King's Call
Phil Lynott Lyrics
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Everybody was crying it seemed like sadness had surrounded the town
Me I went to the liquor store
And I bought a bottle of wine and a bottle of gin
I played his records all night
Drinking with a close, close friend
Now some people say that that ain't right
But even in the darkest of night
You can always hear the king's call
You can always hear the king's call
Well they put him away in Memphis
Six feet beneath the clay
Everybody was crying
Everybody said it was a plain grey day
Me I went to the liquor store
And I bought another bottle of wine and another bottle of gin
I played his records all night
And I got drunk all over again
Now some people say that that ain't right
That ain't right
And some people say nothing at all
I say nothing
But even in the darkest of night
You could always hear the king's call
You could always hear the king's call
I wonder if you're lonesome tonight
And I'd rather go on hearing your lies
Than to go on living without you
Now some people say that that ain't right
And some people say nothing at all I say nothing
But even in the darkest of night
You could always hear the king's call
You could always hear the king's call
You could always hear the king's call
Now the stage is bare and I'm standing here
They might as well bring the curtain down
I cried the night the king died
"King's Call" is a nostalgic tribute to Elvis Presley, who passed away in 1977. The first two verses describe a stormy evening and the way in which his death swept through the town, with the singer seeking solace in bottles of wine and gin and the comfort of Presley's music. The chorus then states that even in the darkness, one can still hear The King's voice. The final verse presents a personal reflection, with the singer wondering if Elvis was lonely before he died and declaring that he would rather hear false promises than live without him. The song then ends with a lament for the loss of a cultural icon.
The lyrics, while mournful and reflective, mainly deal with the way in which Elvis's death caused a collective grief amongst his fans. It highlights the impact an artist can have on their audience, making them feel like they knew them personally. The singer's reaction - drowning their sorrows with the help of Elvis's records - is an accurate representation of the way that many people cope with the loss of a beloved musician.
Line by Line Meaning
It was a rainy night the night the king went down
On the night the king passed away, it was raining heavily.
Everybody was crying it seemed like sadness had surrounded the town
The people of the town were deeply saddened by the king's death.
Me I went to the liquor store And I bought a bottle of wine and a bottle of gin I played his records all night Drinking with a close, close friend
I coped with the grief by buying alcohol and listening to the king's songs with a dear friend.
Now some people say that that ain't right And some people say nothing at all But even in the darkest of night You can always hear the king's call You can always hear the king's call
Some criticize my way of dealing with the loss, but in the darkest times, the king's voice and music can still be heard and bring comfort.
Well they put him away in Memphis Six feet beneath the clay Everybody was crying Everybody said it was a plain grey day
The king was buried in Memphis and the townspeople felt like there was a shadow of grief everywhere.
Me I went to the liquor store And I bought another bottle of wine and another bottle of gin I played his records all night And I got drunk all over again
I continued my way of dealing with the grief by buying more alcohol and listening to more of the king's records.
Now some people say that that ain't right That ain't right And some people say nothing at all I say nothing But even in the darkest of night You could always hear the king's call You could always hear the king's call
Again, some criticize my way of coping, but the king's music remains a source of solace, even in the darkest nights.
I wonder if you're lonesome tonight And I'd rather go on hearing your lies Than to go on living without you
I think about the king, wondering if he feels lonesome or if he's happier in the afterlife. And, rather than accepting the harsh truth of his passing, I'd rather listen to his songs and imagine he's still here with us.
Now some people say that that ain't right And some people say nothing at all I say nothing But even in the darkest of night You could always hear the king's call You could always hear the king's call
Again, some may judge my way of dealing with the king's loss, but for me and many others, his music remains a source of comfort and hope.
