Peter John Sinfield (born on December 27, 1943 in Fulham Palace Road, Fulham, South-west London, England) is most famously known as the lyricist for early incarnations of King Crimson. He contributed to In the Court of the Crimson King, In the Wake of Poseidon, Lizard and Islands, which he also produced.
After being asked to leave the band by Robert Fripp after four albums, Sinfield continued to be active in the progressive rock scene. He produced Roxy Music's self-titled first album, and later recorded a solo album, Still, in 1973. (The album was reissued on CD with additional tracks as Stillusion.) He provided lyrics for fellow Crimson alumnus Greg Lake in Emerson, Lake & Palmer, as well as others like European rock group Esperanto, Italian progressive rock group PFM and former Procol Harum singer/pianist Gary Brooker.
Latterly, he has worked in the pop music field, mainly writing with Andy Hill, For example, he wrote the lyrics to "The Land of Make Believe" by Bucks Fizz and "Think Twice" for Céline Dion. He has also written lyrics for another Crimson alumnus, David Cross.
Sinfield is best known for his lyrics on Greg Lake's "atheist" Christmas song "I Believe in Father Christmas." Released as a single in 1975, and then again on ELP's "Works Volume II" in 1977, it has now become a Christmas standard. Sinfield's visionary poetry is deeply influenced by William Shakespeare, Percy Bysshe Shelley, William Blake, and Rainer Maria Rilke.
