Lucifer Sam

The song is built around a descending riff, with the dominant instrument being composer Syd Barrett's electric guitar, fed through an echo machine; the resultant sound has been likened to a "sinister" Duane Eddy.Toby Manning (2006). The Rough Guide to Pink Floyd: p.155 This is augmented by bowed bass and increasingly agitated organ and percussion effects.John Cavanagh (2003). The Piper at the Gates of Dawn: pp.39–41

Though the lyric frequently refers to Lucifer Sam as a cat, some speculation has arisen as to whether this was in fact slang ("a hip cat") for a man, real or imagined, in some type of relationship with Barrett's then-girlfriend, Jenny Spires (referred to in the song as "Jennifer Gentle"). However, Sam was simply Barrett's Siamese cat (and is referred to as such in the first line: "Lucifer Sam, Siam cat"); the track was originally called "Percy the Rat Catcher" during the recording sessions, which took place between April and June 1967.Vernon Fitch (2005). The Pink Floyd Encyclopedia: p.186

After its release, the song became the opening track for BBC 1’s Apollo coverages starting from 1968’s Apollo 7.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Oho7mCTzxsOYNQL8&v=QPiL4jnQl4c&feature=youtu.be |title=Apollo 7 - Launch and TV (BBC audio) |date=2020-06-09 |last=lunarmodule5 |access-date=2024-12-22 |via=YouTube}}

• Syd Barrett – vocals, guitar, slide guitar
• Richard Wright – Farfisa organ, Hammond organ, piano
• Roger Waters – bass guitar, bowed bass
• Nick Mason – drums, maracas, timpani

"Lucifer Sam" was only performed live by Pink Floyd in 1967 and featured as an encore during many performances, mostly notably at the Games for May concert.

Barrett later performed the song with his 1972 band Stars.{{cite web|url=http://www.sydbarrettpinkfloyd.com/2010/02/syd-barrett-stars-its-so-long-ago-now.html|title=Syd Barrett Pink Floyd Psychedelic Music Progressive Music: Syd Barrett Stars - Everything (So Far)|publisher=Sydbarrettpinkfloyd.com|accessdate=12 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814104115/http://www.sydbarrettpinkfloyd.com/2010/02/syd-barrett-stars-its-so-long-ago-now.html|archive-date=14 August 2017|url-status=dead}}

Lightning Seeds covered the song as a B-side, and it appeared on their 2006 best of collection.{{cite web |last=Mawer |first=Sharon |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-very-best-of-the-lightning-seeds-mw0000741628 |title=The Very Best of the Lightning Seeds - The Lightning Seeds : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |date= |accessdate=29 October 2012}}

The track has also been covered by the Black Crowes, Electric Hellfire Club, the Minders, the Flaming Lips, True West, Jay Farrar, Love and Rockets,{{cite book |last=Palacios |first=Julian |title=Syd Barrett & Pink Floyd: Dark Globe |year=2010 |publisher=Plexus |location=London |isbn=978-0859654319 |edition=Rev. |page=418 |chapter=Home}} Shockabilly, the Sadies, the Three O'Clock, MGMT, Spirits in the Sky, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Obits (with different lyrics, as "Widow of my Dreams"), Cat's Eyes, Bauhaus, Southern Culture on the Skids, The Horrors and Chris & Cosey.

Nick Mason played this during his 2018 Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets tour of Europe.

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [{{Allmusic|class=song|id=t1530786|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic review]
• [http://www.allmusic.com/song/lucifer-sam-mt0012255311/lyrics Full lyrics of this song] at Allmusic

{{The Piper at the Gates of Dawn}}

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Category:Pink Floyd songs

Category:British garage rock songs

Category:Psychedelic pop songs

Category:1967 songs

Category:Songs written by Syd Barrett

Category:Songs about cats