group performing the piece on the [[Australia]]n TV programme, ''[[GTK (TV series)|GTK]]'', filmed on 15 August 1971 at [[Randwick Racecourse]], [[Sydney]]. It was broadcast with the live version from ''Ummagumma'' dubbed onto the footage.{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=148}} The performance at the [[Brighton Dome]] on 29 June 1972 was filmed by [[Peter Clifton]] for the film ''Sounds of the City 1964–1973''.{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=169}} It was one of four Pink Floyd songs that the group played while accompanied with [[ballet]] choreographed by [[Roland Petit]].{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=171}} The concerts ran in November 1972 at the Salle Valliers, [[Marseille]], followed by a series of concerts at the [[Dôme de Paris|Palais de Sports]], [[Paris]] in January and February 1973.{{sfn|Povey|2007|pp=171–173}} 

"Careful with That Axe, Eugene" was played as an encore for four shows during the group's French tour in June 1974.{{sfn|Povey|2007|pp=192–193}} It was revived for a single performance as a final encore on 9 May 1977 at the [[Oakland Coliseum]], which was the last time it was ever played.{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=214}}

==Releases==
The original studio release was the B-side to the single "[[Point Me at the Sky]]", released on 6 December 1968.{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|p=69}}{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=343}}{{efn|The lyrics to "Point Me at the Sky" also refer to a character called Eugene.<ref name=am>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/careful-with-that-axe-eugene-mt0003558071|title=Careful With That Axe, Eugene|work=AllMusic|accessdate=17 November 2021|archive-date=20 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820095348/https://www.allmusic.com/song/careful-with-that-axe-eugene-mt0003558071|url-status=live}}</ref>}} It was re-released on the compilation album ''[[Relics (Pink Floyd album)|Relics]]'' in July 1971,{{sfn|Povey|2007|p=352}} and on the box set ''[[Shine On (Pink Floyd box set)|Shine On]]'' in 1992 on the additional ''The Early Singles'' CD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/shine-on-mw0000090997|title=Pink Floyd – Shine On|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=17 November 2021|archive-date=3 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603223409/http://www.allmusic.com/album/shine-on-mw0000090997|url-status=live}}</ref> The track was one of several to be considered for the band's 2001 "best of" album, ''[[Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd]]'', but it was ultimately omitted.<ref name="GuthrieAudio">{{cite web|url=http://www.pinkfloyd.co.uk/echoes/ae/james.html|title=James Guthrie: Audio: Building A Compilation Album|last=Guthrie|first=James|publisher=Pink Floyd|access-date=17 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602090835/http://www.pinkfloyd.co.uk/echoes/ae/james.html|archive-date=2 June 2010}}</ref>

Before the release of ''The Early Years'' box set in 2016, only four versions had been officially released. The box set added a further nine live versions.{{sfn|Wild|2017|p=63}} Many other versions were available on [[Pink Floyd bootleg recordings|bootlegs]].<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Pink Floyd – Mauerspechte|publisher=Oh Boy|year=1990|id=OH BOY 2-9021}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Pink Floyd – Mooed Music|publisher=Unknown}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Pink Floyd – Alan's Psychedelic Christmas|id=APSB-1270}}</ref> The soundtrack to ''The Committee'', featuring a prototypical version of the song, was played to [[news media|press]] at the film's reception, but remained unreleased until ''The Early Years 1965–1972''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pink-floyd-detail-massive-27-disc-early-years-box-set-98943/|title=Pink Floyd Detail Massive 27-Disc 'Early Years' Box Set|first1=Kory|last1=Grow|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=28 July 2016|accessdate=17 November 2021|archive-date=16 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116192841/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pink-floyd-detail-massive-27-disc-early-years-box-set-98943/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Mabbett|2010|pp=69–70}}

Subsequent releases, with a different recording to the studio version include:

