Prophet released his solo debut Brother Aldo in 1990 on Fire records,(later reissued in the late 1990's on Walter Yetnikoff's Velvel imprint. His immediate career path took him through mostly European touring markets and his followup "Balinese Dancer" came out in 1993 & later the Steve Berlin produced "Feast of Hearts" came out in Europe only through the Fire imprint. After a decade long bout with substance abuse, Prophet resurfaced refreshed and renewed on the critical breakthroughs 1998's "Homemade Blood", 2000's "The Hurting Business" and 2002's live "Turn The Pigeons Loose" (all available via Cooking Vinyl in UK). By 2000 he'd recorded a side project with his wife Stefanie called Go Go Market and begun incorporating electronic influences into his traditional roots rock formula, resulting in some mainstream radio play and expanded exposure, culminating in the wider distribution of albums "No Other Love" from 2002 and 2004's "Age of Miracles" on New West Records. Chuck signed a new arrangement in the US with North Carolina based Yep Roc for 2007's "Soap and Water", an album that saw the musician invited to play twice on National Public Radio, as well as on televison talk shows like Late Night With David Letterman, and The Carson Daly Show.
Over the years he also began collaborating with other songwriters like Kelly Willis, Steve Yerkey and contributing as a guitarist/musician to studio efforts from folks like Jonathan Richman, Warren Zevon, Kim Carnes, Cake, Tom Heyman and Jewel. Alejandro Escovedo's upcoming 2008 release produced by Tony Visconti entitled Real Animal was co-written and recorded with Prophet. In addition to having his songs recorded by artists like Solomon Burke, Heart & Cyndi Thomson he has also recorded with men who started out as his influences like Jim Dickinson, Dan Penn and the late Warren Zevon.
www.chuckprophet.com.
New Kingdom
Chuck Prophet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hell is for children, or so I have heard
Now, your soul might leave your body
Hurl, straight off in the space
Your soul might leave your body
Oh, but will catch up again someday
I like Sunday mornings and butter on my toast
I won't live forever, forever and a day
I won't live forever
Oh, but will catch up again someday
New kingdom
Way down in the valley low
The valley of the kings
They really got you covered good
Yeah, they've really thought of everything
I hear the music playing
Oh, everybody jump and twirl
I hear the music playing
The blind and the lame and every boy and girl
I wanna take you higher
Higher than you've ever been before
I wanna take you higher
Higher than you've ever been before
Talkin' new kingdom
Where life, it's spring's eternal
Wouldn't that be great
Everyday there's something treasured deep
Another juicy bowl of grapes
Pull me in a little closer
Oh, I want to feel you against my skin
Pull me in a little closer
Oh, we may never meet this way again
I wanna take you higher
Higher than you've ever been before
I wanna take you higher
Higher than you've ever been before
A new kingdom
Talkin' new kingdom
Higher, higher than you've ever been before
Higher, higher, higher, higher
Higher, higher
New kingdom
The song "New Kingdom" by Chuck Prophet explores the ideas of life, death, and the possibility of an afterlife or a "new kingdom." The opening lines suggest that, in the hierarchy of existence, life is meant for living while death is the domain of birds. The mention of "hell is for children" could be interpreted as a reference to the innocence or pureness of children, which contrasts with the idea of hell as a place of sin and punishment. The next lines suggest that the soul may separate from the body and travel into space, but it will catch up again eventually. This could be interpreted as a nod to the concept of reincarnation or simply a poetic way of describing the idea that everything is connected and cyclical.
The second verse references the "valley of the kings" and the idea that they have everything covered, suggesting that the afterlife may be well-designed or planned. The music playing and the people jumping and twirling suggest a lively and joyous atmosphere, which corresponds with the idea of a "new kingdom" where life is eternal and filled with treasures. The desire to "take you higher" could be interpreted as a spiritual or transcendental experience, or simply a desire to have a good time and feel elevated.
