He regularly does solo work, and returns again and again to bands he has formed like The Soft Boys and The Egyptians. Hitchcock is an avid and able collaborator with people like director Jonathan Demme, actor Alan Rickman, country/folk duo (and longtime Hitchcock fans) Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, The Venus 3, R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, Young Fresh Fellows' frontman Scott McCaughey, Andy Partridge of XTC, Nick Lowe, former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, Jon Brion, and Grant-Lee Phillips, as well as Ministry's Bill Rieflin.
Hitchcock's musical and lyrical styles have been influenced by his appreciation of Bob Dylan, Gregory Corso, The Byrds, Country Joe & The Fish, and Syd Barrett.
Hitchcock's lyrics are an essential component of his work, and tend to include surrealism, comedic songs, characterisations of English eccentrics, plant roots, insects, trains, dreams, and melancholy depictions of everyday life. His themes include what many psychologists view as the roots of modern neurosis - namely, death, sex, and eating. (As if in recognition of these themes, he released an EP in 2007 called "Sex, Food, Death and Tarantulas".)
Queen Elvis
Robyn Hitchcock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time is round, and space is curved
Honey, have you got the nerve
To be Queen Elvis?
See that man who mows his lawn
He'll hang in drag before the dawn
Some are made, and some are born
It could break your mother's heart
It could break your sister's heart
Coming out's the hardest part
When you're Queen Elvis
Justify your special ways
Justify your special ways
Getting blow jobs from the press
Oh, I'm jealous, can't you guess?
I could never fit your dress
Queen Elvis
Oh, and I'll sculpt you
So very hard
Oh, and I'll sculpt you
Till you bleed
Everybody must get stoned
All together, all alone
Babbling beside the throne
Of Queen Elvis
Justify your special ways
Justify your special ways
Two mirrors make infinity
In the mirror, you and me
Find out just what love could be
Queen Elvis
Oh, and I'll sculpt you
So very hard
Oh, and I'll sculpt you
Till you breathe
People get what they deserve
Time is round, and space is curved
Honey, have you got the nerve
To be Queen Elvis?
The lyrics of Robyn Hitchcock's "Queen Elvis" convey a surrealistic and absurdist atmosphere, challenging societal norms, and gender roles. The opening lines suggest a belief in destiny, implying that people get what they deserve, and establishing the theme of the song, which is the exploration of personas and the possibility of transformation. The mention of Time and Space also suggests Hitchcock's interest in science and science fiction. The lyrics' suggestion of courage to become Queen Elvis emphasizes the need for personal growth and self-discovery, as becoming Queen Elvis is an act of rejecting societal norms.
The second verse of the song incorporates a man who mows His lawn and will hang in drag before the dawn. This suggests that people have different roles in society and may have unexpressed needs that they believe they cannot fulfill without being ridiculed or shamed. The line, "Coming out's the hardest part," is particularly relevant to the LGBTQ+ community and emphasizes the challenges faced when someone challenges societal norms. The chorus, "justify your special ways," is a form of encouragement to be oneself, suggesting that it is acceptable to be different.
During the middle section, Hitchcock glides through different topics, from feeling jealous of getting blow jobs from the press, to the notion of occupying different roles, either solo or with others, and the reflections on two mirrors that make infinity. The chorus serves as an introspective moment, where the individual questions themselves about their personality, likes, dislikes, and ultimately their roles in society as "Queen Elvis."
Line by Line Meaning
People get what they deserve
One's actions lead to their deserved outcome
Time is round, and space is curved
Time never stops moving and space is infinite
Honey, have you got the nerve
Do you have the confidence to be yourself?
To be Queen Elvis?
To be unique and stand out from the crowd
See that man who mows his lawn
Someone who conforms to societal expectations
He'll hang in drag before the dawn
Even those who appear normal may have hidden desires
Some are made, and some are born
Some people choose to be different and others are naturally different
It could break your mother's heart
Coming out as unique could be difficult for your family
It could break your sister's heart
Coming out as unique could be difficult for your friends and family
Coming out's the hardest part
Revealing one's true self is a difficult process
When you're Queen Elvis
When you're unique
Justify your special ways
Explain and defend your differences
Getting blow jobs from the press
Receiving praise and flattery for being different
Oh, I'm jealous, can't you guess?
Expressing envy for someone's confidence to be unique
I could never fit your dress
Being yourself is unique and not something that can be copied or replicated
Oh, and I'll sculpt you
I will help shape you into who you truly are
So very hard
With commitment and dedication
Till you bleed
Until you feel the pain of the process
Everybody must get stoned
Everyone must face challenges in their search for individuality
All together, all alone
Despite external support, the journey to individuality is an internal one
Babbling beside the throne
Speaking openly and honestly about oneself
Of Queen Elvis
Of those who are unique
Two mirrors make infinity
Reflections can lead to infinite possibilities
In the mirror, you and me
Our true selves are reflected in one another
Find out just what love could be
Discovering the love for oneself and one's individuality
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Robyn Hitchcock
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertdegraw3551
Great song, a songwriter who observes his surroundings and musically manifests!
@croesrob
Absolutely stunning.
@alicat7281
This sure takes me back in time.
@danimaldann
this is as good as it gets ...
@nono-zb8px
Still so beautiful
@kristincrowley1641
Beautiful.
@TheEarlHaight
Great great track
@marywealth6475
This song was clearly inspired by The Rutles' "Let's Be Natural".
@roseshipley9855
trans trans robyn hitchcock is trans you can't change my mind he's trans