Discipline album art

Discipline

King Crimson
Discipline (1981)
Moderate 120 BPM
AI-analyzed — check another song
Share on X Facebook

Song DNA

Dynamic Range6/10
Sudden Changesmild
Texturelayered
Predictabilitymedium
Vocal Stylespoken word
Notes: Interlocking guitar patterns inspired by gamelan create a hypnotic, intricate texture with disciplined precision and subtle tension. Minimalist riffs and controlled dynamics avoid harshness but build suspense through phasing and rhythmic complexity.

Misophonia Triggers

Mouth Soundsnone
Percussive Clicksnone
Breathing Soundsnone
Repetitive Micro-soundsmild

Instrumental opener featuring twin interlocking guitars mimicking gamelan rhythms in a minimalist, chamber-rock style with precise, phasing riffs.

affiliate links

Hear it the way it was made

The right gear changes everything.

Moods: contemplative, introspective

Traditions: gamelan, new wave, progressive rock

How this song sits on each sensory axis

A dynamic range of 6/10 means this song moves. Expect a real volume climb between quiet sections and the loudest part of the arrangement — enough that you may want to set the initial volume below where you'd normally land.

Sudden changes: mild. There are one or two transitions worth knowing about, though they're musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.

Texture is layered — a full arrangement with clear separation between parts.

Predictability is medium — conventional structure overall, with one or two moments that deviate from what you'd expect.

Vocal style: spoken word.

Where this sits in King Crimson's catalog

We have 18 songs from King Crimson in the library. Of those, 3 are rated Safe, 2 Moderate, and 13 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 6/10 sits below the artist average of 7.4, making it the #14 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.

Other tracks from Discipline

We have 5 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans intense in sensory profile.

1981 context

Released in 1981. We have 194 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.4/10. This track is about average than the year average. Explore more from the 1980s.

Explore by mood and tradition

Moods
contemplative · 3297introspective · 5721
Traditions
gamelan · 1new wave · 238progressive rock · 300

Why this rating

We rate this song Moderate because it falls between our Safe and Intense thresholds on at least one dimension. Moderate is the default for most well-produced music that has real arc but no surprise elements. Full rubric: methodology.

Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-14. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.

Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.

Frequently asked about "Discipline"

Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.

What is the sensory intensity of "Discipline" by King Crimson?

"Discipline" by King Crimson rates as Moderate intensity. Dynamic range 6/10, mild sudden changes, layered texture. Moderate is the default for well-produced music with real arc but no surprise elements.

How loud is "Discipline" — what is its dynamic range?

"Discipline" has a dynamic range of 6/10. Noticeable climb from quiet sections to loudest point. Set opening volume slightly lower than your preferred peak.

Does "Discipline" have sudden or surprising changes?

"Discipline" has mild sudden changes — one or two transitions worth knowing about, but they are musically resolved rather than surprise-driven.

What is "Discipline" best for?

In our library "Discipline" is recommended for: deep listening, focus. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.

When was "Discipline" released?

"Discipline" is from 1981, on the album "Discipline". It appears in our 1980s catalog.

What is the emotional mood of "Discipline"?

We tag "Discipline" as contemplative, introspective. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.

What is the vocal style of "Discipline"?

The vocal style is spoken word.

Should I listen to "Discipline"?

"Discipline" is Moderate intensity — fine for most listeners, but with enough dynamic activity that it works best as active listening rather than background.

Songs with the same DNA

layered texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.

Could You Be Loved
Bob Marley & The Wailers
moderate
DR 6
Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored
Ariana Grande
moderate
DR 6
pretty isn't pretty
Olivia Rodrigo
moderate
DR 6
Adventures Close to Home
The Slits
moderate
DR 6
Why Bother?
Weezer
moderate
DR 7
Toys
Herbie Hancock
moderate
DR 7

Safer alternatives with a similar feel

These songs share similar moods but with a gentler sensory profile.

Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2
Frédéric Chopin safe
Blowin' in the Wind
Bob Dylan safe
It's Too Late
Carole King safe
If I Were a Boy
Beyoncé safe
Kind of Blue
Miles Davis safe

What this song means to people

No stories yet. Be the first.

Share what this song means to you

Keep exploring

Red
King Crimson intense
Frame by Frame
King Crimson intense
Thela Hun Ginjeet
King Crimson intense
Prelude in C Sharp Minor, Op. 3 No. 2
Sergei Rachmaninoff moderate
Teddy Picker
Arctic Monkeys moderate
Outstanding
The Gap Band moderate
← All King Crimson songs    Check another song →