From The Beginning

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is spinning the dreamy vibes of From The Beginning by Emerson, Lake & Palmer from their 1972 album Trilogy. This track, written by Greg Lake, is a soft acoustic ballad that stands out in ELP’s progressive rock catalog. It hit #39 on the US charts, making it their highest-charting single stateside. Fun fact: Lake originally penned this tune for King Crimson’s debut album, but Robert Fripp, the band’s leader, felt it didn’t fit. Lucky for us, it found a home with ELP, complete with Lake’s soulful vocals, a delicate acoustic guitar line, and Keith Emerson’s iconic closing synthesizer solo. The song’s introspective lyrics, like “You see it’s all clear / You were meant to be here / From the beginning,” have sparked fan theories ranging from romantic apologies to philosophical musings on destiny. Some even speculated it touched on heavy topics like abortion, though Lake himself said the lyrics came from a fleeting moment of reflection, not a grand plan.

Digging into the song’s vibe, fans on Reddit have called it both proggy and psychedelic, with one listener noting it brings a tear to their eye thanks to its beautiful melody and Lake’s emotive delivery. Another cool tidbit from Songfacts comments: fans like Brad from Topeka love the synth flourish near the end, while Erica from Barrington finds it downright sexy, comparing it to ELP’s Still… You Turn Me On. The track’s unique sound comes from Carl Palmer’s subtle percussion—think congas and timpani mallets, no cymbals—paired with layers of electric guitar and bass. Lake later shared in a Rolling Stone interview that the song was a showcase for his acoustic skills, which often took a backseat to his bass prowess in ELP’s complex arrangements.

Now, let’s rewind to how Emerson, Lake & Palmer got their start. Formed in London in 1970, ELP was a supergroup born from the ashes of other notable bands. Keith Emerson, the keyboard wizard, came from The Nice, where he was already pushing boundaries with his flamboyant organ and synth work. Greg Lake, the voice and heart of ELP, was fresh off his stint with King Crimson, bringing his knack for melodic ballads and powerful basslines. Carl Palmer, the drumming dynamo, had been laying down beats for Atomic Rooster and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. The trio clicked after a chance meeting at a festival, and their chemistry exploded at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, where they wowed a massive crowd. Signing with E.G. Records, they dropped their self-titled debut in 1970, followed by Tarkus and Trilogy, cementing their status as prog rock titans with over 48 million records sold worldwide.

ELP’s legacy lives on, even after the passing of Keith Emerson and Greg Lake in 2016. You can keep up with their official updates at emersonlakeandpalmer.com, where you’ll find tour archives, discography, and more. Follow Carl Palmer’s ongoing projects on Facebook, check out rare photos and fan discussions on Instagram, and catch the latest tributes on X. Fans also gather at sites like Progarchives for in-depth reviews and on Facebook groups like ELP Fans to share memories and rare tracks. So, Zoo Freaks, keep those vibes high and stay tuned to THE ZOO for more prog rock goodness!