'''Audio:'''
* ''[[Ummagumma]]'', live recording at Manchester College of Commerce<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ummagumma-mw0000191310|title=Pink Floyd – Ummagumma|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=17 November 2021|archive-date=17 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117115128/https://www.allmusic.com/album/ummagumma-mw0000191310|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''[[Zabriskie Point (album)|Zabriskie Point]]'', a re-working for the film soundtrack, re-titled "Come in Number 51, Your Time Is Up"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/zabriskie-point-original-soundtrack-mw0000196436|title=Zabriskie Point (Original Soundtrack)|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=17 November 2021|archive-date=17 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117130525/https://www.allmusic.com/album/zabriskie-point-original-soundtrack-mw0000196436|url-status=live}}</ref>
* ''[[Picnic – A Breath of Fresh Air|A Breath of Fresh Air – A Harvest Records Anthology 1969–1974]]'', single version<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tuzach.in |title=A Breath of Fresh Air: A Harvest Records Anthology, 1969–1974 – Various Artists : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=13 September 2012 |archive-date=18 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918094226/http://tuzach.in/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''[[The Early Years 1965–1972]]'' – various versions:{{sfn|Wild|2017|p=69}}
** ''Volume 2 – 1968: Germin/ation'', appears as the single version and a BBC session under the title "Murderotic Woman"
** ''Volume 3 – 1969: Dramatis/ation'', appears as live renditions from a BBC session, 'Live at the Paradiso' and as part of ''[[The Man and The Journey]]'' under the title "Beset by Creatures of the Deep" 
** ''Volume 4 – 1970: Devi/ation'', appears as live renditions from a BBC session and as a re-working for the ''Zabriskie Point'' soundtrack under the title "Explosion" 
** ''Volume 6 – 1972: Obfusc/ation'', appears on the ''[[Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii|Live at Pompeii]]'' CD. Two versions appear on this CD – the original (as seen in the film) and another titled "Careful with That Axe, Eugene (alternate version)".
** ''Replica vinyls'', single version appearing on a replica of the 1968 "Point Me at the Sky" 7" single.

'''Video:'''
* ''[[Why Pink Floyd...?|The Dark Side of the Moon immersion box set]]'', 'Live in Brighton 1972' {{sfn|Wild|2017|p=69}}
* ''[[The Early Years 1965–1972]]'' – various versions:{{sfn|Wild|2017|p=69}}
** ''Volume 3 – 1969: Dramatis/ation'', ''The Man and The Journey: Royal Festival Hall, London, rehearsal'' re-titled as "Beset by Creatures of the Deep"; ''Essencer Pop & Blues Festival'' and ''Music Power & European Music Revolution, Festival Actuel Amougies Mont de L'Enclus''
** ''Volume 4 – 1970: Devi/ation'', ''An Hour with Pink Floyd: KQED'' and ''Pop Deux Festival de St. Tropez''
** ''Volume 5 – 1971: Reverber/ation'', ''GTK Randwick Race Course''
** ''Volume 6 – 1972: Obfusc/ation'', ''[[Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii]]'' and ''Live at Brighton Dome''
** ''Volume 7 – 1967–1972: Continu/ation'', ''The Amsterdam Rock Circus''

==Personnel==
Personnel per Andrew Wild,{{sfn|Wild|2017|p=68–69}} except where noted.
* [[Roger Waters]] – bass, vocals
* [[David Gilmour]] – guitar, vocals
* [[Richard Wright (musician)|Richard Wright]] – [[Hammond organ]], [[vibraphone]] (studio version); [[Farfisa#Compact duo|Farfisa organ]] (live version){{sfn|Manning|2006|p=160}}
* [[Nick Mason]] – drums

