Founded by Robert Fripp, Michael Giles, Greg Lake, Ian McDonald and lyricist Peter Sinfield, the band initially focused on a dramatic sound layered with Mellotron, McDonald's saxophone and flute, and Lake's powerful lead vocals. Their debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King (1969), remains their most commercially successful and influential release, with a potent mixture of jazz, classical and experimental music. Following the sudden simultaneous departures of McDonald and Giles, with Lake also leaving very shortly afterwards, Fripp and Sinfield assumed direction of the group for In the Wake of Poseidon (1970), Lizard (1970), and Islands (1971) with Mel Collins, Boz Burrell and Ian Wallace among the band members during this period. In 1972, Fripp changed the group's instrumentation and approach, drawing from European free improvisation, and developing ever more complex compositions. With Bill Bruford, John Wetton, David Cross and briefly, Jamie Muir, they reached what some saw as a creative peak on Larks' Tongues in Aspic (1973), Starless and Bible Black (1974), and Red (1974). Fripp disbanded this group in 1974.
In 1981, Fripp and Bruford reformed King Crimson with another change in musical direction. The new group also included Adrian Belew and Tony Levin. They drew influence from African music, gamelan, post-punk and New York minimalism. This group lasted three years, resulting in the trio of albums Discipline (1981), Beat (1982) and Three of a Perfect Pair (1984). Following a decade-long hiatus, Fripp revived the group as a sextet he called the "double trio" in 1994 adding Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn. This group participated in another three-year cycle of activity that included the release of Thrak (1995), and multiple concert recordings. There was a hiatus between 1997 to 2000. Four members of the previous sextet reunited in 2000 as a more industrial-oriented King Crimson, called the "double duo", releasing The Construkction of Light (2000) and The Power to Believe (2003). After a five year hiatus, the group expanded (in the person of new second drummer Gavin Harrison) for a 2008 tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of their 1968 formation.
Following another hiatus (2009–2012), during which Fripp was thought to be retired, King Crimson came together again in 2013; this time as a septet (and, later, octet) with an unusual three-drumkit frontline, and new second guitarist and singer Jakko Jakszyk. This version of King Crimson continued to tour from 2014 to 2021, and released multiple live albums, rearranging and reinterpreting music from across the band's entire 50-year career for the first time.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KingCrimson
Studio albums
In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)
In the Wake of Poseidon (1970)
Lizard (1970)
Islands (1971)
Larks' Tongues in Aspic (1973)
Starless and Bible Black (1974)
Red (1974)
Discipline (1981)
Beat (1982)
Three of a Perfect Pair (1984)
Thrak (1995)
The Construkction of Light (2000)
The Power to Believe (2003)
(NOTE: Album covers, band images and YouTube links are not available due to certain legal restrictions imposed on Last.fm by King Crimson's management.)
Exiles
King Crimson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Strange, that the palms of my hands
Should be damp with expectancy
Spring, and the air's turning mild
City lights, and the glimpse of a child
Of the alleyway infantry
Rain, and the gathering green
Of an afternoon out-of-town
But Lord I had to go
My trail was laid too slow behind me
To face the call of fame
Or make a drunkard's name for me
Though now this better life
Has brought a different understanding
And through these endless days
Shall come a broader sympathy
And though I count the hours
To be alone's no injury
My home, was a place near the sand
Cliffs, and a military band
Blew and air of normality
ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
ooh, ooh
aah aah
The lyrics of "Exiles" by King Crimson describe the feeling of being far away from home and experiencing a mixture of emotions upon arrival. The opening lines set the stage for the rest of the song, with the singer acknowledging that they are in a "faraway land" and feeling a sense of nervous anticipation as they explore their surroundings. The second verse adds to this feeling of newness and discovery as the singer takes in the sights and sounds of the city, including the "city lights" and the "glimpse of a child."
The third verse explores the idea of friendship and how it can be difficult to communicate your true feelings to others. The line "friends, do they know what I mean" suggests a sense of disconnect, as the singer feels like they are on a different wavelength than their companions. Meanwhile, the fourth verse talks about the freedom and excitement of being on your own and chasing your dreams, even if it means leaving behind the safety and familiarity of home.
The repetition of "ooh" and "aah" at the end of the song serves to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion, as the melody and instrumentation convey a sense of longing and yearning.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, in this faraway land
Despite being in a new and distant place,
Strange, that the palms of my hands
I find it odd that my hands are sweaty
Should be damp with expectancy
due to my anticipation of what the future may hold for me here.
Spring, and the air's turning mild
As the season changes to spring, the weather is becoming more moderate.
