King Crimson - Starless

[@SimMaster]

You know the night is over when you're listening to Starless

[@fedelamort5107]

Too accurate

[@Thatoneceiling27-uv1vh]

realest person ever

[@childrenofminervaofficial4316]

Truer words were never spoken

[@jdcp8976]

The last stage of the life cycle

[@etherealnico]

for real this could be the best song in the history of music

[@kanyuphilmahar]

I'm glad I'm not the only one to think this

[@arytecht]

up there with weird fishes by radiohead and when you sleep by my bloody valentine

[@BarbarraBay]

most childish music. sounds like when i play guitar. rubbish

[@SG_____]

"In the history of music" bit of a stretch dont you think

[@jgraf811]

@@SG_____ hell no. theres nothing better than this in the history of music.

[@InvisibleMan95]

One of the best tracks in the history of music.

[@RowdyYates]

And almost "none" have heard it.

[@vitaminag9986]

Agree!!!!

[@cousinlaszlorobinson8253]

The best track in the history of music.

[@fx93250]

@@RowdyYates They should use it in that "Stranger Things" show. That would solve the problem and it would get to the top of the charts!! Still, the first 4 minutes of the song are used in the opening sequence of a movie that people seem to either love or hate, "Mandy" (2018) by Panos Cosmatos.

[@EchoHD]

@@fx93250 really that’s why it’s recognized it that movie was awesome I really wish more movies went out of there way to be different now that’s why I love movies like a clock work orange,they live and so on

[@michaloliwer]

My life would be starless without this song

[@Progorama]

Say hi to your wife from me

[@alexanderzolotar4645]

Perfectly put Michael!!!

[@cirocampos9953]

@@Progorama hi

[@juankgonzalez6230]

Just checking in to see if it's still one of the best songs ever. Yup. Still is

[@bradgaffney9855]

Yes, timeless.

[@massive_nine]

came back for the same reason, still the best

[@MrBorest]

"Like not looking at it for a whole day And then.. Looking at it To see if I still liked it I did"

[@tenzinsmith]

My favorite song, probably. There is nothing as hauntingly beautiful and intense as this for me. I see it as an aural representation of King Crimson tearing apart their classic sound after giving one final performance- and they just happen to make it their best ever. Vocals and mellotron to rival Epitaph, Fripp’s signature guitar, Bruford’s masterful percussion, and a crescendo that beats out even The Talking Drum for me. The definition of the word “masterpiece”. This is where Crimson firmly cemented their roles as musical legends.

[@fredlazaroski2968]

Gotta agree!!

[@ild4099]

It's very sad to me seeing how much potential they had, but they still wasted their talent on some nonsensical avant-garde music. I like it when a song is a bit avant-garde, but not if there is a shit ton of dissonance, and the song doesn't make musical sense. When I look at Epitaph, In The Wake Of Poseidon, and this song, I think that if they made more songs in that style they would be regarded one of the best bands of the 20th century. But instead we got some tunes that don't follow a certain scale, weird song structures, weird time signature etc... I guess they were forced to make these songs because the band would fail commercially and they wouldn't get recognition.

[@tenzinsmith]

@@ild4099 Idk, I can find something to appreciate with most of their material. I think you should check out Discipline if you haven’t already. It’s the perfect combination of avant-garde with fun, catchy pop sensibilities.

[@paulahunt5621]

True, but I also find LTIA PT. 2 a fitting end to a masterpiece album. Admittedly, I vacillate between LTIA and Red as being my favorite depending upon the day of the week. It is kind of like asking a parent which of his/her children are their favorite? LOL

[@gusdoes897]

Song makes me cry

[@AlejandroDoce]

Recently started getting more and more interested in King Crimson's discography, and I think I've found one of my favorite bands of all time.

[@hopefullyexisting1531]

good time to start considering they've actually uploaded their discography somewhere now

[@seremes]

That's the good part with jojo, it introduces you to the most legendary music. Araki is undoubtedly a legend.

[@AlejandroDoce]

@@seremes Definitely. I used to listen to "Roundabout" a lot, and so I decided to check more of Yes' stuff, and now it's one of my favorite bands

[@raduserbansasa6504]

Jojo fan like me loving "Roundabout" And "King Crimson" and btw try AC/DC Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap or

[@ricardooliva8916]

@@raduserbansasa6504 AC/DC is great too ❤️

[@zsatsfm]

One of the best finales in rock, when Wetton's crunching bass joins the mellotron at 11:24, it can't help but send shivers down the spine of any mortal.

[@cesarincamendozaloyola4407]

There was also a duo of a cellist and a contrabassist hired for the finale.

