Emerson, Lake & Palmer — Knife Edge
Album: Emerson, Lake & PalmerAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 551
Length: 5:02
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Just a step cried the sad man
Take a look down at the madman
Theatre kings on silver wings
Fly beyond reason
From the flight of the seagull
Come the spread claws of the eagle
Only fear breaks the silence
As we all kneel pray for guidance
Tread the road cross the abyss
Take a look down at the madness
On the streets of the city
Only spectres still have pity
Patient queues for the gallows
Sing the praises of the hallowed
Our machines feed the furnace
If they take us they will burn us
Will you still know who you are
When you come to who you are
When the flames have their season
Will you hold to your reason
Loaded down with your talents
Can you still keep your balance
Can you live on a knife-edge
Take a look down at the madman
Theatre kings on silver wings
Fly beyond reason
From the flight of the seagull
Come the spread claws of the eagle
Only fear breaks the silence
As we all kneel pray for guidance
Tread the road cross the abyss
Take a look down at the madness
On the streets of the city
Only spectres still have pity
Patient queues for the gallows
Sing the praises of the hallowed
Our machines feed the furnace
If they take us they will burn us
Will you still know who you are
When you come to who you are
When the flames have their season
Will you hold to your reason
Loaded down with your talents
Can you still keep your balance
Can you live on a knife-edge
Comments (57)add comment
thewiseking wrote:
I Agree!! Thanx RP!
WHOOOOOOOAHHH!
LONG LIVE PROG
I Agree!! Thanx RP!
EXCELLENT!!! Back in 1971, when I was in high school, ELP was one of my favorites, along with Yes! Thanx RP!
Awesome album, even for today and tomorrow and so on...
bttcld66 wrote:
Not quite drively enough?...
Boring for the sounds of nowdays, sorry :-(
Not quite drively enough?...
Pissed off the schmuck rock critics, so that's a good thing.
kurtster wrote:
bump
Can't help but think about poor old Keith when I hear these lyrics:
Loaded down with your talents
Can you still keep your balance?
Can you live on a knife-edge?
One of the greatest debut albums of all time.
Not a bad song on it.
Not a bad song on it.
bump
Can't help but think about poor old Keith when I hear these lyrics:
Loaded down with your talents
Can you still keep your balance?
Can you live on a knife-edge?
willmcnaught wrote:
The PSD button is freely available to all listeners. It is not available in the streaming audio (like over a Sonos or thru iTunes or... do people still use Winamp?) but if you're playing RP thru your browser, you should see it right next to the Play button. It has nothing to do with donating (other than the fact that they would all go away if no one donates!)
well you could break down and donate to RP. that would give you the option of the PSD button ( play something different) just saying lol spare us your drivel 
The PSD button is freely available to all listeners. It is not available in the streaming audio (like over a Sonos or thru iTunes or... do people still use Winamp?) but if you're playing RP thru your browser, you should see it right next to the Play button. It has nothing to do with donating (other than the fact that they would all go away if no one donates!)
The early bits sound like Deep Purple.
The rest sounds like fast moving fingers trying to impress.
It has not aged well IMO.
The rest sounds like fast moving fingers trying to impress.
It has not aged well IMO.
wgsu_1978 wrote:
Well I guess that settles it, then. Doesn't it? Eh?
"Go Your Own Way". God-like? Come on.
It's all subjective and means nothing in the scheme of things. I enjoyed Rumours, but was it "critically acclaimed" in the same way as ELP. Probably not, I suspect. I don't have enough time on my hands to wander through profiles to find dodgy choices, though. We are still looking at an overall 8.1 against 6.4 for this, so I'm not too embarrassed.
Well I guess that settles it, then. Doesn't it? Eh?
"Go Your Own Way". God-like? Come on.
It's all subjective and means nothing in the scheme of things. I enjoyed Rumours, but was it "critically acclaimed" in the same way as ELP. Probably not, I suspect. I don't have enough time on my hands to wander through profiles to find dodgy choices, though. We are still looking at an overall 8.1 against 6.4 for this, so I'm not too embarrassed.
