Rain King ensures there's nowhere to go
It's jetstream, daydream, cocksure hard-luck show
His lips a fountain
His daylight sparks
He's a shotgun, schoolyard, streetwise, white-hot kid
Little whip-cream, phone call, breakdown, Rain King fist
His mind a countdown
His daydream sparks

I need three years to clear these thoughts, hey
I like to say I knew one true thing
It feels like years and all I've done is fought
And not turned up anything

Little black, take roll and roll, over my bed
I'm waiting here for some reality crease
There's one big-dead end in my head
And not a moment of peace

Crossfire, Rain King, with his Cadillac, kid
Marries every dictionary from his train-yard bliss
His lips a fountain
His daylight sparks
Scattershot image kick forging the real, when
Keeps a steel drum, wedding ring, Pontiac doorknob ten
His mind a countdown
His daylight sparks

Hung up on a speed king nation, caught up on a nail
Hanging tight with time, at least, a little while
Your sister is a beauty when she's naked, like my kid
I'm here in this world, cool world, dreaming of a peaceful kiss

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sonic Youth’s “Rain King” explore a man who is full of contradictions and paradoxes. The song appears to show the singer’s admiration towards Rain King who seems to have everything figured out. Rain King is described as jetstream, daydream, cocksure hard-luck show, which means that he is confident in himself and his abilities, but also gets carried away easily. His lips are a fountain, and his daylight sparks; he is charismatic and has a larger-than-life personality. He is also portrayed as a kid with a street-smart attitude, little whip-cream, phone call, breakdown, Rain King fist, which means that he is young but is tough at the same time.

The singer expresses his admiration towards him, but also seems to resent him since he feels that he has not found his place in the world. He feels lost and is waiting for some sort of clarity or reality crease. He says that his mind is a countdown, and his daydream sparks, which suggests that he is constantly thinking about his life and is looking for his purpose. Additionally, the lyrics show the singer's frustration towards his lack of progress in life, as he talks about needing three years to clear his thoughts and not turning up anything. He also mentions his lack of peace, one big-dead end in his head, and not a moment of peace.

Line by Line Meaning

Rain King ensures there's nowhere to go
The Rain King's overpowering presence makes it feel like there are no other options.

It's jetstream, daydream, cocksure hard-luck show
The Rain King exudes confidence, but is also a dreamer lost in his own thoughts.

His lips a fountain
The Rain King speaks with ease and his words flow like a fountain.

His daylight sparks
The Rain King has a sparkling charisma about him that is hard to ignore.

He's a shotgun, schoolyard, streetwise, white-hot kid
The Rain King is street-smart and always on the move, with a fiery energy that draws attention.

Little whip-cream, phone call, breakdown, Rain King fist
The Rain King is unpredictable, sometimes calm like whipped cream, sometimes ready to lash out with a fist.

His mind a countdown
The Rain King is constantly counting down time, as if every moment is precious and running out.

His daydream sparks
The Rain King's thoughts are full of big, inspiring ideas that catch fire like sparks.

I need three years to clear these thoughts, hey
The artist needs time to sort out their tangled thoughts and find a clear direction.

I like to say I knew one true thing
The artist wishes they had a single, solid truth to hold onto and guide them.

It feels like years and all I've done is fought
Despite struggling for a long time, the singer feels like they haven't made much progress.

And not turned up anything
The artist hasn't found any real answers or solutions to their problems.

Little black, take roll and roll, over my bed
The singer is lying in bed, restless and unable to find peace.

I'm waiting here for some reality crease
The singer is hoping for a clear defining moment to break through the fog of their confusion.

There's one big-dead end in my head
The singer feels like they are stuck in a mental dead end with no way out.

And not a moment of peace
The artist's mind is in constant turmoil, with no respite from the chaos.

Crossfire, Rain King, with his Cadillac, kid
The Rain King is caught in the middle of a dangerous situation, but remains cool and collected.

Marries every dictionary from his train-yard bliss
The Rain King embraces new ideas and knowledge, finding happiness and freedom in learning.

Scattershot image kick forging the real, when
The Rain King is able to take scattered thoughts and forge them into something tangible and real.

Keeps a steel drum, wedding ring, Pontiac doorknob ten
The Rain King holds onto meaningful symbols and reminders of important life moments, using them as inspiration.

Hung up on a speed king nation, caught up on a nail
The artist is stuck in a fast-paced, hectic world that is overwhelming and painful.

Hanging tight with time, at least, a little while
The artist is doing their best to hold on and endure the stresses of life, at least for now.

Your sister is a beauty when she's naked, like my kid
The singer finds beauty in the raw, unfiltered aspects of life and the people around them.

I'm here in this world, cool world, dreaming of a peaceful kiss
The artist is looking for a moment of respite in a chaotic world, dreaming of a peaceful, loving connection with another person.

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KIM GORDON, LEE M. RANALDO, STEVEN JAY SHELLEY, THURSTON JOSEPH MOORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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