In the late 1960s he led a blues-rock trio called Love Sculpture, who scored a quasi-novelty hit by reworking Khachaturian's classical piece "Sabre Dance" as a speed-crazed rock number. "Sabre Dance" became a hit after garnering the enthusiastic attention of British DJ John Peel.
After Love Sculpture split, Edmunds had a number one single with "I Hear You Knocking", a Smiley Lewis cover. His only acting role followed, as a band member in the David Essex movie Stardust (1974 movie). After learning the trade of producer, culminating in a couple of singles in the style of Phil Spector, "Baby I Love You" and "Born To Be With You", he became linked with the pub rock movement of the early 1970s, producing Brinsley Schwarz, Ducks Deluxe, and also The Flamin' Groovies, using a stripped down, grittier sound.
His own solo LP from that era, Subtle As A Flying Mallet, was similar in style. In 1977, the Brinsley Schwarz connection brought about a collaboration with Nick Lowe under the name Rockpile, with Billy Bremner and Terry Williams. For contractual reasons they could not record as Rockpile until 1980, but contemporary solo LPs (such as Nick Lowe's Labour of Lust and Edmunds' own Repeat When Necessary) were in fact group recordings. Dave Edmunds had more hits during this time, including Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk", Nick Lowe's "I Knew The Bride", Hank DeVito's "Queen of Hearts" ), Graham Parker's "Crawling From The Wreckage", and Melvin Endsley's "Singing The Blues" (originally a hit for Guy Mitchell).
Unexpectedly, after Rockpile relased their first LP under their own name (1980's Seconds Of Pleasure), the band split, generally attributed to tensions between Edmunds and Lowe. Edmunds spent the 1980s collaborating with and producing an assortment of artists, from Paul McCartney to King Kurt, and from The Stray Cats to Status Quo. He recorded the soundtrack for Porky's Revenge, supplying the main theme, "High School Nights", and was the musical director for a television special starring Carl Perkins, with assorted guests including George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Rosanne Cash.
On his 1983 and 1984 releases, Information and Riff Raff, Edmunds collaborated on two songs with Jeff Lynne, the lead musician of Electric Light Orchestra. He recorded less frequently after the mid 1980s.
Edmunds now lives in Wales in semi-retirement, touring Scandinavia infrequently, after surviving a quadruple bypass several years ago.
King Of Love
Dave Edmunds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, it's ugly, falling into lovely
Everyone does it, everyone knows it
Ay-ay-ay-o (ay-ay-ay-o)
Sound off (sound off)
The king of love is but a fool
The power overcomes his rule
Ay-ay-ay-o (ay-ay-ay-o)
Sound off (enough, sound off)
All through the big city
Ex-marines are looking gritty
Looking for a little pretty
Ay-ay-ay-o (ay-ay-ay-o)
Sound off (enough, sound off)
I think I hear the king falling down-down-down
I think I hear the king falling down-down-down
The king of love (sound off)
High school cherry top
Working in a soda shop
That's not good enough
She wants to meet the king of love
Ay-ay-ay-o (ay-ay-ay-o)
Sound off (sound off)
Ay-ay-ay-o (ay-ay-ay-o)
Sound off (sound off)
I think I hear the king falling down-down-down
I think I hear the king falling down-down-down
The king of love (sound off)
School's out 2:45
Five tricks before six
Dope comes real soon
King of love is on the moon
Ay-ay-ay-o (ay-ay-ay-o)
Sound off (sound off)
Ay-ay-ay-o (ay-ay-ay-o)
Sound off (sound off)
I think I hear the king falling down-down-down
I think I hear the king falling down-down-down
King of love (sound off)
Ay-ay-ay-o (ay-ay-ay-o)
Sound off (sound off)
Ay-ay-ay-o (ay-ay-ay-o)
Sound off (sound off)
Ay-ay-ay-ay (ay-ay-ay-o)
Sound off (sound off)
The king of love is falling down-down
The king of love is falling down-down
The king of love (ay-ay-ay-o)
The king of love (sound off)
Ay-ay-ay-o (ay-ay-ay-o)
Ay-ay-ay-o (sound off)
Ay-ay-ay-o (ay-ay-ay-o)
Ay-ay-ay-o (sound off)
The king of love is falling down-down (ay-ay-ay-o)
The king of love is falling down-down (sound off)
The king of love is falling down-down (ay-ay-ay-o)
The king of love (sound off)
The king of love (ay-ay-ay-o)
Ay-ay-ay-ay (sound off)
Ay-ay-ay-o (ay-ay-ay-o)
Ay-ay-ay-o (sound off)
Ay-ay-ay-o (ay-ay-ay-o)
The song "King of Love" by Dave Edmunds is about the consequences of falling in love, specifically for a man who is known as the "king of love." The song describes how love can be both ugly and lovely at the same time, and how everyone falls in love and knows the power it holds over them. The "king of love" is portrayed as a fool who is overcome by the power of love, and he struggles with himself in a duel within his own mind. The lyrics suggest that the pursuit of love in a big city can be dangerous, with ex-marines looking gritty and seeking out pretty women.
