Why do you stare?
Do you think that I care?
You've been misled
By the thoughts in your head

Your words waste and decay
Nothing you say
Reaches my ears anyway
You never spoke a word of truth

Why do you think
I believe what you said?
Few of your words
Ever enter my head

I'm tired of hypocrite freaks
With tongues in their cheeks
Turning their eyes as they speak
They make me sick and tired

Are you confused
To the point in your mind?
Though you're blind
Can't you see you're wrong?
Won't you refuse
To be used
Even though you may know
I can see you're wrong?
Please, please, please open their eyes
Please, please, please don't give me lies

I ruled all of the earth
Witnessed my birth
Cried at the sight of a man
And still I don't know who I am

Are you confused
To the point in your mind?
Though you're blind
Can't you see you're wrong?
Won't you refuse
To be used
Even though you may know
I can see you're wrong?
Please, please, please open their eyes
Please, please, please don't give me lies

I've seen paupers as kings
Puppets on strings
Dance for the children who stare
You must have seen them everywhere

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Emerson Lake & Palmer's song The Endless Enigma reflect on the idea of perception and the illusion of truth. The song begins with the singer questioning the validity of someone else's thoughts and opinions, suggesting that the person has been misled by their own mental biases. The lyrics continue with the idea that words are often wasted or decayed, failing to reach the intended audience. The singer is tired of encountering hypocrites who speak with insincerity and deceit. The chorus returns to the theme of confusion and the singer's desire for truth, asking for others to open their eyes and refrain from giving lies.

The second half of the song takes a slightly more mystical turn, with the singer proclaiming to have had a profound experience where they ruled all of the earth and witnessed their own birth. Despite this momentous event, the singer still does not know who they are, adding another layer to the theme of perception versus reality. The final verse draws a connection between the idea of paupers as kings and puppets on strings with children staring, hinting at a deeper commentary on societal power dynamics.

Line by Line Meaning

Why do you stare?
Why are you looking at me?

Do you think that I care?
Do you believe I am concerned about your actions?

You've been misled
You have been misguided or wrongly influenced

By the thoughts in your head
By your own thoughts and beliefs

Your words waste and decay
What you say is worthless and quickly forgotten

Nothing you say
The words that come out of your mouth

Reaches my ears anyway
Are not being heard by me

You never spoke a word of truth
You have never spoken honestly

Why do you think
What makes you think

I believe what you said?
I agree with what you are saying

Few of your words
Very little of what you say

Ever enter my head
Are being ignored by me

I'm tired of hypocrite freaks
I am fed up with insincere people

With tongues in their cheeks
They are being sarcastic and not genuine

Turning their eyes as they speak
They are avoiding eye contact, being evasive or untruthful

They make me sick and tired
I am disgusted and exhausted by them

Are you confused
Do you feel unsure or perplexed

To the point in your mind?
You are so unsure that you can't figure things out

Though you're blind
Even if you can't see clearly

Can't you see you're wrong?
Haven't you realized that you are mistaken?

Won't you refuse
Can't you decline or reject

To be used
To be manipulated or taken advantage of

Even though you may know
Even if you are aware

I can see you're wrong?
I recognize that you are in the wrong

Please, please, please open their eyes
I am asking for people to become more aware and enlightened

Please, please, please don't give me lies
I am asking for the truth to be told

I ruled all of the earth
I reigned over the entire planet

Witnessed my birth
I saw my own beginning

Cried at the sight of a man
I wept at the sight of human tragedy or suffering

And still I don't know who I am
Despite all my experiences, I am still unsure of myself

I've seen paupers as kings
I have witnessed impoverished commoners being lifted up to the role of monarch

Puppets on strings
Individuals who are being controlled or manipulated by outside forces

Dance for the children who stare
Performing for others who are amazed or curious

You must have seen them everywhere
These individuals can be found all over

Contributed by Zachary P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

ExposedTyranny

2y↑8

Why do you stare?
Do you think that I care?
You've been misled
By the thoughts in your head

