Album: Emerson, Lake, and Powell (1986)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Clocking in at 9:10, this song was featured prominently on the only album and tour this lineup ever did. Originally titled "What's your game?" it was only changed to "The Score" at the very last minute.
  • The lyrics refer back to Emerson, Lake, and Palmer's 1973 song "Karn Evil 9" from the Brain Salad Surgery album.
  • The throbbing single-note motif heard at the very beginning of the song was created with the help of programmer Paul "Wix" Wickens on a Yamaha QX1 keyboard. The choir sounds came from a synthesizer called the Oberheim Matrix. "Wix" would go on to perform as a session musician on many albums in the late 1980s.
  • After their only tour, this lineup broke up when Keith Emerson and Greg Lake heard a rumor that Cozy Powell was leaving them to replace John Bonham in a reformed Led Zeppelin. The rumor proved to be untrue. Emerson would eventually form a band in 1988 with Carl Palmer and Robert Berry called Three. Emerson, Lake, and Palmer would reunite in 1992. Cozy Powell went on to play in Black Sabbath, and died in a car accident in 1998. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Steve - Torrance, CA, for all above

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Vanessa Carlton

Vanessa CarltonSongwriter Interviews

The "A Thousand Miles" singer on what she thinks of her song being used in White Chicks and how she captured a song from a dream.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Charlie Daniels

Charlie DanielsSongwriter Interviews

Charlie discusses the songs that made him a Southern Rock icon, and settles the Devil vs. Johnny argument once and for all.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?