[@scotthendricks7513]

I completely agree with this whole entire statement it sounds like I wrote it myself the song always got me in the ending and that last final moments of this song is this insanely excellent very intense

[@d3athr0ck3r]

My lungs and stomach tighten up from the pure intensity of this glorious finale

[@kittiederisse6508]

I know this is amazing

[@bigmistqke]

best outro ever

[@liipeurameshi9179]

STARLESS AND... BIBLE BLAAAAAAAAAAAACK

[@azuldemetileno_7]

Well done ;)

[@aakkoin]

If you're drunk it's: STAAAALESÄÄÄÄND... BIBLE BLACK

[@glizzymcguire1042]

favorite part: the ending bit when the saxophone brings the main theme back and the drums smack back in for the hard rock finale. as if theyre announcing this is final

[@cafectio]

really the best way to end this song

[@glizzymcguire1042]

@@cafectio COMPLETELY agree

[@levanabrzeni]

It’s like a human’s path of life, with it’s all hardnesses, ups and downs and with final light at the end

[@johnbeekman1396]

11:38 Wetton's massive bass sound against those Mellotron chords here always kills me.

[@dashingeduardosuarez]

Every fcking time

[@Pablo-gg9rt]

Jesús christ that moment was like the epithome of rock

[@GuyWhoLikesTheSnarkies1435]

The middle 13/4 section is such a sinister moment in Crimson's music, yet there's something oddly satisfying listening to Whetton's increasingly loud and brooding bassline, Bruford's manic drum/percussion interplay, and Fripp's guitar gradually "descent" into madness. I don't think words can perfectly describe this masterpiece of music, seriously..

[@davidg.8031]

I always read it as more a descent into desperation. As the song was coming to a close, the playing became more and more frantic, trying to get as much out of the song before it's over. Because this was it. The curtain call for King Crimson. The entire instrumental section feels to me like a band that doesn't want the song to end.

[@markc6557]

there are no words to describe it.... it is just perfectly beautiful....

[@mpg8314]

it doesn't even feel like it lasts for almost 5 minutes

[@hatujemeletsplayeryheskyce6460]

It's 13/8

[@cesarincamendozaloyola4407]

Indeed, and Bruford wrote it.

[@AncroAnnaki]

It's that point at 11:18 where the song goes from fantastic to one of the best songs ever made, literally perfection.

[@mikedocemrick9497]

Genuinely wouldn’t mind if this part had lasted another 5 minutes. I feel like that minute is one of the best displays of contemporary music (in relative terms) ever. The whole song is!

[@MrKennethkeen]

11:18 That is the point. Ecstacy like velvet against the back of your hand. The tips of the back of your fingers, smooth dark saturated deep blue 🔵

[@davidg.8031]

The perfect swansong to a band that would never be the same.

[@paulahunt5621]

My teenaged self at the time viewed Starless as KC’s last message to us before the void and the void was VAST. When KC returned 7 years later (originally called Discipline upon their re-entry if I remember correctly) it was if they had been absent for 700 years and not just 7. I recognized nothing from their previous existence. It took me years to come to terms with the 80’s KC. In hindsight I can now see it as a progression of what was. I still say Starless is beauty, pathos and timeless all rolled into one.

[@CrimsonTemplar666]

When was KC ever "the same"? There were periods of slightly similar records for a while, but even this record has hardly anything to do with the Greg Lake era.

[@paulahunt5621]

@@CrimsonTemplar666 LTIA, SABB and Red were essentially the same KC (minus David Cross and Jamie Muir on Red) but easily identifiable as KC. Discipline sounded nothing like anything that had come before, like comparing a Porsche to a Stone Age wheel.

[@shadez123]

IT'S ALL TALK

[@Jaguar_E-Type]

This was their last good album.

[@kylejohnson7735]

This is not a song, it's an experience

[@Electric412]

Gold Experience!

[@luismigueldavila7172]

@@Electric412 JoJO Prince 😁

[@saltedbutter1158]

An otherworldly experience

[@aakkoin]

welp, a nightmare is also an experience... the mid-section sounds like a nightmare.

[@queennai6471]

​@@aakkoinperhaps a red one?

[@criminal8768]

11:37 is pure eargasm, perfection even

[@saskiaviking9447]

STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK 🗣🗣🗣 ‼‼‼

[@gastonortiz9569]

Probably the best prog rock song ever. That feeling of catharsis at the end is unmatched and I think I've never heard something as astonishing as this. Dogs or the Battlefield section of Tarkus are close contenders, but the build up and the finale of this one are just superb. I love it more and more with every listen.