Your words waste and decay
Nothing you say
Reaches my ears anyway
You never spoke a word of truth

Why do you think
I believe what you said?
Few of your words
Ever enter my head
I'm tired of hypocrite freaks
With tongues in their cheeks
Turning their eyes as they speak
They make me sick and tired

Are you confused
To the point in your mind?
Though you're blind
Can't you see you're wrong?
Won't you refuse
To be used
Even though you may know
I can see you're wrong?
Please, please, please open their eyes
Please, please, please don't give me lies

I ruled all of the earth
Witnessed my birth
Cried at the sight of a man
And still I don't know who I am

Are you confused
To the point in your mind?
Though you're blind
Can't you see you're wrong?
Won't you refuse
To be used
Even though you may know
I can see you're wrong?
Please, please, please open their eyes
Please, please, please don't give me lies
I've seen paupers as kings
Puppets on strings
Dance for the children who stare
You must have seen them everywhere

Each part was played
Though the play was not shown
Everyone came
But they all sat alone

The dawn opened the play
Breaking the day
Causing a silent hooray
The dawn will break another day

Now that it's done
Are we going to see the reason why I'm here

All comments from YouTube:

Mitch Eisenman

2y↑26

I turned 67 this month and this piece of music (calling it a rock song is a misnomer) still stands out as one of the true modern masterpieces.

Pamela Kirk

1y↑3

I’m 68 and play this all the time.❤️

ExposedTyranny

1y↑4

65 here. This song was a warning to the people of today in 2022.
Looks like they didn't listen. "They make me sick and tired."

Wolf-Bear Chief

1y↑4

This is musical alchemy

1 More Replies...

PopShoppekid

1y↑12

What a song and the ending is still goose bump producing even 50 years later!! We all miss you Keith and Greg!! ( but go Carl Palmer still going strong with his various projects!!)

ExposedTyranny

2y↑8

Why do you stare?
Do you think that I care?
You've been misled
By the thoughts in your head

Your words waste and decay
Nothing you say
Reaches my ears anyway
You never spoke a word of truth

Why do you think
I believe what you said?
Few of your words
Ever enter my head
I'm tired of hypocrite freaks
With tongues in their cheeks
Turning their eyes as they speak
They make me sick and tired

Are you confused
To the point in your mind?
Though you're blind
Can't you see you're wrong?
Won't you refuse
To be used
Even though you may know
I can see you're wrong?
Please, please, please open their eyes
Please, please, please don't give me lies

I ruled all of the earth
Witnessed my birth
Cried at the sight of a man
And still I don't know who I am

Are you confused
To the point in your mind?
Though you're blind
Can't you see you're wrong?
Won't you refuse
To be used
Even though you may know
I can see you're wrong?
Please, please, please open their eyes
Please, please, please don't give me lies
I've seen paupers as kings
Puppets on strings
Dance for the children who stare
You must have seen them everywhere

Each part was played
Though the play was not shown
Everyone came
But they all sat alone

The dawn opened the play
Breaking the day
Causing a silent hooray
The dawn will break another day

Now that it's done
Are we going to see the reason why I'm here

Freyas slain

1y↑9

Endless enigma is one of Keith's most technical pieces . Especially the second part , The Fugue alot happening in this part.

marc

A great time for music!

Thrak

11y↑165

Trilogy is ELP's best album, who agrees?

oldschoolchartist

5y↑17

Right on up there. Tarkus, Trilogy, Brain Salad Surgery all run a very tight race. As a whole, if forced to choose one to have existed and the other two to vanish from existence... I think Trilogy gets the nod.

Jonah Howard

4y↑7

I'd personally go with Tarkus for the part of the title song, 'The Mass'

Nancy Wilson

4y↑8

Yes- I graduated high school in '72, and my first college roomie had it. I had the first with Lucky Man: and we played them endlessly, and somehow still had highest combined GPA on our floor that semester.

Bigga Winna Crapsa

4y↑4

It's their most polished, but their premiere album contains the unbeatable ending of 'Tank', so I could never cast a vote against it. With a little surgery, Brain Salad Surgery would have won.

James Glenn

4y↑5

Ryan This was the first ELP album I bought. Still a personal favorite! Sure do miss them!

40 More Replies...

Rachel Payne

8y↑117

RIP Keith Emerson. The world has lost a phenomenal musician

THE REAPER MAN

6y↑4

Two phenomenal musicians! Greg Lake was also phenomenal.

Scooby Carr

6y↑1

THE REAPER MAN I believe that Jesus has brought Keith and Greg together with Mitch Mitchell from Jimi Hendrix fame and has brought forth the band ELM whose logo resembles an elm tree- for Emerson, Lake & Mitchell ...

Scooby Carr

THE REAPER MAN It was a big tossup between Keith Moon from The Who and John Bonham from Led Zeppelin.

Pensadores - Reflexões Sobre Rock Progressivo

6y↑2

Yeaahh Keith was the best on keyboards with Rick wskeman.two Genius

Lisa Kiser

2y↑1

Greg Lake

1 More Replies...

Kevin Smith

8y↑57

This piece is pure perfection. Very sad that Keith Emerson is no longer with us.

Lucius Austin

7y↑1

And Greg Lake passed away after a long quiet battle with cancer. Losing too many of our progressive musicians.

Trina humble Skipper

3y↑1

Keith Emerson is in heaveñ

Peter Bagshaw

8y↑24

Prog rock is much maligned but ELP produced music that was intelligent, thoughtful, moving. Keith was as vigorous as ever when I saw him a decade ago. A brilliant pianist, he wrote some of the best music that gave me hope as a teenager. With Bowie and George Martin, the world is a sadder place for losing these wonderful artists. I thought I was alone in still loving ELP, so great to see so many other affectionate comments. RIP Keith

Eddio PinaR

8y↑62

I remember being a kid. Someone lend me this album and when i got home, I put the needle on side A, and this was what started to sound... The freakiest music I ever heard... Since them, I bought everithing with the names "Emerson, Lake & Palmer" in the cover...I never was dissapointed

Profesor Big Kok

4y↑3

legendary!

Collin _plaey

4y↑5

Did you buy love beach? 😂😂

The Breadcraft

3y↑5

Even after works? I’m impressed. It takes a lot to appreciate Love Beach.

Jim Fair

3y↑2

@Collin _plaey Love Beach was their best work.... lol

Swiftus maximus

Everything Works and after blows

4 More Replies...

M m

8y↑16

I am impressed by what happened to me today with this theme and and torn inside. Today (by 11 March) after a long time not listening to ELP, I suddenly felt I had to listen to this theme, a masterpiece. Then passed to Pictures at an Exhibition, and started reading the comments about Keith. I can't understand why after so long not having listened to them, I wanted to listen to them today. I don't understand why he left so prematurely, this crazy genius. He was great, a wild giant, His music goes on, I am torn inside. He will be always in our hearts.

Paul Stewart

Omg. Live shows. Unreal. Blessed to. Hear, see. The Magic

Jay

9y↑52

I was 10 years old when my father introduced me to ELP. I was given their first album and this one. YES! These three tracks together complete what was a great song/stress reliever and truth to me as a child from a torn home. Thank you ELP for being a HUGE part of my childhood and my ENTIRE life!!!

Smoksa

9y↑7

my step dad was a complete asshole but one of my best memories is him Fuckin Blasting "Toccata" From Brain Salad Surgery at 2 in the morning! I remember it sounded like our house was being abducted by Aliens with synthesizers!!! Ever since then I was hooked. So I'm kinda with ya bro.

FootmasterSeattle

5y↑4

They don't make music like this anymore. What pure genius. These guys tapped into something special. Cosmic! Gives me chills.....I do an ELP binge every few months

Jack Adesman

2y↑3

The best vocal performance in the history of music!!!!

topdroog

7y↑20

One of my favorite male vocal performances, ever.

Alberto Calixto

7y↑13

Oh Lord... every time I listen to this, I felt myself taken over the planet, wondering "where the heck did I came from?" and those guys? I was a child, when I listen to ELP and considered a "maverick" once I listen to ELP, Pink Floyd, Yes, Led Zeppelin, Van Der Graaf Generator (among many others) and no mainstream music at all! But those guys where simply magestic and make and played magic music. And now, I got some tears on my eyes...

Wanda Cortés

9y↑23

Thanks for uploading the whole track! Uploading the Fugue and Part 2 makes it a whole. It also is my most favorite song, from my most favorite album...from my most favorite classic progressive rock band. Prog on!

Freddie P

6y↑16

Greg Lake's singing here is amazing

Cliff Carr

6y↑46

Now folks, lovers of rock, if this track does nothing for you then God Bless you! I absolutely adore this track with a passion, and I have been playing it since 1972, very often! The three kings of awsome music only being 1 left has scarred my soul but the legendary, unbelievably , astonishing technical skill that went on this will live on for thousands of years..ELP have always been my favourite and loved band since I was about 11 and now I am going on to 57. Thanks for uploading this..you know guys and girls you either love ELP or you dont!

Marc René Yvon

6y↑3

I must differ in the sense that they were NOT prog rock or else, but only (!) great musicians. Period. Pure musical geniuses. I listened & played a LOT of music in my last 65 years, never to my own satisfaction. And Lord, did I ever try ! Blisters on my fingers, trying to emulate Greg's lines. A long time friend of mine, gifted percussionist, working as hard to understand Carl's mind and play. To no use. Keith ? Are you kidding ? I just discovered Rachel Flowers. Oh my god ! The one and only Rachel Flowers. Oh so impressive, sweet, talented girl ! Anyway, ELP was a trio of exceptional musicians. I dearly miss them.

Daniel Masri

I wore out the vinyl .but only side 1. Did not find side 2 appealing.

Leo Yaus

5y↑3

In 1972, driving in my 1964 Chevy Impala, I had this playing on my Craig 8-track with Jensen tri-axial speakers.

manco82

5y↑1

It's true greatness.

Profesor Big Kok

love you man! and your comment!
i got into ELP recently because of Symphony X...im 34

my favorite part is how Lake says "pleaseeeeeeeeeee"

Daniel Gonzales

9y↑10

Un legado para la historia musical. Que gran década de los setenta.

Minseok Choi

4y↑2

Keith was a great musician who transcended the music genre.

Gianluca Cagnani

8y↑114

Rest in peace, Maestro.

planetfh

6y↑2

Gianluca Cagnani Maestros :( Carl's the only one left

Mike Reiss

8y↑9

5:16 the fastest bass drum pedal I've ever heard. He actually hits that thing at least 10 times!!!

Samuel Tesser

8y↑1

Go listen infant annihilator :p

Simone Chiusoli

7y↑3

Samuel Tesser infant annihilator drummer uses double bass drum, palmer only one pedal

Mike Reiss

RIP Greg Lake. Just heard today Greg has passed away at the age of 69 from cancer. What a bummer.

John L Rice

7y↑2

I absolutely love that fill! Bass drum and bass guitar together, incredibly simple but effective! And listen the to the opening/main themes of Tarkus, Palmer is playing the bass drum right along with the ride cymbal! Very difficult to sustain for that long of a stretch! :-)

Matthew Szymanski

1y↑1

Trying to learn this on the piano. Makes me appreciate how difficult this was to play, let alone compose. The tempo at the beginning when the organ comes in is astoundingly fast, not to mention the lightning bongos drums.

theresa42213

8y↑8

This is the first composition l ever heard ELP do. I was sixteen, and it was just BREATHTAKING Thank You Keith. Rest in Piece. <3

Joe Sperling

3y↑2

Man-- the end of Endless Enigma with bells ringing and the synthesizers going sounds like the gates of Geaven being opened!

