Vegetable Man
Encyclopedia
"Vegetable Man" is an unreleased song by the English psychedelic rock
band Pink Floyd
. The song was recorded from October 9–12, 1967, and was an attempt to record a follow-up single to "See Emily Play
", as well as the beginning of sessions for the album which would eventually become A Saucerful of Secrets
. Among the songs considered were "Paint Box
", "Scream Thy Last Scream", "Jugband Blues
" and "Apples and Oranges
". The last was chosen for the single release with "Paint Box" as the B-side
and "Jugband Blues" appearing on their next album A Saucerful of Secrets
.
The band played "Vegetable Man" live for a BBC radio broadcast on December 19, 1967.
To date, the song (along with "Scream Thy Last Scream") has not had an official release. Peter Jenner
claims Syd wrote the song describing himself as he sat at Jenner's home, "He had to go and record and, because a song was needed, he just wrote a description of what he was wearing at the time..." The song also quotes the theme of the '60s sitcom Car 54, Where Are You?. Many cite it as a document of Syd's monumental breakdown as a recording artist and as a person. Jenner wanted the song to be released on the Syd Barrett rarities album Opel
(1988), however the band blocked its inclusion.
originally featured as the B-side of their debut single "Upside Down
" and appears on their 2008 compilation The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities
. The Soft Boys also recorded a version of the song, which is included as a bonus track on CD versions of their album Underwater Moonlight
. Canadian band Kosmos recorded the song for the 2006 tribute album Like Black Holes in the Sky: The Tribute to Syd Barrett.
An Italian project (Vegetable-Man-Project) tries to collect and release 1,000 different cover versions of this song. There are currently five CDs (100 versions) and one 10" vinyl record released. Notable versions in the series include contributions by Hyperbubble
and The Alice Rose
's psychedelic side project Planet Rye Co.
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
band Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
. The song was recorded from October 9–12, 1967, and was an attempt to record a follow-up single to "See Emily Play
See Emily Play
"See Emily Play" was the second single recorded by the English psychedelic rock group Pink Floyd. It was written by original frontman Syd Barrett and recorded on 23 May 1967. The single featured "Scarecrow" as its B-side...
", as well as the beginning of sessions for the album which would eventually become A Saucerful of Secrets
A Saucerful of Secrets
A Saucerful of Secrets is the second studio album by the English rock group Pink Floyd. It was recorded at EMI's Abbey Road Studios on various dates from August 1967 to April 1968...
. Among the songs considered were "Paint Box
Paint Box (song)
"Paint Box" is a song by psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd, written and sung by keyboardist Richard Wright. It was first released in 1967 as the B-side to the single "Apples and Oranges"....
", "Scream Thy Last Scream", "Jugband Blues
Jugband Blues
"Jugband Blues" is a song by British psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd, and is featured on their second album, A Saucerful of Secrets...
" and "Apples and Oranges
Apples and Oranges (song)
"Apples and Oranges" is the third United Kingdom single by Pink Floyd and the final one written by Syd Barrett. The B-side was "Paint Box" written by Richard Wright. The song is about a girl whom the narrator meets at the supermarket...
". The last was chosen for the single release with "Paint Box" as the B-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
and "Jugband Blues" appearing on their next album A Saucerful of Secrets
A Saucerful of Secrets
A Saucerful of Secrets is the second studio album by the English rock group Pink Floyd. It was recorded at EMI's Abbey Road Studios on various dates from August 1967 to April 1968...
.
The band played "Vegetable Man" live for a BBC radio broadcast on December 19, 1967.
To date, the song (along with "Scream Thy Last Scream") has not had an official release. Peter Jenner
Peter Jenner
Peter Jenner is a British music manager and a record producer. Jenner, Andrew King and the original four members of Pink Floyd were partners in Blackhill Enterprises.- Early career :...
claims Syd wrote the song describing himself as he sat at Jenner's home, "He had to go and record and, because a song was needed, he just wrote a description of what he was wearing at the time..." The song also quotes the theme of the '60s sitcom Car 54, Where Are You?. Many cite it as a document of Syd's monumental breakdown as a recording artist and as a person. Jenner wanted the song to be released on the Syd Barrett rarities album Opel
Opel (album)
Opel is an album released in 1988, compiled from recordings made by former Pink Floyd frontman Syd Barrett between 1968 and 1970. It consists of 8 previously unreleased songs and 6 alternate versions of already released ones....
(1988), however the band blocked its inclusion.
Cover versions
A cover version by Scottish band The Jesus and Mary ChainThe Jesus and Mary Chain
The Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride, Glasgow in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid...
originally featured as the B-side of their debut single "Upside Down
Upside Down (The Jesus and Mary Chain song)
"Upside Down" is the first single from the Scottish alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain. The song was written by William Reid and Jim Reid, and was produced by The Jesus and Mary Chain...
" and appears on their 2008 compilation The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities
The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities
-Personnel:* Vanessa Atkins - Editorial Supervision* Glenn A. Baker - Photography* Paul Barber - Project Assistant* Barry Blacker - Drums* P.G...
. The Soft Boys also recorded a version of the song, which is included as a bonus track on CD versions of their album Underwater Moonlight
Underwater Moonlight
Underwater Moonlight is a 1980 album by English band The Soft Boys. The album was re-released in 2001 as an expanded edition with nine outtakes from the main recording sessions and a bonus disc comprising seventeen tracks from the Underwater Moonlight rehearsals at the Boathouse, a rowing-team...
. Canadian band Kosmos recorded the song for the 2006 tribute album Like Black Holes in the Sky: The Tribute to Syd Barrett.
An Italian project (Vegetable-Man-Project) tries to collect and release 1,000 different cover versions of this song. There are currently five CDs (100 versions) and one 10" vinyl record released. Notable versions in the series include contributions by Hyperbubble
Hyperbubble
Hyperbubble is an international visual and performing arts electro pop/synthpop duo from San Antonio, Texas formed by Jeff DeCuir and Jess Barnett DeCuir...
and The Alice Rose
The Alice Rose
The Alice Rose is an indie pop/rock band from Austin, Texas, formed in 2001. The group's founding members are songwriter and vocalist JoDee Purkeypile, bassist Sean Crooks, and drummer Chris Sensat. Keyboardist Brendan Rogers joined the band in 2005...
's psychedelic side project Planet Rye Co.