[@joaquinlezcano2372]

I think the Yessongs version of Starship trooper or The Musical Box are good contenders as well

[@cytrynka1975]

For me the best song ever.

[@johnscoone9310]

My pick for best prog rock song is Awaken by Yes. Supper's Ready by Genesis probably second, then maybe Gates of Delirium, also by Yes. So many though. I'm just discovering this one. Jon Anderson and John Wetton were the best vocalists I've ever heard.

[@elephantman2112]

For me, the two best prog tracks are Starless and Supper's Ready.

[@extrullorgd4444]

Along with Close to the Edge, And you and I, Starship trooper, Heart of the Sunrise, Supper's Ready, SOYCD...

[@carlosenriquetrejo]

I'm leaving this comment here and when someone likes it, I will listen to this masterpiece again and again.

[@elfandetodo6787]

"Red" está por cumplir 50 años de su lanzamiento

[@kamilziemian995]

Happy listening. 😀

[@TimothyTCB]

listen to it again ;)

[@TheUglydandy]

Go on, you likeshoarder!

[@drsipp407]

Listen to it right now

[@quintessence2183]

One of, if not the greatest songs ever created. It shocks me that this masterpiece was created by humans, and not by angels.

[@klausscharlipp6501]

Robert Fripp is an alien

[@firebrand4074]

@@klausscharlipp6501 wouldn’t surprise me he stares like he can see the future

[@klausscharlipp6501]

@@firebrand4074 Maynard James Keenan can. Listen to the Album fear inoculum 2019. Predicted 2020

[@klausscharlipp6501]

@@firebrand4074 definately Robert Fripp is in a higher state of mind than 99.8% of us Monkeys

[@horriblepizza4647]

The members of King Crimson are aasimar by default.

[@josedealbuquerquejr.941]

RIP John Wetton 🙏🏻 He wrote the fantastic melody of this music

[@Christian-97]

I think either David or Robert wrote the first half with the Mellotron and Bill did the entire second half.

[@josedealbuquerquejr.941]

@@Christian-97 5:19 he explains everything kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5nGoKl8fLuKapY

[@Jalt3001]

@@Christian-97 nope, wetton wrote the first half, that bass section in the middle is bruford

[@Christian-97]

@@Jalt3001 the more you know huh

[@joaquinlezcano2372]

​@@Christian-97in fact, when he wrote the first half it was ditched by Fripp and Bruford.

[@dimitrisanagnostou9640]

Why Fripp is not mentioned among the greatest guitarists of all time is beyond me.

[@XoanOrdonezIbarra]

Un xenio discreto.😎👍❤️❤️❤️

[@roberttarrh3969]

Fripp is As Fripp is. And, has songs so good that even he can't play them. (anymore)

[@sohamsinharay7062]

As far as King Crimson songs go, it can't get better than this!

[@guidomotshagen7541]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJmue5qnrbN3epo (Live)

[@sohamsinharay7062]

Love that. But I somehow like the studio version more. Both are amazing in their own ways.

[@robertdarby1039]

As far as any band goes, it can't get better than this.

[@Mythriak_]

And, boy, they go far!

[@villain68]

This is way at the top of my favorites!! Long live the King!!

[@matthewfinger2381]

The intro was written by John Wetton and originally meant to be the title track for Starless and Bible Black, but Fripp and Bruford didn't like it so they replaced it with a different piece. Imagine if they scrapped it entirely instead of bringing it back for this album.

[@iain2080]

I always wondered why the lyric showed up here and not on that album. Similar to Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin not being on the album of that name. Glad both tracks survived tho. Goes without saying this is in a different league lol.

[@paulahunt5621]

That is a chilling thought to consider if Starless never made it to vinyl and to our ears. I wonder how different the recorded version is from what Fripp and Bruford originally vetoed?

[@Almamater25]

Yes, very true. John said that in an interview in the 80s, being still in UK if I remember well. It's in KZbin.

[@enricocavallo4386]

@@paulahunt5621 , I may be wrong but I believe Wetton's original song was just the first 4 minutes with vocals.

[@skan5728]

@@iain2080 or like the Sheer Heart Attack song by Queen is not on the homonymous album

[@nojons_]

starless more like flawless

[@paco3747]

The King Crimson Masterpiece. The best song of the album and my favorite of all the progressive.

[@주훈김-k1h]

And of jazz rock.

[@XoanOrdonezIbarra]

Todo o álbum e alucinante.😎👍❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@lambda1488]

Recently had an overnight flight. I was listening to this album and looking out the illuminator. The red lights flickered in tempo, and the sky was starless and bible black, just like the title. One of the most exciting experiences of my life.

[@QueenJosu]

God himself was put into a juicer and synthesized into the final minute of this track. You can't tell me Wetton and Fripp didn't channel some kind of holy spirit making that masterpiece of music.

[@ulq60]

11:18 the best thing recorded in the history of music

[@TheRealZPectrum]

Magnificent

[@Hoboshack2121]

I agree deathconsciousness

[@claudejustamond5533]

Simplemente no puedo expresar en palabras lo que es esta canción. Iba a hablar en inglés pero se me hace imposible. Esto es algo que tengo que describir en mi lenguaje. Esta canción tiene todo lo que puedo pedir de la música. En cierta forma, me gusta que no sea tan conocida, por que realmente se siente haber encontrado un tesoro, una joya, un milagro musical. Robert Fripp, te admiro muchísimo y siempre lo haré.

[@ricardooliva8916]

Exactamente lo mismo pienso cuando veo que las reproducciones y vistas para King Crimson son relativamente pocas, es un verdadero deleite y un tesoro descubrirlos y apreciarlos como nosotros, vaya que somos privilegiados

[@aturdidoo]

​@@ricardooliva8916 pero si el otro audio de starless tiene casi 7 millones de reproducciones xd

[@Eldelbigote]

@@aturdidoo 6 millones de esas son mías

[@ozzyousbourne8102]

@@ricardooliva8916 realmente a mi me frustra me gustaría que todos pudieran escuchar esta cancion de principio a fin.

[@klausvangyann4466]

​@@ozzyousbourne8102 King Crimson no es para las masas.

[@crimsonqueen_]

Tears come out when I listen to this song .

[@gusdoes897]

Same, makes me cry often.

[@crimsonqueen_]

@@gusdoes897 yes yes ；)

[@AlejandroDoce]

Nice username; "Crimson Queen"

[@crimsonqueen_]

@@AlejandroDoce Thanks JOJO ! But I google it now, I found x-rated comics..

[@belych]

Да, каждый раз, факт ❤

[@martinelias3301]

I absolutely love this song, I want it played at my funeral.

[@caucindro]

Me too

[@rondegroot1508]

Bad news! After hearing Starless you become immortal.

[@dbf2678]

I'm a lucky man. I saw them live in '74 in Atlanta.

[@tensei9612]

The best song of all time and the best album in the history of music.

[@fumitaka2220]

私は中学校の時に、たまたまFMラジオの渋谷陽一の番組を聞いていたら、キングクリムゾンの「レッド」が流れてきて、その楽曲にとても感動しました。 私は現在６２歳ですが、今でもこの音楽が今までの私の聞いて来た音楽のナンバーワンだと思っています。

[@snoopy7564]

FM NHKのヤング　ジョッキーですか？

[@RealestShaggyRogers]

Starless has so much finality to it man, it really marks the end of a period of king crimson

[@AP-sd1fl]

Starless was the real epitaph of King Crimson.

[@ChristopheDony-d8h]

no, they did lot of wonderfull stuff after this one, just different

[@tpedro0584]

That ending is bone chilling. What a performance, Wetton really killed it with that bass!

[@tommyrawlings3046]

I played this one time in my basement pretty loud My mother was upstairs cooking, she pretty much liked basic popular stuff from the forties and fifties, but when this song ended, she exclaimed "that was awesome!"

[@matheussantiago333]

11:18 always makes me cry

[@ifSome]

Bass line at the end is awesome. It blows my mind.

[@thatmckenzie]

My dad hated this song. He thought it was prententious bullshit. He never understood why I loved this stuff, even though he started it all by having a freaking big vinyl copy of Emerson, Lake, & Palmer's Tarkus on the shelf. I think he must've gotten it accidentally from Columbia House or something. Song starts pretty normally. About the time a normal radio tune would end, it starts doing... something else. There're only a few sparse sounds, but they're layered, all in different times, playing different lines. Tension builds. All the different lines keep coming in and out of synch because they're all built from each other, each having different pieces nipped away. No. They aren't built from each other by subtracting one thing or another like a synth would do to generate a tone. They're ALL built around an intangibile, ineffable Platonic ideal out there in the unexperienced universe and each of the smaller pieces we're feeling is only a limited, mortal glimpse of the REAL thing. We're guessing at what the outside world is like by staring at shadows cast on the walls. Tension builds. Moments of cacophony. Seems like random noise, but your ear keeps catching *something* every so often, like that little chirp of happiness inside your brain when you were younger, scanning the AM band, and a voice pops in out of nowhere, from the static, and fades back into the noise before you can stop the dial. Then, after seven minutes of building uncertainty, we get sinister, nameless terror. The metal soundtrack to Pandemonium. And at eight and a half minutes we sublimate all that stygian horror into this absolutely sexual jazz groove that just feels DIRTY, but the GOOD kind of dirty, you know? And that groove calls back to the original, normal-radio-music theme, only changed in a way that makes it poke fun at you for having enjoyed that vapid, commercial shit... And then, at ten minutes, the song just divebombs off a cliff and becomes something that the very best musicians in the world, playing at the very tops of their games, can only keep up with for a few moments before they have to fall away. And we're left back where we started, only we're not the same person that began the journey. We've Bilbo Bagginsed that shit and we are forced to realize that we can never come home again. No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river and he is not the same man. It isn't pretentious because there's no pretense. It's a sermon. A philosophy course. An advanced degree in get-the-fuck-over-yourself. That's probably why dad hated it. Or maybe he just smoked so much he couldn't pay attention for that long. Who knows. I miss him.

[@johnwhatsittoya6374]

That was awesome! This is the reason I love reading youTube comments some times. It’s not one of my guilty little pleasures, after all!

[@monger6689]

Fucking real

[@tommyrawlings3046]

Your dad was soooo cool! Alas he missed the boat on this one! ELP , absolutely awesome musicians but weak composers, could never come close to composing masterpieces like this!

[@andrewoverhere8525]

This is my favorite review in the comment section

[@gourmetwendys4805]

Your writing reminds me of that of Mark Z. Danielewski. Specifically that of Johnny Truants character in house of leaves. Amazing writing style.

[@johntomlinson04]

i think the best compliment king crimson can receive, aside from the astonishing musicianship, is that they make a 12-minute song feel like 5 minutes. how do they do it-

[@robertmac9057]

If someone says they don't like prog play them this. It's got everything, the epic length, the beauty, the pomposity and grandeur, the emotion, the instrumental power and ferocity. If they still don't like prog there's no hope for them.

[@ok-iy6pw]

This is not a beginner song.. You still gotta get through some Court Of The Crimson King songs to get hooked. Playing this cold to people doesn't work well.

[@Acalmujannahmalaysia]

Court of the Crimson King is better door to introduce prog rock

[@absurdcheesecake]

@@Acalmujannahmalaysia In the Court of the Crimson King is still a harder listen. If you want a real introduction to prog rock, I’d say Yes and Pink Floyd are your best options.

[@jacksong6226]

@@absurdcheesecakeeven supertramp and ELO would make fine introductions

[@NatureLover-cc2hf]

Combine jazz, classical and psychedelic and you get a masterpiece like this

[@serhator2852]

If Universe was a song, this song would be it. Dark, chaotic and very intense…

[@lynbrowne931]

Order and Chaos

[@Amro_spective]

Greatest progg track . Period . Love from 🇮🇳

[@frippster]

you don't have to say that every time, you know!

[@zogames8659]

0:21 is the most melancholy riff, never fails to give me chills

[@laslalal8451]

John Wetton had a fucking amazing bass tone

[@TheRealZPectrum]

100% agree

[@joey6280]

1974-75, the King Crimson got disbanded right at the peak of their popularity, a ballsy decision which paid off. Prog rock had just reached its zenith and it was the right time to move on. Rock reached its perfection in 1974 and Sir Fripp grasped that. He is such a smart artist. Other mortals would continue to write prog rock music maybe without getting that the heyday of prog rock had gone after 1974. Call me crazy but for example the Genesis declined right after the album 'and the lamb lies down on Broadway', if only they had split up in 1974-1975, it would have been better. And then Robert Fripp came back in the 80s with a great style and he still continues to surprise us with his talent. Thank you Mr Fripp.

[@fedelamort5107]

11:18 It was, it is and it always will be my favorite moment in the history of music. Of everything I have heard this reprise/comeback it's the one that makes me feel more. A perfect close to a perfect song.

[@ivanvillegas4761]

The end of an era, and one of their greatest and representarive song. One of a kind masterpiece, blooming beauty inside the disgrace. Too much to say, timeless art.

[@groobly6070]

The last two minutes are pure and utter perfection. No other finale gets me so hyped

[@Obscured1972]

10:22 brings a tear to my eye

[@bruhman19]

Best build up

[@koboldengineering7687]

The bass coming back in is so kickass

[@diomilgrau6577]

I have nothing original to say, Just Love It

[@Hola-tq4pg]

50 years ago the greatest song of all time was made

[@samuelfreeman5483]

I love your pfp! Halfway to a Threeway by Jim O'Rouke is so good!

[@ozhagevermeleh7641]

i have to admit, part of me still kinda wants this to be king crimson's last song

[@SpagEddie8113]

But then we’d never have Elephant Talk and King Crimson Barbershop

[@Shrek_es_mi_pastor]

It was the perfect finale.

