Good To Be King

The song 'Good To Be King' performed by Antonio Banderas is a satirical take on the concept of absolute power and the corrupting influence it can have on those who wield it. The lyrics paint a picture of a monarch who revels in his authority and the divine status attributed to him by his subjects. The king characterizes himself as a deity, emphasizing the blind worship he receives from the people, which he seems to find both amusing and affirming.

The song's chorus, 'It's good to be king,' is repeated with a sense of dark humor, highlighting the king's enjoyment of his position despite the negative impact on his subjects. The lyrics suggest that a king does not need to be morally good to be considered a good ruler; rather, he only needs to appear sympathetic while actually exploiting his people for personal gain. This cynical view of leadership suggests that power is often maintained through manipulation and suffering, rather than through benevolence or justice.

The king's pleasure in his power is further illustrated by his delight in making life-or-death decisions and the thrill he gets from the suffering of others. The repetition of 'Mine is the kingdom, Mine is the power, Mine is the glory' underscores the king's egotism and the absoluteness of his rule. The song ends with the phrase 'It's so stinking good to be king!' which serves as a final, ironic exclamation of the king's twisted satisfaction in his dominion, power, and the perpetuation of his own glory.