The song also depicts a young woman who works in a soda shop, but desires to meet the "king of love." The song suggests that she feels working in a soda shop is not good enough, and she has aspirations to meet someone who is known for love. Additionally, the song describes the reckless behavior of youth, with school out at 2:45 and five "tricks" being done before 6 pm. The "king of love" is portrayed as being high on drugs, experiencing the effects of being in love on the moon. The repeated chorus of "I think I hear the king falling down" suggests that the "king of love" is ultimately brought down by the power of love.
Overall, "King of Love" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of falling in love and how it can be all-consuming, taking hold of even the most experienced love- seekers.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's go, king of love
The singer is addressing the subject of the song, the 'king of love,' and urging him to take action.
Ooh, it's ugly, falling into lovely
The transition from something ugly to something lovely can be difficult and messy.
Everyone does it, everyone knows it
The subject of the song is not alone in his pursuit of love, as it is a universal experience.
The king of love is but a fool
Although the subject may think he is in control, he is really foolish for thinking he can control love.
The power overcomes his rule
Love is a powerful force and can be overwhelming, even for the subject, who sees himself as the 'king.'
Within himself there is a duel
The subject is struggling internally with himself over his desire for love and his inability to fully control it.
All through the big city
The subject's pursuit of love takes him through the big city, suggesting it is a wild and unpredictable journey.
Ex-marines are looking gritty
Even former marines are affected by the intoxicating power of love and can appear tough or determined while pursuing it.
Looking for a little pretty
The ex-marines, like the subject of the song, are looking for someone attractive to fulfill their desires.
High school cherry top
A young and innocent girl, possibly still in high school, catches the subject's attention.
Working in a soda shop
The girl works a menial job, which suggests she may be vulnerable or easily impressed by the subject's advances.
That's not good enough
Despite the girl's innocence and vulnerability, she is not enough for the subject's desires.
She wants to meet the king of love
The girl has heard of the subject's reputation as the 'king of love' and desires to meet him.
School's out 2:45
The subject is possibly a high school student and gets out of school at 2:45 PM.
Five tricks before six
The subject has plans to engage in immoral or illegal activities, possibly with the intention of obtaining drugs.
Dope comes real soon
The subject is eagerly awaiting a drug deal or shipment to arrive soon.
King of love is on the moon
The subject has detached himself from reality and is in a state of euphoria due to drugs or overwhelming desire for love.
I think I hear the king falling down-down-down
The previous lines suggest the subject is in a precarious state and now appears to be losing his grip on reality or his pursuit of love.
The king of love (sound off)
The repeated phrase 'sound off' is a military command to fall in line and be accountable, but in this context, the subject is losing control and possibly wants to shut out reality.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Marc Jonson, Robert A. Noonan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tommy Wells
on Sabre Dance (Love Sculpture)
Could you please put this song on Amazon Music?