Karn Evil 9
Encyclopedia
"Karn Evil 9" is an extended work by progressive rock
group Emerson, Lake & Palmer
, appearing on the album Brain Salad Surgery
. A futuristic fusion of rock and classical themes, it is regarded by many fans to be their best work. At nearly half an hour long, it is also their longest studio recording.
lyricist Peter Sinfield
.
The phrase "Karn Evil" is a slight alteration of the word "carnival
".
The song has a running length of 29 minutes and 37 seconds. It is the fifth and final track on Brain Salad Surgery, though the initial release in both the U.S.
and the UK
saw "Karn Evil 9" split between the two sides of the album, due to its length. Subsequent releases have "Karn Evil 9" as a single track. There used to be a fade out/fade in between First Impression parts 1 and 2 due to the restrictions of the original vinyl transcription. This is not present on later CD versions.
The work's most recognizable portion to many is First Impression, Part 2, and its introduction: Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends..., which eventually became the title of their second live album and is often used as a song dedicated to the opening of sports seasons.
First Impression, Part 2 is also a common radio staple, though the fact that the song opens with the "Welcome back" line can leave casual radio listeners a bit surprised, not necessarily knowing what led up to that point from Part 1 (the common problem being that combined, First Impression lasts over 13 minutes and hence, would not be well accessible on radio played with Parts 1 and 2 together due to its length, so the shorter Part 2 is just played by itself instead).
The Second Impression is an instrumental and unlike the rest of Karn Evil, is just three instruments: piano, bass and drums. The steel drum part was played on a Moog synthesizer. There is supposedly a vocal around 2 minutes (15 minutes as a whole song) that sounds like a small child's voice saying, "Daddy, let's go see the carnival!" as reference to the first part. It's actually Emerson's voice, sped up and altered. This Impression changes from an upbeat out-of-control tune to a creepy slow interval and then picks up the pace again with a structure similar to that of a sonata
. It is allegedly about computers scheming against the humans, and the humans completely unsuspecting this. This Impression is often overlooked and is less popular than the others, though it is a rather complex piece, showing the three musicians' virtuosity.
In an unusual case in prog-epics the Third Impression is an entirely different story from the 1st and is not part of the carnival (or Karn Evil) in any way.
The Third Impression describes a war between humans and computers, which can be interpreted in three different ways. One interpretation allows the victory to the humans, who reimpose their domain over the computers. The second interpretation allows victory to the computers, claiming that the computers were successful in dominating the humans and let them live only for the sake of gloating. The third interpretation, consistent with Peter Sinfield's original interpretation that "what [Man had] invented ironically takes him over" has humans winning a war with the help of computers, only to find the computers taking over in the moment of victory.
As of September 2007
, the First Impression, Part 2 is heard in a commercial for Dr Pepper
.
It is also used as the intro for the Hard Rock Park website. It's recently been used as the song for the introduction of Stockton Thunder
.
The song was covered by guitarist Paul Gilbert
in the end of his instructional video Guitars from Mars II.
"Welcome my friend to the show that never ends..." is said by President Josiah Bartlett in The West Wing episode 20 Hours in America (Part 2) to a newly elected Congressman from Texas.
First Impression, Part 2 can also be heard in the intro of the Episode "Career Day" in Season 1 of That '70s Show
, the song goes for about 10 seconds and can be faintly heard for the first minute or so until it stops completely once Eric leaves the basement.
The intro of "Zombies, March!
" by shock rock
/thrash metal
band GWAR
is based on this song.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
group Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, also known as ELP, are an English progressive rock supergroup. They found success in the 1970s and sold over forty million albums and headlined large stadium concerts. The band consists of Keith Emerson , Greg Lake and Carl Palmer...
, appearing on the album Brain Salad Surgery
Brain Salad Surgery
Brain Salad Surgery is the fourth studio album by progressive rock band Emerson, Lake & Palmer, released in 1973 and the first under their Manticore Records imprint. It fuses rock and classical themes. Lyrics were co-written by Greg Lake with fellow ex-King Crimson member Peter Sinfield. Cover...
. A futuristic fusion of rock and classical themes, it is regarded by many fans to be their best work. At nearly half an hour long, it is also their longest studio recording.
General information
"Karn Evil 9" was written by Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, and former King CrimsonKing Crimson
King Crimson are a rock band founded in London, England in 1969. Often categorised as a foundational progressive rock group, the band have incorporated diverse influences and instrumentation during their history...
lyricist Peter Sinfield
Peter Sinfield
Peter John Sinfield is an English poet, lyricist and artist, most famously known as the lyricist and co-founding member of early incarnations of King Crimson, whose debut album In the Court of the Crimson King has been regarded as one of the most influential progressive rock albums ever...
.
The phrase "Karn Evil" is a slight alteration of the word "carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
".
The song has a running length of 29 minutes and 37 seconds. It is the fifth and final track on Brain Salad Surgery, though the initial release in both the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
saw "Karn Evil 9" split between the two sides of the album, due to its length. Subsequent releases have "Karn Evil 9" as a single track. There used to be a fade out/fade in between First Impression parts 1 and 2 due to the restrictions of the original vinyl transcription. This is not present on later CD versions.
Impressions
"Karn Evil 9" consists of three movements, or "Impressions", with the First Impression divided into two parts:- 1st Impression, Part I (0:00 to 8:41)
- 1st Impression, Part II (8:42 to 13:22)
- 2nd Impression (13:23 to 20:30)
- 3rd Impression (20:31 to 29:37)
The work's most recognizable portion to many is First Impression, Part 2, and its introduction: Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends..., which eventually became the title of their second live album and is often used as a song dedicated to the opening of sports seasons.
