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King Crimson — Walking On Air
Album: Thrak
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4347









Released: 1995
Length: 4:30
Plays (last 30 days): 5
Close your eyes and look at me
I'll be standing by your side
In between the deep blue sea
And the sheltering sky
If we find no words to say
To the rhythm of the waves
Then we'll both surrender there
Walking on air

And the worries of the day lie down
Under cover of the fading clouds
The secrets of the night
Come alive in your eyes
You don't have to hurry
You don't have to try
You don't have a care
You're walking on air

And the worries of the day lie down
Under cover of the fading clouds
The secrets of the night
Come alive in your eyes
You don't have to hurry
You don't have to try
You don't have a care
You're walking on air
Comments (388)add comment
That bassline wants to be Golden Slumbers (Beatles).
RIP Peter Sinfield.  We will miss you.
 ceicilbee wrote:

for a split second every time, i think it's Bowie...


Funny.  I was going to say the same thing about John Lennon.
So much good stuff from the ever-shifting lineups of the various progressive rock groups of that era. As far as i can tell, they only did one album together (1970), but McDonald and Giles pushed the envelope in some different directions. I'm a bit surprised it hasn't found its way into the RP rotation.
este track es so Brian Eno
for a split second every time, i think it's Bowie...
Just discovered a new band "Beat" is touring doing only the 80's KC (Discipline, Beat, 3 of a Perfect Pair): Belew, Levin, Steve Vai, and Danny Carey [Tool]. Tickets secured for show in Chicago this November!
https://liveforlivemusic.com/n...
something about this song sticks in my head
I love this song, it always sounds like John Lennon, in a good way. 
 aspicer wrote:


Recommended album next steps: Discipline, 3 of a Perfect Pair



And if you can get hold of it, the Robert Fripp's League of Gentlemen album is excellent.
 DrLex wrote:

I bought this album thanks to hearing a few songs of it here on RP, even though I knew they may not be representative for the whole work. Not disappointed at all. Now I guess I'll slowly expand towards the rest of the KC repertoire…



Recommended album next steps: Discipline, 3 of a Perfect Pair
 unclehud wrote:

I understand why some (many) folks don't like King Crimson. But this chillout masterpiece is almost mainstream. Ethereal vocals. Elegant guitar strumming with spacey solos. Throbbing muffled tom-tom drums. And the little "angel" twinkles from ... something. 

So soothing.



And praise to the bass.
I bought this album thanks to hearing a few songs of it here on RP, even though I knew they may not be representative for the whole work. Not disappointed at all. Now I guess I'll slowly expand towards the rest of the KC repertoire…
did radiohead listen to this back inthe day ?
Would be awesome to see Belew back in KC, but not holding my breath.
This is one of my all time favorite songs, ever.

I saw King Crimson perform in Santa Cruz when the band was on their Thrak tour.  I was blown away.
I already have this at a 9, but I'm wanting to rate it higher. It's not really a 10, is it? I'm leaning heavily towards a 10.
 zhekavarva wrote:
Ukrainians stay with Radio Paradise. At least - my wife and a 7 y.o. son do !Thank you!

Bump.  Posted three years ago. 

Sending you good vibes and wishes for strength, friend. My country is sending your country practical things which may be of more use in your struggle to remain independent and free.

Шишка. Опубліковано три роки тому. Надсилаю тобі гарний настрій і бажаю сил, друже. Моя країна надсилає вашій країні практичні речі, які можуть бути більш корисними у вашій боротьбі за те, щоб залишатися незалежними та вільними.
Bass guitar part reminds me of As the World Falls Down from the Labyrinth soundtrack, which taps right into my early childhood.

David Bowie – As the World Falls Down
I understand why some (many) folks don't like King Crimson. But this chillout masterpiece is almost mainstream. Ethereal vocals. Elegant guitar strumming with spacey solos. Throbbing muffled tom-tom drums. And the little "angel" twinkles from ... something. 

So soothing.
BTW - Inner Garden I and II from this album would also be nice additions to the RP list, even B'Boom
 zhekavarva wrote:
Ukrainians stay with Radio Paradise. At least - my wife and a 7 y.o. son do !Thank you!

 




Prayers for you, your family and your country.
This song is like slipping into your big, soft leather chair after a long, hard day of work.
 Kingsized wrote:

Wowee Zowee. Part Roy Orbison, part late Beatles, part Santo and Johnny, touch of Nick Drake and 100% KC. What's not to love?




Fripp on Discipline: "It's a means to an end, not an end in itself."
A rare chilled out Crimson, exposes Adrian's love of The Beatles.  
Mr. Fripp doing his magic yet again. Cracking
Wowee Zowee. Part Roy Orbison, part late Beatles, part Santo and Johnny, touch of Nick Drake and 100% KC. What's not to love?
This song should always be played back to back with Fleetwood Mac's "Albatross". Just saying.
Excellent!!
 zhekavarva wrote:
Ukrainians stay with Radio Paradise. At least - my wife and a 7 y.o. son do !Thank you!

 




Hope you are all o.k in these hard times.
 pascal504 wrote:

Bryan Crimson or King Ferry ?

i always thought this was Adrian Belew...

update: saw Mr. Belew play this year in a small club and he was amazingly energetic and this tune was still magical
Here's some disturbing stuff:

https://www.billboard.com/musi...
The only streaming audio station that gives me a regular dose of King Crimson and Kate Bush! Can there be anything better?

I saw KC's what will most likely be their last concert ever in the US on 9/11/21 in DC. What an amazing show! One of the best of the 21 times I have seen them!
 zhekavarva wrote:
Ukrainians stay with Radio Paradise. At least - my wife and a 7 y.o. son do !Thank you!

 




Bless you all in Ukraine!
Beautiful 
Bryan Crimson or King Ferry ?
There's a new documentary about King Crimson that looks really good.  Here's the preview.
 zhekavarva wrote:
Ukrainians stay with Radio Paradise. At least - my wife and a 7 y.o. son do !Thank you!

 



Hope you are staying safe in these dangerous times.
nice segue from Strangest Thing...'dreamy' sounds like a bad word from Beach Blanket Bingo but rather applies 
There are parts of this that sound almost exactly like Crowded House or Neil Finn (solo) but I can't put my finger on the song. Anyone?
 Propayne wrote:

Spirit into King Crimson

I never in a million years thought I would listen to a radio station that would do that.

It's like Bill rifles through my record collection at night while I'm asleep. 



This time from WOD Strangest Thing to Walking on Air....so similar in mood I didn't realize there was a segue at first.
This particular song has a strong Crowded House sound to it. 
 lemmoth wrote:

Thanks for the link.  Bowie had four brilliant lead guitarists with him over his long career, Ronson, Earl Slick, Belew and Reeves Gabrels.  All were incredibly talented and totally unique.  Saw Belew with him a couple of times .  What an amazing artist.


And Stevie Ray Vaughn played on the Let's Dance album.
Kesha, and now King Crimson.

Two completely different genres, but yet it works... that's why I love RP.
 RabbitEars wrote:
This gives me a hankering for straight up Adrian Belew

and I happened upon this fantastic clip w/Bowie while digging that up
 
Thanks for the link.  Bowie had four brilliant lead guitarists with him over his long career, Ronson, Earl Slick, Belew and Reeves Gabrels.  All were incredibly talented and totally unique.  Saw Belew with him a couple of times .  What an amazing artist.
Can't believe I've never heard this beautiful, blissful song before. 
 RabbitEars wrote:
This gives me a hankering for straight up Adrian Belew

and I happened upon this fantastic clip w/Bowie while digging that up
 
Excellent - thx for  sharing! That IS an excellent clip (Stay) - they are having such a blast.
 zhekavarva wrote:
Ukrainians stay with Radio Paradise. At least - my wife and a 7 y.o. son do !Thank you!