DaidyBoy wrote:
Ha ha. One doesn't have to be a dimwit to not enjoy Emerson, Lake and Palmer. I think it sucks. Badly. And that's not just me. My B.Ed.(Hons) agrees :>
Well I guess that settles it, then. Doesn't it? Eh?
"Go Your Own Way". God-like? Come on.
Ha ha. One doesn't have to be a dimwit to not enjoy Emerson, Lake and Palmer. I think it sucks. Badly. And that's not just me. My B.Ed.(Hons) agrees :>
Well I guess that settles it, then. Doesn't it? Eh?
"Go Your Own Way". God-like? Come on.
NickDanger wrote:
Spot on Nick. This is what makes RP so great.
Whew. Haven't heard this for years - not since I had this on cassette tape.
Thank you RP!
Thank you RP!
Spot on Nick. This is what makes RP so great.
Whew. Haven't heard this for years - not since I had this on cassette tape.
Thank you RP!
Thank you RP!
So muscular and powerful. Considering it's only a trio, and it's the beginning of the 70s. Wow.
ploba wrote:
why must you play this gawd awful song every bloody day!!??
well you could break down and donate to RP. that would give you the option of the PSD button ( play something different) just saying lol spare us your drivel dragon1952 wrote:
Ha ha. One doesn't have to be a dimwit to not enjoy Emerson, Lake and Palmer. I think it sucks. Badly. And that's not just me. My B.Ed.(Hons) agrees :>
Too cerebral for today's listeners, unfortunately :^ /
Ha ha. One doesn't have to be a dimwit to not enjoy Emerson, Lake and Palmer. I think it sucks. Badly. And that's not just me. My B.Ed.(Hons) agrees :>
I remember many parties where after a certain altitude was achieved, things like this, early Kansas, King Crimson, and Yes got played.
Too cerebral for today's listeners, unfortunately :^ /
ploba wrote:
Posted on 12/02
Last play before that: 11/01
Just saying'...
why must you play this gawd awful song every bloody day!!??
Posted on 12/02
Last play before that: 11/01
Just saying'...
If you want to torture me, lock me in room, play this, and I'll tell you everything.
DrLex wrote:
I find this incredibly refreshing after all the auto-tuned and over-produced garbage I had to endure the last dozen years.
Wait, you don't find this song "over-produced"? Well, we all hear different things. Have a good day, doc.
I find this incredibly refreshing after all the auto-tuned and over-produced garbage I had to endure the last dozen years.
Wait, you don't find this song "over-produced"? Well, we all hear different things. Have a good day, doc.
Thanks RP - haven't heard this in YEARS!! 
why must you play this gawd awful song every bloody day!!??
listen to that bass!
WHOOOOOOOAHHH!
LONG LIVE PROG
LONG LIVE PROG
TAI wrote:
Lucky You!!!
Rest In Peace, Keith..... thank you for providing us with such great and uplifting music... And... for bridging the gap to the classical world that, unbeknownst to many, was so very powerful... I saw your Works concert at grand NYC Madison Square Garden (aka "the Garden") in the 70's..... awe inspiring!
ALSO, I recall seeing what I believe was one of the first laser light shows at the Hayden Planetarium in NYC called "LASERIUM The Cosmic Laser Concert"and "Tank" was one of the songs.... it was mind-blowing... and if i am not mistaken, they used 420 smell-o-vision too LOL
Ooooh, what a lucky man he was
Ooooh, what a lucky man he was
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsBoUu2zIPg
"The FIRST laser show, captured on film in a segment from Laserimage created by Ivan Dryer in 1971/72. This is the birth of Laser Entertainment! The first laser and music concert Ivan made, however, the dim appearance of lasers on film led him to create the live laser concert phenomenon of Laserium in 1973. Emerson Lake and Palmers TANK became an integral part of LASERIUM The Cosmic Laser Concert."