[@Christian-97]

Imagine starting your musical career with 21st Century Schzoid Man and ending it with a track like this.

[@paulahunt5621]

It was, for 7 years we just didn’t know it at the time, we thought it was forever. But those 7 years might as well been 7,000 years because what came after it sounded like nothing that had come before.

[@mpg8314]

it feels like a goodbye for good, but it feels better like a "goodnight and see you soon" to me

[@whistleblower3516]

If you don't get goosebumps from 11:17 to the end, you are not alive.

[@CynthiaLarosa-j1z]

My thoughts exactly

[@rushnerd]

As haunting as it was 19 years ago. These records never lose their edge.

[@scriminamp]

19 years ago? red came out in 1974

[@rushnerd]

@@scriminamp That was when I bought all my KC vinyls! That was also around the time I discovered Serial Experiments Lain! Love your avatar.

[@scriminamp]

@@rushnerd lets all love lain

[@EpicB]

Starless was the last hurrah of King Crimson's original run. Even if this of course didn't end up being their last album, this is still an awesome note to go out on.

[@minhhoangoan5010]

Apart from being a flawless masterpiece, i have to say this song is the epitome of studio recording. I love KC's live performances but when it comes to starless, the studio version is the undisputed best

[@OneMoreRedNightmare]

Agreed, There's several songs from artists of which I prefer the studio version. There are some elements that just can't be translated into a live setting. We're lucky to live in a time that recorded music is available. Certain songs are impractical or impossible to replicate for live performance, imagine just how much great music we'd miss out on otherwise.

[@uv77mc85]

I have heard live versions of starless from the Bruford days and the drums are amazing. His live drum sound back then was something else.

[@caucindro]

OMG. That bass line!!! If there is a God, it is evident that he wanted the best bass player with him.

[@barniebooster5044]

One of the most complex but brilliant tracks ever recorded

[@Avendale]

That thundering middle section that begins at 4:20 is just spectacular.

[@unepomme1375]

The end feels like im drifting into the endless space with some purpose in mind. Very fitting.

[@12Cooper]

The catharsis at the very end holy lord?!

[@radioarruinadojap]

The only one, and unique GRAN FINALE in music history belongs to this song and starts at 11:38

[@dihh7230]

Beatles' "The End" too

[@chrismorgan3152]

There is something about Crimson that is both ethereal and dark as unhinged madness. In between lies the beauty and it's apotheosis. It is as ... Ah screw it, awesome song.

[@Yakkymania]

the mellotron in this always gives me chills. it’s so beautifully creepy.

[@Azoedud]

Greatest song from the album

[@JohnnyRockit1984]

This is a complex piece for beginners or for the recently discovered *King Crimson* listeners//aficionados; it's filled with unprecedented surprises. The OVERTURE, right from the start, it's like the beginning of a long night, BUT it wasn't going to be just another ordinary night. NO, this time, our protagonist is in for a ride. I want to say that this song is like a certain LEIT-MOTIV and prose, too, especially with the refrain *BIBLE BLACK* . The narrative, along with the distinguished John Wetton's voice; the mellotron, simulating the fall of the evening in total darkness, the insignificant emptiness that will bring to life on this authentic night, with a starless sky, to set up a canvas for a very subjective interpretation. Our anxious character, accompanied by an uncertain doubt of what awaits him through this unfathomable evening and how to forget Robert Fripp's lead guitar, manifesting a quiet breeze, whisper-like and voracious mystery, gives an essential element to interpret. Even though the execution of distinctive percussions and drums and well cued by Bill Bruford, it starts (in my opinion) around minute 09:08, revealing personality and a radical shift all of a sudden. But, most importantly, to realize the outbreak around minute 04:30, the epiphany of our character's anxiety, engulfed by darkness. Diving into a deep obscured Tempo and Tone by Wetton bass and accompanied by Fripp's guitar too, even though it sounds like syncopate notes, making their way up in a chromatic way. I sense a kind of ostinato, pounding, surrounded by agony, fear.... and then.... IT EXPLODES! EVERYTHING! just at minute 09:08 ....pandemonium unleashes the euphoria of our protagonist, with his role to play in this diabolical BUT entertaining piece. It's simply.... breathtaking. Bruford is suddenly possessed by a progressive rhythm on drums, ludic nature, and even jazz-like ...on acid. It is precisely the same with that empowered sax, its Ludacris, to describe pure chaos and torment, genuine poetry (I would say). There's a reason why *KING CRIMSON* , they are the forefathers of Progressive Rock. Such orchestration can only be compared to the eccentricity of _John Cage_ , the dissonance of _Arnold Schönberg_ , and the combination of sound like a particular game of _Karlheinz Stockhausen_ ; proves mastership in such Eras.

