The King Is Dead
Go West Lyrics


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The king is dead, no doubt about it
We came a long way just to say goodbye
And in the end it was some old swan song

The king is dead, you'd never know it
But we got pictures of a different man
He's flesh and blood, no-one knows all the answers
Some days we just do the best we can

You changed my mind in a minute
It breaks my heart to admit it
Don't make me say

The king is dead, the show is over
We came a long way, just to turn around
Lesson learned, no-one knows all the answers
Some days we just do the best we can

You changed my mind in a minute
It breaks my heart to admit it
No-one's to blame

You let me in behind the lies
But you're no use to me life size, oh
No-one's to blame, yeah

Some days we just do the best we can

You changed my mind in a minute
It breaks my heart to admit it
Don't make me say

The king is dead
The king is dead

King is dead
King is dead




King is dead
...

Overall Meaning

The song "The King Is Dead" by Go West is a poignant reflection on the unpredictable nature of life, how quickly things can change, and the way in which we cope with loss and disappointment. The titular king is a metaphor for anything that we hold dear and that suddenly, without warning, slips through our fingers or is taken away from us. The lyrics suggest that, despite our efforts to control our lives and chart our own course, we are ultimately subject to forces beyond our control.


The opening lines, "The king is dead, no doubt about it / We came a long way just to say goodbye," establish a somber, mournful tone that sets the stage for the rest of the song. The line "And in the end it was some old swan song" suggests a sense of finality and inevitability, as if the end had been written long ago but we were only just now realizing it. The second verse introduces the idea that the king was not the person we thought he was, that there was a "different man" behind the facade. This could refer to any number of situations or people, from a political leader to a friend or family member.


The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase "you changed my mind in a minute," suggests that the loss of the king has had a profound impact on the singer, perhaps causing them to reevaluate their beliefs or values. The final lines, "Don't make me say / The king is dead," are a desperate plea to avoid facing this harsh reality.


Line by Line Meaning

The king is dead, no doubt about it
It is certain that the king is dead


We came a long way just to say goodbye
We traveled far to be here for the end of the king's reign


And in the end it was some old swan song
The end of the king's reign was a nostalgic but ultimately futile event


The king is dead, you'd never know it
The death of the king has not caused any visible changes


But we got pictures of a different man
We have proof that someone else is posing as the king


He's flesh and blood, no-one knows all the answers
The new king is a human with flaws and limitations, just like everyone


Some days we just do the best we can
Sometimes we have to accept imperfection and make do with what we have


You changed my mind in a minute
You convinced me with a quick argument or action


It breaks my heart to admit it
It pains me to acknowledge the truth of what you said or did


The king is dead, the show is over
The reign is definitively ended and there's no more spectacle to be had


Just to turn around
Despite coming all this way, we're not going to get what we wanted


Lesson learned, no-one knows all the answers
We gained some wisdom but realize that we still don't have all the solutions


No-one's to blame
There's no point in assigning blame


You let me in behind the lies
You revealed the truth to me that was hidden before


But you're no use to me life size
Your greatness or importance don't matter in the face of harsh realities


The king is dead
We reiterate that the king is dead


King is dead
A final repetition of the same point




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COX, DRUMMIE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Gerard McCartney

When you finally realise that all your life, you've been driven by ego, and the humiliating freedom that realisation affords

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