The band started as a hardcore punk band but later moved towards a slower and blues-tinged heavy metal sound. To date, the band has released ten studio albums, four EPs, one compilation, and one live album. Their first three studio albums―Eye for an Eye (1984), Animosity (1985) and Blind (1991)―attracted the attention of Columbia Records, who signed the band in 1993. Corrosion of Conformity found success with the release of their 1994 fourth studio album, Deliverance, which peaked at number 155 on the Billboard 200 and spawned the hits "Albatross" and "Clean My Wounds". Their 1996 follow-up Wiseblood was also successful, and at the time, it was Corrosion of Conformity's highest-charting album in the United States, peaking at number 104 on the Billboard 200. Their latest album, No Cross No Crown, was released on January 12, 2018 on Nuclear Blast Records, and became the band's first album to enter the Top 100 on the Billboard 200, where it peaked at number 67.
King of the Rotten
Corrosion of Conformity Lyrics
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Stealing filth from those forgotten
Would you be my queen of this desperate land, do you give a damn?
What if I had to scold you
Listen once but never tried and true
What if I had to trade you for another man, do you think I can?
I won't call on the angels, no
Beating on the line as I turn to amputate...
I'm bleeding on you
What if you were torn in two
What if I wanted to be like you
What if I was high like an aeroplane, would you look at me the same?
[Chorus]
If we walked side by side
Would you step stab my back and kill my pride
Or would you fall ahead, or would you move behind,
Tell me what's unkind
Now if I was king of all the rotten
Stealing filth from those forgotten
Would you be my queen of this desperate land, do you think I give a damn?
[Chorus]
The song "King of the Rotten" by Corrosion of Conformity appears to be focused on themes of power, corruption, and toxicity. The lyrics present the idea of a king ruling over a world of decay and neglect, with the suggestion that the king's power comes from his ability to steal from and manipulate those who have been forgotten by society. However, the chorus suggests that the song's narrator is not interested in calling on any higher power or divine intervention to solve any problems or dilemmas that may arise. Instead, the singer seems to be resigned to the fact that they are bleeding out and turning to amputate parts of themselves to stay alive, rather than relying on any external help.
The second verse raises questions about the nature of the relationship between the singer and the person they are addressing in the song. The lyrics "what if I had to trade you for another man, do you think I can?" suggest a level of desperation in the singer's relationship, with the idea that they may have to make difficult choices that could hurt the ones they love. The chorus repeats the same themes of self-sufficiency and the rejection of outside help, ending with the words "I'm bleeding on you."
Line by Line Meaning
If I was king of all the rotten
If I ruled over those who are rejected and unwanted
Stealing filth from those forgotten
Taking advantage of those who have been overlooked and discarded by society
Would you be my queen of this desperate land, do you give a damn?
Would you be my partner in ruling over this harsh and bleak world, or do you not care?
What if I had to scold you
If I had to reprimand you
Listen once but never tried and true
You pretended to listen, but never actually followed through
What if I had to trade you for another man, do you think I can?
If I had to replace you with someone else, do you think I could do it?
I won't call on the angels, no
I won't ask for help from anyone or anything else
Beating on the line as I turn to amputate...
I am struggling, but still pushing forward and making harsh decisions like cutting off a limb
I'm bleeding on you
I am hurting and my pain is affecting you
What if you were torn in two
If you were deeply conflicted and torn between two things
What if I wanted to be like you
If I desired to be more like you
What if I was high like an aeroplane, would you look at me the same?
If I was under the influence and acting differently, would you still see me as the same person?
If we walked side by side
If we went through life together
Would you step stab my back and kill my pride
Would you betray me and ruin my confidence?
Or would you fall ahead, or would you move behind,
Or would you lead or follow me?
Tell me what's unkind
Let me know what is hurtful or cruel
Now if I was king of all the rotten
If I was the leader of the ignored and mistreated
Stealing filth from those forgotten
Taking advantage of those who are often overlooked and disregarded
Would you be my queen of this desperate land, do you think I give a damn?
Would you be my partner in ruling over this harsh world, or do you think I don't care?
[Chorus]
Refrain
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DEAN, KEENAN, MULLIN, WEATHERMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind