Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Hello one and all
Was it you I used to know
Can't you hear me call
On this old ham radio
All I got to say
I'm alive and feeling fine
If you come my way
You can share my poison wine
No marigolds in the promised land
There's a hole in the ground
Where they used to grow
Any man left on the Rio Grande
Is the king of the world
As far as I know
I don't want your bread
I don't need your helping hand
I can't be no savage
I can't be no highwayman
Show me where you are
You and I will spend this day
Driving in my car
Through the ruins of Santa Fe
No marigolds in the promised land
There's a hole in the ground
Where they used to grow
Any man left on the Rio Grande
Is the king of the world
As far as I know
I'm reading last year's papers
Although I don't know why
Assassins cons and rapers
Might as well die
If you come around
No more pain and no regrets
Watch the sun go brown
Smoking cobalt cigarettes
There's no need to hide
Taking things the easy way
If I stay inside
I might live til Saturday
No marigolds in the promised land
There's a hole in the ground
Where they used to grow
Any man left on the Rio Grande
Is the king of the world
As far as I know
Was it you I used to know
Can't you hear me call
On this old ham radio
All I got to say
I'm alive and feeling fine
If you come my way
You can share my poison wine
No marigolds in the promised land
There's a hole in the ground
Where they used to grow
Any man left on the Rio Grande
Is the king of the world
As far as I know
I don't want your bread
I don't need your helping hand
I can't be no savage
I can't be no highwayman
Show me where you are
You and I will spend this day
Driving in my car
Through the ruins of Santa Fe
No marigolds in the promised land
There's a hole in the ground
Where they used to grow
Any man left on the Rio Grande
Is the king of the world
As far as I know
I'm reading last year's papers
Although I don't know why
Assassins cons and rapers
Might as well die
If you come around
No more pain and no regrets
Watch the sun go brown
Smoking cobalt cigarettes
There's no need to hide
Taking things the easy way
If I stay inside
I might live til Saturday
No marigolds in the promised land
There's a hole in the ground
Where they used to grow
Any man left on the Rio Grande
Is the king of the world
As far as I know
Lyrics submitted by thermo4, edited by kidcharlemagne1971, DruGus, chicagoan, Counterclockwerk, jilldavidson, faye105889
King of the World Lyrics as written by Donald Jay Fagen Walter Carl Becker
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Nuclear war survivor talking to someone on Ham radio. not sure if anyone else is alive in that part of the US. He says "he the king of the world as far as I know"...
My take
@TMiller68 <br /> Yes. I never bothered to try to find out what that line about marigolds as about until today. I did a bit of googling and found -<br /> webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-235/calendula<br /> <br /> Calendula is applied to the skin to reduce pain and swelling<br /> (It is thought that the chemicals in calendula help new tissue grow in wounds and decrease swelling in the mouth and throat.)<br /> Don’t confuse calendula with ornamental marigolds of the Tagets genus, which are commonly grown in vegetable gardens.<br />
Has anyone noticed how the timbre of the synth solo in the bridge (and at the end) sounds vaguely like that of an air raid siren? How clever!
I have the song book with this in it, and it is cobalt. I always thought it was Pogo"s cigarettes. This has to be one of the most straight forward lyrics of any SD song. no secret messages or double entendre or hidden meanings to figure out. I also like the sound of the voices on radio tuning in and out on the break. Great song.
An additional 'flower thought'. I would suggest that the use of 'Marigolds' is not an ad hoc choice of flowers. Marigolds are symbols of death and grief (especially in Eastern and Mexican/South American cultures). See also 'Oleanders' in 'My Old School'. Oleanders are signs of 'warning'. They are beautiful flowers but all parts of the flower are very poisonous !!
@GlynRhodes I suspect "No marigolds in the promised land..." is a reference to "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds", a play written by Paul Zindel in 1964 which was released as a movie in 1972, the year before Countdown to Ecstasy released. Loosely, it's a story about how different people react to diversity. I see a parallel in the song lyrics; rather than being bitter the singer is inviting survivors to join him while he enjoys his last days. I also think this interpretation is consistent with your comments and may suggest why Zindel chose marigolds in the first place.
@GlynRhodes @claysthename Holy crap, you're both amazing. Great stuff.
@GlynRhodes I think the Oleandrs in my old school just meant a nickname for the weed plants they grew (outside her door….the chick who ratted on them) and got busted for
agree with above..."Smoking Cobalt Cigerettes", Cobalt 60 is a radioactive compound & "no marigolds in the promised land. There's a hole in the ground where they used to grow" ...says it all
this song reminds me a lot of the vonnegut book Cat's Cradle. the first time i heard this it blew me away. i had to listen to it like three times in a row. one of my favorite dan tunes.
@acevans It actually reminds me of the movie "The Day After".
Maybe. Referencing NJJ's comment about the missing lyrics, does anyone else hear, in "assassins cons & rapists, might as well die," Dorothy Parker:
Razors pain you; Rivers are damp; Acids stain you; And drugs cause cramp. Guns aren’t lawful; Nooses give; Gas smells awful; You might as well live.
Definitely post apocalyptic survivor chillin looking for companionship. Perhaps their best song.
About a survivor of a nuclear holocaust living in Santa Fe. Cobalt cigarettes is to speed up his demise. He says if I stay inside I might live till Saturday because of the fallout. He is probably the last survivor and anyone he sees on the Rio Grande might as well be king of the world, since no one else is left around. This is a fantastically memorable song with a melody that seems unstoppable. I could listen to this 10 times and not get tired of it. The melody intentionally sung in a minor key to give it that creepiness. The melody fits perfectly with the lyrics. The song is almost like watching a post-apocalyptic movie.
There is a section of lyrics missing:
I'm reading last year's papers, Although I don't know why, Assasins cons & rapers might as well die
Thank you, NJJ! Strange that they omitted the very climax of the track here........
Clever lines in one of the Dan's less obscure tracks ...<br /> <br /> Assassins, conmen and rapists need victims - but the living are few and far between in a 'post nuclear' world - so these sickos may as well be dead too.<br /> <br /> Love that downbeat 'chime' sound in the backing btw (suggesting the Doomsday Clock striking midnight?)