King was born to an international jazz duo, Marion Cowings and Kim Kalesti. King and her brother were always exposed to music, especially jazz and classical sounds during their childhood. "It was an amazing experience," she says. "It was very challenging. We went from the fanciest hotels one day, to the dirtiest motels the next day -- you know, just living off a musicians paycheck. Also, being around so much incredible music. We were in the jazz world so I was with Dizzy Gillespie one day to Clark Terry the next day. It was my education."
As the daughter of two singers - one Italian, one African American - who performed internationally as a Jazz duo, King has always been exposed to music, its challenges and its rewards, from an early age. She always knew she would follow in her parents' footsteps. "I had a hard time in school," she says, "because I already knew what I wanted to do, so I was like, let me just get started." At age 16, King took two giant steps: She got her GED, and she started writing songs.
The music on her J Records debut, East Side Story, reveals roots that are both deep & ambitious. Kings words are packed with references to the wide range of great artists that inspired her - the Beatles, Nas, Sarah Vaughn, Radiohead & Michael Jackson. "Every record that I’ve ever heard has been an influence on me", she says.
The very first song that she completed, "Business Man" - a commentary on heartless capitalists - is a central moment on East Side Story. "I always thought if I write a song, it's not going to be about relationships," she says. "There are so many things in this world to talk about." She quickly advanced from banging around on a guitar in her apartment to performing on the local folk club circuit at such noted venues as the Bitter End and CBGB's Gallery.
In the meantime, King had discovered hip-hop and immersed herself in a culture that would add yet another ingredient to her musical mix. She met Sony Music publisher Bill Brown who introduced her to Sony writer/producer Chucky Thompson, a member of Bad Boy Entertainment's famed Hitman studio team who had recorded smashes with the likes of the Notorious BIG and Mary J. Blige. Thompson signed her to his production company, and together they began searching for the right sound to capture King's eclectic tastes and styles. After taking her demos to various labels, they signed with J Records.
In 2012, King was awarded the Holly Prize (a tribute to the legacy of Buddy Holly) from The Songwriters Hall of Fame for recognition of the "all-in songwriter" whose work exhibits the qualities of Holly’s music.
King's second studio album, The Switch, was self-released by her own label, Making Music Records, on 26 June 2015.
She signed with the independent label ATO Records in 2017 and with them released her third studio album, Scenery, on 1 February 2019.
King released her fourth studio album, Sides, on January 17, 2020.
More information can be found at www.emilykingfans.com or www.emilykingonline.com
Radio
Emily King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've fooled around but can't get down with most philosophy
Buddha and the Pope sing a lovely note
Take my soul to where it wants to go
Hendrix and Marley always do it right for me.
If I had one religion
It would surely be a love song in the distance, a soft melody
I would ask my creator to turn the radio on
Turn the radio on.
Oooh, oooh
Been to the mountains, seen the valleys, seen the holy land too
But ain't no preacher like Aretha when I'm feeling real blue
Buddha and the Pope sing a lovely note
Take my soul to where it wants to go
Lennon and the chief always do it right for me
If I had one religion
It would surely be a love song in the distance, a soft melody
If I had one request granted after I'm gone
I would ask my creator to turn the radio on
Turn the radio on.
The lyrics to Emily King's song, "Down," express the singer's belief that music is the closest thing to religion that she has experienced. Throughout the song, she references various religious figures, including Buddha and the Pope, and musical legends like Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley, who inspire her with their music rather than any specific religious teachings. She reflects on her own lack of interest in philosophy and the moral of a story, preferring instead to connect with music that speaks to her soul.
For Emily King, music is a form of spirituality that transcends traditional religious beliefs. She describes her ideal religion as a "love song in the distance, a soft melody," suggesting that she finds spiritual solace in the beauty and emotion of music. She also imagines asking her creator to "turn the radio on" after she dies, indicating that music will be an essential part of her afterlife.
The song's repeated references to religious and musical icons emphasize the idea that these figures all have in common the ability to move people's hearts and souls. For Emily King, the distinction between music and religion is blurred, and the two are intertwined in an emotional and spiritual sense. The song's final line, "Turn the radio on," invites the listener to join her in this experience of connection and transcendence through music.
Overall, "Down" is a powerful tribute to the transformative power of music and the spiritual connection it can create. By rejecting traditional religious teachings and embracing the beauty of music, Emily King encourages listeners to seek their own spiritual path and find meaning and inspiration in what speaks to their souls.
Line by Line Meaning
The moral of a story never meant a lot to me
I don't find the lesson in a story meaningful or impactful
I've fooled around but can't get down with most philosophy
I've explored different ideas but haven't found one that really resonates with me
Buddha and the Pope sing a lovely note
I appreciate different spiritual leaders and their teachings
Take my soul to where it wants to go
Their teachings bring me comfort and guidance in my journey through life
Hendrix and Marley always do it right for me.
The music of Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley speaks to me and lifts me up
If I had one religion
If I had to choose one belief system to follow
It would surely be a love song in the distance, a soft melody
It would be something that brings me joy and a sense of peace
If I had one request granted after I'm gone
If I could ask for one thing to happen after I die
I would ask my creator to turn the radio on
I would want to hear music that moves me and reminds me of the good times
Been to the mountains, seen the valleys, seen the holy land too
I have traveled and explored different places, including religious sites
But ain't no preacher like Aretha when I'm feeling real blue
No one can lift my spirits the way Aretha Franklin's music does
Lennon and the chief always do it right for me
The music of John Lennon and other artists can inspire and comfort me
Oooh, oooh
Vocals in the background adding to the overall effect of the song
Turn the radio on.
A reminder of how important music can be in our lives
Contributed by Layla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
GOURI Chittoor
The moral of a story never meant a lot to me
I've fooled around but can't get down with most philosophy
Buddha and the Pope sing a lovely note
Take my soul to where it wants to go
Hendrix and Marley always do it right for me.
If I had one religion
It would surely be a love song in the distance, a soft melody
If I had one request granted after I'm gone
I would ask my creator to turn the radio on
Turn the radio on.
Oooh, oooh
Been to the mountains, seen the valleys, seen the holy land too
But ain't no preacher like Aretha when I'm feeling real blue
Buddha and the Pope sing a lovely note
Take my soul to where it wants to go
Lennon and the chief always do it right for me
If I had one religion
It would surely be a love song in the distance, a soft melody
If I had one request granted after I'm gone
I would ask my creator to turn the radio on
Turn the radio on.
Logan Tela
i'll still be playin' this when i'm 80!
Luz SM
@Mary Wilson i
who's who who
Facts!!!!
Mary Wilson
Logan Tela yes ,it’s beautiful .
Julia 吳卓源
best song ive heard in a while omg it just takes me away to another universe
Naomi Haro
I love this song. Me and my dance group are doing a slow tahitian dance to this song!
Tiare Blossom
Us too haha 🤩
MS. POWERHOUSE
This entire EP is dope!!! Why am I just now finding out about her??? It's serving it's purpose though....maybe her music found me! #lovesongsaremyreligiontooEMILY!!!
soulrebel77
Music needs more artist of substance like Emily King!!!
salaovea
hauntingly beautiful...the lyrics to this song are everythingggg!!