Michael Rock

3y↑2

I was about 15 years old when I bought this album. The endless enigma blew out my speakers with the most epic, spine tingling ending that still gets to me after all these years. It is truly timeless. A work of art

Robert Currie

5y↑1

Another ELP masterpiece. Untouchable.

R Gray

2y↑2

Being a Yes head i never realized how ELP freaking
buried them in so many respects Keith Emerson is
amazed !!

PopShoppekid

2y↑6

Just bloody brilliant!!

electroncapture

11y↑4

Love this album! This is the music that made ELP great!

Mark Lindsey

8y↑3

This piece was very powerful for me as a kid. My mother was a serious classical pianist and my brother got her talent, but would move between (return to forever) jazz, (Monk)blues and the classics. He brought ELP albums home and I listened to them all.

E. F.

5y↑7

K. Emerson was an outstanding composer - providing the basis of on one of the best prog bands of all time. Missing him -

Michael Also

3y↑4

god damn. keith's motifs. the drumming. Greg's vocal.

SciFiArtMan

5y↑3

Still gives me chills!

patrick geiger

3y↑4

I love greg lakes vocals on the tune endless enigma. What a lucky man he was(to have that voice)!

Jeff Dawson

5y↑4

One of their most stunning pieces.

Mike Mertes

11y↑1

My favourites are probably Trilogy - Pictures - Self titled - Brain Salad Surgery. The last is just too crazy at the end. My favourite song however is Pirates, without a doubt. Probably my favourite song from any band. It's amazing just to pay attention; many of their songs revolve along the most fantastic, theatrical yet 'improper' paths. These three are a true collaboration as their strengths and weaknesses balance through the labyrinth of music.

David Edwards

8y↑30

RIP Keith - love this track....had to play it tonight for the wonderful memories of ELP. Devastated!

ernestoferreri

8y↑17

Back in the day, Kieth Emerson was "the bomb"! Found out today he's gone. This piece is profound, not merely an attempt to give rock musicianly status, rather it updates classical music to its time in brilliant fashion. ELP, Yes and the other excellent 7Os progressive rockers are a treasure of our culture. Many have said punk was a counter- reaction against the complexities of these song cycles, but there's a pointed rebellious attitude here, and the best punk is truly wonderful. All in all the 70s were as amazing as the 60s musically. ELP has earned historical status. Thank you for your serious depth and range, ELP! It would do the Masters proud! R.I.P. Keith.

Deidre C

ernestoferreri IMO, ELP is the common ancestor of punk bands like The Damned and even X. I went from Prog to Punk and it was that rebellious attitude that lead me there. And Keith was the first and only classical punk rock keyboardist. Still no one like him. Rick Wakeman was classically trained, Emerson was a total upstart, a rebellious prodigy. Nightly destruction of the Hammond and knives...punk as it gets.

Marc René Yvon

"ELP is the common ancestor of punk bands" ! You gotta be kidding, boy ! Destroying a Hammond was only a "stunt" during live shows as it was obligatory at the times as did The Who to make headlines then. Dumb as shit. Never bought it. BUT, as serious musicians, they were astounding. But got ridiculed from Keith's attitude. Like Jimmy with setting fire to his guitare. Beyond those "stunts" were oh so talented and creative musicians. Grow up, Deidre. It's getting late for you...

D. Tay Gray

3y↑8

I was so fortunate to be able to see Emerson lake and Palmer at the August jam at Charlotte motor speedway in North Carolina in 1974. I had just turned 16 and I was very impressionable at that age. I absolutely love ELP

Robert Bois le Duc

5y↑4

I listened to this album hundreds of times, before heading off to fight. In my head, I saw knights in armor on horseback, with banner flying castles in the background. I still like listening to it. I sing "From the Beginning" onstage, it's one of my favorites !