==Cultural references==
* The song features in the first episode of 1973 British television documentary ''[[The Ascent of Man]]'', when [[Jacob Bronowski]] narrates how mankind develops [[hunting]] techniques.<ref>{{cite web |title=old BBC TV "The Ascent of Man" uses "Careful With That Axe" by Pink Floyd as incidental music |date=18 February 2022 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/pinkfloyd/comments/svtk4z/old_bbc_tv_the_ascent_of_man_uses_careful_with/ |access-date=14 February 2023 }}</ref>
* The [[Llamasoft]] video game ''[[Revenge of the Mutant Camels]]'' (1984) features a [[level (video games)|level]] called "Careful with That Axe, Eugene".<ref>{{cite web |title=Retro View – Revenge of the Mutant Camels play tips from Jeff Minter |url=http://retroview.mameworld.info/c64/revcamelst.htm |access-date=9 June 2015 |archive-date=10 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810052828/http://retroview.mameworld.info/c64/revcamelst.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The album ''[[Klaus_Schulze#"The_Dark_Side_of_the_Moog"|The Dark Side of the Moog VIII]]'' (1999) by [[Klaus Schulze]] and [[Pete Namlook]] is subtitled "Careful with the AKS, Peter".<ref name="Kemker">{{cite web | last=Kemker | first=Wolf | title=the dark side of the moog @ wolf's kompaktkiste | website=wolf's kompaktkiste | url=https://www.kompaktkiste.de/darksideofthemoog.htm | access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref>
* "Careful with That Axe, Eugene" is featured in the 2010 [[Howard Marks]] film ''[[Mr. Nice]]'', along with [[Deep Purple]]'s "[[Lazy (Deep Purple song)|Lazy]]" and [[John Lennon]]'s "[[God (John Lennon song)|God]]".<ref>{{cite book|title=Shared Meanings in the Film Music of Philip Glass: Music, Multimedia and Postminimalism |first=Tristian |last=Evans |page=88 |publisher=Routledge |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-317-05571-6 }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Blake|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Blake (writer)|title=Pigs Might Fly : The Inside Story of Pink Floyd|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fC_BAgAAQBAJ|publisher=Arum Press|year=2011|orig-year=2007|isbn=978-1-781-31519-4|access-date=18 November 2021|archive-date=21 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521212507/https://books.google.com/books?id=fC_BAgAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|last=Guesdon|first=Jean-Michel|last2=Margotin|first2=Philippe|title=Pink Floyd All the Songs – The Story Behind Every Track|publisher=Running Press|year=2017|isbn=978-0-316-43923-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Mabbett|first=Andy|title=[[Pink Floyd: The Music and the Mystery]] | publisher=Omnibus Press|year=2010|isbn=978-0-857-12418-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Mason |first=Nick |title=Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd |year=2004 |publisher=Widenfeld & Nicolson |isbn=0-297-84387-7 |edition=New }}
* {{cite book |last=Povey |first=Glenn |title=Echoes : The Complete History of Pink Floyd |year=2007 |publisher=Mind Head Publishing |isbn=978-0-9554624-0-5 |edition=New }}
* {{cite book |last=Manning |first=Toby |title=The Rough Guide to Pink Floyd |year=2006 |publisher=Rough Guides |location=London |isbn=1-84353-575-0 |edition=1st }}
* {{cite book|title=Pink Floyd and Philosophy: Careful with that Axiom, Eugene!|first=George|last=Reisch|publisher=Open Court|year=2011|isbn=978-0-812-69745-2}}
* {{cite book|title=Pink Floyd: Song by Song|first=Andrew|last=Wild|publisher=Fonthill Media|year=2017|isbn=978-1-78155-599-6}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb-SgwOJjcM "Careful with That Axe, Eugene"], from the official Pink Floyd YouTube channel
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzSJwzTxGas "Careful with That Axe, Eugene"] live at the Festival Actuel, Amougies, [[Mont-de-l'Enclus]], Belgium, 25 October 1969, from the official Pink Floyd YouTube channel<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bygrecords.com/actuel-festival#:~:text=Actuel%20Festival%2C%20known%20as%20the,year%2C%201969%20has%20become%20legendary. |title=Actuel Festival |publisher=BYG Records |access-date=17 December 2023}}</ref>

{{Ummagumma}}
{{Pink Floyd}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Careful With That Axe, Eugene}}
[[Category:1968 songs]]
[[Category:Acid rock songs]]
[[Category:Pink Floyd songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Nick Mason]]
[[Category:Songs written by David Gilmour]]
[[Category:Songs written by Richard Wright (musician)]]
[[Category:Songs written by Roger Waters]]