King Tut
Steve Martin/The Steep Canyon Rangers Lyrics


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King Tut (King Tut)
Now when he was a young man,
He never thought he'd see
People stand in line to see the boy king.
(King Tut) How'd you get so funky?
(Funky Tut) Did you do the monkey?
Born in Arizona,
Moved to Babylonia (King Tut).
(King Tut) Now, if I'd known
They'd line up just to see you,
I'd trade in all my money
And bought me a museum. (King Tut)
Buried with a donkey (Funky Tut)
He's my favorite honky!
Born in Arizona,
Moved to Babylonia (King Tut)
Dancin' by the Nile, (Disco Tut)
The ladies love his style, (Waltzing Tut)
Rockin' for a mile (Rockin' Tut)
He ate a crocodile.
He gave his life for tourism.
Golden idol!
He's an Egyptian
They're sellin' you.
Now, when I die,
Don't think I'm a nut,
Don't want no fancy funeral,
Just one like ole king Tut. (king Tut)
He coulda won a Grammy,
Buried in his jammies,
Born in Arizona, moved to Babylonia,




He was born in Arizona, lived in a condo made of stone-a,
King Tut

Overall Meaning

Steve Martin's song "King Tut" is a satirical tribute to the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun. The song features a groovy, disco-inspired beat and lyrics that describe the lavish lifestyle of an ancient Egyptian king.


The song starts with a reference to the popularity of King Tut's tomb, with people lining up to catch a glimpse of the "boy king". Martin wonders how King Tut got so funky and suggests that he might have learned some dance moves like the monkey. Martin then goes on to describe King Tut's birth in Arizona before he moved to Babylonia, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.


The chorus features the repeated phrase "King Tut" and then various adjectives, including "funky", "disco", and "rockin'", that describe the king's style of dancing. Martin also mentions King Tut's diet, including his consumption of crocodiles, and notes that he gave his life for tourism.


The final verse is a humorous reflection on Martin's own mortality. He says that he doesn't want a fancy funeral, just one like King Tut's. He imagines that King Tut could have won a Grammy and might have even been buried in his jammies. The song ends with the repeated phrase "King Tut" and the reminder that he was born in Arizona and lived in a condo made of stone-a.


Overall, Steve Martin's "King Tut" is a playful take on ancient Egyptian history, highlighting the absurdity of King Tut's fame and the craziness of the disco era. It's a fun and catchy song that still holds up today.


Line by Line Meaning

King Tut (King Tut)
Introducing the subject matter of the song- The Egyptian King Tutankhamun.


Now when he was a young man,
Referring to Tutankhamun's early years.


He never thought he'd see
He didn't expect.


People stand in line to see the boy king.
That there would be so much demand from tourists to see him.


(King Tut) How'd you get so funky?
Asking about his funkiness, i.e., coolness or style.


(Funky Tut) Did you do the monkey?
A reference to the popular dance, the monkey, to relate to Tutankhamun's funky style.


Born in Arizona,
Although Tutankhamun was an Egyptian, he is jokingly referred to as being born in Arizona, USA.


Moved to Babylonia (King Tut).
Another joke, as Babylonia refers to the ancient city of Babylon.


(King Tut) Now, if I'd known
If Steve Martin had known the interest people had in King Tut, he would have made a different career choice.


They'd line up just to see you,
People would stand in long lines to see King Tut.


I'd trade in all my money
Steve Martin would give away all the money he had to own a museum that displayed King Tut's artifacts.


And bought me a museum. (King Tut)
He would have brought the museum to people so they didn't have to wait in line.


Buried with a donkey (Funky Tut)
A humorous quip about Tutankhamun being buried with a donkey in this tomb.


He's my favorite honky!
A playful reference to Tutankhamun's race that rhymes with 'donkey.'


Dancin' by the Nile, (Disco Tut)
Tutankhamun was a party boy, grooving and dancing by the Nile.


The ladies love his style, (Waltzing Tut)
Tutankhamun, popular with women of his time, is fancifully imagined to have had a different dancing style.


Rockin' for a mile (Rockin' Tut)
Tutankhamun was such a party animal that he was 'rockin' out' for a whole mile.


He ate a crocodile.
Tutankhamun was a hunter, and considered it a delicacy to eat crocodiles.


He gave his life for tourism.
Tutankhamun helped Egypt's tourism industry boom by drawing people to visit his tomb.


Golden idol!
Tutankhamun is an important figure in Egyptian history, a true 'golden idol.'


He's an Egyptian
Tutankhamun is from the Egyptian civilization.


They're sellin' you.
Egypt is selling the image and goods of Tutankhamun to tourists.


Now, when I die,
When Steve Martin passes away.


Don't think I'm a nut,
Do not think that he is crazy.


Don't want no fancy funeral,
Steve Martin doesn't want any grand or expensive funeral rites.


Just one like ole king Tut. (king Tut)
He just wants a standard funeral like the one King Tut would have received.


He coulda won a Grammy,
A cheeky theory that King Tut could have won a Grammy award for his music or performance.


Buried in his jammies,
Tutankhamun was buried in his nightclothes or jammies.


Born in Arizona, moved to Babylonia,
Ending the song as it began, with longing for the king who was born in Arizona and moved to Babylonia.


He was born in Arizona, lived in a condo made of stone-a,
This line is just a fun, rhyming way to reference the idea of King Tut being from Arizona and living in a stone palace.


King Tut
The final repeated mention of the Egyptian king, ending the song on a playful note.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: STEVE MARTIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@dude28405

I want this version played at my funeral

@tompiper1480

I love this song it's got a great tune

@Galiuros

This song was featured on KXCI 91.3 in Tucson

@ranenomer-sherman3977

The greatest song ever written.

@shellykaufman6804

He (steve) is playing the banjo too!

@davidfrank3728

gah I miss the 80's, no one was butt hurt,, watch "blazing saddles, space balls and history of the world".. tri fecta weekend !! yee haaaw..

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