In 1977, Friday was a founder of Virgin Prunes (legendary avant-garde post-punk group). 1987-2005 he composed & performed with, musical partner, Maurice Seezer. He released his 4th solo album CATHOLIC in April 2011.
Gavin Friday & The Man Seezer albums (with Maurice), inc: "Each Man Kills The Thing He Loves" (1989), "Adam 'N' Eve" (1992) & "Shag Tobacco" (1995).
Film scores & soundtracks include Get Rich or Die Tryin', In America, In the Name of the Father, The Boxer, Disco Pigs, Short Cuts and Romeo + Juliet. Gavin worked with producer Hal Willner on the music for director Abel Ferrera's movie Chelsea on the Rocks (2008). He has also collaborated with the English composer Gavin Bryars, setting Shakespeare's sonnets to music.
Stage Shows include the Kurt Weill Extravaganza Ich Liebe Dich, the one man show I didn't come up the Liffey in a bubble and Gavin's tribute to German music, Tomorrow belongs to me.
Gavin Friday played the character Billy Hatchet in Neil Jordan's film Breakfast in Pluto (2006). He recorded three songs for the film, two of which are featured on the soundtrack album: 'Sand' and 'Wig Wam Bam'.
Sites: Discogs, YouTube and Official Site
King Of Trash
Gavin Friday Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby let me tell ya about the teenage lie
Your lips will be kissed, stories will be told
Just remember 'sick sick' all that glitters is gold.
He's calling now, he's calling...
And the song that he sang, meant everything
"King of Trash"
Me. I'm not young. Me, I'm not old
The revolution failed, so I've been told take me to the moon,
Me, I'd like that. I'm no prune.
He's calling now, he's calling...
And the song that he sang, meant everything
"King of Trash"
So pretty children it's time for bed
Keep-a-dreamin' dreamy dreams
What dies aint dead
"The King is dead his coffin a shiny black
Six Angels they hang-out at his back,
Two to sing, two to pray, two to carry his soul away...
He's calling now, he's calling...
And the song that he sang, meant everything
And the song that you sing, don't mean anything
And the song, the song that I sing,
Means everything
"King of Trash"
"The King of Trash"
The song "King of Trash" by Gavin Friday seems to be about a man who is no longer young but not yet old and who has lived through a revolution that has failed. The song urges sweet children to keep dreaming because what dies is not really dead. The man in the song is referred to as the "King of Trash" and the lyrics suggest that he sings a song that means everything. However, the irony lies in the fact that the song the children sing does not mean anything, and the song the singer himself sings is what actually means everything. It seems to suggest that it is only when one gets older and wiser that they begin to understand what is truly important in life.
The song also seems to have religious undertones. The reference to six angels who are carrying the king's soul away is reminiscent of the biblical story of Lazarus and the rich man. The man who was once rich and powerful is now dead, and the angels are carrying him away. The song also seems to be a commentary on the materialistic nature of our society, with the line "just remember 'sick sick' all that glitters is gold" suggesting that things may look shiny and valuable on the surface, but they may actually be worthless.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey! Sugar Sugar, my sweet honey pie
Addressing his lover affectionately with a sugary nickname
Baby let me tell ya about the teenage lie
Informing his lover about the deceptions of youth
Your lips will be kissed, stories will be told
Promising romantic exploits and adventure
Just remember 'sick sick' all that glitters is gold.
Warning not to be fooled by appearances
He's calling now, he's calling...
Someone important is trying to reach him
And the song that he sang, meant everything
The message of the song was significant
"King of Trash"
The title of the song being referred to
Me. I'm not young. Me, I'm not old
I am no longer youthful but not yet aged
The revolution failed, so I've been told take me to the moon,
The movement for change did not succeed, but he still dreams big
Me, I'd like that. I'm no prune.
He still has spirit and is not an old fogey
So pretty children it's time for bed
Addressing young people as they need rest
Keep-a-dreamin' dreamy dreams
Wishing for pleasant dreams
What dies aint dead
Some things continue to exist despite no longer being physically alive
"The King is dead his coffin a shiny black
A reference to a deceased leader who was laid to rest
Six Angels they hang-out at his back,
Angels watching over the departed
Two to sing, two to pray, two to carry his soul away...
The angels performing their duties for the dead
And the song that you sing, don't mean anything
Other people's words may be empty
And the song, the song that I sing,
My words are full of significance
Means everything
My message is important
"King of Trash"
The title of the song being referred to
"The King of Trash"
Referring to a leader who has been dismissed or cast out
Contributed by Ryan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.