[@alexwinters5067]

Well Jo, you've done it again man......FRIGGIN AWESOME!!!

[@JohnnyRockit1984]

@@alexwinters5067 thanx Dude, appreciate it

[@IantheTridentariuss]

i wish i could look into work half as well as you do

[@adtzirith]

Good perspectives

[@peshovestidos5799]

Excellent review. Wowwww

[@Lightmane]

Much has been written about this haunting and sad piece and I agree with most if not all of it, but here’s what I want to say about this piece... I love David’s opening keyboard, holding long notes, while Bill plays delicately on his drums. I love Robert’s guitar, the way it comes in, almost crying, weeping. I love the way Bill ‘taps’ at the cymbals as he keeps a soft beat. I love John’s haunting voice, as he sings slow and long, showing the sadness and emptiness of his soul. I love how Mel’s sax sounds, as it comes in during this phase. It sounds like he’s improvising, playing soft melodic runs, just kinda playing around the melody. 3:20 I love how Robert comes back in. Is he playing a mellotron or is that just how his guitar sounds? I don’t know. I love how the lyrics last word is the first word in the next line. Well, not the first, but you’ll see. 4:30 I love how it just stops with just John’s bass, playing a few notes. I love how Robert then comes in with one note, played over and over. Just one note. Then he changes to another note and keeps playing that note over and over. David’s violin plays soft screeching sounds behind it, and over it. Bill taps his cymbals again and then hits some wood blocks, or something, creating a wonderfully chilling sound. Robert keeps building up his one note, rising to another, but still playing one note, over and over, in a time signature that I still can’t figure out. I think it’s 13/8, but I’m not sure. John’s bass grows louder. Robert’s one note goes higher and a little louder. Bill keeps hitting those wood blocks, while also hitting his drums intermittently. The build keeps going, rising, ascending. The intensity increases, as Robert’s one note keeps rising. Bill is all over his cymbals. John keeps pounding out those notes on his bass. 7:55 Now Robert’s one note is repeated faster, as though it’s screaming at you, while Bill’s drumming becomes more intense. More cymbals. How long is this buildup going to go on? 8:50 A sudden change. Now Fripp seems to be calling out something on his guitar, or maybe it’s a warning to get back. Everything starts to kind of sound disjointed as John and Robert go back and forth in a rhythmic pattern. 9:12 Mel’s sax comes back in, loud and screaming, chords crunching, Bill’s drums are more intense now. Mel’s sax goes freeform and just wails. John’s rhythm is faster now. It’s pure jazz now. 10:07 it goes quiet again, as Mel’s sax plays the melody while Bill taps those cymbals. 10:26 Bill signals the change and Mel’s sax sets it up and then Robert screeches his guitar. Now the pace is out of control. Chaos is all around. John sounds like he can barely keep up that crazy rhythm he keeps playing. Bill starts going nuts on his drums. I’m sure David’s violin is screeching too, but it’s hard to distinguish between David’s violin and Robert’s guitar now. 11:20 it all comes back around. Now John pounds his bass. Oh, David is hitting chords on his keyboard. I missed that. I’m listening as I type these words. It ends in a fade out as the last note is played. My soul weeps.

[@hyf6845]

This comment is really underrated

[@Syfoll]

3:20 it's the guitar, probably it was made to stay within a certain distance from the amp, to feedback just the right amount to sound like it had infinite sustain

[@Lightmane]

@@Syfoll cool. Thanks for that

[@cesarincamendozaloyola4407]

David was absent in this recording. The band only retained his pianet companion to Wetton's bass during the dark 13/8 interlude... and from a live recording.

[@OneMoreRedNightmare]

Thanks for this little walkthrough, it brought up a few details I hadn't noticed in the song before. That's one of the traits of great music that allows it to transcend through the decades, no matter how many times you've heard it. Years down the line there are still interesting facts you can find out or notice something for the first time that had been there all along. Refreshes it and kinda makes you fall in love all over again with the song.

[@thickasabrick1and2]

If you look for "Perfection" in a dictionary, you can find this song.

[@barackobama9552]

Aren’t you supposed to be fighting the manticore right now?

[@SemenSonyah]

Did you stand beside the spectrum torch?

[@davidmezadiaz5374]

When will you evolve into aqua tarkus?

[@user-wx2ek3uv1i]

Have you walked on the Stones of Years?

