Indoor Games

King Crimson's 'Indoor Games' is a satirical exploration of the absurdity and decadence of aristocratic life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a wealthy individual indulging in frivolous and bizarre activities, highlighting the disconnect between their opulent lifestyle and the mundane reality of those around them. The song opens with a scene of indoor fireworks amusing the kitchen staff, who mockingly dust plastic garlic plants. This imagery sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the artificiality and superficiality of the protagonist's world.

The protagonist's interactions with their sycophantic friends and multiple wives further underscore the theme of absurdity. The friends cheer for rancid recipes out of fear of offending, while the seventh wife is aroused by a spinning teetotum, a toy that symbolizes the trivial pursuits of the elite. The protagonist's sulking in a sauna over a lost jigsaw piece and training baboons to sing are exaggerated examples of the pointless and eccentric activities that fill their days. These activities serve as a critique of the idle rich, who are portrayed as out of touch with reality and consumed by their own trivial concerns.

The song's final verses depict the protagonist's children sliding across a frying pan and fertilizing a fire, a chaotic and surreal image that reinforces the overall theme of madness and excess. The repeated refrain of 'playing indoor games' serves as a metaphor for the meaningless and self-indulgent pursuits of the aristocracy. King Crimson's use of vivid and often grotesque imagery, combined with a satirical tone, creates a powerful commentary on the absurdity of wealth and privilege. The song invites listeners to reflect on the emptiness of a life devoted to superficial pleasures and the disconnect between the elite and the rest of society.