One Of These Days

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic track "One Of These Days" by Pink Floyd from their 1971 album Meddle, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this pulsating instrumental. According to David Gilmour in a 1993 Guitar World interview, the song’s driving bassline originated from his experiments with a Binson Echorec delay unit, which Roger Waters then adapted for bass, making it a collaborative triumph. Gilmour called it the most collaborative piece the band ever produced, a sentiment echoed by Nick Mason, who noted in a 2011 Prog interview that Meddle was a group effort without pressure from EMI, allowing creative freedom. The eerie spoken line, “One of these days, I’m going to cut you into little pieces,” delivered by Mason in a distorted falsetto, was recorded at double speed and slowed off for effect. Mason later revealed in a biography that the line was inspired by frustration with a roadie who delayed getting new bass strings, leaving Gilmour’s bass with a muted, dull sound that serendipitously shaped the track’s menacing vibe.

Another tidbit comes from a 1971 comment by Roger Waters, cited by DJ John Peel, describing the song as a “poignant appraisal of the contemporary social situation,” though its instrumental nature leaves that open to interpretation. The track’s innovative use of double-tracked bass guitars, with Waters panned left and Gilmour right, created a stereo depth that became a concert staple from 1971 to 1994. A post on Pink Floyd’s X account from July 2023 highlighted animator Ian Emes’ 1972 film French Windows, set to the song, which the band loved and used in live shows after seeing it on TV. Fans on the r/PinkFloyd subreddit praise the song’s raw energy, with one user in a 2025 thread calling it “the blueprint for half the songs on Dark Side of the Moon,” cementing its role in Pink Floyd’s evolution. The song even influenced other artists, with Brian Eno citing its bass riff as an inspiration for his track “Third Uncle.”

Pink Floyd began in London in 1965, emerging as a cornerstone of the British psychedelic scene. Founded by Syd Barrett (guitar, vocals), Roger Waters (bass, vocals), Nick Mason (drums), and Richard Wright (keyboards, vocals), the band initially played R&B covers before Barrett’s whimsical originals, like “Arnold Layne” and “See Emily Play,” gained traction. Their 1967 debut, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, showcased Barrett’s visionary songwriting, but his mental health struggles and LSD use led to his departure in 1968. David Gilmour joined as guitarist, and Waters took on primary songwriting, steering the band toward extended compositions and philosophical themes. Early gigs at London’s UFO Club built a cult following, despite mixed reception, with one Catholic youth club owner refusing payment, claiming their performance wasn’t music, as noted by biographer Nicholas Schaffner. By Meddle, Pink Floyd had transitioned from Barrett’s pop-psychedelia to a progressive rock force, setting the stage for their 1970s dominance with albums like The Dark Side of the Moon.

Stay connected with Pink Floyd’s official website for news and archives. Follow them on social media via Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and nostalgic posts. Fans can dive deeper on the r/PinkFloyd subreddit, a vibrant community for discussions, or join the Grantchester Meadows Discord, linked in a 2019 Reddit post, for real-time chats. The fan site Neptune Pink Floyd offers detailed discographies and trivia, while PFCO provides Meddle-specific insights. For Zoo Freaks craving more, these platforms are perfect for exploring Pink Floyd’s legacy.