See Also : King King (feat Alan Nimo)
This band certainly knows how to make an entrance. Fronted by charismatic bluesman Alan Nimmo, their exhilarating debut at last year’s Monaghan Blues Festival created such a stir that it prompted organizer Somhairle MacConghail to state: “King King aren’t just playing the festival. Word is that King King ARE the festival”. With a reception like this there’s little surprise that the phone has been ringing off the hook ever since, and after a frenetic winter tour the lads are currently gearing up for a hectic summer of gigs and festival appearances.
With outstanding reviews and a diary fit to burst, you’d be forgiven for thinking that King King had enough to keep them occupied for a moment or two. You’d be wrong. Apparently imbued with sufficient energy to power a small town, the band has also found time to get into the studio, the result being their debut EP ‘Broken Heal’. Produced alongside the team behind the Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs and the Editors (to name but a few), the EP instantly received a gleaming review from Blues Matters Magazine, including remarks on it’s “emotive lyrics”, “heartwrenching guitar solos” and “stirring guitar work”. The band had barely left the studio when they began to receive airplay on radio stations in the UK, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, India, Canada and the USA. Meanwhile, organizers of the renowned Blues On The Farm festival laid their hands on a copy and were so impressed that they made room for King King - despite having already filled the bill for this year’s event.
Thundering on, the summer will see King King descending on the celebrated Maryport Blues Festival, where they will follow Jethro Tull onto the main stage at an event which will attract some 22,000 blues aficionados. Then it’s off to headline at the Shetland Blues Festival, squeezing in some European appearances (including another headline slot at the Hookrock Festival) along the way.
Pretty impressive stuff for a band less than a year old. So what’s at the root of all this commotion? Well, aside from seemingly boundless impetus, the band is certainly not lacking in pedigree.
Leading the charge is the aforementioned Alan, a frontman famed almost as much for his contagious energy as his dazzling guitar work. Widely known across the UK and Europe for his pivotal role with the award-winning Nimmo Brothers, Alan’s full-blooded style, technical brilliance and impassioned vocals combine to hit all the right buttons and reach spots that many others can only aspire to.
Bringing up the rear we have Lindsay Coulson. Don’t be fooled by the wry smile – beneath his unruffled exterior lurks a powerhouse of punchy, fat bass who’s musical career has seen him take to the stage with such well regarded blues acts as Aynsley Lister. He has also been a regular in the Nimmo Brother’s lineup, and this history with Alan has resulted in a dynamic musical chemistry which is evident in both songwriting and performance.
New to the King King fold is Bennett Holland on keyboard. An excitable advocate of funky low-down blues, Bennett has worked with a plethora of names including Groove Armada and the critically adored Richard Hawley. A compelling and highly skilled player, rumour has it that there are no arms beneath Bennett’s sleeves – only more fingers.
Running with the King King ethos that more is always more when it comes to talent, this summer’s audiences will also be treated to a special guest in the form of Craig Blundell, recently described by Drummer magazine as “one of the UK's most versatile and staggeringly talented players”. A hugely gifted and resourceful musician, Craig is also clearly a dynamo at juggling – aside from live performances, the last year has seen him in constant demand for worldwide drumming clinics, recording sessions, instructional books and even a documentary.
With this lineup of top-shelf musicians, King King could only draw their inspiration from the best in the business, ranging from legendary greats such as BB King and Albert Collins to the shining lights of contemporary blues like Joe Bonamassa and John Mayer. Drawing on their combined talent whilst cherry-picking the hottest influences, the band has pushed boundaries to craft a fresh, powerful new angle on blues rock which is as infectious as it is accomplished.
Website: King King
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Waking Up
King King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
this feeling in my head
there's more to me
than the litre of regret
Time hold's the answer
and the truth will set you free
I can tell you baby
I'm waking up, rising up
got me out of my mind
lift me up, had enouhg
heartache's all that I found
ohhh... oh oh
(Little guitar solo)
Stand up
and hold your head high
don't let the fools begin
to steal you with their lies
You know ain't got no regrets
and I ain't got time to cry
I was losing time by searching
for all the reasons why!
I'm waking up, rising up
got me out of my mind
lift me up, had enough
heartache's all that I found
(Guitar solo)
I was asking
for some kind of sign
those nights were long and lonely
was I trying to lose my mind?