Richard Rohn

4y↑3

I just love the way ELP took classical music, some of the greatest songs of our time. They took it to a level that is, well beyond the norms of any kind of music. ELP is without a doubt the best at this kind of music. The only band that cannot be copied.

Zane Goodeker

The way it mixes elements from different genres is pretty engaging. You might also enjoy CAN.

obnoxiousoboe

7y↑35

First it was E this year, and now we lost L. Now it's down to P.

R.I.P. EL. We lost a marvelous keyboardist and a superb singer/bassist. They
were immortal progressive gods, and now they're on Prog Olympus. :-(

msotti

3y↑5

Trilogy's always been my favorite ELP album. Even as a bass player, Kieth Emerson has always been my favorite rock musician of all time. And ELP my favorite rock band ever. Bar none.

Christopher Dougherty

8y↑6

Probably Keith's finest hour with the group. R.I.P. Keith, see what you can do up there with David Bowie, Paul Kantner, Glenn Frey, Maurice White and so many others.

jairo p

10y↑9

i still have the vinil, since 1974, here in Brazil...
one of the greatest songs from my old days... :o)

Collector

4y↑4

This is the first song/album I ever heard by ELP - when the piano comes in, I almost jumped out of my chair! LOL I have been listening to them ever since. Masterpieces of synth and prog rock..

Bob Terwilliger

3y↑3

Listened to this till the grooves were worn out. Great stuff! ✌️

John Dontas

10y↑10

The best progressive album of all time. three MAESTROS. Thank you guys.John Dontas(HELLAS)

Snupps Synth channel

10y

actually you are right!

Giovana

7y↑1

Emerson é imortal em sua música. Quanta sensibilidade ao piano! Trio fantástico!

Lorraine Diffenbaugh

2y↑2

My late boyfriend turned me on to this he was a musical genius had so much knowledge and I remember everything he taught me

Scott Thornton

10y↑6

One of their best hands down.

william summers

1y↑1

Had the privilege of seeing them June 1977 Charlotte NC three of the greatest musicians ever need to be in Hall of Fame 😎🎹🎤🥁🎸

Joe Sperling

1y↑1

I still cry at the piano break during this piece. There is a sad yearning for something lost in the notes. Could it be Eden? Ever notice how a lot of music has that feel? Like seeking to regain something. It's hard to describe but I feel it.

John Meowzer

I especially love the odd little piano chord Keith hits right after the intro in Fugue. He was a master at that. Slightly dissonant yet lovely.

John Meowzer

Around 6:40

Joe Sperling

Yes-- exactly what I was talking about-- at about 6:40.

superQuizzie

9y↑16

1:40 is when the organ starts up and it sounds soo good. I feel so compelled to bob my head anytime it goes on.

vduncan54

5y↑2

OMG!! I had forgotten what this sounded like!!🤩🤩🤩🤩👍👍👍👍😎

Víctor Alonso

8y↑17

Emerson maestro genio hasta siempre gracias.

David Gatewood

5y↑6

It is with a heightened sense of community that I read once again all these amazing, heartfelt comments about Endless Enigma Parts 1 & 2 and the passing three years ago of Keith Emerson and Greg Lake. My personal story is similar to many in this post. Introduced to ELP in my case through Pictures at an Exhibition as a young teen and then everything ELP opened up! As a music major in college I had the wild idea to arrange Endless Enigma 2 for pipe organ, trumpets, handbells, and chimes as the wedding march for my own wedding. It turned out to be a beautiful march. Twenty-eight years later, our daughter asked if I would revive the arrangement for her as I walked her down the aisle for her own wedding. Keith's music made a wonderful occasion all the more memorable for "mom and dad." Speaking from the experiences of my family, lives have been inspired and changed by the works of Keith and Greg. With appreciation for the many lasting gifts of ELP, I will be forever grateful, "dad"

Electrohedron

2y↑1

That is art in action.

Giovanni Sacchi Hair Salon

2y↑1

As for Palmer he was the only drummer for this high energy genius trio

Mark Riva

5y↑2

Woke from a dream today, Christmas Day, with the last line of the lyric to this song playing in my head, then preparing my coffee promptly forgot it. A few hours later, in contemplating the theological basis of Christmas in silence remembered Nietzsche’s claim that God was dead, and upon further inquiry realized that all statements about God are enigmatic, and then.... like an epiphany remembered my musical dream of the end this song, The Endless Enigma, with Greg Lake singing, “Now that it’s done, I’ve begun to see the reason why I’m here,” a song ironically that includes Christmas bells!

Prog Queen 59

5y↑1

Mark Riva , not at all sure what you’re talking about, but I really enjoyed reading it! Greetings from Illinois!

patrick geiger

3y↑1

Used to crank their music on my phase linear 400 amp. My parents weren't pleased, but all my friends loved it. Twisted up a fat one and rocked the house!

cantdrivefiftyfive

3y↑2

Hard to believe that this was "popular music" back when I was a young and impressionable young man. I look at popular music today and shake my head. No, I am not the "get off my lawn" guy, but damn, when I compare this music to any of the Unknown Musician ft. Another Unknown Musician music, and it just makes me sad. I hope our young people can listen to this 50 year old music and appreciate it, especially considering that it was created by three young guys. Still in awe.

Massimo Faustini

9y↑23

Every time, the first time...
Stunning piece

Jasper Jenkins

Well Said 🤘

Herekittykittykat

8y↑3

I love when at the common musical flurry right before what would be considered the chorus ("and still I don't know who I am" "you must have seen them everywhere" etc...) he plays the rather regal riff on a sonic, brass, trumpet setting (used at end middle movement resolving into finale) instead of the organ setting used throughout the track - brilliant! Keith is the man!

John Meowzer

Yes the Moog brass sound Keith got is epic.

Irene E

7y↑22

my favourite band, rock, progrock, symphonic rock... of ALL TIMES.

Tomsawyer573

My fav ELP tune.

John Meowzer

1y↑1

Love the Gothic, majestic, epic sound.

Frankincensed

4y↑1

Once when I went to see ELP, some guy behind us kept yelling "Endless Enigma!!! Endless Enigma!!!" My only regret is that ELP didn't play the song until the end of the concert.

John F

6y↑18

Probably the quintessential ELP song and one of my favourites.

Alphabet

10y↑9

One to play loud so the neighbours can have a listen 😂

Linnéa Skoglund

11y↑1

One of my favourite songs out of all songs there is. Simple as. The vocal and drum climax at 5:10-5:15 gets me every time.

Rumiano Fabrizio

Il disco migliore di ELP in assoluto

Jah Knee

8y↑1

I remember back in the day, one of my brothers brought this LP home and told me that I needed to listen to it. I immediately fell in love with it.

Kamil Gryczka

11y↑1

Exactly. Don't forget Bowie's Ziggy and and all other legends. I've always said '72 and' 73 were the greatest years in the history of music.

vividwatch47

4y↑1

The zoukra that Keith Emerson performs in the track is NOT an obscure synthesizer, but an ancient brass instrument.

bart surmin

6y↑1

One of there best, Keith"s playing and Greg"s voice.... fantastic, but I always loved Palmer"s drum fills on this song, really makes the song stand up and kick.

sonofahen

4y↑1

Most excellent musicians!

On the album it is Part One & Part Two. I listened to it today on a most excellent surround sound system.

Incredible

Glenn Carles

3y↑2

we all love and miss emerson lake and palmer as a church organist it hurts to hear him

Brad Tarr

10y↑10

The best they ever offered. Although the prog epics are also must-hear.

Hunter 84

5y↑1

Keith and Greg left so much behind for us all. Amazing gifts to be cherished, enjoyed and shared for eternity . No one can ever take away or undo what they have given us so they live on for ever. One day I will see them both again.

Profesor Big Kok

4y↑6

i love it when he says
"pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"

i have this on vinyl...picked it up for like a dollar half price books
fking love it

Libra Moon

11y↑1

Thanks to Ms. Long, she introduced this song to the Prana dancers in 1974. I will never forget the dance we did to this song.

