--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When music appears which only King…" description: "\"When music appears which only King Crimson can play, then, sooner or later, King Crimson appears to play the music.\" — Robert Fripp" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a6/robert-fripp-10320_crimson_when-music-appears-which-only-king-crims_1153726.jpg" --- # When music appears which only King Crimson can play, then… ![“When music appears which only King Crimson can play, then, sooner or later, King Crimson appears to play the music.” quote by Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a6/robert-fripp-10320_crimson_when-music-appears-which-only-king-crims_1153726.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a6/robert-fripp-10320_crimson_when-music-appears-which-only-king-crims_1153726.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a6/robert-fripp-10320_crimson_when-music-appears-which-only-king-crims_1153726.jpg) > “When music appears which only King Crimson can play, then, sooner or later, King Crimson appears to play the music.” [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Unique music defines a band; when a song fits only them, it signals their distinct identity. **In simple terms:** Only a specific band can play certain music, showing their uniqueness. Key Takeaway Embrace your distinctive style. Themes music identity creativity Mood inspired thoughtful Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - songwriting - band branding - live performance Key Concepts artistic signature musical innovation genre definition Questions to Reflect On - What makes a sound uniquely yours? - How can you balance uniqueness with accessibility? A Different Perspective Fans may misinterpret uniqueness as exclusivity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [King crimson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king-crimson/) [Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Sooner or later](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sooner-or-later/) ## Related quotes > [Michael Giles the first drummer of King Crimson, never agreed to the name King Crimson. But then, if you'd knew Michael, you would know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/michael-giles-the-first-drummer-of-king-crimson-never-agreed-to-the/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [That certain feeling happened to me in a big way quite often with the first King Crimson. Amazing things would happen-I mean, telepathy, qualities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/that-certain-feeling-happened-to-me-in-a-big-way-quite-often-with-the/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [Now, if King Crimson accepts responsibility for innovating its own tradition, you can't accept responsibility for the audience. And there is an enormous tangible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/now-if-king-crimson-accepts-responsibility-for-innovating-its-own/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [Emerson, Lake & Palmer or King Crimson or Gentle Giant - the worst prog rock references I can come up with. Though I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duncan-sheik/emerson-lake-palmer-or-king-crimson-or-gentle-giant-the-worst-prog/) [Duncan Sheik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duncan-sheik/) > [I always thought if I had a band it would have the energy and feel of early Police, since that's where my roots are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hawkins/i-always-thought-if-i-had-a-band-it-would-have-the-energy-and-feel-of/) [Taylor Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hawkins/) > [The rise of King Crimson was so fast that, to me, it felt as if it was going out of control. And it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-giles/the-rise-of-king-crimson-was-so-fast-that-to-me-it-felt-as-if-it-was/) [Michael Giles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-giles/) > [Ruin seize thee, ruthless king! Confusion on thy banners wait! Though fann'd by Conquest's crimson wing, They mock the air with idle state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-gray/ruin-seize-thee-ruthless-king-confusion-on-thy-banners-wait-though/) [Thomas Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-gray/) > [I listened to a lot of King Crimson back in the day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-elling/i-listened-to-a-lot-of-king-crimson-back-in-the-day/) [Kurt Elling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-elling/) > [King Crimson is never easy; it's challenging. That's why I like it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-belew/king-crimson-is-never-easy-it-s-challenging-that-s-why-i-like-it/) [Adrian Belew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-belew/) > [King Crimson were the only really famous band I'd been in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-muir/king-crimson-were-the-only-really-famous-band-i-d-been-in/) [Jamie Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-muir/) > [King Crimson will soon be touring parts of Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-belew/king-crimson-will-soon-be-touring-parts-of-europe/) [Adrian Belew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-belew/) > [From my time in 'King Crimson,' I'd describe a Progressive band as one that keeps trying to break musical barriers, and keeps trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-levin/from-my-time-in-king-crimson-i-d-describe-a-progressive-band-as-one/) [Tony Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-levin/) > [King in Crimson is actually an alchemical term. King Crimson is a metaphor for Devil or Satan, but at the same time it's also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-dickinson/king-in-crimson-is-actually-an-alchemical-term-king-crimson-is-a/) [Bruce Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-dickinson/) > [Touring with King Crimson wasn't a lot of fun for me. I had a lot of equipment, and when I was in improvised music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-muir/touring-with-king-crimson-wasn-t-a-lot-of-fun-for-me-i-had-a-lot-of/) [Jamie Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-muir/) > [I love doing it. It's great. I love doing the sessions, 'cause you're kind of like in a different band every day. I used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-5/i-love-doing-it-it-s-great-i-love-doing-the-sessions-cause-you-re/) [John 5](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-5/) ## More by Robert Fripp > [Then certainly for a musician timing becomes something that is immediately accessible as a concept, because it's a necessity in ones everyday performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/then-certainly-for-a-musician-timing-becomes-something-that-is/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [I recommend my students not to be professional unless they really have to be. I tell them, 'If you love music, sell Hoovers or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/i-recommend-my-students-not-to-be-professional-unless-they-really/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [Even within the band, if I cannot manage to persuade the members of what I see to be the next course of action, how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/even-within-the-band-if-i-cannot-manage-to-persuade-the-members-of/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [So, you can set up an orchestra down this end of the railway station playing one particular area, and simultaneously at the other end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/so-you-can-set-up-an-orchestra-down-this-end-of-the-railway-station/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [If the audience doesn't hear what is going on, is it going on?