City lights, and the glimpse of a child
The lights of the city and catching sight of a small child
Of the alleyway infantry
who are playing in the backstreets
Friends, do they know what I mean
Do my companions understand what I am trying to convey?
Rain, and the gathering green
It is raining and the colors of the greenery are becoming more vibrant.
Of an afternoon out-of-town
It is an afternoon outside of the town.
But Lord I had to go
However, reluctantly, I had to leave
My trail was laid too slow behind me
I felt like my past was hindering my progress
To face the call of fame
To answer the demand for notoriety
Or make a drunkard's name for me
Or resorting to a life of drunkenness for notoriety.
Though now this better life
Despite this, my new life is much improved
Has brought a different understanding
What I have learned is that life can be approached from different perspectives.
And through these endless days
But even though the days seem to stretch on interminably
Shall come a broader sympathy
I will gain a more profound sense of empathy for all those around me.
And though I count the hours
While I may be counting the hours
To be alone's no injury
I realize that there is no harm in having solitude.
My home, was a place near the sand
Where I used to reside was near the seashore
Cliffs, and a military band
There were cliffs and a military band.
Blew and air of normality
The band played tunes that were standard and familiar.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID FRANCIS CROSS, JAMES RICHARD WILLIAM PALMER, JAMIE MUIR, JOHN KENNETH WETTON, RICHARD WILLIAM PALMER JAMES, ROBERT FRIPP, WILLIAM SCOTT BRUFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maple Storms
Now, in this faraway land
Strange, that the palms of my hands
Should be damp with expectancy
Spring, and the air's turning mild
City lights, and the glimpse of a child
Of the alleyway infantry
Friends, do they know what I mean
Rain, and the gathering green
Of an afternoon out-of-town
But Lord I had to go
My trail was laid too slow behind me
To face the call of fame
Or make a drunkard's name for me
Though now this better life
Has brought a different understanding
And through these endless days
Shall come a broader sympathy
And though I count the hours
To be alone's no injury
My home, was a place near the sand
Cliffs, and a military band
Blew and air of normality
ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
ooh, ooh
aah aah
Rick D.
[Verse 1]
Now in this faraway land
Strange that the palms of my hands
Should be damp with expectancy
[Instrumental]
[Verse 2]
Spring, and the air's turning mild
City lights and the glimpse of a child
Of the alleyway infantry
[Verse 3]
Friends – do they know what I mean?
Rain and the gathering green
Of an afternoon out of town
[Bridge]
But Lord I had to go
The trail was laid too slow behind me
To face the call of fame
Or make a drunkard's name for me
Though now this better life
Has brought a different understanding
And through these endless days
Shall come a broader sympathy
And though I count the hours
To be alone's no injury
[Verse 4]
My home was a place by the sand
Cliffs and a military band
Blew an air of normality
John Sweetman
I'm 49 and have just discovered King Crimson. I feel like a teenager again, waiting on my favourite group's next album, except, now they are already available for me to purchase!! Working my way through the sublime 40th Anniversary CDs.
Craig Colbert
These gifted musicians started something more magnificent than words could ever describe. Enjoy the splendor that is the music of King Crimson.
Expanding Knowledge
This particular King Crimson album holds a special place in my heart. I purchased this the year it was released and have memorized all the lyrics. I am now sixty four, and remember how enchanted I was by these musicians, and still am. CRIMSO, will endure till the end of time..my time at least. I made a tapestry of this album cover, and gave it to my niece. I also made a relief cutting in linoleum of the 21st century schizoid man, in all the correct colors. I am a synthesist, and this music help shape my perspective on my craft, as a musician. Peace to you my friend. 🌖 Expanding Knowledge ∆
Christopher Heinig
How did you discover them ? First listened to The Court... on the radio in Spain especially Moonchild so got the album then more !
Daffa Rabbani
I'm just 18 and have just discovered this band. I first saw it on a Japanese cartoon (anime) where they named the characters from popular bands. To be honest I'm not that easily inclined to rock music but King Crimson has that charm that makes it too addictive to not be listened to.
Wide000
I am 58 and first listened to King Crimson as a very young teenager. Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, ELP, Jethro Tull, Van der Graaf Generator, etc. It all started at around 10 years old because my friend's brother, who was a few year older than us, was actively buying prog albums and let us listen them when he was out. :)
jdmresearch
The solo at 6:10 is perhaps Fripp's most melodic, restrained ever. Few but sustained notes. Just beautiful.
Daniel Vesga
I totally agree. That tone is imposible to recreate. It's unique
stone8man
Its my favorite ever guitarsolo, with persephone wishbone ash and comfortably numb pink floyd
jdmresearch
@stone8man Good choices. I love C numb's solo but the first more than the second.... for the same reason. More melodic, fewer notes.