You're Not a King

Ever since a federal judge stated "Presidents are not kings" last November, I have had this song in my mind. I'm sure this song is going to p*ss off a few people; however, I have not written a scathing rebuke of anyone's ideology, but of the president's character and competence.

Using the gospel choir in the prechorus has layers of irony.

Real Tracks:
RT1525 Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopPowerPushDirty
RT1717 Bass, Electric, TexasBluesRockStraight Ev 120
RT697 Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ElecRockDirty Ev 120
RT694 Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ElecRockArp Ev 120
RC3363 Guitar, Electric, Soloist BritClassicRockGrittyWah
RT1276 Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopUpliftPulsing
RT888 Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment PopBronx
RT3527 Vocals, Background GospelCool3

The drums were spliced together from various loops from Mixcraft.
The guitar at the bridge is Virtual Guitarist Iron.
The 17 second intro is from Mixcraft loops.

Mixed on Reaper. Mastered with Ozone 9.

Lyrics

Wooden wind up sycophants
Power hungry mendicants
Blinded by your pomp and pose
You ain’t wearing any clothes

Your daddy paid for you
Now you’re the father of lies
The brain dead stayed with you
You’ve won the Goebbels prize
You’re not a king (taradiddle, taradiddle)
You’re not a king
You’re not a king
So abdicate now

You’ve got no sins to confess
Wallowing self-righteousness
Driven by despotic zeal
Proclaiming that truth isn’t real

Your daddy paid for you
Now you’re the father of lies
The brain dead stayed with you
You’ve won the Goebbels prize
You’re not a king (taradiddle, taradiddle)
You’re not a king
You’re not a king
So abdicate now

Consistency of contradiction
Proclivity for malediction
Let your genius articulation ring
It’s a tremendously tremendous thing

Your daddy paid for you
Now you’re the father of lies
The brain dead stayed with you
You’ve won the Goebbels prize
You’re not a king (taradiddle, taradiddle)
You’re not a king
You’re not a king
So abdicate now

Great song and well sung, really good use of BIAB. The intro was creative but threw me a little, musically. I'm not sure how you can improve it but I feel like it needs some work to match the rest of the track. Not imperative, you've done exceptional work here.

Really well done song! Lots of attention to detail. Excellent vocal. Loved what you did for the ending!

The intro is pretty cool, although I'm not sure that it adds anything to the song.

Excellent work, listened a couple of times.

This is cool...
The use of ain't & brain dead run against the generally erudite language of the lyric.
The former because it's a bit lazy and the latter because, to me, it's insulting to folk n families with family members in that state of existence.
The music, the singing, the use of loops and the rest of the lyric are REALLY good.
You'll have to excuse my nit picking on this score - careful language was my trade.

Hi Ezekiel,

Just brilliant, this song and the lyrics! I cannot think who you could [*****] of with these lyrics. Nowadays everyone will agree that your country has a big problem. How wonderful you stated that in these lines; 'The brain dead stayed with you, You’ve won the Goebbels prize'!

Continue the good work, Ezekiel!
Hans

This is great, Ezekiel. So well said, and sung. I really like the arrangement. "The brain dead stayed with you
You’ve won the Goebbels prize" Perfect!!

I enjoyed the opening fanfare.

Great drum sound! I really like the somewhat-dry vocal processing - it is perfect for the song. The vocal is excellent. The guitar fills are well done. Nice rhythm change at 2:20.

Excellent lyric. Hilarious. Sad truth.

The Gospel BGVs are cool. And a cool ending.

Very well done.

fj

That is a very creative, albeit scary, write and the arrangement is especially effective.

Your vocals are strong and the RT choices are nice along with the loops, etc.
Very cool wah wah and the use of the BGV's really worked well.

The kingly intro was fine with us. That juxtaposition kinda set the scene for the chaos evoked by the
lyric and, shall we say, the current state of affairs...

Be safe.

Enjoyed it.

J&B

PS Dunno how you chose not to mention bone spurs

I had to look up "mendicants".

Clever intro, well constructed song, good mix and catchy tune. Well sung, an enjoyable bit of music.

Technically, not being a king, he'd have to resign instead of abdicate. (Yeah, you wrote it ironically, but I couldn't resist! )

I enjoyed the listen!