 

 

Me too!  Hello from across the world
This gives me a hankering for straight up Adrian Belew

and I happened upon this fantastic clip w/Bowie while digging that up
Great band always focussing on the bass and guitar. The early Crimson with Greg Lake set the pace for the strong melodies and basslines which this track echoes and pays tribute to. I was fortunate to see them in concert several times in the early 70s in Scotland.
 zhekavarva wrote:
Ukrainians stay with Radio Paradise. At least - my wife and a 7 y.o. son do !Thank you!

 

So does Kazoo!

Outstanding track 👍
Love me some King Crimson! So talented and unique...never got to see them live much to my disappointment... I live in Texas and I know they have played a lot in Mexico... 
 ziakut wrote:

Interesting observation. I agree that the flavor of these vocals are his range and cadence. The only indirect connection is the fact that Tony Levin played bass on Tim Finn's self titled album and toured with his band in the very late 80s.
 
I'm not familiar with Mr. Flinn but I do occasionally hear John Lennon in the vocals, in a good way. 
 dmcanany wrote:
Any one else hear Tim Finn in this song? Figuratively speaking.
 
Interesting observation. I agree that the flavor of these vocals are his range and cadence. The only indirect connection is the fact that Tony Levin played bass on Tim Finn's self titled album and toured with his band in the very late 80s.
Why do I listen to RP?

Woke up this morning worried about my mother in a covid-locked-down dementia ward, one daughter recovering from suspected covid, and my other daughter having to celebrate her birthday alone. This song pulled that stress out and is putting me on a  better track today. 

Thanks.
Any one else hear Tim Finn in this song? Figuratively speaking.
RIP Bill Rieflin. I know he didn't play on this album but he was with KC later on. Nice touch. 
Man, I adore this song!   
 morganmike wrote:

And then says " Nice collection, but I think you need to hear this.." !
 

 Propayne wrote:
Spirit into King Crimson

I never in a million years thought I would listen to a radio station that would do that.

It's like Bill rifles through my record collection at night while I'm asleep. 
 

Unfortunate their most recent tour did not include Adrian.
Now it’s time for some "Discipline“!
Frippertronics!
 zhekavarva wrote:
Ukrainians stay with Radio Paradise. At least - my wife and a 7 y.o. son do !Thank you!

 

 
Awesome, Long Live RP and all listening to this wonderful station!!
I'm going 8 to 9 on this one today.
Really great song! Such pretty vocals. 
Ukrainians stay with Radio Paradise. At least - my wife and a 7 y.o. son do !Thank you!

 

 Propayne wrote:
Spirit into King Crimson

I never in a million years thought I would listen to a radio station that would do that.

It's like Bill rifles through my record collection at night while I'm asleep. 
 

 memoryboxer wrote:
I'm not sure which is more exciting... having RP introduce me to a band I've never heard of and immediately fall in love with, or having them throw me a song I've never heard from a band I thought I knew fairly well? Thanks for always keeping it interesting, Bill!
 
100% agreed!  And which of these two is this King Crimson track to you?  For me it's the former, though it does sound a lot older than 'from 1995' to me.....huh....Long Live RP!!
sweet and phat ... and grand
I'm not sure which is more exciting... having RP introduce me to a band I've never heard of and immediately fall in love with, or having them throw me a song I've never heard from a band I thought I knew fairly well? Thanks for always keeping it interesting, Bill!
 SoundThinker wrote:
Just bought three tickets to see them in September 2019 in Denver. 7th row center seats! 50th Anniversary Tour! 
 
This will be the 19th time I get to see them in concert and only the second time without Adrian.
Just bought three tickets to see them in September 2019 in Denver. 7th row center seats! 50th Anniversary Tour! 
 Imkirok wrote:

I've done the same thing - decided I didn't like an artist just because people I didn't like listened to it.  In junior high it was Rush because one of the school bullies wore a 2112 t-shirt.  In college, a couple of huge pot heads cranked up Echo and the Bunnymen on occasion.  So I ruled out those, and other bands, through guilt by association. 