I can't remember
it all seems like a daze,
then I heard the voice inside me
I think i'll STOP
before it's too late!
I'm waking up, rising up
got me out of my mind
lift me up, had enough
heartache's all that I found
I'm waking up, rising up
got me out of my mind (got me out of my mind)
(you got me out of my mind)
lift me up, had enough
heartache's all that i found (heartache's all that i found)
(heartache's all that i found)
I'm waking up, rising up
got me out of my mind (got me out of my mind)
(you got me out of my mind)
lift me up, had enough
heartache's all that i found
In "Waking Up" by King King, the singer declares that he can't shake the feeling in his head and that he knows there is more to him than the regrets he carries within him. He believes that time holds the answer and that the truth will set him free. He acknowledges that he was losing time searching for the reasons why he had lost himself and his happiness. However, he decided to stand up, hold his head high, and not let the lies of others steal him away. He is now waking up and rising up from the heartache that consumed him, and he feels like he is regaining his sense of self and purpose.
The lyrics appear to convey a sense of empowerment and redemption. The singer seems to have had a moment of clarity in which he realized that he was wasting his time and that he needed to reclaim his life. He acknowledges his pain and regrets but says that he no longer has time to cry over them. Instead, he decides to rise up and confront his pain head-on, knowing that he has the strength to face it. Overall, the song appears to be a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't lose
I have an intense feeling that I cannot let go of
this feeling in my head
The feeling is in my mind and it won't go away
there's more to me
I have more to offer than what I've done so far
than the litre of regret
I have made mistakes in the past, but I can't dwell on them
Time hold's the answer
The only way to know the outcome is to wait and see what happens
and the truth will set you free
Honesty is the only way to break free from any burdens you may have
I can tell you baby
I promise you that this is the truth
it's how it's gonna be
This is what is going to happen
I'm waking up, rising up
I am getting stronger and more aware
got me out of my mind
I feel like I'm losing it
lift me up, had enough
I need to be brought higher to escape my pain
heartache's all that I found
There has been nothing but emotional pain for me
Stand up
Be confident in yourself and your abilities
and hold your head high
Be proud of who you are, don't let others drag you down
don't let the fools begin
Don't listen to those who would lead you astray
to steal you with their lies
Their falsehoods may seem convincing, but don't let them take hold
You know ain't got no regrets
I can confidently say that I have done the best I could
and I ain't got time to cry
I have no time to waste on lamenting what I cannot change
I was losing time by searching
I was searching for what I could not find, and wasting time as a result
for all the reasons why!
I was wasting my energy trying to understand something that was beyond my control
I was asking
I was pleading with the universe to show me a sign
for some kind of sign
I was desperate for any indication that things would improve
those nights were long and lonely
The dark and solitude were overwhelming me
was I trying to lose my mind?
I was beginning to fear that I was going insane
I can't remember
I have no recollection of certain events
it all seems like a daze
The memories seem blurred and dreamlike
then I heard the voice inside me
I had an epiphany, a realization from within
I think I'll stop before it's too late
I know that I need to change course before it's too late
Contributed by David J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@marceltorres1874
What I miss in many rock bands nowadays is the energy, passion and heart that we can see in Alan's attitude. The song itself is completely fantastic, but the way that King King deliver it put everything in another level. Excellent performance and a perfect example how a Rock show should be. That's the real spirit!
@akho77kho44
Vous b
@official.staeger
All people who click thumbs down on this song have no idea about good music! BLues Rock forever!! That has to be said!
@stexlamp3820
A week ago I came to one of your concerts in Croatia and it was amazing! Your guitar solos are like a bullet in the ass. Fuckintastic!!!
@rhondaminor7552
I would love to see these guys tour the US. They are awesome ❣️ The more of their songs I hear, the more I love this band.❤️🇺🇲
@robertrohde4579
I agree 100 percent!
@VStrom2019
Can’t wait to see you guys at the Lemon Tree tomorrow night. Real music played by real musicians 👍
@neilbuchanan9389
Went to see them at harpenden last night not knowing a single song or what to expect. Boy 2 hours later I was totally converted!What a great sound and prescence the band give.thanks for a great night
@cosmoblivion
They are great live.
@justanoldenglishman9194
Wow, pretty good. I'm shocked that I never heard of them before.