Karn Evil 9

Song_infobox
Name = Karn Evil 9


SorA = album
Artist = Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Album = Brain Salad Surgery
Released = 19 November 1973
track_no = 5
Recorded = 1973
Genre = Progressive rock
Length = 29:37
Writer =
Composer =
Label = Manticore Records
Producer = Greg Lake
Chart position =
prev = "Benny the Bouncer"
prev_no = 4
next = End of album
next_no =

Karn Evil 9 is an extended work by progressive rock group Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP), appearing on the album, "Brain Salad Surgery". A futuristic fusion of rock and classical themes, it is regarded by many fans to be among their best works. 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 Crimson lyricist, Peter Sinfield.The phrase "Karn Evil" is a slight alteration of the word "carnival."Liner notes, "Brain Salad Surgery" reissue, 1996. Rhino Entertainment R2 72459. Pg. 11-12]

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.

Impressions

Karn Evil 9 consists of three movements, or "Impressions," with the First Impression divided into two parts:
* First Impression, part 1 (0:00 to 8:41)
* First Impression, part 2 (8:42 to 13:22)
* Second Impression (13:23 to 20:30)
* Third 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 tells the story of a world "to 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. The exhibits, however, are not limited to simply things that are decadent, but also 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. This Impression changes from an upbeat out-of-control tune to a creepy slow interval and then picks up the pace again. This Impression is often overlooked and is less popular than the others.

Third Impression describes a war between humans and computers, which can be interpreted in two different ways. One interpretation allows the victory to the humans, who reimpose their domain over the computers. The other 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. Peter Sinfield's original interpretation was that "what [Man had] invented ironically takes him over."

Writing credits and vocals

* First Impression: Music by Keith Emerson, vocals and lyrics written by Greg Lake.
* Second Impression: Music by Emerson.
* Third Impression: Music by Emerson, lyrics by Lake and Peter Sinfield. 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 1990's. The vocals regarding seven virgins and a mule were omitted.

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".

References