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.)
The Power to Believe
King Crimson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She washes over me
She saved my life in a manner of speaking
When she gave me back the power to believe
The lyrics of the song "The Power to Believe" by King Crimson are powerful and deeply emotional. The first two lines of the lyrics refer to a person or entity that carries the singer through days of apathy and watches over him. This could be a reference to a loved one, a higher power, or even the singer's own inner strength.
The second stanza of the lyrics mentions how "she" saved the singer's life by giving him back the power to believe. This could be interpreted in several different ways, but it likely refers to a moment of crisis or doubt where the singer was saved by his belief in something greater than himself.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Power to Believe" convey a message of resilience and the power of belief in overcoming difficult times. It's a poignant and inspiring message that speaks to the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
She carries me through days of apathy,
She provides the support and motivation to keep going during times of disinterest and lack of enthusiasm.
She watches over me.
She acts as a protector and guardian, looking out for one's well-being.
She saved my life, in a manner of speaking,
Her influence had a profound impact on one's existence, potentially preventing harm or danger - figuratively speaking.
When she gave me back
Her actions restored what was previously lost or taken away.
The power to believe.
The ability to maintain faith in oneself, one's beliefs, or one's purpose that had been lost or diminished.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adrian Belew, Pat Mastelotto, Robert Fripp, Trey Gunn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joseph Arruda
This whole album seems criminally underappreciated.
Bruce Kives
You might be right. After THRAK and Light, I stopped caring about KC, but this was nice. I think I need to live the Power To Believe another shot.
RbOlUeGuE
I love how this album alternates between heavy music like Level V or Fact of Life, and more soothing music like this one
Arek Hautaluoma
It's great for a walk in the dead of night ;)
Monger
@Arek Hautaluoma Is that a U.K. Reference?!
Arek Hautaluoma
@Monger Sincerely it wasn't, but that is freaking awesome.
iz
haha i am gonna listen it, and profound reference arek ^^
stephen ellis
I remember when this Album was first released. It was so low key. 🤔
J B KING, Esq
What a simple but outstandingly beautiful melodic solo after 6:10. So strongly raises the musical line without distorting it.
Jake J
Yes. Tremendous. Is that Fripp do you know?