The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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Light Up The Sky
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Bee Gees
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
or maybe one of these days eugene is going to cut you into little pieces. just an observation.
Echo AeroLed286 on this one. I remember thinking "Hey, I didn't know Ray Manzarek played with them, and Iknow a lot about the Doors" the first time I heard it. The guitar is cool, right, but it's nothing compaired to the feeling, the creeping and shivering atmosphere led by the organ... and the progression to the sheer madness of Roger's shout... This guy is really insane. Hopefully he had music to express it, rather than becoming a psychokiller... (note to all Roger's fans out there : I'm joking...)
naww-Pink Floyd used to like to give nonsense titles to thier songs. I think the title is a joking PLAY on axe murder AND playing on the guitar-or axe; I think this is just a vivid dream, that comes to climax, then recedes. I love the way the song quietly and delicately builds to a crescendo, then just as delicately fades away....the middle eastern scales add a sense of sensual mystery to it all. the song was meant to be appreciated as it was under the influence of acid or pot-it had its own meanings howerver covert.
Top ten floyd songs:
Just had to post and say that this was one song that scared me when my older brothers would play it back in the early 70's- I probably was about 4 years old.
Anyway, the way that I interpreted this song (thanks to my brothers) was that not only was the song about an axe murderer, but a cannibalistic one.
Now I'm going by the version on "Relics"- so follow me as I try to explain as best as I can. The best hint about this comes near the end of the track:
5:24- drums have dropped out of the song, bass plays cycling two-notes, keyboard notes ebb down the scale. Eugene's victim is near death and quickly fading away.
5:26- sound of lips smacking. Eugene begins his feast.
5:30- squeak noises. Innards of victim being devoured.
5:40- sound of lips smacking. Eugene has consumed his "prize" and finishes with a satisfied "ahh!" as the song ends (turn up volume to hear this)
Hey, I'm willing to admit that I may be way off the mark, but this has been my view of the song for the past 30 years.
Down down... out loud... the stars are screaming... baby cry...
I’m much more familiar with the Ummaguma version, but along the lines of the axe murderer theme I imagine the repeated whispering of “careful with that axe, Eugene” being the voices in the crazy guys mind and the since they keep repeating and getting louder he screams and then makes his kill which is the second scream.
An axe murderer claiming their latest victim... played out through music.
The first part is where he's sneaking around... muttering gibberish but generally keeping quiet... then the adrenaline builds up as he gets closer to the victim... then eventually, once they're within reach, he takes to them with his trusty axe :-).
Then we hear the scream of the victim as they realise what's coming to them. That's where the band kicks in and it all goes ballistic... as killer and victim flail around wildly. Then it starts to go quiet... as the victim's life slowly leaves them and then everything slowly fades out....
They did something very similar when they played 'Cymbaline' live in the late '60s, with the sounds of footsteps walking around the venue.
I think 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene', is actually supposed to be phrase the killer says to the victim just before he kills them... like it's his catchphrase he uses before each killing.
And only Roger Waters could create such a violent, depraved character and then call him Eugene :-).
good post
Maybe the whispering "careful with that axe Eugene" is a voice inside the killers head, but Eugene decides not to listen. Or maybe he just carefully swung the axe into the victims back!
ch0gan is most definitely correct, it is about an axe-murder. But one thing, I feel that the slow, quiet part is a killer and someone he knows sitting down and having a silent, sort of awkward moment. Then Eugene grabs an axe, not knowing what's going on, the victim says "careful with that axe, Eugene." The intense part is the actual killing.....blah....blah....blah
it's definitely an murder scene that this song is describing. there is no band like Pink Floyd when it comes telling a story through an instrumental song. that scream made me jump the first time i heard it. i hope i'm not the only who jumped...