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/if-the-audience-doesn-t-hear-what-is-going-on-is-it-going-on/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [What has changed in 40 years? It’s very simple: 40 years ago there was a market economy. Today there is a market society –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/what-has-changed-in-40-years-it-s-very-simple-40-years-ago-there-was/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [We know others to the extent that we know ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/we-know-others-to-the-extent-that-we-know-ourselves/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [My life has improved so much since I stopped doing interviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/my-life-has-improved-so-much-since-i-stopped-doing-interviews/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [If an apprentice does not hear what a master hears, is then that quality not present in the music? Yes and no. In the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/if-an-apprentice-does-not-hear-what-a-master-hears-is-then-that/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [Music is the cup which holds the wine of silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/music-is-the-cup-which-holds-the-wine-of-silence/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [According to USA today, the average length of an attention span of a man in America is 23 minutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/according-to-usa-today-the-average-length-of-an-attention-span-of-a/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [Usually people think that it is the musicians who create the music, but in fact it is music who creates the musicians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/usually-people-think-that-it-is-the-musicians-who-create-the-music/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [A mistake is always forgivable, rarely excusable and always unacceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/a-mistake-is-always-forgivable-rarely-excusable-and-always/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [To me, Bill's musical heart is in Earthworks, in the jazz they are playing, in the acoustic kit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/to-me-bill-s-musical-heart-is-in-earthworks-in-the-jazz-they-are/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [That certain feeling happened to me in a big way quite often with the first King Crimson. Amazing things would happen-I mean, telepathy, qualities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/that-certain-feeling-happened-to-me-in-a-big-way-quite-often-with-the/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) [Explore all 66 Robert Fripp quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) ## More Crimson quotes > [Bright reds - scarlet, pillar-box red, crimson or cherry - are very cheerful and youthful. There is certainly a red for everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-dior/bright-reds-scarlet-pillar-box-red-crimson-or-cherry-are-very/) [Christian Dior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-dior/) > [Cookbooks, it should be stressed, do not belong in the kitchen at all. We keep them there for the sake of appearances; occasionally, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-lane/cookbooks-it-should-be-stressed-do-not-belong-in-the-kitchen-at-all/) [Anthony Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-lane/) > [So if big enough droplets fell far enough fast enough, someone floating right near the metallic hydrogen layer inside Jupiter maybe, just maybe, could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-kean/so-if-big-enough-droplets-fell-far-enough-fast-enough-someone/) [Sam Kean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-kean/) > [It is the sense of unfamiliar envelopment that is impressive, whether in the living grays of hoarfrost, the crimson of the heavens at sunset,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-j-phillips/it-is-the-sense-of-unfamiliar-envelopment-that-is-impressive-whether/) [Walter J. Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-j-phillips/) > ['Crimson' is written in a very particular style, and it's very precise in the way it graduates into a gothic romance. The souls that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guillermo-del-toro/crimson-is-written-in-a-very-particular-style-and-it-s-very-precise/) [Guillermo del Toro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guillermo-del-toro/) > [There were crimson roses on the bench; they looked like splashes of blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/there-were-crimson-roses-on-the-bench-they-looked-like-splashes-of/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [Touring with King Crimson wasn't a lot of fun for me. I had a lot of equipment, and when I was in improvised music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-muir/touring-with-king-crimson-wasn-t-a-lot-of-fun-for-me-i-had-a-lot-of/) [Jamie Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-muir/) > [Pop just didn't have enough substance for me. All this nyah-nyah-nyah, you know, 'Paper Tiger' and 'Hold the Ladder, James' and 'Crimson and Clover.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregg-allman/pop-just-didn-t-have-enough-substance-for-me-all-this-nyah-nyah-nyah/) [Gregg Allman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregg-allman/) > [“Crimson the cuts in the carcass, Fast falls the foe, Dauntless devout defender, Bravest of boys . . .’ Not really a boy anymore,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/crimson-the-cuts-in-the-carcass-fast-falls-the-foe-dauntless-devout/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [I'll plant and water, sow and weed, Till not an inch of earth shows brown, And take a vow of each small seed To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-nesbit/i-ll-plant-and-water-sow-and-weed-till-not-an-inch-of-earth-shows/) [E. Nesbit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-nesbit/) > [We thread our way through a moving forest of ice-cream cones and crimson thighs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-dominique-bauby/we-thread-our-way-through-a-moving-forest-of-ice-cream-cones-and/) [Jean-Dominique Bauby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-dominique-bauby/) > [The seasons alter: hoary-headed frosts Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/the-seasons-alter-hoary-headed-frosts-fall-in-the-fresh-lap-of-the/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Alaska and Montana are not in the south but they definitely form part of the crimson tide of red states where Republicans are dominant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-williams/alaska-and-montana-are-not-in-the-south-but-they-definitely-form-part/) [Juan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-williams/) > [The Sick Rose O Rose, thou art sick. The invisible worm That flies in the night In the howling storm Has found out thy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/the-sick-rose-o-rose-thou-art-sick-the-invisible-worm-that-flies-in/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [“crimson and clover”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-hamilton/crimson-and-clover/) Grant Hamilton Browse all 150 Crimson quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When music appears which only King Crimson can play, then, sooner or later, King Crimson appears to play the music.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Fripp" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/when-music-appears-which-only-king-crimson-can-play-then-sooner-or/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Crimson" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/when-music-appears-which-only-king-crimson-can-play-then-sooner-or/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a6/robert-fripp-10320_crimson_when-music-appears-which-only-king-crims_1153726.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a6/robert-fripp-10320_crimson_when-music-appears-which-only-king-crims_1153726.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a6/robert-fripp-10320_crimson_when-music-appears-which-only-king-crims_1153726.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When music appears which only King Crimson can play, then, sooner or later, King Crimson appears to play the…” — Robert Fripp", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Robert Fripp", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When music appears which only King...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/when-music-appears-which-only-king-crimson-can-play-then-sooner-or/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/when-music-appears-which-only-king-crimson-can-play-then-sooner-or/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```