Since the band's inception, there have been over fifteen musicians in and out of King Diamond, with the only two mainstays being vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Andy LaRocque. In 1987 the band released their second studio release Abigail (their first concept album). Throughout the 1980s, King Diamond released a total of four studio albums. In the early 1990s, the band was put on hold when King Diamond reunited with his former outfit Mercyful Fate. After reforming King Diamond in 1994, Diamond would balance recording and touring with both Mercyful Fate and his eponymous band throughout the 90's. Since the early 2000s, King Diamond have kept recording and touring and, since 2014, the band has been composed of vocalist King Diamond, guitarist Andy LaRocque, guitarist Mike Wead, drummer Matt Thompson, and bassist Pontus Egberg.
Eastmann's Cure
King Diamond Lyrics
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At devil lake sanitarium
We will make you feel you're right at home"
No more sleepless nights, no more unpleasant sights
We can recreate paradise
And you don't even have to sacrifice a thing
For poor old harry to make up his mind
So he headed for devil lake, knowing doctors were awaiting him
No more sleepless nights, no more unpleasant sights
We can recreate paradise
And you don't even have to sacrifice a thing
Harry:
"my name is harry and I am from the country side
I'm looking for a doctor, eastmann is the name"
Dr. eastmann:
"we welcome you with open arms
We've all been looking forward to having you here
At devil lake sanitarium
You must always sign a special paper first"
Harry:
"I will sign anything, just to get rid of my fears
I just want to live a life, where do you want me to sign? "
Dr. eastmann:
"right here on the dotted line
This will give me the freedom I need for you
At devil lake sanitarium
You know we are the very best at what we do... oh yes!"
Now that we have got his signature
I think it's time to start the eastmann cure
So put him in the straight
I think room 17 is still our whitest room
No more sleepless nights, no more unpleasant sights
We can recreate paradise
And you don't even have to sacrifice a thing
The song "Eastmann's Cure" by King Diamond touches upon the theme of gullibility, trust, and the loss of control in a mental asylum where a man named Harry, feeling burdened by his phobias, comes to Devil Lake Sanitarium to find a cure. Through the lyrics, we get the sense that Devil Lake Sanitarium is not what it seems, as they promise to create paradise for their patients, putting them at ease, unknowing of the hell that awaits them. Harry, blinded by the promise of a better life, quickly agrees to sign whatever the doctor asks him to and thus, unwittingly losing his freedom.
The lyrics are a metaphor for the manipulation that often occurs in society, where people are promised unattainable things that, once accepted, take away their freedom and control. The reference to the contract and the dotted line are synonymous with the signing of a Faustian deal where one makes something akin to a deal with the devil; and in this scenario, it is Harry who is being manipulated, lost to the asylum's grasp, and wholly without hope. With the mention of Room 17, the song alludes to the popular superstition around the number 17 being bad luck, which further emphasizes the desperation of Harry's situation and the operation's lack of transparency.
Line by Line Meaning
It was in the local paper: "we will cure your every phobia
Advertisement in the local paper claims to cure all fears
At devil lake sanitarium
Treatment center name
We will make you feel you're right at home"
Patients will feel comfortable and at home
No more sleepless nights, no more unpleasant sights
Treatment promises to eliminate nightmares and unpleasant visuals
We can recreate paradise
Treatment center promises to recreate a utopia for patients
And you don't even have to sacrifice a thing
Treatment won't require any personal sacrifices
It only took about a minute's time
Harry made a quick decision
For poor old harry to make up his mind
Harry decided to go to the treatment center
So he headed for devil lake, knowing doctors were awaiting him
Harry went to the treatment center where doctors were waiting
My name is harry and I am from the country side
Harry introduces himself and mentions where he is from
I'm looking for a doctor, eastmann is the name"
Harry is specifically looking for Dr. Eastmann
"We welcome you with open arms
The staff welcomes Harry to the treatment center
We've all been looking forward to having you here
Staff has been anticipating Harry's arrival
You must always sign a special paper first"
Patients must sign a waiver before treatment
I will sign anything, just to get rid of my fears
Harry is willing to sign anything to eliminate his fears
I just want to live a life, where do you want me to sign? "
Harry just wants to live without fear and is willing to sign anything
Right here on the dotted line
Harry is instructed where to sign the waiver
This will give me the freedom I need for you
Dr. Eastmann needs Harry's signature for freedom during treatment
Now that we have got his signature
The staff has obtained Harry's waiver signature
I think it's time to start the eastmann cure
It's time for Harry to begin treatment
So put him in the straight
Harry is placed in a specific room
I think room 17 is still our whitest room
Harry is placed in Room 17, the treatment center's cleanest room
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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