"The Court of the Crimson King", sometimes billed "In the Court of the Crimson King", is the titular fifth and final track from the British progressive rock band King Crimson's debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King. Released as a single, it reached No. 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the only King Crimson single to chart on the Hot 100.
Contents
Background
The track was developed over the course of three days and is dominated by a distinctive, repeated four-bar riff performed on a Mellotron. The main part of the song is split into four stanzas, divided by an instrumental section called "The Return of the Fire Witch". The song climaxes at seven minutes, but after a pause continues with a brief instrumental interlude called "The Dance of the Puppets", before ending with a reprise of the main theme. The music was composed by Ian McDonald, and the lyrics were written by Peter Sinfield.
Cashbox said "Unusual lyric imagery and instrumental impact with a 'Jude' hypnotism should set the side on a breakout path." Record World called it "a heavy hard rock item with some classy jazz overtones." Billboard characterised the song as a "driving blues ballad" with a "top vocal workout".
Personnel
Robert Fripp – guitars
Ian McDonald – Mellotron, flute, reed organ, harpsichord, backing vocals
Greg Lake – bass guitar, lead and backing vocals
Michael Giles – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Peter Sinfield – lyrics