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King Crimson — Easy Money
Album: Larks' Tongues In Aspic
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1415









Released: 1973
Length: 7:42
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Your admirers on the street
Gotta hoot and stamp their feet
In the heat from your physique
As you twinkle by in moccasin sneakers

And I thought my heart would break
When you doubled up at the stake
With your fingers all a-shake
You could never tell a winner from a snake
but you always make money

Easy money

With your figure and your face
Strutting out at every race
Throw a glass around the place
Show the colour of your crimson suspenders

We would take the money home
Sit around the family throne
My old dog could chew his bone
For two weeks we could appease the Almighty

Easy money

Got no truck with the la-di-da
Keep my bread in an old fruit jar
Drive you out in a motor-car
Getting fat on your lucky star just making

Easy money
Comments (155)add comment
If I could give this song a second 10, I would. Greatest slow burn ever.
This brings back wonderful memories of WBCN in Boston through the Seventies!
 Proclivities wrote:

There were probably a handful of stations that played this back in the '70s, WNEW-FM in NY  had a few DJs who played King Crimson.




Yes! Great station!! Their sister station, WMMR Philly was also great! For me,  WNEW  was #1 & WMMR was a close 2nd! Back then, in high school, I had 2 directional, yagi FM antennas, one aimed at each station, with a switch. I lived in a fringe area at the NJ Shore!
 jbuhl wrote:

Am I the only person on here to have never , i mean never to hear this track on commercial radio ?



The only song of King Crimson I recall getting airplay during the 70's was "The Court of the Crimson King", a prog rock anthem. Somebody hear different? Media censorship was/still is a problem where I was raised.
 jbuhl wrote:

Am I the only person on here to have never , i mean never to hear this track on commercial radio ?


There were probably a handful of stations that played this back in the '70s, WNEW-FM in NY  had a few DJs who played King Crimson.

funny looking at band bios where the past members double the current members
 tm wrote:

Greg Lake was an amazing vocalist...




YES!! But he did not sing on this album.
OMG!!  These guys were the BOMB!  The ever-rotating cast of characters that supported the manic disjointed noises that somehow, always, seemed to 'click' into real-live music!

I vote TEN from the Hotlanta suburbs, and also send along a GIGANTIC THANK YOU to BillG.
 markybx wrote:
Why is work of art only worth 6.8? 


WELL, because sometimes people are just generous for no reason
 
Greg Lake was an amazing vocalist...
 maxvonevil wrote:

Hey @Bill
Listening to this track, which I after careful consideration decided I did not enjoy that much, instead of moaning about it, I found myself wondering if you've considered a feature for those of us who hit the PSD button now and then:

A checkbox called something like "Auto-PSD stuff I've rated lower than X"- figure it would help dial down some of the "waaah, track x is being played too much on RP"


If you rate everything, you have this in My Favourites.
Good Tune!!
Hey @Bill
Listening to this track, which I after careful consideration decided I did not enjoy that much, instead of moaning about it, I found myself wondering if you've considered a feature for those of us who hit the PSD button now and then:

A checkbox called something like "Auto-PSD stuff I've rated lower than X"- figure it would help dial down some of the "waaah, track x is being played too much on RP"
 jbuhl wrote:

Am I the only person on here to have never , i mean never to hear this track on commercial radio ?



Perhaps that's why we're listening to commercial-free radio.
The "associated acts" list left off Family which John Wetton was a member of before King Crimson. One of the great unsung prog bands of the late 60's early 70's
 aspicer wrote:
Their 50th Anniversary Tour is ON! Can't wait to see them in Chicago.
I left that show hoping it would be an official release... and it was!
RIP King Crimson
 jasko wrote:

Thinking the same



Yes! Where are all the KC fans anyway?
 tameredirne wrote:

WOW, still the best music on the world...



Yes, but it is mostly a private pleasure.  Though I've tried, I've found King Crimson to have limited sharability. 
Love the complex rhythm. Really hard to play and perhaps hard for some to hear.
WOW, still the best music on the world...
 jasko wrote:

Thinking the same


because it's the radio edit
High school swing!
What a great band...
 markybx wrote:
Why is work of art only worth 6.8? 
 
Thinking the same
 Rockit9 wrote:
Bad drugs = Bad song
 

I believe Fripp is pretty well known for being somewhat anti-drugs (like Zappa).
 ziakut wrote:
Who is playing bass on this track? I love it.
 

The fantastic incarnation of Wetton (bass), Bruford (drums), Muir (percussion and allsorts), Cross (violin), and Fripp (guitar). A high water mark in the land of creative musicianship.
ABSOLUTELY!

How about something by the 7-headed version of KC, from one of their recent live records? Top players at the peak of their game.
I love progressive and KC but this song has been always overrated.
 mrtuba9 wrote:
7 for the album art... would make a cool tattoo!
 
... on the bottom of my foot.
This is Høgh Claas og the Very Best kind
This is punishing at this early hour of the morning 
 ziakut wrote:
Who is playing bass on this track? I love it.
 
