2) Nice was an Australian indie rock band which formed in 1991. The band was fronted by Randall Lee formerly of The Cannanes and later of Ashtray Boy on vocals and guitar; Susannah Stewart-Lindsay, previously a member of the Adelaide based band, Rewind on the Paranoid Side, on guitar; and Jo Packer on drums. Francesca Bussey, later a member of The Cannanes, was a member of Nice on bass guitar during the recording sessions for their first album, "Nice" (1992), but left during production and was credited only as a guest. Bussey was replaced on bass guitar by Mark King. The band split up in 1994.
Allmusic's Nitsuh Abebe felt that "Nice", which was issued by United States label, Feel Good All Over, showed that "Lee's dark jangle sounds absolutely stunning, and while the record's songwriting isn't as consistent as one might hope, the majority of it works incredibly well, with unconventional time signatures and progressions keeping things from falling into strummy banality". "Dear John", which was the lead track on Nice, was covered by the band Aden. The band's songs "Theme from Nice" and "Circuit Diagram" from their 1993 album, "Apple Pie", were included in the popular 1990s Nickelodeon show "The Adventures of Pete & Pete". Abebe described "Apple Pie" as "a step toward the more varied pop sound" of Lee's future work with Ashtray Boy.
Flower king of flies
Nice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The flower king of flies
And the children all in white
All together here tonight
Let the dance of love begin
Let the tempo made and sing
A song and song in time
Flower king of flies
Flower king of flies
Flower king of flies
Flower king of flies
The sun has shone all day
And Saffron has played
the king from on his flower
spread the words of love around
Flower king of flies, flower king of flies...
The lyrics to Nice's song "Flower King of Flies" evoke a psychedelic and surreal atmosphere, with references to an otherworldly realm called Saffron Land and the presence of the enigmatic "flower king of flies." The children in white suggest a sense of innocence or purity, and their arrival at this gathering seems to signal the beginning of a celebration. The call to "let the dance of love begin" and the summons to "sing a song in time" create a sense of communal experience and joyful abandon, fueled by the pulsing beat of the gong and bells.
The repeated reference to the flower king of flies serves as a central mystery and symbol. It is unclear what this entity represents, but it suggests something both beautiful and grotesque, both regal and lowly. The sun's presence throughout the day and the king's spreading of "the words of love around" suggest a benevolent force, but the fact that the king is associated with flies, typically seen as dirty or disease-carrying insects, adds a layer of ambiguity.
Overall, the lyrics to "Flower King of Flies" create an immersive and dreamlike atmosphere, inviting the listener to imagine a mysterious and transcendent world beyond the mundane.
Line by Line Meaning
On a cloud by Saffron Land
The singer is describing a dreamlike setting where they are located, either physically or emotionally.
The flower king of flies
The flower king of flies is a representation of something unusual and surreal that the singer has encountered in this setting. It could be a person, an idea, or a feeling.
And the children all in white
The children in white are possibly symbolic of purity and innocence, contrasting with the surreal image of the flower king of flies.
All together here tonight
The surreal setting and its inhabitants are all present and united, perhaps for an important event or purpose.
Let the dance of love begin
The singer is calling for a celebration of love to start, perhaps as a way to embrace the surreal environment they find themselves in.
Let the tempo made and sing
The tempo or rhythm of the song is important to maintain the celebratory atmosphere that the singer has created in their mind.
A song and song in time
The song is a way to unite everyone in the surreal setting, bring them together by singing and sharing a collective experience.
To a gong and bells sublime
The gong and bells represent a specific sound or melody that will enhance the celebratory mood, making it even more enjoyable.
The sun has shone all day
The setting might be experiencing a beautiful day, which has had an uplifting effect on everyone present.
And Saffron has played
Saffron might be a person or a place, and is actively participating in the dreamlike setting, contributing to the overall surrealism.
the king from on his flower
The flower is the setting's throne or base, and the king on it has a sense of power and control, perhaps over the surreal environment itself.
spread the words of love around
The flower king of flies is an ambassador of love, spreading its message to all inhabitants of the surreal environment.
Flower king of flies, flower king of flies...
Repeating the phrase at the end of the song serves to reinforce the surreal and unique nature of the setting's inhabitants and their experiences.
Contributed by Lincoln P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tvtitlechampion3238
Man, this must've been the most amazing scene ever in '67 London.
@dmuchmore
It was!
@bradwbuck100
RIP Keith Emerson !! 1944-2016
@forsenboyz
Prog rock, what can i say. Music of gods
@thervers2140
I bought this album and fell in love with it.
@MrWyvyrn
Absolutely amazing!!!
@markkahler7675
I love seeing this, I have it in Vinyl in excellent condition as I play once, record then play the recording.
@rickstone8547
Man,. I had a friend in college that did the same thing with his albums. I thought it was, actually, a brilliant idea. I just beat my own albums into submission.!
@eufordking4428
the nice..this album is a classic..David o list sings ..plays guitar..Emerson keyboards...Davison and Jackson rhythm section..great 60s psyche progressive beginnings
@davemassive8147
lee jackson is the lead vocalist