Was Pete Sinfield essential for King Crimson?

In my opinion, Pete Sinfield's King Crimson was the best. Also, I think that if there wasn't the Sinfield era, there hardly would have been Fripp's experimental phase of King Crimson because there would be nothing to start with. Was Pete Sinfield essential for King Crimson? I believe he was. What do you think? Discuss.

Edited by Moyan - February 29 2024 at 10:29

Grumpyprogfan wrote: For me, lyrics are the least important part of an album, that is, unless they are so corny, schmaltzy, or predictable that they ruin it. Pete was involved in four KC albums - don't feel his input was essential.

Pete Sinfield was the one who first introduced King Crimson to surreal concepts. The band successfully dealt with fantastical, emotional, and occasionally storyline elements as a result of Sinflied's thoughts. No Sinfield, no early King Crimson's uncanny masterpiece(s). And that was the first stage of the rocket that launched them into orbit.

Gordy wrote: Moyan wrote: Grumpyprogfan wrote: For me, lyrics are the least important part of an album, that is, unless they are so corny, schmaltzy, or predictable that they ruin it. Pete was involved in four KC albums - don't feel his input was essential. Pete Sinfield was the one who first introduced King Crimson to surreal concepts. The band successfully dealt with fantastical, emotional, and occasionally storyline elements as a result of Sinflied's thoughts. No Sinfield, no early King Crimson's uncanny masterpiece(s). And that was the first stage of the rocket that launched them into orbit. Hey Svet we could use your help adding albums to your suggestions Z Machine and Legs on Wheels, which I just added

You mistook me for someone else.

Pete was essential to early KC, not only for lyrics but also overall direction and concepts. He provided a light show for concerts and dabbled on synths on a couple albums including Lizards and the processed drum solo on Earthbound. He was definitely part of the band.

I spy with my little eye, someone beginning with the letter S 

Well he did lyrics on the first 4 yet ...Larks Tongues, Starless , and REd are exceptional lps ...so the band obviously did not need his lyrics later so no he was not essential thoiugh he certainly set the tone for the atmosphere on early lps.

Edited by dr wu23 - February 29 2024 at 15:04

omphaloskepsis wrote: dr wu23 wrote: Well he did lyrics on the first 4 yet ...Larks Tongues, Starless , and REd are exceptional lps ...so the band obviously did not need his lyrics later so no he was not essential thoiugh he certainly set the tone for the atmosphere on early lps. Agreed^ KC's early vocalists-" Haskell, Boswell"  didn't have the lyrical chops that John Wetton had.  Lake wrote decent lyrics, yet ELP employed Sinfield lyrical skills from Brain Salad Surgery through Love Beach.

Not essential but happily welcomed in those early years.  I'll leave it at that.

Pete Sinfield as a lyricist was essential to King Crimson. If you observe how sporadic instruments are in certain songs and how the phrasing of his lyrics are fitting to that its amazing. It's amazing to me how it all came together.

Who else was doing this sort of style? Keith Reid with Procol Harum...Graham Edge in the Moody Blues..however Sinfield could be pure fantasy and its a huge difference in style.

ISLANDS....the lyrics were poetic and clearly could have been detached from the song and released as a poem ...possibly altered slightly..not too much.

INDOOR GAMES...Bizarre...disturbing? Demented? It certainly is if you follow the lyrics. Gordon Haskell's laughter at the end was accidental after he started comprehending the words and struggling to sing them and on Cirkus after singing "Bid me join the parade " he yells in frustration. All of this occurred within him because he felt like he wasn't doing a good job where ironically the laughter and the scream were perfect for the songs. ...so they left it in 😃

Greg Lake was a complete natural. He had a glorious voice and he brought Sinfield's work to life. "EPITAPH ", ITCOTCK etc...

Boz Burrell had the perfect voice for "Formentara Lady" and "Islands". Pete Sinfield was a outstanding lyricist..and of course odd at times...whimsical...bewitching. IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING is bewitching. Court, Poseidon, Lizard and Islands would never have carried that unique originality without the lyricism of Pete Sinfield. As a lyricist he made all 4 albums magical. There is in fact something magical about the first 4 albums. ..and they can be dark. They are sophisticated albums. Sinfield's work has a distinctive characteristic to it.

The Dark Elf wrote: omphaloskepsis wrote: dr wu23 wrote: Well he did lyrics on the first 4 yet ...Larks Tongues, Starless , and REd are exceptional lps ...so the band obviously did not need his lyrics later so no he was not essential thoiugh he certainly set the tone for the atmosphere on early lps. Agreed^ KC's early vocalists-" Haskell, Boswell"  didn't have the lyrical chops that John Wetton had.  Lake wrote decent lyrics, yet ELP employed Sinfield lyrical skills from Brain Salad Surgery through Love Beach.   Except Wetton didn't write the lyrics during his tenure with King Crimson, Richard Palmer James, one of Wetton's buds (and original guitarist for Supertramp), was the lyricist. And I think I appreciate Palmer-James' lyrics more than Sinfield's. "The Night Watch" is an outstanding bit of poetry.