I think it's John Wetton? Vocals as well.
effing genius...ignore the ratings
what you gonna do in those shoes
7 for the album art... would make a cool tattoo!
I wish the scale went past 10 so I could give it a 15.
Who is playing bass on this track? I love it.
Am I the only person on here to have never , i mean never to hear this track on commercial radio ?
YES! Awesome stuff!  Of course with a drummer like Bruford...Please play more of this and others like it!
If I can provide the traditional PF reference*, I got echoes (see what I did there!)  of ' The Gold It's In The...' from 'Obscured by Clouds', released a year earlier, so influence is not unexpected. 

*On reading further I see there already have been Gilmour and Floyd allusions...
 Old_Pat wrote:
WHY HAVE I NEVER HEARD THIS Before?    wow...
 
This was of a time and a place and if you weren't in the right place at the right time you could miss it. However if you were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time you can't forget it! 
Please play more of this kinda stuff.
The less commercial the better!
Uggh, radio edits!


"Well I bargained with the Judge,
but that bastard wouldn't budge
when they caught me licking fudge
but they never told me you were a minor"

that's missing!
find a live version.
 *

(*How do I feel right now, inspired by the album cover)
 Funkyfreddy wrote:
Great to hear this classic King Crimson song on Radio Paradise! :)

This is one of the most inventive King Crimson line ups on this song in my humble opinion.....
 
I'd go further and say this is one of the most inventive King Crimson tracks.
Mark Knopfler is the best,Brazilian hugs for all lovers this musician.
very nice by king crimson love it. i give it a nine !!
Why is work of art only worth 6.8? 
my favorite kind of money
Their 50th Anniversary Tour is ON! Can't wait to see them in Chicago.
Bass man tonylevin.com 's website has some great stories of life on the road and photos of the band. Worth a read
WHY HAVE I NEVER HEARD THIS Before?    wow...
Takes me back. Love this shit. If you don't like it, it's only because you never gave it a chance. Some music isn't instantly likable. It can take effort, but rewards are great.
This makes my brain tingle.
 Funkyfreddy wrote:
Great to hear this classic King Crimson song on Radio Paradise! :)

This is one of the most inventive King Crimson line ups on this song in my humble opinion.....
 
Yes - this Bill Bruford lineup and puberty hit me at around the same time.
I usually like a dissonant song but this song makes me mad just listening to it. 
Because of its length it took me to PSD's to miss this tune in its entirety.
Great to hear this classic King Crimson song on Radio Paradise! :)

This is one of the most inventive King Crimson line ups on this song in my humble opinion.....
 Rockit9 wrote:
Bad drugs = Bad song
 
Sorry to hear about your crap drugs.
Bad drugs = Bad song
 blue-ice wrote:
My neighbors are hearing this loud and clear.
Wow,  my amps get hot when KC is playing.
 
As well they should! 
My neighbors are hearing this loud and clear.
Wow,  my amps get hot when KC is playing.
 jberko wrote:
This band defines 'progressive' music.  Most don't like it because it is complex and not common in any way.  I saw these guys three times in the 70's and they were as tight live as they were in the studio.  Amazing band.

 
I’m hearing strains of Gentle Giant - So Sincere. 
This band defines 'progressive' music.  Most don't like it because it is complex and not common in any way.  I saw these guys three times in the 70's and they were as tight live as they were in the studio.  Amazing band.
 LowPhreak wrote:

KC can be like oysters or scotch - somewhat of an acquired taste. But pretty good once you get into it.

(There's an old New England saying, though - "It was a bold man who first ate an oystah!")  {#Razz}

 
I like it!

Pass the fried eel please.
 Catalytic wrote:
Discordant AND boring. That's an achievement in itself. 

 
Any King Crimson song that was not polarizing would be a disappointment.
Seeing them perform this live (with three, count 'em, three drummers front and center) in October was simply spectacular!
Well maybe one needs to be in the mood, but to me this just sounds like old prog rock trying too hard. Dated.
I'm really happy for you and Imma let you finish but the current 8-man version of King Crimson  doing Easy Money is the best of all time!
Just watched the current incarnation of KC play this last night in Washington D.C.

Fan freakin' tastic!

Mel Collins and Gavin Harrison were the stars of the show (IMHO) - Gavin's drum solo during Schizoid brought the house down. 
 Catalytic wrote:
Discordant AND boring. That's an achievement in itself. 

 
For the unimaginative types, perhaps.
Discordant AND boring. That's an achievement in itself. 
 Catalytic wrote:
zero? minus 1? can I vote lower? 

 
Ditto and another minus point for the way it just drags on and on
 Catalytic wrote:
zero? minus 1? can I vote lower? 

 
You need a Catalytic Crimson Converter 
Oh, you should see this performed live by the eight-headed beast. What a period they're in now - another high-water mark. Brilliance...