Hi Ezekiel's Storm,

Very well done song!

I try not to interfere with other countries choice of leaders, but I will silently whisper that I had a laugh when listening to your song.

Will

I won't get into US politics but the production was excellent, as were the vocals, and the song structure.

I liked the intro.

A fine piece of songwriting.

Peter

You certainly pissed off me! I'm not a king, huh? And what judge said I wasn't? I'll admit my dad is also my boss, and that I have been known to tell a fib or three...but "I'm the father of lies" now? PLEASE!

edit: OK, I listened again and realized that, despite the title, you might not have been referring to me.

Great progression. Hard-hitting melody and delivery. Really, really nice arrangement that never got boring. I especially love the lead guitar...not just the tone and licks, but the "placement" rhythmically. A lot of power there. The choir was a really nice touch.

Quite the package. Scathing away on the thin ice of a new day. I dig it.

Hi Ez ...

Cool song, for sure. I typically don't get into political or religious content in a song ... but gotta say it's hard to disagree with your implications!

Musically, I thought it was splendid! Reminded me of some of the '60s protest songs. Nice choice of backing tracks and so well mixed. A coherent and well-articulated lyric. And the vocal is excellent ... as always.

Wishing you the very best. Be safe ...

Alan

I liked the energy throughout, and the "erudite" choice of words in the lyric. Strong performance and great use of the RT's.

I agree with the comment that the intro isn't really needed, but, as an offset to the main line song, perhaps let it gracefully fade out, then come it with your energetic first strains of the song. Just an idea.

Great work, thanks for posting it!

This is tremendously tremendous. Great lyrics, arrangement and vocal. I like the intro.
Regards,
Leon

Just got back from a vacation in the mountains in Tennessee. The internet was spotty at best, so I haven't had a chance to return to the forum and extend my appreciation to you for taking the time to listen and comment. I'll get to some now.





Tunemonger and Dave,Thanks! I am ambivalent about the introduction and don't know if I am going to keep it. Mostly, because it was just some loops I put together. I probably should have written something myself and played it on the synthesizer.




Ray, funny you should pick out the use of "ain't." I used that and "You aren't" while working on the song, but "ain't" sounded better to me and added contrast to the previous lines. I don't mind your nitpicking. I labor over my lyrics and play around with my word choices. I welcome the feedback.


'

Thanks so much, Hans! You picked out my favorite lines in the song, which will probably irritate song members of my family.



Thank you, Marty. --See above reply.

Thanks, Floyd. I always appreciate your feedback!

You nailed it. This is a very courageous song. Well done.

This is a tremendously tremendous thing (taradiddle, taradiddle).
Love the vocals, love the band - Soloist BritClassicRockGrittyWah works a treat.
The gospel choir is a nice touch, while the intro sounded suitably royal. Were they TRUMPets?
Cheers,
Mike

This is an awesome song. Vocal was excellent and lyrics were creative and spot on. Loved your backtrack and guitar was very cool

Bone spurs! :-) So much I left out too. Thanks for the listen.



Thanks for your comments, David!


Thanks, Will. I had a good laugh writing the song.



Thank you, Peter. I don't like to get political, but the situation here is beyond the pale.



Funny, Tangmo. I appreciate the irony in your first paragraph.


Thanks, Alan. You stay safe too!


Thanks for the feedback, TM. I'll probably scrap the intro or write my own.



I appreciate the comments, Leon. Thanks!

Very well put together!! Everything works very well, and it is one of your best vocals (BGs too)! Solo guitar fits in great! Take care. Greg

Hi Ezekiel.
A good all around song that stays in my head . Creative beginning works well imo and nice ending. I liked the clever use of the backing choir. Cant help foot tapping while enjoying this . Can hear an Edwyn Collins influence. Enjoyed it a lot.
Now I'm off to look up sycophant and mendicant.

Thank you, my neighbor to the north!



Trumpets, haha!, Nice one, Mike.



Thanks, Scott. I always appreciate comments and a listen from you.

Thanks, Greg. Your response is much appreciated.



Gary, I had to look up Edwyn Collins. I guess you're right about that.

Good rocker. Great use of the band. I love that lead guitar solos. Nice change up during bridge. Well written tune. Good strong delivery. I like the back up singers too.