King

Royal Blood's song 'King' delves into the tumultuous inner world of someone grappling with their identity and the overwhelming noise of external expectations. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who feels suffocated by societal pressures and the cacophony of voices around them. The opening lines, 'Take me away from the girls and the boys / Smother my ears, help me shut out the noise,' set the stage for a narrative of escape and the desire for solitude. This longing to 'run away from me' suggests a deep internal conflict and a yearning to break free from the person they have become.

The chorus, 'If I could have it all I could be king / Instead of hear the noise in everything,' encapsulates the central theme of the song. The idea of being 'king' symbolizes ultimate control and peace, a stark contrast to the chaos and noise that currently dominate the protagonist's life. This metaphorical kingship represents an ideal state of being where the individual is free from the burdens of external judgment and internal turmoil. The repeated mention of 'noise' highlights the constant mental and emotional clutter that prevents the protagonist from achieving this serene state.

The song also touches on themes of self-destruction and the search for meaning. Lines like 'Last night I was drinking like a man that was trying to drown / But I wasn't sinking, I was swimming myself / Straight for the ground' depict a person on the brink of collapse, using self-destructive behaviors as a coping mechanism. The plea, 'Why don't you see me dying?' underscores a desperate need for recognition and understanding from others. Ultimately, 'King' is a powerful exploration of the struggle for inner peace, the quest for identity, and the impact of societal pressures on mental health.