And Mastolletto has some digital samples of Jamie Muir's previous noises that he triggers during the middle. What a wonderful, terrifying thing they are now.
Cool thread.
 Larks' Tongues In Aspic along with Red has been on the shopping list for a while.
zero? minus 1? can I vote lower? 
Yisssss
 
Larks' Tongues in Aspic > Starless and Bible Black > Red > USA

Love every moment of every album 

Was about to go do some yard work and this comes on. Damn you Bill.


Pink Floyd - Childhood's End? :)
This not a rock number, it is a work of art.
Always grateful for a trip into the world of King Crimson
Oh yea, more Crimson.  I love "Discipline."
love bruford's drumming , especially on the album Red.
not to program from my home office here - but -

the "laughing box" ending here would segue great into Gorillaz "Feel Good Inc" 
Trippy stuff, eh?
 bam23 wrote:
Astonishing percussion. Bruford, I guess. The only time I saw the earlier KC (Agora in Cleveland) I did not appreciate it sufficiently. Fripp chastised audience members who were yelling the standard 'Down in front'. He pointed out that this was sound. One did not need to see.

 
He should have played behind a curtain then so no one would see him. Would have made no difference since all he does on stage is deadpan stare, unmoving, and thinks it's his 'avant garde' trademark or something. Fripp's always been a self-absorbed twat and quite grating, though KC's one of my favorite bands.
Astonishing percussion. Bruford, I guess. The only time I saw the earlier KC (Agora in Cleveland) I did not appreciate it sufficiently. Fripp chastised audience members who were yelling the standard 'Down in front'. He pointed out that this was sound. One did not need to see.
Only on RP can I can learn "new" pieces...Thank you
Yes more please 
One More Red Nightmare  
Love KC. More please 🌟
 Eagle25000 wrote:

LOVE King Crimson... not my favorite track!



 
I am usually not a fan, but I enjoyed that one.  Probably because it leans more Floyd than most KC.  
Steely_D wrote:
What a period in music. Wow. Yes, Gentle Giant, Genesis, PFM, ELP, and Crimson - all intent on making something different...

that gradual improv in the middle, Wetton coming back in with the vocals, the brief pause, and then they shred your wallpaper.

BTW, that's not Bruford, but Jamie Muir making all those extraneous noises. Bruford's on the main kit.

  
>>I agree with this guy.
Yes, Yes indeed. 

LOVE King Crimson... not my favorite track!


I'll give it a 10 Dick - it's got a beat and you can dance to it.
Johny come stately takes a stance.
 nutrod42 wrote:
Annoying.

 
KC can be like oysters or scotch - somewhat of an acquired taste. But pretty good once you get into it.

(There's an old New England saying, though - "It was a bold man who first ate an oystah!")  {#Razz}
 Steely_D wrote:
What a period in music. Wow. Yes, Gentle Giant, Genesis, PFM, ELP, and Crimson - all intent on making something different...

that gradual improv in the middle, Wetton coming back in with the vocals, the brief pause, and then they shred your wallpaper.

BTW, that's not Bruford, but Jamie Muir making all those extraneous noises. Bruford's on the main kit.

 
I agree with this guy.
Lark's Tongues, Starless and Red - I just don't know how I could have survived my teen years without them.
This is just an instant crush! Love this, 8 and possibly more when I've heard the whole album (already ordered.) {#Sunny}

A friend tried to turn me on to Crimson years ago to no avail.... But it was stuff from much later, didn't have anything to do with this. Gotta give Crimson another try. 
Annoying.
cool photo (am trying to hear the lumber-saw, maybe that's how they made the sharp clangs and sproings : )
 Shmelo wrote:

7 > 9

Killer song.



 
Killer band.


 LowPhreak wrote:

Yeah I saw part of that on YT. Muir had too much amphetamine that day. {#Lol}

 
He went to a monastery for awhile after this album.
I haven't heard this in at least 100 years!  Sooooo good after all this time.  {#Bananajam}
as a young bass player learning to play, this was an essential album to learn{#Idea}!

7 > 9

Killer song.


Ah Crimson - My introduction and love of progressive rock
Maybe the least track on King Crimson's best album. Love the laugh track at the end, though.
Too funny!  Great song {#Notworthy}
A breakthrough album {#Idea}
{#Daisy}
                                    Replay

    Can't resist laughing when you hear '' making easy money''.
Now that I know, I need to figure out what to do with this knowing.
thought it was Gilmour...{#Think}
First. Ever. Listen! 

Wow!

9
my my..this seems like a long tune..
I did not know RP had an 8-track player...
 jbuhl wrote:

Bad ass tune.  If you get the new release CD it has a DVD of Muir running around like a monkey banging on all that stuff.

 
Yeah I saw part of that on YT. Muir had too much amphetamine that day. {#Lol}
Love this band.. Still a bit underrated as far as I am concerned..{#Bananapiano}
 hayduke2 wrote:
love this

I would use this in my waiting room, immerse my visitors with this percussionists dream music   aaaaaah-haaaaaaa  haaaaa-ha haaa!!!!

 

And we all know where that would lead: 

Gahan Wilson cartoon: