The group was composed of three brothers who first performed together professionally in the 1950s on the children's television show All Your Own. Initially performing as The King Three, they appeared on the BBC Television early in their career on Six-Five Special, and by 1957 had been named "top vocal group" in the reader's poll of NME. Their first hit on the UK Singles Chart was their cover of "A White Sport Coat", which hit #6 in 1957. In October 1960, they were again voted "top vocal group" in the NME reader's poll. They had a string of successful singles through 1961, after which time they continued recording but found their popularity waning.
Group leader Denis King later worked in composition for television, film, and musicals; among other things, he wrote the theme music for The Adventures of Black Beauty and Lovejoy.
Denis King (born July 25, 1939, Hornchurch, Essex)
Michael King (b. April 25, 1935, Barking, Essex)
Anthony King (b. January 31, 1937, Barking, Essex)
Singles
Parlophone Records
1957 "Marianne" / "Little By Little"
1957 "A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation)" / "Minne Minnehaha!" (UK #6)[4]
1957 "In The Middle Of An Island" / "Rockin' Shoes" (UK #19)[4]
1957 "Wake Up Little Susie" / "Winter Wonderland" (UK #22)[4]
1958 "Put A Light In The Window" / "Miss Otis Regrets" (UK #25)[4]
1958 "Hand Me Down My Walking Cane" / "Six-5 Jive"
1958 "Moonlight and Roses" / "Torero"
1958 "Sitting In A Tree House" / "Father Time"
1959 "Leaning on a Lamp Post" / "Thank Heaven for Little Girls"
1959 "Hop, Skip And Jump" / "Civilization"
1959 "Makin' Love" / "Caribbean"
1960 "Standing on the Corner" / "The Waiter And The Porter And The Upstairs Maid" (UK #4)[4]
1960 "Mais Oui" / "Gotta Feeling" (UK #16)[4]
1960 "Doll House" / "Si Si Si" (UK #21)[4]
1960 "Seventy-Six Trombones" / "I Like Everybody" (UK #19)[4]
1961 "Goodbye Little Darling" / "Tuxedo Junction"
1961 "The Next Train Out Of Town" / "Sabre Dance"
1961 "The Language of Love" / "Go Tell Her For Me"
1962 "King Size Twist" / "Oh! What A Fool I've Been"
1962 "Everybody Back To Our Place/ "Don't Fly Away Flamingo"
1962 "Nicola" / "Way Down The Mountain"
Pye Records
1963 "One Boy Too Late" / "I've Got That Feeling Once Again"
1963 "Anyone Else" / "The Rainbow's End"
Oriole Records
1964 "Real Live Girl" / "Every Time It Rains"
CBS Records
1965 "Mister Sandman" / "I Want To Know"
1966 "Jo Jo" / "Peculiar"
1966 "Remember When" / "Everytime I See You"
Page One Records
1966 "Symphony For Susan" / "My Time"
1967 "My Mammy" / "Some Of These Days"
1967 "My Mother's Eyes" / "I'm Old Fashioned"
Tupperware (EMI)[5]
1967 "There's No Business Like Our Business" EP: There's No Business Like Show Business / "High Society" / "The Tupperware Brigade" / "Good News"
In the Middle of an Island
The King Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the middle of the ocean
You and I beneath the moonlight
With just the monkeys and the palm trees
In the middle of an island
When it′s time to do some kissin'
Plenty time for lotsa lovin′
Though there's no island at all
Just a picture on my wall
My darlin′, how I wish we could be
(I wish that we could be)
In the middle of an island
In the middle of the ocean
You and I forever, darlin′
In a paradise for two
(In a paradise for two)
Though there's no island at all
Just a picture on my wall
My darlin′, how I wish we could be
(I wish that we could be)
In the middle of an island
In the middle of the ocean
You and I forever, darlin'
In a paradise for two
(In the middle of the ocean)
(On an island kissin′ you)
The lyrics of The King Brothers' song "In The Middle Of An Island" describe a romantic fantasy of being on an island with a loved one, away from the world and its troubles. The singer wishes to be in the middle of the ocean, under the moonlight, with nobody else but his partner, surrounded only by palm trees and monkeys. The slow, dreamy melody adds to the imagery and creates a soothing, calming atmosphere. The lyrics depict a paradise, where there is "plenty time for lotsa lovin'", "walkin' barefoot in the sand", and "time to do some kissin'". The singer wishes to be with his loved one in this paradise, even though it exists only in his imagination.
The song can be interpreted as an expression of the desire to escape from the daily grind and find a peaceful and idyllic space with the loved one. It can also be seen as an ode to the power of imagination and fantasy, which can offer a temporary respite from the challenges of reality. The idea of a perfect, isolated paradise with the loved one has been a recurring theme in many cultural expressions, including literature, music, and art.
Line by Line Meaning
In the middle of an island
In a peaceful, isolated place
In the middle of the ocean
Surrounded by water, far from everything else
You and I beneath the moonlight
Together romantically, illuminated by the moon
With just the monkeys and the palm trees
No other humans around, just animals and plants
When it's time to do some kissin'
When the mood is right for physical affection
Plenty time for lotsa lovin'
Enough time to enjoy each other intimately
And walking barefoot in the sand
Casual, relaxed enjoyment of the natural surroundings
Though there's no island at all
Despite this being an imaginary scenario
Just a picture on my wall
Only represented as an image in reality
My darlin', how I wish we could be
Expressing a longing to experience this with a loved one
(I wish that we could be)
You and I forever, darlin'
Imagining a long-term commitment to each other
In a paradise for two
Enjoying a perfect, idyllic location together
(In the middle of the ocean)
(On an island kissin' you)
Writer(s): Nick Acquaviva, Ted Varnick
Contributed by Henry D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.