5-17-08 King Crimson – In the Court of the Crimson King

Believe it or not, I never heard King Crimon’s In the Court of the Crimson King until I saw Children of Men. It’s a shame, too, cos I like it. (And don’t go reminding me about how I’m supposed to hate overproduced prog rock. I never said I was consistent, just opinionated).

Anyway, Crimson King came out in 1969 on 21st Century Schizoid Man, one of the first, if not the first, progressive rock albums ever. It really presaged the rock opera sound that dominated much of the coming decade. (Don’t believe me? Ask these guys) Beyond that, there’s not much I can think of to say about this song, except that it’s very beautiful.

Since the lyrics are kind of important for songs like this, well, here they are.

Courtesy of Chlipala, who for some reason set Crimson King to an Atlantis slide show.