[@epicmonkey3347]

RIP man... Aquatarkus is super homie but I won't forget you dawg

[@MidnightPixies]

This is the best experience I've ever had in my entire life

[@MrKennethkeen]

I can only fantasize how it would affect you on acid.

[@VegasAlien1]

God I'm glad Bruford left Yes.

[@EpicB]

Bruford at least left his final mark on Yes with Close to the Edge.

[@bobsbigboy_]

atleast they got an amazing replacement in the late Alan White! and did equally great work

[@dragonpen739]

Best experience of all time

[@ElWeyQueTraduceMods]

This is not a song, this is a experience.

[@aj.2004]

My favorite song to play on guitar. You get to really play around and be free amongst the instrumental.

[@koshersalaami]

There’s so much good about this track. That ungodly legato guitar, the most innovative drumming in rock - both incredibly delicate and incredibly intense, and that expressive vocal

[@errenterij]

this got to be the greatest song ever made

[@Almamater25]

One of the greatest no doubt. But today after 51 years of being a "Crimhead" Fallen Angel is the one I listen to the most of this album.

[@raulruizdevelasco6215]

Fallen Angel is more replayable. I don’t listen to Starless often either. But when I do, it is a transcendent experience. Starless is like champagne. You only open it on special occasions.

[@guitaristssuck8979]

Traitors, you can't even listen to an album in its entirity anymore! 🗿

[@Almamater25]

@@guitaristssuck8979 👈 "Traitors"?? You're not a Crimhead nor a musician, you're just crazy.

[@lukeskinner7900]

@@guitaristssuck8979 man shut up

[@nadroq6320]

Greatest song that has ever existed

[@clownst8penitentiary792]

Yes, a roundabout yes to that.

[@metabd]

i legit think this is one of the best piece of music humans ever created

[@P.DuncanMonk]

Ominous and beautiful at the same time . Pure musical genius .

[@mayankimmortal]

There will never be another king crimson.

[@robertofrippo9012]

Starless. ..brano di altissimo livello. ..non per tutti. .Robert Fripp vero genio assoluto del rock.

[@ajmac7432]

Lui é incredibile. Un influenza importante per tanti gruppi.

[@Insidia85]

Grandissimo Roberto Frippa

[@XoanOrdonezIbarra]

Roberto Fripp ea ostia!!!!!!!!😎❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@mrbellthebutler]

I only heard this the first time watching the film Mandy. I have heard Epitaph and Larks Tongues before and I had never paid much attention to their other works. I massively regret this now and have begun exploring for the first time King Crimson and I love it!

[@elieattie]

Mandy is a masterpiece

[@williamp7278]

Mandy - classic film. So is this track

[@vanez2841]

this is music in its ultimate, crystal clear purest form.

[@raulruizdevelasco6215]

My all time favorite song. I will never forget the first time I heard the whole thing. It is a sonic journey unlike any other. It’s haunting, deeply melancholic, atmospheric, hypnotic, entrancing, heavy, fierce, chaotic, beautiful, and it has the best ending in rock history.

[@_cosmix_]

Genuinely the only that I ACTUALLY want to be played at my funeral.

[@kmb1]

This song makes me weep like no other song.... always.

[@tykumusic]

Mi canción favorita desde los 12 años, saludos desde Rosario, Argentina

[@misterambience]

Saludos desde santa fe ;)

[@davidsalomondelosrios3085]

Y desde Colombia!

[@pres3498]

Messi won you the world Cup congratulations

[@lordAgustin]

Saludos, también desde Rosario

[@kiwischannel2146]

The best king crimson song, indisputably

[@jimmybob5541]

You're right, drip Eren!

[@farter_snail]

This song is so... so fucking amazing.

[@BrytonBand]

The emotional and powerful climax is truly one of the most satisfying and beautiful moments I’ve ever heard in all of music.

[@TheYugo80]

The Drum... incredible !

[@ricardooliva8916]

This hits different now that they recently played it in their last live performance

[@Biffer5]

A perfect song. I remember when it came out I had thought they could not get any better with their lineup than they had with Larks Tongues or Starless and Bible Black but what a great surprise. This song is one of the best. I would love to go back in time and see them again. Best concerts I ever attended.

[@OneMoreRedNightmare]

@mags jay Lucky! Always jealous of people who got to see bands play live that I'll never never get to. Very fortunate to live during the technological point in history where recorded music is available, but there's nothing like being there in person.

[@TOMRIPLEYable75]

The deep and velvet sensitivity of John Wetton..

[@kennydoge3958]

the bassline in the end was so cool i almost cried in public

[@ElQuePregunto]

I searched the definition of "Progressive Rock" in an encyclopedia and it was a link to this video