The final verse suggests an intimate moment between two people who may never meet again, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing each moment. The repetition of the idea of taking someone "higher than you've ever been before" suggests that the singer may be encouraging the other person to share in their sense of wonder and possibility, whether that be through a spiritual experience or simply an enjoyable moment together.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, life is for the living and death is for the birds
Life is meant to be lived to the fullest, while death is a natural part of life.
Hell is for children, or so I have heard
There are some things in life that are too difficult for children to understand, and hell may be one of them.
Now, your soul might leave your body
It is possible for your soul to leave your body, especially in moments of great emotion or transcendence.
Hurl, straight off in the space
When your soul leaves your body, it can feel like it is being hurled into outer space.
Your soul might leave your body
It is possible for your soul to leave your body, especially in moments of great emotion or transcendence.
Oh, but will catch up again someday
However, your soul will always find its way back to your body eventually.
I like Sunday mornings and butter on my toast
I enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like a quiet Sunday morning accompanied by a perfect slice of buttered toast.
I wanna live forever Jack, forever like that friendly ghost
I desire to achieve immortality, like the friendly ghost depicted in popular media.
I won't live forever, forever and a day
Despite my desire for immortality, I know that it is ultimately impossible to live forever.
Oh, but will catch up again someday
Even though I won't live forever, I still have hope that my soul will find its way back to me after death.
New kingdom
This phrase represents a utopian vision of a perfect world or afterlife that is unattainable in reality.
Way down in the valley low
This line evokes an image of a deep, dark valley that is difficult to traverse.
The valley of the kings
This phrase is likely referring to the ancient Egyptian Valley of the Kings, where many pharaohs were buried. It represents a place of great power and wealth.
They really got you covered good
This line suggests that some people or entities are well-prepared for any situation, and have all the necessary resources to achieve their goals.
Yeah, they've really thought of everything
This further emphasizes the preparedness of these people or entities, and may hint at a sense of regret or envy from the singer.
I hear the music playing
This line suggests a feeling of joy or excitement in response to music.
Oh, everybody jump and twirl
This is a line evocative of a dance party or other energetic gathering.
The blind and the lame and every boy and girl
This phrase emphasizes inclusivity and a sense of community, suggesting that the joy of music and dance is something that everyone can share in.
Talkin' new kingdom
This phrase is repeated to remind the listener of the utopian vision of a perfect world or afterlife that was introduced earlier in the song.
Where life, it's spring's eternal
This line refers to the idea of eternal life, where the joys of spring and rebirth are present all year round.
Wouldn't that be great
This line expresses a desire for the utopian vision presented earlier in the song to become reality.
Everyday there's something treasured deep
This line suggests that in the utopian world envisioned by the artist, there is always something new and wonderful to discover or appreciate.
Another juicy bowl of grapes
This phrase is a metaphor for the simple pleasures of life that can be enjoyed in the utopian world presented in the song.
Pull me in a little closer
This line suggests a desire for intimacy and connection with another person.
Oh, I want to feel you against my skin
This line further emphasizes the desire for physical intimacy, and suggests a deep emotional connection between the singer and the person they are addressing.
Oh, we may never meet this way again
This line suggests a sense of fleetingness or transience, and highlights the importance of making the most of the time we have with the people we care about.
I wanna take you higher
This line represents a desire to elevate another person, whether emotionally, spiritually, or physically.
Higher than you've ever been before
This emphasizes the artist's desire to surpass previous levels of experience or achievement.
Higher, higher than you've ever been before
This is repeated for emphasis, further underscoring the artist's desire to elevate others.
Higher, higher, higher, higher
This is repeated to create a sense of rising or ascent, further reinforcing the idea of elevating others to new heights.
Higher, higher
This is repeated to create a sense of climax and release, representing the achievement of the singer's desire to elevate others.
New kingdom
This is repeated to remind the listener of the utopian vision presented in the song, which has now been achieved through the artist's desire to elevate others.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: CHARLES PROPHET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind