Photo: By Capitol Records (Billboard, page 25, 30 October 1971) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Although many of these songs don’t compare in popularity to the success of the music from the golden era of Wish You Were Here
, Dark Side of the Moon
, Animals
, and The Wall
, they should command more attention beyond the shadows of the more popular Pink Floyd material. The list below presents some of the most interesting, well-written, and lesser-known Pink Floyd songs that deserve to creep into the various internet Top 10 Pink Floyd song lists. Of course, all these songs are well-known to die-hard Pink Floyd fans. Fans might not agree with all of them, but at least a few songs should open the eyes and change the minds of those picking the best of Pink Floyd.
The Top 10 Most Underrated Pink Floyd Songs
# 10 – See Emily Play
Starting the list is the excellent 1960’s single “See Emily Play.” The song was released as a stand-alone single on June 16th, 1967. The song would eventually appear on the U.S. edition of Pink Floyd’s debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Syd Barrett wrote the song. The music is pure 1960s psychedelia laced with the original sound of a band developing a style, unlike the other psychedelic bands of the era. The opening organ line was reminiscent of the signature sound of The Doors’ Ray Manzarek. However, the vocal line and melody, as was the arrangement, were distinctively original. Check out the old Pink Floyd promotional video for the song, as it is rather creepy and yet cool at the same time.
# 9 – It’s What We Do
“It’s What We Do” is the most recent Pink Floyd song on this list. The song is from what appears to be their final album, The Endless River
. David Gilmour said he believes The Endless River will serve as the final Pink Floyd album. The music to “It’s What We Do” is very reminiscent of the Wish You Were Here sessions, specifically the music of “Welcome to the Machine.” However, most of the music from The Endless River album had been recorded in 1994 during the Division Bell
sessions. David Gilmour has said that the music on The Endless River pays tribute to the late Richard Wright. The piano playing of Richard Wright graces the ambient textures of the beautiful track “It’s What We Do.”
Although the album is indeed reminiscent of the Wish You Were Here
album, the music of “It’s What We Do” travels toward the genres of new-age music. At the same time, Gilmour’s guitar interludes resemble late 1980s soundtracks such as Against All Odds. “It’s What We Do” may have been lost among some of the negative reviews the most recent Pink Floyd Album received from critics, but it’s a brilliant piece of music that deserves to be recognized.
# 8 – One Of These Days
“One of These Days” is one of those songs that has charted on some of the Top 10 Pink Floyd song lists. However, the live versions are usually chosen for the lists. As the opening track to the Meddle
album, the original version has always stood out as one of Pink Floyd’s earliest and heaviest instrumentals.
# 7 – Sorrow
The fabulous Pink Floyd song “Sorrow” was released on the A Momentary Lapse of Reason
LP in 1987. Many Top Ten Pink Floyd song collections list “Learning to Fly” or “Dogs of War” from the A Momentary Lapse of Reason LP, but “Sorrow” is the far more interesting song. David Gilmour’s opening guitar solo alone qualifies the song as one of the band’s best. Released during the late 80s in an era of drum machines and synthesizers, the song has a certain Miami Vice feel. Nonetheless, Gilmour’s lyrics were outstanding, the guitar playing was extraordinary, and the production was top-notch.
# 6 – Paint Box
Pink Floyd’s “Paint Box” was another great B-side that became more popular than the A-side. The song was released in 1967 as the B side to the single “Apples and Oranges.” Listen to Roger Waters’ bass and Syd Barrett’s guitar interplay at the song’s opening. Nick Mason’s great drum fills explode above the opening verse while Richard Wright’s piano carries the listener away on another great 1960s psychedelic pop groove experience.
# 5 – Cymbaline
The Pink Floyd song“Cymbaline” was released during the summer of 1969 on the Pink Floyd album, Soundtrack From the film More.
The song was written and song by Roger Waters. There were two versions of the song, one sung by Roger Waters and the other featured in the film. David Gilmour sang the song’s studio version, which was released on vinyl LP.
In retrospect, Cymbaline should be viewed as one of Pink Floyd’s most beautiful yet dark and moody ballads. The Pink Floyd album Soundtrack From the film More has often been overlooked as one of the gems in the band’s catalog. “Cymbaline” is the standout track on the LP and very deserving of making the Top Ten Pink Floyd Songs that should but never make the Top 10 list.
# 4 – Fat Old Sun
Pink Floyd’s “Fat Old Son” was released in 1970 on the Atom Heart Mother
LP. Gone is the 1960s psychedelic sound, as the dawn of the 1970s unleashed a new genre of music centered around a softer folk rock sound made popular by artists like James Taylor, Crosby Stills, and Nash. The song “Fat Old Son” is one of Pink Floyd’s most tender ballads from another often overlooked Pink Floyd album.
# 3 – Sheep
Just about every Top Ten Pink Floyd Songs list includes the song “Dogs” from the Animals LP on their lists. Occasionally, you will see “Pigs on the Wing,” but it’s rare to see the great “Animals” track “Sheep” listed. On their 1977 tour, the band opened their concerts often with their song “Sheep.” The slow electric piano intro to the song set the stage perfectly for Roger Waters’ bass to slowly creep into play ahead of David Gilmour’s iconic guitar sounds. Gilmour’s guitar solo at the song’s end, embraced by Wright’s keyboards and Waters’ pulsating bass line, simply made “Sheep” the best track on the LP.
# 2 – What Do You Want From Me
This great song was released on The Division Bell
in 1994. This one came very close to being the number one pick but lost out for historical reasoning and the absence of Roger Waters. Nonetheless, Pink Floyd’s “What Do You Want from Me” is all killer. David Gilmour’s articulate Chicago blues-infused guitar playing at the beginning of the track sets the tone for a song that borders between the genres of rock, soul, and blues. Classic Pink Floyd chord changes and a brilliant bridge with an ascending bass line bring the song home into the classic Pink Floyd song’s universe. It is one of their best and should be included on every top 10 list, but it rarely appears on any of them.
# 1 – Careful With That Axe, Eugene.
If there was ever a Pink Floyd song that would foreshadow the band’s eventual dominance in musical pop culture, look no further than Pink Floyd’s “Careful with That Axe, Eugene.” The song was the B side to the Pink Floyd song “Point Me at the Sky,” released on December 17, 1968, as a stand-alone single. Most of Pink Floyd’s early singles were short three-minute psychedelic pop gems. However, “Careful with that Axe, Eugene” exhibited the haunting trance-like jam setting that would become part of the classic Pink Floyd sound of the seventies. It became a far more popular song than the A side of the single and eventually was released on multiple best-of compilations.
The song “Careful with that Axe, Eugene” was recorded live for the Ummagumma vinyl album. The song was often performed at early 1970s Pink Floyd shows but then faded into the shadows behind the success of the 1970s classic Pink Floyd albums that have dominated the band’s legacy. Nonetheless, “Careful with that Axe Eugene” is the Pink Floyd song that may have cemented the band’s eventual direction as one of the most successful and original-sounding bands in classic rock history.
Top 10 Pink Floyd Songs: Deep Tracks article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
