They released only one album, The Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles and Fripp in 1968 by Deram Records.
In 2002 a second release came out, The Brondesbury Tapes, featuring various recordings throughout 1968, with the group augmented by Ian McDonald on saxophone and flute, and Judy Dyble on vocals.
Michael Giles, Fripp and McDonald went on to form the first King Crimson line-up, rounded out by bassist/vocalist Greg Lake and lyricist Peter Sinfield. Peter Giles would go on to appear on the second Crimson album In the Wake of Poseidon in 1970, and more recently joined with 21st Century Schizoid Band. Judy Dyble came from Fairport Convention and would go on to join Trader Horne.
The Crukster
Giles Giles & Fripp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With eyes cast in deep frown
Wheels of turbulence abound after sweet innocence
But no, not sweet innocence
Just a bright colour
A colour so purposefully painted
Yet will not cover the stain
There is no shelter
There is no shelter for eyes that see
Troubled, stumbling to be but condemned
For to realise and suffer
That is the penalty for you and me
No sound can open their eyes
Nor vision bring reality to gloom and darkness
But don't sit at ease
Though the day is cold
The searing gap may weld
And once again while dew is wet
A bright colour will cover that paint
'Til silence is set
And then once again you can hear hell's heat
The lyrics to Giles Giles & Fripp's song The Crukster describe the challenging reality of the world and the difficulty of finding true shelter or protection from its troubles. The opening lines acknowledge the doubt that can creep in when one looks at the chaos and turbulence of the world around them. The use of the word "wheels" creates a sense of constant motion and momentum, suggesting that there is no escaping the world's troubles. The reference to "sweet innocence" and the idea that it is not actually present hints at the loss of purity and goodness that can occur when confronted with the harsh realities of life.
Line by Line Meaning
You're ever in doubt about this world
If you constantly question the nature of the world and its workings
With eyes cast in deep frown
Your skeptical outlook is accompanied by a sorrowful expression
Wheels of turbulence abound after sweet innocence
After periods of blissful naivety, difficulties and chaos often follow
But no, not sweet innocence
But this isn't referring to sweetness or purity
Just a bright colour
Rather, it's just a surface-level appearance of brightness
A colour so purposefully painted
This facade is intentionally created
Yet will not cover the stain
But this pretense cannot hide underlying flaws
Nor stop the pounding rain
And cannot protect from the hardships of life
There is no shelter
There is no protection to be found
There is no shelter for eyes that see
Those who are aware of the world's harsh realities have no escape
Troubled, stumbling to be but condemned
Those who try to live meaningfully are often met with struggle and disappointment
For to realise and suffer
To understand the world and its hardships
That is the penalty for you and me
Is the price we must pay
No sound can open their eyes
There is no simple way to awaken to reality
Nor vision bring reality to gloom and darkness
Even when someone sees clearly, they cannot change the bleak nature of things
But don't sit at ease
Despite this, don't become complacent
Though the day is cold
Even when things seem bleak
The searing gap may weld
A deep wound may eventually heal and close
And once again while dew is wet
When newness and freshness is around
A bright colour will cover that paint
A new covering of superficial brightness will conceal deeper problems
'Til silence is set
Until everything becomes quiet
And then once again you can hear hell's heat
Once this happens, one finds themselves experiencing the world's many horrors once again
Contributed by Sarah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@foggyshades8338
This track legit makes me cry when I think about it too much.
@user-fu1xr3sj6z
Great albom!
@Sara13R
Somehow the voice at 1:18 sounds like James LaBrie in Dream Theater's "Scene Nine: Finally Free"... What were the odds!
@cameodamaneo
I can hear exactly what you mean, but the hypnotherapist wasn't played by James LaBrie.