Andy Martin

8y↑86

My first ELP album--how many nights this 12 year old laid on the shag carpet and listened to this--The world never reached quite what I hoped it would from this--but I bought every other ELP album and that made it better.

Bridget King

8y↑5

yeah my dad loves this album

Andy Martin

8y↑8

+Bridget King You gotta cool dad--

Aaron Kennedy

8y↑6

+Andy Martin Good on ya. We did the same. Every day at lunch an ELP and a few rips...

IslandPalm14

8y↑6

+Andy Martin Remove thyself from the orange shag carpet. Arise, pay some bills, and wish, like me, that I am a keyboard rock legend.

ticktack1

8y↑12

I'm an old git - but I don't believe music has surpassed this level. Its amazing.

Music is obviously subjective and you either like it or you don't - This is what I like - RIP Keith, my friend

10 More Replies...

itkojecockot

6y↑1

this music can NEVER get old......

Guillermo Carrion longoria

Trío formado por talentos y un gran disco como lo es Trilogy

Jeff J

4y↑2

Owned the Album on Vinyl in the 70's, and seen ELP live in concert back in the 70's as well 2 times when I was 15 and 16 years old respectively!

Andrew Green

6y↑1

the greatest live show in the world! not bad in the studio also!

hibbyist

10y↑79

Jazz? Rock? Classical? Prog? I don't care, its incredible, its amazing, its mind-blowing - turn it up.

Grant Williams

7y↑11

Well prog is essentially all those other things mixed together so It's safe to say it's prog

Tristan Christiansen

5y↑3

thats what good prog is "WTH is this .... i dont care" thats my opinion of good prog atleast

Douglas Bissett

5y↑1

PROG FARTS... FOREVER.

Mike Reiss

Greg Moonen No, the answer is ELP.

Vallin Sfas

3y↑1

Post-modern existentialist cantata, this one at least. I call the genre 'Neo-Gothic Eclecticism'.

mellotronage

5y↑8

@ 4:10 ? In all of rock n' roll, that voice is hard to beat. RIP, man.

Steve Bolton

11y↑1

The inside cover photo of the band in the trees is amazing .

Becka fernandez de lara

7y↑6

My heart blooding ,My dear Keith and Greg are in heaven,resting in peace .
We miss you forever!!!

SUSAN FILEK

6y↑1

Keith Emerson, so awesome, an ambidextrous man who made such awesome sounds, Greg Lake's voice is haunting, Carl Palmer best percussionist of all time. Fate brought these 3 men together as a gift to all of us!

Vicente garcia alexandre

7y↑1

Es tan bello y hermoso que alcanza proporciones inmensas
obra maestra que me enamoró desde la primera vez.
Gloria A Emerson Lake And Palmer

Mario Serna

Vicente garcia alexandre muy cierto, ellos llegaron a limites inimiaginados con su sublime musica

af sorel

6y↑1

Magnifique. Thank you ELP. Rest in parce Keith and Greg.

Mario Serna

este disco lo compre cuando estaba en la universidad y me trae muchos recuerdos

SUSAN FILEK

6y↑2

Brain Salad Surgery was always my favorite ELP album, but I've changed my mind in later years...Trilogy was their best album, no doubt!

Tsitra Communications

Aling with emerson lake & palmer brain salad surgery and works vol. 1

Ewker Walker

3y↑1

ELP is the Greatest Rock and Roll Band who is NOT in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Such a shame when they are so much better than some bands who are in it.

kartiko kusumo

Love it!

Samuel Silas

1y↑1

I still don't know why Emerson lake and Palmer was not in the rock n roll hall of Fame induction

VeryTallOne 29

2y↑1

This song came out while I was guarding aircraft in the USAF. All the potheads I was stationed with played this song a lot.

Anibal Litvin

6y↑1

Gente genial haciendo música excepcional

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