Palmer met up with two other young English musicians, Greg Lake, and Keith Emerson. The three felt an "immediate chemistry", and by 1970 they had formed a band. In naming the new group, the trio chose their last names alphabetically - Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also shortened to ELP. The band was arguably the most successful band of Palmer's career and he remained with ELP until they eventually disbanded in 1980. They developed a sound that merged art rock, jazz, electronica, pop rock and classical music and found fans within their peers and the public alike. During that time Palmer released only one single as a solo artist but went on to develop a solo career, alongside ELP and his other future bands. Emerson, Lake & Palmer subsequently reunited in the early 1990s and played the progressive rock circuit, especially in outdoor summer concerts. They also released two new studio albums. In 1998 the members of ELP had a rather acrimonious falling-out and Lake left the band.
Palmer rejoined the newly reformed ELP in 1992 for Black Moon, In the Hot Seat, a box set, as well as several DVDs and the subsequent tours. A one-off ELP performance at the 2010 High Voltage Festival celebrated the 40th anniversary of forming the band.
Following the 1998 break-up of ELP, Palmer worked with Asia's John Wetton in the band Qango, and subsequently toured with his 'Carl Palmer Band' featuring Paul Bielatowicz on guitar and Stuart Clayton on bass. In addition to these tours, he has released four "new" albums, most notably Working Live Vol. I & II as well as an anthology album.
In recent years, Palmer has performed a series of drum clinics across the UK, Europe and United States. Highlights of Palmer's live drum solo over the years have included the use of both gongs and tambourines, and also his ability to extract himself from his t-shirt while playing complex double bass drum patterns; the latter leaving him stripped to the waist to play the final part of his show. The removal of his shirt was a major attraction in Palmer's drum solos during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. On recent tours, however, his shirt has remained on throughout his performances. Palmer is a patron of the British 'Classic Rock Society', which promotes Progressive Rock concerts.
Palmer has been reunited with the original line-up of Asia since 2006. They celebrated their 25th anniversary, and have since released 2 new studio albums, Phoenix, in 2008, and Omega in 2010. A live album and DVD from the 2006 reunion tour, entitled Fantasia was released by Eagle Rock Records. Asia are currently finishing their next studio album entitled XXX.
In 2013 Palmer is on world tour, that includes shows in South and North America, and Europe. For example, he played in Montevideo, Uruguay, for the first time on April 7. The Palmer's tour band is a trio, with him on drums and percussion, guitarist Paul Bielatowicz and bassist Simon Fitzpatrick.
Wildest Dreams
Carl Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who fought the war behind the lines
They had forgotten all the soldiers
The brandy puts them way behind the times
Insanity has found its way to TV screens
Vision seems impossible to me
They fight for king and country
I never would have thought this in my
Wildest dreams, wildest dreams
Wildest dreams, wildest dreams
Evening comes, we sit and watch the features
Clips and rushes come from who knows where
From Washington across to California
The fighting breaking out in Leicester Square
We see the soldiers moving on to victory
And children trampled under marching feet
They fight for king and country
How many millions will they put to sleep?
Wildest dreams, wildest dreams
Wildest dreams, wildest dreams
Fly away
No, not in this world
No, not in the next
No, not in my wildest dreams
They recommended you to leisure
For non-conformers anywhere
Some men's dreams for others turn to nightmares
This never would have happened in their
Wildest dreams, wildest dreams
Wildest dreams, wildest dreams
Fly away
No, not in this world
No, not in the next
No, not in my wildest dreams
The song "Wildest Dreams" by Carl Palmer is a powerful commentary on war, its impact on soldiers and civilians, and the disconnection between those who fight and those who make decisions. The opening lines set the tone for the song, describing the way generals are celebrated for fighting wars from behind the lines, while soldiers are forgotten. The mention of brandy suggests that even those who do remember the soldiers are trying to forget the horrors of war. The following lines express a sense of helplessness, with the singer feeling that vision is impossible and insanity has found its way onto TV screens.
