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 II
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 "Power To Believe" by King Crimson focus on the power of belief and how it can change a person's life. The singer speaks of an unnamed woman who has a profound effect on him. She carries him through days of apathy, meaning that she supports him during times when he feels unmotivated or uninspired. She washes over him, implying that her presence is soothing and comforting. Finally, she saved his life in a manner of speaking, but it's not entirely clear what this means. Perhaps she provided him with the emotional support he needed to overcome a difficult period or gave him hope for the future. The line "she gave me back the power to believe" suggests that the singer had lost faith in himself, and this woman helped him regain it.
Overall, the song reflects King Crimson's interest in exploring complex themes related to human consciousness and personal transformation. The focus on renewal and inner strength is evident in the way the lyrics emphasize the power of belief, which can often be a difficult thing to maintain in a world that can seem hostile or indifferent. By emphasizing the importance of support from others, the song suggests that we can all find the power we need to face life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
She carries me through days of apathy
She (possibly a metaphorical representation of music or a person) helps me navigate and live through uninterested and disengaged days.
She washes over me
She comes in like a wave and completely immerses and refreshes me.
She saved my life in a manner of speaking
She rescued me from a difficult situation, though not necessarily literal death, through her influence.
When she gave me back the power to believe
When she inspired me to believe in myself and my potential once again, she returned a sense of strength and agency to my life.
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?