After having been rehearsed in 2013–2014 by King Crimson VIII, the song made its live debut after 48 years on 18 October 2017 in Austin, Texas.
[4] The first section, "The Dream",[2] is a mellotron-driven ballad, but after two and a half minutes it changes to a completely free-form instrumental improvisation by the band (called "The Illusion"[2]), which lasts until the end of the song.
Robert Fripp plays a snippet of "The Surrey With the Fringe on Top" (from Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!")
The song contains drummer Michael Giles performing a unique alternation between the ride cymbals,[5] which was praised by music critics and writers.
Music, of all the art forms, is just abstract; you can't pick it up or hold it, or put it on the wall.