5 Rare Songs that Pink Floyd Played Live

Pink Floyd is an iconic British rock band renowned for pushing the boundaries of music and redefining the concept of progressive rock. Known for their pioneering sound, Pink Floyd melded intricate instrumentals, philosophical lyrics, and mind-bending visual elements into an unforgettable musical experience. But did you know that they also played some rare songs that were never released on any official album or single?

5 Songs You Never Heard on Pink Floyd’s Albums

1. Scream Thy Last Scream

This song was recorded in 1967 and was intended to be the follow-up single to See Emily Play. However, it was rejected by the band’s record label for being too experimental and dark. The song features distorted vocals, eerie sound effects, and a twisted nursery rhyme. The band played it live a few times in 1967 and 1968, but it was never officially released until 2016, when it was included in the box set The Early Years 1965–1972.

2. Embryo

This song was written by Roger Waters in 1968 and was one of the first examples of his lyrical themes of alienation and isolation. The song is a gentle acoustic ballad with a psychedelic middle section. The band played it live frequently in 1970 and 1971, but it was never included on any studio album. It was only released as a bonus track on the compilation album Works in 1983.

3. Careful with That Axe, Eugene

This song was originally titled Murderistic Women and was an instrumental piece that featured a scream by Roger Waters. The band played it live as early as 1968 and changed its title several times, such as Keep Smiling People and Careful with That Axe, Eugene. The song was released as the B-side of the single Point Me at the Sky in 1968, but it was never featured on any studio album. The band continued to play it live until 1973, and it became one of their most popular live songs.

4. Seabirds

This song was written by Roger Waters for the soundtrack of the film More, which was directed by Barbet Schroeder. The song is a mellow acoustic tune with lyrics about love and freedom. The band recorded it in 1969, but it was not used in the film or on the soundtrack album. The band played it live only once, at a concert in Amsterdam in 1969. The song remained unreleased until 2019, when it was included in the box set The Later Years 1987–2019.

5. Vegetable Man

This song was written by Syd Barrett in 1967 and was one of his last compositions for the band. The song is a self-deprecating portrait of Barrett’s mental state at the time, with lyrics such as “I’ve been looking all over the place for a place for me / But it ain’t anywhere / It just ain’t anywhere”. The band recorded it in 1967, but it was never released or played live. The song was considered too personal and disturbing by the band and their record label. The song remained unreleased until 2016, when it was included in the box set The Early Years 1965–1972.