The Fish era is often categorized as neo-progressive. They originally started as "Silmarillion" (from Tolkien's book) with heavy influences from classic Genesis but went on to develop their own distinctive sound. The band was formed in 1979 by Mick Pointer (drums), Steve Rothery (guitar), Doug 'Rastus' Irvine (bass), and others, soon adding vocalist Fish (real name Derek W. Dick), Diz Minitt (bass), and Brian Jelliman. By the time of their first album, 1983's Script for a Jester's Tear, the bass position had been taken over by Pete Trewavas and keyboards by Mark Kelly.
The studio albums Fugazi (1984), Misplaced Childhood (1985), and Clutching at Straws (1987), as well as the 1984 live album Real to Reel all sold respectably, and the band scored a hit single in Britain with Kayleigh in 1985.
When Fish left the band in 1988 after four albums he was replaced by Steve Hogarth. A former member of The Europeans and some-time collaborator with The The and Julian Cope, Hogarth brought a new energy to the band.
Across a further ten albums, Hogarth – along with existing members Rothery, Kelly, Trewavas, and Mosley – have reinvigorated and constantly redefined Marillion’s sound. They forged into new musical territories with a succession of inventive, emotional albums, displaying little regard to the vagaries of hit charts or radio playlists.
After the release of 1999’s marillion.com the band freed themselves from record company pressure once and for all by launching their own record label, the Intact imprint.
Thanks to their pioneering embrace of the Internet through their website http://marillion.com, Marillion have developed a unique and intimate relationship with their fans. From sponsoring entire tours of the USA to funding the recording of recent albums, Marillion’s global fan-base is unique in its affection and dedication. As a result, such passionate, wholesale support has allowed Marillion to step outside of the conventional music industry and find their own path.
In 2001 Anoraknophobia saw Marillion take the groundbreaking step of asking fans to pre-order an album 12 months before release. An amazing 12,000 people signed up, helping to finance the recording. The band once again took pre-orders for the 2004 release Marbles, but this time the money was channelled into a campaign fund to promote its launch. The success of singles Don't Hurt Yourself and You're Gone – the latter making it all the way to number 7 – vindicated the band's independent strategy.
Their 2007 album Somewhere Else reached number 24 in the UK album chart with their most recent single Thankyou Whoever You Are hitting the UK singles chart at number 15. The band shows no signs of fading away after more than 25 years of activity.
Their 15th album, "Happiness is the road", was physically released in October 2008 but was originally available exclusively from the band's website. It was released with little promotion and a deluxe pre-order package was made available as with Marbles. 'Happiness is the Road' is the second studio double album of a long career (2004's Marbles was the other). A UK and European tour followed the album's release, and the band is taking special effort to record every show in the "Happiness on the Road" tour, making the recordings available from the band's website.
The King of Sunset Town
Marillion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A puppet king on the 4th of June
And butterflies from all around
Settled on his paper crown
A pretty sight it seemed to be
An avenue of eternal peace
But he said, what is here can soon burn down
Watch a big wheel turning round
Some go up, some go down
Some go thirsty, some just drown
That's the law round here
Said the king of sunset town
And in the night, he comes to me
And the square becomes a battlefield
Of staring eyes that can't explain
The insanity and the greater game
Watch a big wheel turning round
Some go up, some go down
Some go thirsty, some just drown
That's the law round here
Said the king of sunset town
That's the law round here
A ragged man came shuffling through
The corridors of this white place
And as he lay his body down
I saw the scars that lined his face
And injured souls came to his bed
To hear the stories he would tell
Of butterflies and summertimes
And everyone assembled here
Remembers how it used to be
Before the 27th came
This place will never be the same
And he said, he said, I'm the king of sunset town
I'm the king of sunset town
I am the king of sunset town
I'm the king of sunset town
Watch a big wheel turning round
Some go up, some go down
Some go thirsty, some just drown
That's the law round here
I said, that's the law round here
I'm the king of sunset town
Said, I'm the king of sunset town
Yeah, I'm the king of sunset town
I'm the king
The lyrics to Marillion's "The King of Sunset Town" evoke a melancholic reflection on the transient nature of power and human existence. The opening lines describe a shabby figure who is adorned with a paper crown and surrounded by butterflies, creating a beautiful yet fragile image of temporary royalty. The contrast between the fleeting beauty of the butterflies and the melancholic prediction that everything can soon burn down reflects the precarious quality of the man's assumed throne. He declares himself the king of Sunset Town, and as the lyrics continue, we learn that his kingdom is a metaphor for human society, where the law of the land is that some people will thrive, while others will be left thirsty, or worse still, will drown.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the song's central metaphor, a big wheel turning. This could be seen as a reference to fate or history, or perhaps the cyclical nature of human events. The reference to thirsty and drowning people is a reflection of the different stations of life, and how some people suffer while others don't. The lyric, "That's the law 'round here" sums up the bleak perspective on the world, that life is arbitrary and unfair.
Line by Line Meaning
A ragged man came shuffling through
A disheveled man entered the picture slowly and uncertainly
A puppet king on the fourth of June
A phony, powerless ruler who embodies the qualities of a puppet was present on the Fourth of June
And butterflies from all around
Insects with wings of beauty and delicacy fluttered around
Settled on his paper crown
The butterflies rested on top of his crown which was made of paper, showing that they viewed his authority as weak and fragile
A pretty sight it seemed to be
At first glance, it appeared visually pleasing
An avenue of eternal peace
The location gave the impression of being a peaceful and undisturbed path
But he said, "What is here can soon burn down..."
However, the so-called king warned that everything visible could easily be destroyed
"I'm the king of Sunset Town."
The king repeatedly claimed his title over the town named Sunset
Watch a big wheel turning 'round
Observe the motion of a large wheel rotating
Some go up, and some go down
Certain people rise while others fall
Some go thirsty, some just drown
Some individuals suffer from thirst while others meet their end by drowning
"That's the law 'round here,"
The king stated that such is the way things work in this area
Said the king of Sunset Town
The self-proclaimed monarch of Sunset Town reiterates his authority
And in the night he comes to me
During nighttime, he visits the singer
And the square becomes a battlefield
The open public area transforms into a site of war
Of staring eyes that can't explain
Eyes that glare or stare questioningly at the craziness of the situation
The insanity and the greater game
The madness and a larger agenda that only some understand
A ragged man came shuffling through
Once more, a scruffy man slowly enters the scene
The corridors of this white place
The passageways of an institution or facility that is painted or colored white
And as he lay his body down
As he reclined himself, seemingly exhausted
I saw the scars that lined his face
The artist witnessed the marks etched onto the man's face
And injured souls came to his bed
Those who were wounded or harmed sought out his aid
To hear the stories he would tell
They came to listen to his tales
Of butterflies and summertimes
Stories about the delicate insects and warm seasons of the year
And everyone assembled here
All those that were gathered in this place
Remembers how it used to be
Recall how it was in times past
Before the twenty-seventh came
Before the arrival of an unknown event, possibly a specific day or a particular person
This place will never be the same
This location will forever have been altered after the event
He said, "I'm the king of sunset town."
The king repeats his previously declared statement
Watch a big wheel turning round
The same phrase and meaning from earlier in the song
Some go up, and some go down
The same phrase and meaning from earlier in the song
Some go thirsty, some just drown
The same phrase and meaning from earlier in the song
"That's the law round here,"
The king finishes with this final statement
Said the king of sunset town
The song ends with one more repetition of the king's title
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: IAN MOSLEY, MARK KELLY, PETE TREWAVAS, STEVE ROTHERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind