Starting immediately after the cacophony that ends "21st Century Schizoid Man", the mood of this song is a stark contrast; it is relatively serene, simple and peaceful. Ian McDonald's flute begins the song, and is one of the lead instruments throughout. He also plays a classical-inspired solo in the middle of the song as a "C" section and a longer one at the end as a coda.
These themes would be revisited again by the band, notably on their second album, In the Wake of Poseidon. "Pictures of a City", with a similar mood as "21st Century Schizoid Man", would be followed by "Cadence And Cascade", another relatively calm song for the band.
A version of this song appears on the 1992 album Mind Fruit by the band Opus III.
The Shapir-O'Rama also cover this song on their 1988 debut El Mundo de Vapor y Valentia (Old Vienna).
The song was performed live in 1996 by Ian McDonald and later King Crimson member John Wetton with Steve Hackett on Hackett's Tokyo Tapes.
Another version of this song appears on the 2007 Jordan Rudess album The Road Home.
I Talk to the Wind
King Crimson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where have you been?
I've been here and I've been there and
I've been in between
I talk to the wind
My words are all carried away
I talk to the windThe wind does not hear
The wind cannot hear
I'm on the outside looking inside
What do I see?
Much confusion, disillusion
All around me
I talk to the wind
My words are all carried away
I talk to the wind
The wind does not hear
The wind cannot hear
You don't possess me
Don't impress me
Just upset my mind
You can't instruct me or conduct me
Just use up my time
Said the straight man to the late man
Where have you been?
I've been here and I've been there and
I've been in between
In King Crimson's "I Talk to the Wind," the vocalist finds himself on the outside looking in, observing the state of confusion and disillusion around him. A "straight man" asks a "late man" where he has been, and the answer is that he has been everywhere and nowhere at the same time. He speaks to the wind, but his words are carried away, unheard and unheeded. The wind does not hear or respond, leaving the singer feeling disconnected and unheard.
The repeated use of the phrase "I talk to the wind" is metaphorical, expressing feelings of isolation and frustration. The singer feels like his words are all carried away without being heard or understood. The wind is an embodiment of the intransigence of the forces that imbue his world, serving the function of an unfeeling and uncaring symbol of the world beyond his control. He is simply an observer, with no power over his surroundings.
Overall, "I Talk to the Wind" is a reflection on the depersonalization of modern society, where individuals are often left feeling voiceless and powerless to act. The song captures the sense of frustration and lack of control many feel in a world saturated with unresponsive, chaotic forces.
Line by Line Meaning
Said the straight man to the late man
The straight man is questioning the late man about his whereabouts.
Where have you been?
The straight man is asking the late man where he has been.
I've been here and I've been there and I've been in between
The late man responds to the straight man's question by saying he has been in various places.
I talk to the wind
The artist is saying that he talks to the wind.
My words are all carried away
The artist's words are not heard by anyone or have no effect.
The wind does not hear
The singer acknowledges that the wind is deaf to his words.
The wind cannot hear
The singer reiterates that the wind is not capable of hearing.
I'm on the outside looking inside
The artist is observing a situation from a detached viewpoint.
What do I see?
The artist is questioning what he is witnessing.
Much confusion, disillusion all around me
The artist is encountering a lot of chaos and disappointment in his surroundings.
You don't possess me
The singer is declaring his independence and the fact that he cannot be controlled by others.
Don't impress me
The artist is not easily swayed by others' opinions or actions.
Just upset my mind
The singer is bothered or agitated by something, but not influenced by it.
Can't instruct me or conduct me
The singer cannot be taught or led by others.
Just use up my time
The singer feels that his time is being wasted by others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Greg Lake, Ian McDonald, Michael Rex Giles, Peter John Sinfield, Robert Fripp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@corazondehojaldre9922
[Verse 1]
Said the straight man to the late man
"Where have you been?"
I've been here and I've been there
And I've been in between
[Chorus]
I talk to the wind
My words are all carried away
I talk to the wind
The wind does not hear, the wind cannot hear
[Verse 2]
I'm on the outside looking inside
What do I see?
Much confusion, disillusion
All around me
[Chorus]
I talk to the wind
My words are all carried away
I talk to the wind
The wind does not hear, the wind cannot hear
[Verse 3]
You don't possess me, don't impress me
Just upset my mind
Can't instruct me or conduct me
Just use up my time
[Chorus]
I talk to the wind
My words are all carried away
I talk to the wind
The wind does not hear, the wind cannot hear
[Instrumental Interlude]
[Chorus]
I talk to the wind
My words are all carried away
I talk to the wind
The wind does not hear, the wind cannot hear
[Verse 1]
Said the straight man to the late man
"Where have you been?"
I've been here and I've been there
And I've been in between
[Instrumental Outro]
@pchristianzenner904
Back in 1978, I caught my Mom listening to this on my headphones. She said she loved this. Miss her so much.
@progrockplaylists
i was born in 2003 and can't even imagine what great fun you had back then. can't imagine being born in the 40s like your mother either
@pchristianzenner904
@@progrockplaylists late '20s. Glad to hear you're into this stuff. Good music is timeless. To quote a lyric..."teach your children". And we all take the memories with us. ✌
@goofygoobah9395
Off topic but I miss the old days of when electronics and other stuff was in its early stages ;-;
@daniel0-01
@@pchristianzenner904 I'm glad to know there is another generation of king crimson fans
@andreasballe7470
@@pchristianzenner904 You're born in the late 20s??? You're almost a hundred years old?
@tulyar57
"Where have you been?"
"I've been here and...I've been there and...I've been inbetween"
I used Peter Sinfield's lyrics to a teacher when i was late for school almost fifty years ago. Sadly, he didn't understand the philosophical content and I got one hours detention instead.
@AdeneTzr
F
@Burt472
Sorry about that, bro...You tried....
@patsyparisi2620
👍🤣