King Crimson: The Schizoid Man! – Beneath the Covers
The twisted features on the debut King Crimson album has now become synonymous with progressive rock. This video looks at its conception and the artist behind it.
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@billsmit9141
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
This was very well done! My original copy is in tatters, but my sons purchased me the new 200 Gram addition which I now cherish. I recall being in 8th grade in Kansas City, and my buddy had this LP we constantly played as we played 8-Ball pool. As fate would have it, I saw Greg Lake with Ringo and the All Starr Band (w/R Hodson, Ian Hunter, Shelia E, Howard Jones), and the 2nd tune was "Court of the Crimson King." Everybody was just blown away! What a Treat, Greg Lake was such a great musician and could play any music. Several "Fusion Jams" ensued and he was spot-on driving the Band. Thanks for the detailed description of the classic cover. Very enjoyable. BOB, Denver, Co
@ericarmstrong6540
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Really sad what happened to Barry Godber. Good video!
@domielakrabi3276
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
One of the greatest debuts in rock history!
@olofpalme63
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
I actually bought this LP twice so I could frame it and hang it on my wall.
@stevegreat7193
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
I have never viewed this cover as disturbing, I love the colours and the way it fills the space. It is theatrical. I do see the mouth and eyes completely opposite to the way you see them! It's a top ten album though… Fab. Cheers.
@GeoffCB
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
I must have been about 14 when we freaked out the poor shop assistant at the sales counter when we asked her to play the album. First she saw the cover, then heard the song… we were quite proud of ourselves! 😅
@kw19193
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
I love your videos regardless of whether or not I agree with you. You have a mind and you use it. Very well done mate. Cheers!
@hassovanmanteufel8339
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Very comprehensive!
@johnmavroudis2054
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Greatest cover in rock history. I don't take that previous sentence lightly, either. I'm an artist / designer for four decades who is obsessed with cover art and design. There's no album cover as impactful from the first second you see it. (I love this album, but I'm not a big King Crimson fan, either)
@jtt8886
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Truly iconic and disturbing. One of the reasons I read a long time ago that Greg Lake left King Crimson was because "It's not happy music". Hard to argue with that, but it's amazing music.
@charleshall9461
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
I like how you methodically peel back the
onion (If you will) on each album and song
you review, getting to crux of what was perhaps going on at time of there creation. Then your final analogy!!
@simonjones8111
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
My favourite album – ever. Released on my 15th birthday and Epitaph remains my best loved track. Pete Sinfield’s lyrics are astonishingly relevant even today.
@Mnilsen91
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Great video as always Barry! Any plans on doing a King Crimson: Best to Worst video? Would be interesting to see your take on that ranking.
@sharktroubles
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
The whole painting depicts Godber's right ear being pulled away by what he's hearing (presumably, the music and lyrics) and his facial expression is an appropriate reaction.
@stephenlegg262
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Remember playing the title track to my dad. He was not impressed. I knew I was on to a good thing.
@ambientideas1
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
In junior high school art class (circa late 70s), I did an acrylic on canvass copy of this. Turned out ok. Classmates thought I was a weirdo. Teacher said it was startling. It’s one of two of my art pieces I’ve held onto since my youth. Still hangs on my wall and it still haunts me. Arguably the greatest album cover of all time for the reasons you cite. A perfect alignment of music and art. Schizoid isn’t my favourite song on the album, but it really does set the tone for what is the clearest example of a rock album masterpiece.
@Ghost-rb5tg
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
"Hey, what's this one with the face?"
"Oh no, no, no. You're not ready to step into the Court of the Crimson King. At this stage in your training it could turn you into an evil scientist." Great album.
@Foul_Quince
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
The Flowers of Evil, indeed?
@stevenwetherbee7573
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Fun fact: The character in the foreground of Munch's 'The Scream' is not the one screaming; he is responding to the scream.
@Handelisntavailable
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
You look like you've been painting with your chin. In a good way!
@sergioleonardo8040
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Superb comments on this iconic image. Thanks a lot! It was really illuminating. I didn't know much about this art piece.
@snowqueen_8958
May 5, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Yes!!! The one album that got me into prog rock 😀
I don't know how many times I played in the court of the crimson king when I was alone after my husband went back to England after my mom passed away