Boy, did I miss out on a lot of good music.

 
That must have been the one and only Rush fan who was a bully!{#Stupid}
 izycrzy wrote:
I think I just realised that I thought I hated King Crimson, because my metal-head sister liked them in high school, and I hated all her music by default. But that was actually King Diamond, and that this is pretty good.

 
I've done the same thing - decided I didn't like an artist just because people I didn't like listened to it.  In junior high it was Rush because one of the school bullies wore a 2112 t-shirt.  In college, a couple of huge pot heads cranked up Echo and the Bunnymen on occasion.  So I ruled out those, and other bands, through guilt by association. 

Boy, did I miss out on a lot of good music.

can we get some "Walking on Sunshine" after this??
KC - still relevant, out putting on amazing live shows and creating exciting, challenging music. 
I think I just realised that I thought I hated King Crimson, because my metal-head sister liked them in high school, and I hated all her music by default. But that was actually King Diamond, and that this is pretty good.
Romantic.  Love King Crimson.
Must have listened to a lot of Roy Orbison.
 Pedro1874 wrote:  in 2013

Looking forward to more KC Bill - thanks.  {#Notworthy}
In Library: King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man

In Library: King Crimson - Elephant Talk

In Library: King Crimson - Epitaph

In Library: King Crimson - Eyes Wide Open

In Library: King Crimson - Fallen Angel

In Library: King Crimson - One Time

In Library: King Crimson - The Court Of The Crimson King

In Library: King Crimson - The Power To Believe II

In Library: King Crimson - Three of a Perfect Pair

In Library: King Crimson - Walking On Air

Rejected: King Crimson - Book Of Saturday

Rejected: King Crimson - Dinosaur

Rejected: King Crimson - Doctor Diamond (live)

Rejected: King Crimson - Easy Money

Rejected: King Crimson - Elephant Talk

Rejected: King Crimson - Elephant Talk

Rejected: King Crimson - Elephant Talk

Rejected: King Crimson - Exiles

Rejected: King Crimson - Frame by Frame

Rejected: King Crimson - Frame By Frame

Rejected: King Crimson - Free As A Bird (Live 1995)

Rejected: King Crimson - Heartbeat

Rejected: King Crimson - Indoor Games

Rejected: King Crimson - Into the Frying Pan



 

 
Now 14 tracks in the library but still no Frame by Frame or Thrak or ways to see what has been rejected - shame.  Cannot paste list below as shown in columns but if you click on first few words you will be taken to the library page.

ArtistSong TitleAlbumKing Crimson21st Century Schizoid ManIn The Court Of The Crimson KingKing CrimsonEasy MoneyLarks' Tongues In AspicKing CrimsonElephant TalkDisciplineKing CrimsonEpitaphIn The Court Of The Crimson KingKing CrimsonExilesLarks' Tongues In AspicKing CrimsonEyes Wide OpenThe Power To BelieveKing CrimsonFallen AngelRedKing CrimsonI Talk To The WindIn The Court of the Crimson KingKing CrimsonOne TimeThrakKing CrimsonPeopleThrakKing CrimsonThe Court Of The Crimson KingIn The Court Of The Crimson KingKing CrimsonThe Power To Believe IIThe Power To BelieveKing CrimsonThree of a Perfect PairThree of a Perfect PairKing CrimsonWalking On AirThrak




Absolutely love this track... Solid 10.
I'm always delighted to hear Crimson influences in a lot of newer music. Such incredible innovation.
It sounds like John Lennon cover of 'd rather go blind :D
That was delightful.  Have not played Thrak in a while; to be remedied soon.
Fun book out now called: "The Show That Never Ends - The Rise and Fall of Prog Rock" by David Weigel.

