One More Red Nightmare
Encyclopedia
"One More Red Nightmare" is a song by progressive rock
band King Crimson
, the third track on their 1974 album Red
. It is probably the only '70s King Crimson song with lyrics to have been written solely by instrument-playing band members (original lyricist Peter Sinfield
was considered a full member of the band, and was credited on albums as such). It was also the first released track to have lyrics by bassist/vocalist John Wetton
. The vocal sections are in 4/4 time, with instrumental sections in 15/8, 7/4, and 12/8. Parts of the song have a proto-heavy metal
feel, and the track features the alto saxophone playing of former band member Ian McDonald
.
The song is about a nightmare inspired by the fear of flying, and tells the story of a man who falls asleep on a Greyhound bus (Really safe and sound/Asleep on the Greyhound). The character in the story dreams that he's riding in an airplane, presumably at an altitude of ten thousand feet (Ten thousand feet funfair), which begins to dive toward the ground (When altitude dropping/My ears started popping). The character awakes just before the plane hits the ground.
It is worthy of note that the song ends very suddenly, as if the master tape had been cut... similar to the ending of I Want You (She's So Heavy)
from the Beatles' Abbey Road. On the original vinyl pressing the time is listed as 7:07, possibly a reference to a Boeing 707
, which would be consistent with the theme of the lyrics.
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...
band King Crimson
King 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...
, the third track on their 1974 album Red
Red (King Crimson album)
Red is a 1974 album by progressive rock group King Crimson.It was their last studio recording of the 1970s and the last before the lead member Robert Fripp temporarily disbanded the group....
. It is probably the only '70s King Crimson song with lyrics to have been written solely by instrument-playing band members (original 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...
was considered a full member of the band, and was credited on albums as such). It was also the first released track to have lyrics by bassist/vocalist John Wetton
John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton is an English bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth. He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s...
. The vocal sections are in 4/4 time, with instrumental sections in 15/8, 7/4, and 12/8. Parts of the song have a proto-heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
feel, and the track features the alto saxophone playing of former band member Ian McDonald
Ian McDonald (musician)
Ian McDonald is an English multi-instrumental musician, best known as a founding member of progressive rock group King Crimson, formed in 1969, and of the hard rock band Foreigner in 1976. He is well-known as a rock session musician, predominantly as a saxophonist...
.
The song is about a nightmare inspired by the fear of flying, and tells the story of a man who falls asleep on a Greyhound bus (Really safe and sound/Asleep on the Greyhound). The character in the story dreams that he's riding in an airplane, presumably at an altitude of ten thousand feet (Ten thousand feet funfair), which begins to dive toward the ground (When altitude dropping/My ears started popping). The character awakes just before the plane hits the ground.
It is worthy of note that the song ends very suddenly, as if the master tape had been cut... similar to the ending of I Want You (She's So Heavy)
I Want You (She's So Heavy)
"I Want You " is a song by The Beatles, from their album Abbey Road. It was written by John Lennon, although credited to Lennon–McCartney....
from the Beatles' Abbey Road. On the original vinyl pressing the time is listed as 7:07, possibly a reference to a Boeing 707
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
, which would be consistent with the theme of the lyrics.