The title and theme are related to the Saul Bellows' book "Henderson the Rain King". Sometimes in songs, the narrator is not a very sympathetic character. This is the case in both the song and the book.
Here in the song we find man who is struggling in malaise and discontent. The source of the discontent is his earnest belief that he deserves much more from life than what he has. He sees himself as man of big ideas ("faith and sex and God"), as a man who "belongs in the service of a Queen". His ambition may or may not be admirable, but the reality is that he fluctuates between a life of fearful paralysis and loneliness (i.e. "I can't go outside, I might not make it home). Attempts he has made to create his believed destiny have resulted in failure (she's crying/he's thinking, she's lying/ he's sinking, she's dying/ he's drinking) . These may be romantic encounters or they may refer to the queen figure which is any ambitious endeavor that he believes he has entitlement to.
In fact, entitlement is the key here. He is the (self-appointed) King. No one else would give him that title, and he likely will never deserve it.
Although, I think it is worth the mention that his blatant statement of faults and shortcomings and the general tone of the song, shows his acceptance of them and the remorse he feels. His stubborn pursuit of pride and ideals bring the rain (tears). Making him the rain king. In one of his acoustic renditions he repeats over and over how he belongs in the service of the queen and needs someone to watch over him.
Although, I think it is worth the mention that his blatant statement of faults and shortcomings and the general tone of the song, shows his acceptance of them and the remorse he feels. His stubborn pursuit of pride and ideals bring the rain (tears). Making him the rain king. In one of his acoustic renditions he repeats over and over how he belongs in the service of the queen and needs someone to watch over him.
He's basically saying he's not worthy to lead but will follow his "queen" his champion of ideals at the utmost abandon and dissregard of anything else even if his soul is the cost. His soul is the meat in the belly of a black winged bird. Birds being above men. Black winged birds are typically carrion feeders. They feed upon corpses on the fields of war.
So I believe although he may have illusions of grandeur and a sense of entitlement he recognizes this and the unnecessary pain he causes. He's putting his queen on a pedestal and devaluing himself. It's about unrequited, romantic overzealous, and self defeating chivalry.
The title and theme are related to the Saul Bellows' book "Henderson the Rain King". Sometimes in songs, the narrator is not a very sympathetic character. This is the case in both the song and the book.
Here in the song we find man who is struggling in malaise and discontent. The source of the discontent is his earnest belief that he deserves much more from life than what he has. He sees himself as man of big ideas ("faith and sex and God"), as a man who "belongs in the service of a Queen". His ambition may or may not be admirable, but the reality is that he fluctuates between a life of fearful paralysis and loneliness (i.e. "I can't go outside, I might not make it home). Attempts he has made to create his believed destiny have resulted in failure (she's crying/he's thinking, she's lying/ he's sinking, she's dying/ he's drinking) . These may be romantic encounters or they may refer to the queen figure which is any ambitious endeavor that he believes he has entitlement to.
In fact, entitlement is the key here. He is the (self-appointed) King. No one else would give him that title, and he likely will never deserve it.
@lance13712
@lance13712
You really nailed it.
You really nailed it.
Although, I think it is worth the mention that his blatant statement of faults and shortcomings and the general tone of the song, shows his acceptance of them and the remorse he feels. His stubborn pursuit of pride and ideals bring the rain (tears). Making him the rain king. In one of his acoustic renditions he repeats over and over how he belongs in the service of the queen and needs someone to watch over him.
Although, I think it is worth the mention that his blatant statement of faults and shortcomings and the general tone of the song, shows his acceptance of them and the remorse he feels. His stubborn pursuit of pride and ideals bring the rain (tears). Making him the rain king. In one of his acoustic renditions he repeats over and over how he belongs in the service of the queen and needs someone to watch over him.
He's basically saying he's not worthy to lead but will follow his "queen" his champion of ideals at the utmost abandon and dissregard of anything else even if his soul is the cost. His soul is the meat in the belly of a black winged bird. Birds being above men. Black winged birds are typically carrion feeders. They feed upon corpses on the fields of war.
So I believe although he may have illusions of grandeur and a sense of entitlement he recognizes this and the unnecessary pain he causes. He's putting his queen on a pedestal and devaluing himself. It's about unrequited, romantic overzealous, and self defeating chivalry.