Now the stage is bare and I'm standing here They might as well bring the curtain down I cried the night the king died
The king's death has left a void in the music industry and in the hearts of those who loved him. The time to say goodbye has come, and with a heavy heart, the artist acknowledges the finality of the king's passing.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PHILIP PARRIS LYNOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrickstocks3986
It was a rainy night the night the king 🤴 went down
Everybody was crying 😢 it seemed like sadness had surrounded the town
Me I went to the liquor store 🏬
And I bought a bottle of wine 🍷 and a bottle of gin
I played his records all night
Drinking with a close, close friend
Now some people say that that ain’t right
And some people say nothing at all
But even in the darkest of night
You can always hear 👂 the kings call
You can always hear 👂 the kings call
Well they put him away in Memphis
6 feet 🦶 beneath the clay
Everybody was crying 😢
Everybody said it was a plain grey day
Me I went to the liquor store 🏬
And I bought another bottle of wine 🍷 and another bottle of gin
I played his records all night
And I got drunk 😵 all over again
Now some people say that that ain’t right
That ain’t right
And some people say nothing at all
I say nothing
But even in the darkest of night
You could always hear 👂 the kings call
You could always hear 👂 the kings call
I wonder if you’re lonesome tonight
And I’d rather go on hearing your lies
Than to go on living without you
Now some people say that that ain’t right
And some people say nothing at all I say nothing
But even in the darkest of night
You could always hear 👂 the kings call
You could always hear 👂 the kings call
You could always hear 👂 the kings call
Now the stage is bare and I’m standing here
They might as well bring the curtain down
I cried the night the king 👑 died
@marcellinovanvliet5633
King's Call
Phil Lynott
It was a rainy night the night the king went down
Everybody was crying it seemed like sadness had surrounded the town
Me I went to the liquor store
And I bought a bottle of wine and a bottle of gin
I played his records all night
Drinking with a close, close friend
Now some people say that that ain't right
And some people say nothing at all
But even in the darkest of night
You can always hear the king's call
You can always hear the king's call
Well they put him away in Memphis
Six feet beneath the clay
Everybody was crying
Everybody said it was a plain grey day
Me I went to the liquor store
And I bought another bottle of wine and another bottle of gin
I played his records all night
And I got drunk all over again
Now some people say that that ain't right
That ain't right
And some people say nothing at all
I say nothing
But even in the darkest of night
You could always hear the king's call
You could always hear the king's call
I wonder if you're lonesome tonight
And I'd rather go on hearing your lies
Than to go on living without you
Now some people say that that ain't right
And some people say nothing at all I say nothing
But even in the darkest of night
You could always hear the king's call
You could always hear the king's call
You could always hear the king's call
Now the stage is bare and I'm standing here
They might as well bring the curtain down
I cried the night the king died
Songwriters: Philip Parris Lynott
@kartal1551
This song treats theme of death of someone you appreciate or hold close, in a really authenthic way. Plus it's really catchy and features beautiful solo by Knopfler. True hidden gem.
@lastrada52
Despite all the Elvis dedication songs when he passed away, I still think Phil Lynott's is the most sincere and respectful. It is so well written, performed and sung. It just may be exactly how many people felt -- those that liked Elvis and those who didn't. They simply don't realize how many things were influenced in culture by Elvis. Even a hard rocker like Phil Lynott -- who you wouldn't think was influenced by the likes of Elvis. Was.
@deanlaster1724
All those guys of that era were influenced by Elvis.
@robertvanderclock2657
What a brilliant and haunting song.....I play it every 1/8 and 8/16 ever since I first became aware of it around 12 years ago.
@MrAdriancooke
Still gives me chills. Awesome.
@arnoburtner380
Superb. Phil and Mark in their legendary tribute to the King.
@patrickstocks3986
It was a rainy night the night the king 🤴 went down
Everybody was crying 😢 it seemed like sadness had surrounded the town
Me I went to the liquor store 🏬
And I bought a bottle of wine 🍷 and a bottle of gin
I played his records all night
Drinking with a close, close friend
Now some people say that that ain’t right
And some people say nothing at all
But even in the darkest of night
You can always hear 👂 the kings call
You can always hear 👂 the kings call
Well they put him away in Memphis
6 feet 🦶 beneath the clay
Everybody was crying 😢
Everybody said it was a plain grey day
Me I went to the liquor store 🏬
And I bought another bottle of wine 🍷 and another bottle of gin
I played his records all night
And I got drunk 😵 all over again
Now some people say that that ain’t right
That ain’t right
And some people say nothing at all
I say nothing
But even in the darkest of night
You could always hear 👂 the kings call
You could always hear 👂 the kings call
I wonder if you’re lonesome tonight
And I’d rather go on hearing your lies
Than to go on living without you
Now some people say that that ain’t right
And some people say nothing at all I say nothing
But even in the darkest of night
You could always hear 👂 the kings call
You could always hear 👂 the kings call
You could always hear 👂 the kings call
Now the stage is bare and I’m standing here
They might as well bring the curtain down
I cried the night the king 👑 died
@kevingill648
Now some people say this is a great song! I agree always loved it
@nigelhill1877
The guitar riffs on this is awesome, fantastic song
@77bustoff
Went to the liquor store myself and always find myself playing this great song ! 👍