Riding With The King
John Hiatt Lyrics


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I dreamed I did a good job and I got well paid
Blew it all at the penny arcade
A hundred dollars on a kewpie doll
I guess no white chick is gonna make me crawl

On a T-W-A, to the promised land
Every woman, child and man
Gets a Cadillac and a diamond ring
Don't you know we're riding with the king?

He's on a mission of mercy to the new frontier
He's gonna check us all on out of here
Up to that mansion on a hill
Where you can get your prescription filled

On a TWA to the promised land
Everybody come on and clap your hands
Don't you just love the way he sings
Don't you know we're riding with the king?

A red cape and shiny cold 45
I never saw his face but I saw the light
Tonight everybody's getting their angel wings
Don't you know we're riding with the king?

Well I stepped out of a mirror at ten years old
With a suit cut sharp, as a razor and a heart of gold




I had a guitar hanging just about waist high
I'm gonna play that thing until the day I die

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Riding With The King" by John Hiatt are quite metaphorical and tricky to understand. The lyrics explain a story of dreaming of doing a good job and getting a good pay, only to waste it all at the penny arcade. The line, "A hundred dollars on a Kewpie doll I guess no white chick is gonna make me crawl," refers to the singer's sense of self-respect and unwillingness to submit to a white woman. Then the story changes, and they are going to the promised land, where everyone gets a Cadillac and a diamond ring. The singer seems to be on a journey with a king who is on a mission of mercy to the new frontier. The king is checking everyone out of this place, trying to get them to the mansion on the hill where they can get their prescription filled. In the end, the singer describes themselves at ten years old stepping out of a mirror with a guitar hanging just about waist-high, determined to play it until the day they die.


Line by Line Meaning

I dreamed I did a good job and I got well paid
I hoped that I worked as hard as I could and that I would be rewarded with good money.


Blew it all at the penny arcade
I spent all the money I earned quickly at the arcade.


A hundred dollars on a kewpie doll
I spent a large portion of my earnings on a small trinket that wasn't worth much.


I guess no white chick is gonna make me crawl
I won't be bowing down to anyone or anything.


On a T-W-A, to the promised land
We're traveling to a place that holds great promise for us.


Every woman, child and man
Everyone is included and invited to partake in this journey.


Gets a Cadillac and a diamond ring
We'll all receive luxurious gifts as part of our reward.


Don't you know we're riding with the king?
We're in the presence of someone who has the power to reward us all.


He's on a mission of mercy to the new frontier
The king is determined to make positive changes in a new land.


He's gonna check us all on out of here
He'll make sure we're all taken care of and we'll no longer feel trapped in our current situation.


Up to that mansion on a hill
We're headed towards opulence and luxury.


Where you can get your prescription filled
The king can take care of our problems and provide us with the medicine we need.


Everybody come on and clap your hands
Let's show our excitement and gratitude for our journey and how far we've come.


Don't you just love the way he sings
We're in awe of the king's talent and abilities.


A red cape and shiny cold 45
The king is associated with power and strength.


I never saw his face but I saw the light
I may not have met the king in person but I've experienced aspects of his presence.


Tonight everybody's getting their angel wings
We all have the opportunity to feel special and like we have received something extraordinary.


Well I stepped out of a mirror at ten years old
At a young age, I felt a calling to pursue music and it became a part of my identity.


With a suit cut sharp, as a razor and a heart of gold
I dressed the part and had a pure, positive attitude towards my craft.


I had a guitar hanging just about waist high
My guitar became a crucial aspect of my public image and style.


I'm gonna play that thing until the day I die
I am fully committed to music and will continue pursuing it until I pass away.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN HIATT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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