| "Wave of Mutilation" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Pixies | |
| from the album Doolittle | |
| Released | April 17, 1989 |
| Recorded | October 31–November 23, 1988 at Downtown Recorders in Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Genre | |
| Length | 2:04 |
| Label | 4AD (UK) Elektra Records (US) |
| Songwriter(s) | Black Francis |
| Producer(s) | Gil Norton |
"Wave of Mutilation" is an alternative rock song by the American band Pixies, and is the third track on their 1989 album Doolittle. Written and sung by the band's frontman Black Francis, the song was inspired by articles about Japanese businessmen committing murder-suicides by driving into the ocean. The song also references a lyric from the Charles Manson-penned "Cease to Exist", released by the Beach Boys as "Never Learn Not to Love".
In addition to appearing on Doolittle, an alternate version of the song featuring a different arrangement, known as the "UK Surf" version, was released as a B-side to "Here Comes Your Man". The song has since seen critical acclaim and is well regarded by fans. Both the original and "UK Surf" arrangements have appeared in the band's live setlist.