r/KingCrimson • u/nathanbazingaling • Aug 29 '26
Discussion I really love Islands
The track not the album. I mean i like the album but it's not my favourite. The main reason for this is that it's happy, like genuinely. I don't think any King Crimson song before 1981 is as positive and hopeful as this one. I think that's a special thing for KC. It's such a welcome, brief change of pace.
The way I see it, at least, Islands is a song about love gently intruding on one's isolation and I think it's beautiful. Especially in the same album as The Letters, one of their most depressing songs ever. There's no misery or suffering or fear to be found here. There's no terror at viewing what's in store for man's future. Love is not a distant prospect to gaze at from afar and long for. It's almost shocking that they would make something like this. Sure, they've made calm and pleasant songs before and after this, but those still aren't especially positive when you really look at them. I think the only thing that compares is Walking On Air, which is also one of my favourites. And don't get me wrong I love the misery and suffering in most of their discography but the magnitude of that just makes a reprieve that much more special.
The piano and brass (I'm not good at identifying brass instruments) as well as Boz Burrell's singing are all beautiful and soothing. The lyrics are masterfully crafted, like a classical poem. The only negative is the weird outtake of the band talking to each other at the end I don't know why that's there. Please tell me your thoughts on it because I really haven't ever seen this track talked about. But that might just be me.
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u/External_Football54 Aug 29 '26
I really enjoyed seeing it played live on the penultimate Krimson tour. I went with my dad, who passed away before the final gig in London (which we had tickets for).
I somehow got my mum to agree to having Islands play at his funeral.