Lucifer Sam by Pink Floyd

Album: The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn (1967)

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This song is essentially an ode to Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett's cat, Sam. However, it was speculated that it might refer to another man in some kind of relationship with Jenny Spires, who was Barrett's girlfriend at the time. In the line, "Ginger, ginger, Jennifer Gentle you're a witch," "Jennifer Gentile" refers to Spires in this interpretation. >>
Suggestion credit:
Michael - Oxford, England
This was revived by the electro-duo MGMT when they performed it on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon as part of a week long Pink Floyd tribute. Their performance took place on September 28, 2011.
The English band Love And Rockets covered "Lucifer Sam" on the 2001 remaster of their second studio album, Express.

Comments: 9

Just Escaped from The Emptywonder what Dean Winchester thinks of this song
Dc from Seattle, WaThis is definitely my favorite song on the album, so poignant, so moving, and a good example of Syd's music for those wishing to discover his work. The album is possibly the truest form of 60s psychedelia, if you think it through.
Zero from Nowhere, NjI always assumed it was a reference to the cat in Cinderella (who was named Lucifer)! Lol! Whatever..., I like how the song kinda sounds "secret agent-y", if that makes any sense....
Chloe from St. Louis, Moperhaps it was a typo, sam. i know on some obscure copy of one of the beatles' earliest singles, "beatles" was spelled wrong.
Sam from Hipsville, CaIs anyone able to tell me, that at a point very early on in their evolution, was the band name ever spelled FLOID? it seems i remember a showbill or something or other with the name "THE PINK FLOID" ---------maybe i'm mistaken.
Chloe from St. Louis, Mohahahaha this song is so BIZARRE i love it...i absolutely adore syd. its such a shame he had to go so soon.
Roy from Granbania, MaThis song had a pretty cool guitar riff. I realize that Syd Barrett's work is not exactly conventional or normal but I like it a lot better than some of Floyd's other stuff. For instance, I would rather have The Piper at the Gates of Dawn then Ummagumma or Atom Heart Mother any day. I always wonder what Pink Floyd would have been like if Syd never lost his mind (for lack of a better phrase). I for one think he was great.
Tristan from Philadelphia, PaSyd wrote every song except "take up thy stethoscope and walk" on their first album. Although Interstellar overdrive is credited to all the band, their is no singing, and therefor no vocals. And as all members played an instrument it was only natural to credit them all. Syd did, however, do most work for this song.
Gg from Jhklfh, Ksdid syd write this song?

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