The second verse expands on the theme of war and its impact on civilians. The images on TV screens come from all over the world, from Washington to California, and depict fighting breaking out even in peaceful places like Leicester Square. The singer sees soldiers moving on to victory, but children are trampled underfoot. The final lines of the verse pose a chilling question: how many millions will be put to sleep by this war?
The chorus of the song, with its repetition of "Wildest dreams," suggests a disconnect between the reality of war and what people imagine it to be. The line "Fly away" could be interpreted as a desire to escape from the horrors of war, or as a recognition that the world described in the song is not one to be desired.
The final verse brings the song to a conclusion with a sense of resignation. The recommendation to leisure suggests that even those who are affected by war are encouraged to forget about it and move on with their lives. The line "This never would have happened in their wildest dreams" suggests that the reality of war is even worse than people could have imagined.
Line by Line Meaning
They decorated all the generals
The commanders who led the war from behind were hailed as heroes
Who fought the war behind the lines
These leaders were not involved in direct combat, but rather directed the war from behind the safety of the front lines
They had forgotten all the soldiers
The soldiers, who made great sacrifices on the front lines, were not given the same recognition as their commanders
The brandy puts them way behind the times
The powerful are out of touch with the struggles of the common people
Insanity has found its way to TV screens
The media has taken a sensationalist approach to violence and war, which is detrimental to society's mental health
Vision seems impossible to me
The singer cannot see a way out of this destructive cycle
They fight for king and country
Soldiers are motivated by loyalty to their country and monarch
I never would have thought this in my
The situation is beyond the artist's imagination
Evening comes, we sit and watch the features
People consume news and entertainment in the comforts of their homes
Clips and rushes come from who knows where
The reliable sources of information have become blurred
From Washington across to California
The news is ubiquitous across the country
The fighting breaking out in Leicester Square
Violence is also happening in seemingly safe and peaceful places
We see the soldiers moving on to victory
The media glorifies the war effort and portrays it as successful
And children trampled under marching feet
The true cost of war is ignored, including the innocent lives lost
How many millions will they put to sleep?
The singer questions the morality of the war and the high casualty rate
They recommended you to leisure
Those who resist conformity are encouraged to indulge in pleasure
For non-conformers anywhere
This mindset is prevalent throughout society
Some men's dreams for others turn to nightmares
The selfish desires of a few have devastating consequences for many
This never would have happened in their
The singer cannot comprehend how society has become so callous toward others
Fly away
The artist longs to escape from this bleak reality
No, not in this world
There is no hope for change in the current state of things
No, not in the next
The artist does not believe in an afterlife that would bring salvation
No, not in my wildest dreams
The situation is so dire that even the most fantastic scenarios cannot lead to a resolution
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: GEOFFREY DOWNES, JOHN WETTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ultimatestudios45
It's hard to believe that Carl is the only one still left on earth! Not one of the best drummers ever, IS THE BEST,
@jmvm31
howe and downes still alive too!
@leezee2894
I called ELP the 3 Wise Men
@dkwoodsy2082
Steve Howe and Geoff Downs are still with us. John Wetton passed in 2017.
@user-rc9rq2sp6h
3:17 @@jmvm31
@anthonyrupert4924
Greg Lake, one of my favorite rock vocalist of all time!!
@dsk333
wetton and greg lake both favorites of mine. there work with king crimson and lakes elp , wettons uk /asia awesome stuff
@U2WB
What a phenomenal group of masters these guys are / were. And Carl is my all-time favorite rock drummer. As a drummer I can’t begin to imagine the courage and confidence it takes to toss your sticks behind your back during a drum solo before a packed theater with thousands of people watching. I’ve never seen him drop a stick. And playing like a rocket engine. Amazing,
@dkwoodsy2082
I remember well when Asia was formed and that first album came out in ‘82. It was stunning. Wildest Dreams was quickly my favorite because of that drum solo. Carl Palmer is a consummate amazing drummer. Highly under-rated.
@cod239806
CARL PALMER ONE OF THE BEST DRUMMERS EVER!!!!!