The song was written in the key of
A minor. It is driven by an acoustic guitar line with layers of electric guitar (both rhythm and lead), electric bass guitar, and sung by Lake, with some backing on drums (played by
Carl Palmer with
congas,
tympani mallets and without
cymbals), and with a distinctive closing synthesizer solo from
Keith Emerson, accompanied by overdubbed synthesizer sounds. This song was originally intended for
King Crimson's debut album
In the Court of the Crimson King, but band leader
Robert Fripp didn't think it would fit into the album's context.
Record World said that "Greg Lake gets a great sound out of his band on this acoustically jazzy number that highlights his voice and fine lyrics." ==Personnel==