First Impression, Part 2 is also a common radio staple, though the fact that the song opens with the "Welcome back" line can leave casual radio listeners a bit surprised, not necessarily knowing what led up to that point from Part 1 (the common problem being that combined, First Impression lasts over 13 minutes and hence, would not be well accessible on radio played with Parts 1 and 2 together due to its length, so the shorter Part 2 is just played by itself instead).
Interpretation
The story of "Karn Evil 9" is told in 3 parts, with the second part being an instrumental interlude between the first and the third. First Impression, beginning with the beginning of the world "Cold and misty morning..." and eventually gets to the future, tells the story of a futuristic world from which "all manner of evil and decadence had been banished." The decadence of the old world is preserved through exhibits that are part of a futuristic carnival show, which exhibits depravities like "seven virgins and a mule," along with things that are rare in the future, such as a "real blade of grass."The Second Impression is an instrumental and unlike the rest of Karn Evil, is just three instruments: piano, bass and drums. The steel drum part was played on a Moog synthesizer. There is supposedly a vocal around 2 minutes (15 minutes as a whole song) that sounds like a small child's voice saying, "Daddy, let's go see the carnival!" as reference to the first part. It's actually Emerson's voice, sped up and altered. This Impression changes from an upbeat out-of-control tune to a creepy slow interval and then picks up the pace again with a structure similar to that of a sonata
Sonata
Sonata , in music, literally means a piece played as opposed to a cantata , a piece sung. The term, being vague, naturally evolved through the history of music, designating a variety of forms prior to the Classical era...
. It is allegedly about computers scheming against the humans, and the humans completely unsuspecting this. This Impression is often overlooked and is less popular than the others, though it is a rather complex piece, showing the three musicians' virtuosity.
In an unusual case in prog-epics the Third Impression is an entirely different story from the 1st and is not part of the carnival (or Karn Evil) in any way.
The Third Impression describes a war between humans and computers, which can be interpreted in three different ways. One interpretation allows the victory to the humans, who reimpose their domain over the computers. The second interpretation allows victory to the computers, claiming that the computers were successful in dominating the humans and let them live only for the sake of gloating. The third interpretation, consistent with Peter Sinfield's original interpretation that "what [Man had] invented ironically takes him over" has humans winning a war with the help of computers, only to find the computers taking over in the moment of victory.
Writing credits and vocals
- First Impression: Music by Keith EmersonKeith EmersonKeith Noel Emerson is an English keyboard player and composer. Formerly a member of the Keith Emerson Trio, John Brown's Bodies, The T-Bones, V.I.P.s, P.P. Arnold's backing band, and The Nice , he was a founder of Emerson, Lake & Palmer , one of the early supergroups, in 1970...
, vocals and lyrics written by Greg LakeGreg LakeGregory Stuart "Greg" Lake is an English musician, songwriter and producer, best known as a vocalist and bassist of King Crimson, and the bassist, guitarist, vocalist, and lyricist of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.-1960s: King Crimson:...
. - Second Impression: Music by Emerson.
- Third Impression: Music by Emerson, lyrics by Lake and Peter SinfieldPeter SinfieldPeter John Sinfield is an English poet, lyricist and artist, most famously known as the lyricist and co-founding member of early incarnations of King Crimson, whose debut album In the Court of the Crimson King has been regarded as one of the most influential progressive rock albums ever...
. All vocals are sung by Lake, except the computerized vocals, which are Emerson's.
Other uses
First Impression, Part II was used as the theme tune for the BBC's 'Jim Davidson's Generation Game' during the mid-late 1990s. The vocals regarding seven virgins and a mule were omitted.As of September 2007
2007 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
, the First Impression, Part 2 is heard in a commercial for Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper is a soft drink, marketed as having a unique flavor. The drink was created in the 1880s by Charles Alderton of Waco, Texas and first served around 1885. Dr Pepper was first nationally marketed in the United States in 1904 and is now also sold in Europe, Asia, Canada, Mexico, Australia ...
.
It is also used as the intro for the Hard Rock Park website. It's recently been used as the song for the introduction of Stockton Thunder
Stockton Thunder
The Stockton Thunder are a minor league professional ice hockey team from Stockton, California. The Thunder are a member of the ECHL, and began playing in the 2005–06 season. The Stockton Arena is their home ice, providing a capacity for 9,737 fans...
.
The song was covered by guitarist Paul Gilbert
Paul Gilbert
Paul Brandon Gilbert is an American guitarist. He is well known for his technical guitar work with Racer X and Mr...
in the end of his instructional video Guitars from Mars II.
"Welcome my friend to the show that never ends..." is said by President Josiah Bartlett in The West Wing episode 20 Hours in America (Part 2) to a newly elected Congressman from Texas.
First Impression, Part 2 can also be heard in the intro of the Episode "Career Day" in Season 1 of That '70s Show
That '70s Show
That '70s Show is an American television period sitcom that centers on the lives of a group of teenage friends living in the fictional suburban town of Point Place, Wisconsin, from May 17, 1976, to December 31, 1979...
, the song goes for about 10 seconds and can be faintly heard for the first minute or so until it stops completely once Eric leaves the basement.
The intro of "Zombies, March!
Bloody Pit of Horror (GWAR album)
Bloody Pit of Horror is the twelfth studio album by Gwar. On September 8, Gwar announced the official release date of the new album to be November 9, 2010 on Metal Blade Records....
" by shock rock
Shock rock
Shock rock is an umbrella term for artists who combine rock music with elements of theatrical shock value in live performances.-History:Screamin' Jay Hawkins was arguably the first shock rocker...
/thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band GWAR
GWAR
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
is based on this song.