ALSO, I recall seeing what I believe was one of the first laser light shows at the Hayden Planetarium in NYC called "LASERIUM The Cosmic Laser Concert"and "Tank" was one of the songs.... it was mind-blowing... and if i am not mistaken, they used 420 smell-o-vision too LOL
Ooooh, what a lucky man he was
Ooooh, what a lucky man he was
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsBoUu2zIPg
"The FIRST laser show, captured on film in a segment from Laserimage created by Ivan Dryer in 1971/72. This is the birth of Laser Entertainment! The first laser and music concert Ivan made, however, the dim appearance of lasers on film led him to create the live laser concert phenomenon of Laserium in 1973. Emerson Lake and Palmers TANK became an integral part of LASERIUM The Cosmic Laser Concert."
Lucky You!!!
Holy crap this album is 46 years old.
DrLex wrote:
I find this incredibly refreshing after all the auto-tuned and over-produced garbage I had to endure the last dozen years.
Yep stands up pretty well to be 40 years old.
I find this incredibly refreshing after all the auto-tuned and over-produced garbage I had to endure the last dozen years.
Yep stands up pretty well to be 40 years old.
bttcld66 wrote:
I find this incredibly refreshing after all the auto-tuned and over-produced garbage I had to endure the last dozen years.
Boring for the sounds of nowdays, sorry :-(
I find this incredibly refreshing after all the auto-tuned and over-produced garbage I had to endure the last dozen years.
I was really into this in my early teens, now YIKES 
ploba wrote:
The question is: Why do you GET to hear this song every freaking day?
The answer is: Clean living and a bit of good luck. Also, the benevolence of our gracious host.
WHY do i have to hear this song EVERY FREAKIN DAY?
The question is: Why do you GET to hear this song every freaking day?
The answer is: Clean living and a bit of good luck. Also, the benevolence of our gracious host.
Rest In Peace, Keith..... thank you for providing us with such great and uplifting music... And... for bridging the gap to the classical world that, unbeknownst to many, was so very powerful... I saw your Works concert at grand NYC Madison Square Garden (aka "the Garden") in the 70's..... awe inspiring!
ALSO, I recall seeing what I believe was one of the first laser light shows at the Hayden Planetarium in NYC called "LASERIUM The Cosmic Laser Concert"and "Tank" was one of the songs.... it was mind-blowing... and if i am not mistaken, they used 420 smell-o-vision too LOL
Ooooh, what a lucky man he was
Ooooh, what a lucky man he was
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsBoUu2zIPg
"The FIRST laser show, captured on film in a segment from Laserimage created by Ivan Dryer in 1971/72. This is the birth of Laser Entertainment! The first laser and music concert Ivan made, however, the dim appearance of lasers on film led him to create the live laser concert phenomenon of Laserium in 1973. Emerson Lake and Palmers TANK became an integral part of LASERIUM The Cosmic Laser Concert."
ALSO, I recall seeing what I believe was one of the first laser light shows at the Hayden Planetarium in NYC called "LASERIUM The Cosmic Laser Concert"and "Tank" was one of the songs.... it was mind-blowing... and if i am not mistaken, they used 420 smell-o-vision too LOL
Ooooh, what a lucky man he was
Ooooh, what a lucky man he was
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsBoUu2zIPg
"The FIRST laser show, captured on film in a segment from Laserimage created by Ivan Dryer in 1971/72. This is the birth of Laser Entertainment! The first laser and music concert Ivan made, however, the dim appearance of lasers on film led him to create the live laser concert phenomenon of Laserium in 1973. Emerson Lake and Palmers TANK became an integral part of LASERIUM The Cosmic Laser Concert."
QUITE POSSIBLY THE WORST. SONG. EVER.
Boring for the sounds of nowdays, sorry :-(
As time moves on, I am strangely becoming drawn back to Prog music.
While I know I was heavily influenced in my formative years will all the usual culprits from the 1970s, I moved on in my listening pleasure.
I wonder if I'll be looking out for my loons and afgan coat next?
While I know I was heavily influenced in my formative years will all the usual culprits from the 1970s, I moved on in my listening pleasure.
I wonder if I'll be looking out for my loons and afgan coat next?
Keith turn off the Hammond magnet motor at the end of the song playing the note...