Very detailed and reverential chronicle of the genre.

I really enjoyed it. 
Really looking forward to their show in October - 11th Row Center at a great venue here in Austin!
 bam23 wrote:

What bugs me is that they are lumped in with Yes and ELP. Sure, all the music writers consider these groups to be roughly equivalent (prog), but King Crimson has always been in a class alone. Despite the sharing of some of the same exceptional musicians, these groups are not in the same league. Listen to Yes lyrics and then King Crimson and tell me that they don't differ. Somehow KC manages to go somewhere that these others don't.

 
True to some extent, but I can find lyrics in several KC tunes that are just as silly or superficial as anything Yes or ELP wrote. Not to take away from any of those bands because I liked them all for various reasons.
 Steely_D wrote:
Just saw the eight-headed beast this month. WELL worth it.
Three drummers (that was not a misprint), woodwinds (Mel!), bass (Levin!), keyboards (Reiflin!), Jacksyk & Fripp! on guitars.

I've seen them maybe ten times and this is a way cool version. Reworked some classics, a bit of new stuff. Strong recommendation.

 
The latest and maybe last incarnation was my third. Last year they toured for their final time, I failed to act, and regretted it deeply until they came around again this summer. Well worth it all. What bugs me is that they are lumped in with Yes and ELP. Sure, all the music writers consider these groups to be roughly equivalent (prog), but King Crimson has always been in a class alone. Despite the sharing of some of the same exceptional musicians, these groups are not in the same league. Listen to Yes lyrics and then King Crimson and tell me that they don't differ. Somehow KC manages to go somewhere that these others don't.
As often with them, they seem to inhabit a surreal koto and shamisen-kind of groove on this one...and the bass is WOW!
 NelsonBlack wrote:
Certainly not their best song. But, still a very nice one. King Crimson at least until the end of the double-trio era has to have sustained the longest streak of high quality of any the major prog groups. While others like Yes and Floyd slowly became dinosaurs, KC reinvented itself several times.  My personal favorite band remains the 73-75 quintet/quartet, but there is much to enjoy from all phases of its existence. I was fortunate to have seen them in  November 1995 and that concert is near the top of my list.

 
I'm sorry to say that I went to a H.O.R.D.E. Tour concert in the summer of 1996 that had several bands (Blues Traveler, Lenny Kravitz, Rusted Root, Sixteen Horsepower, etc.) including King Crimson and had no idea who they were, so I did not really pay attention to their show or the music itself. I regret that my musical ignorance at the time made me miss out on that opportunity.
Just saw the eight-headed beast this month. WELL worth it.
Three drummers (that was not a misprint), woodwinds (Mel!), bass (Levin!), keyboards (Reiflin!), Jacksyk & Fripp! on guitars.

I've seen them maybe ten times and this is a way cool version. Reworked some classics, a bit of new stuff. Strong recommendation.
Spirit into King Crimson

I never in a million years thought I would listen to a radio station that would do that.

It's like Bill rifles through my record collection at night while I'm asleep. 
 Skydog wrote:
cool video for this song,...
.
 https://vimeo.com/77444817

 
Thanks for sharing this link - it is super cool!
I dare you Bill to play the track THRAK on RP....Ha!!!{#Devil_pimp}
cool video for this song,...
.
 https://vimeo.com/77444817
 coloradojohn wrote:
One of the best shows I have ever seen was their gig at Showa Womens' University in Setagaya-ku, where I lived at the time, in spring of '03. They moved us to tears! The band was surprised at all the adoration, but they clearly deserved it...

 
Cool.

This song is gorgeous. 
One of the best shows I have ever seen was their gig at Showa Womens' University in Setagaya-ku, where I lived at the time, in spring of '03. They moved us to tears! The band was surprised at all the adoration, but they clearly deserved it...
going to catch them live next week...
so much looking forward. 
Apparently I gave this a 4 {#Stupid}. Something must've gone wrong {#Ask} Now a well deserved 7
Certainly not their best song. But, still a very nice one. King Crimson at least until the end of the double-trio era has to have sustained the longest streak of high quality of any the major prog groups. While others like Yes and Floyd slowly became dinosaurs, KC reinvented itself several times.  My personal favorite band remains the 73-75 quintet/quartet, but there is much to enjoy from all phases of its existence. I was fortunate to have seen them in  November 1995 and that concert is near the top of my list.
Super Awesome mind music : )   chill  -   aaaaaaaaaaaaah
I find it to be Bowie-esque, I like it
Definitely not my cup of tea, sounds a complete mess, sorry. I love early Crimson btw
What an amazing talent. I was lucky to meet Adrian when my vacation in Sydney in 2014 coincided with his Crimson ProjeKCt tour Down Under. 
 jbuhl wrote:
THRAK!  What a great piece of sound art!  and Rolling Stone had Springsteen among their top 100 guitarist and not Belew!  
MORE KC! 

The Japan performance of this song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBcIQbNIVmY

 

 
This performance in Japan is transcendent. I appreciate the link. One of the commenters on the youtube video said something like "I'm crying and I don't know why". I pretty much had the same reaction.
Sublime. Beautifully sublime.
This album has a special place in my heart. A friend introduced me to King Crimson just before THRAK arrived, and though I recognize that it differs considerably from traditional KC, I appreciate Belew's strong influence and the thunderous power of the double trio lineup. I saw them live twice in 95-96 and it was unforgettable. Among all songs, this was the one that made me dig into Belew's solo career. So beautiful. Only on RP!
Adrian Belet is incredible by himself. But what a band. What musicianship. Wow
Adrien! He does the score for the new Pixar short film Piper.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/pixars-new-short-piper-has-881301
 
This piece never fails to bring me to stop whatever I'm doing as I simply absorb it. The first notes do the trick. This is so different from the early King Crimson, but the continuity is in the creativity.
Ya gotta love the Art Rock genre, now! Sweet! Now all we need is a little ELP, baby, yeah!
Vroom redux.
Most excellent. 
Man, listen to the interplay between the bass and the drummer.
THRAK!  What a great piece of sound art!  and Rolling Stone had Springsteen among their top 100 guitarist and not Belew!  
MORE KC! 

The Japan performance of this song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBcIQbNIVmY

 
 stunix wrote:
Frippertronics!     I mean, come on, who uses tape nowadays?  the medium of ferric tape lasted little longer than 40 years.  Even IT backups are ditching the helical head rubbing "rust" in favour of raids. 
There are a few techniques in music making that will never happen again, we dont splice lengths of tape, running it back and forth thrugh the head to find the point, mark with wax pencil, in to the block, 45 degree cut, swapping reels, joining and trailing it around microphone stands and watkins copycats., it was an artform.   Its all compooterised samples now.!! 
dsotm would never have been made without a razor blade and some splicing tape.  Have you ever had to rebuild a Mellotron?    why would you?!   king crimson - mellotron

 
yeah, but what did you rate this on meter above
Adrian Belew recently posted a full c.1980 concert of him playing w/Talking Heads on his Facebook page: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-_PC6TlIhs
 
Jimi, is that you ?
Frippertronics!     I mean, come on, who uses tape nowadays?  the medium of ferric tape lasted little longer than 40 years.  Even IT backups are ditching the helical head rubbing "rust" in favour of raids. 
There are a few techniques in music making that will never happen again, we dont splice lengths of tape, running it back and forth thrugh the head to find the point, mark with wax pencil, in to the block, 45 degree cut, swapping reels, joining and trailing it around microphone stands and watkins copycats., it was an artform.   Its all compooterised samples now.!! 
dsotm would never have been made without a razor blade and some splicing tape.  Have you ever had to rebuild a Mellotron?    why would you?!   king crimson - mellotron