I look forward to forgetting this as soon as possible.
jsd52756 wrote:
My vinyl skips back a track on that last part. The album lasts forever for me.
Play this track on vinyl. The last part near the end where the engineer slows the tape down is one of the most demanding pieces a turntable will ever encounter. It will also test your whole system as the bass will stress the piss out of the speakers and amp. That being said I can't get enough of this great album. Thanks ELP. -John
My vinyl skips back a track on that last part. The album lasts forever for me.
I remember back in '71 asking my parents " Who are Emerson, Lake and Palmer?" while going through their 8 track real to real collection. "I don't know." was my fathers reply. That was enough to tear open the plastic wrapping and discover a new form of music.I ended up opening and listening to all those tapes that were still wrapped in plastic...
This album raised the bar for me. I was 13 and hunting for new and outstanding. Nothing to date had come close aside from some Jethro Tull lyrical tomfoolery. There is so much going on with the intensity of the production here. A mix of classical, poetry, insane drumming and organ playing, electronics, vocal gymnastics....stunning debut.
Nothing like a good aural flogging!
Nothing like a good aural flogging!
THROWBACK! I had TOTALLY forgotten all about this PROG masterpiece
Play this track on vinyl. The last part near the end where the engineer slows the tape down is one of the most demanding pieces a turntable will ever encounter. It will also test your whole system as the bass will stress the piss out of the speakers and amp. That being said I can't get enough of this great album. Thanks ELP. -John
sorry but this quote jumped into my head in the middle of this song:
"This pretentious ponderous collection of religious rock psalms is enough to prompt the question, 'What day did the Lord create Spinal Tap, and couldn't he have rested on that day too?
"This pretentious ponderous collection of religious rock psalms is enough to prompt the question, 'What day did the Lord create Spinal Tap, and couldn't he have rested on that day too?
WHY do i have to hear this song EVERY FREAKIN DAY?
I am
ucky enough to be old enough to say, I was there, Isle of Wight 1970, first performance brilliant, prog rock at its best.
ucky enough to be old enough to say, I was there, Isle of Wight 1970, first performance brilliant, prog rock at its best.
Greatness!
thank you RP for the HOT SET!!!!!!
thank you RP for the HOT SET!!!!!!
Still, it turns me on.
Thanks Rp!!
Thanks Rp!!
vinylbob wrote:
I agree. There is no understanding peoples cruel words and unfeeling nature. I say it all the time "If you can't say anything nice,don't say anything at all"
Very sad that fans tormented Mr. Emerson with their negative reviews of recent performances. He took the criticism badly to say the least. People need to be nice or be quiet. That said, I wish he would have faced his neurological hand issues by retiring gracefully.
I agree. There is no understanding peoples cruel words and unfeeling nature. I say it all the time "If you can't say anything nice,don't say anything at all"
I remember this album from my childhood but never had it and have not heard much from E,L&P over the years... So hearing this now, I had some faint recollection of it. For a while I thought it sounded a bit Jethro Tull'ish.
Very sad that fans tormented Mr. Emerson with their negative reviews of recent performances. He took the criticism badly to say the least. People need to be nice or be quiet. That said, I wish he would have faced his neurological hand issues by retiring gracefully.
kurtster wrote:
absolutley
i got this album and i thought
this is their first one?!?
One of the greatest debut albums of all time.
absolutley
i got this album and i thought
this is their first one?!?
kurtster wrote:
Agreed!!
One of the greatest debut albums of all time.
Not a bad song on it.
Shame we had to wait so long to hear this here.
Not a bad song on it.
Shame we had to wait so long to hear this here.
Agreed!!
One of the greatest debut albums of all time.
Not a bad song on it.
Shame we had to wait so long to hear this here.
Not a bad song on it.
Shame we had to wait so long to hear this here.
ground-breaking brilliant album!
This song kicks ass.
That is what it is being investigated as
Skydog wrote:
Skydog wrote:
so?
was it a suicide or not?
was it a suicide or not?
so?
was it a suicide or not?
was it a suicide or not?
Awesome album, even for today and tomorrow and so on...
I Agree completely!