This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
(Dave as The King) (Mike & Jian)
Once I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
Oh... my unspeakable wife, Queen Lisa now I eat humble pie
I'm telling you I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
And now I work at the Pizza Pizza
(Jian yelling)
1 2 3 4!
(Dave)
Royalty, lord it looked good on me
Buried in silk in the royal boudoir or going nuclear free
Or playing Crokinole with the Princess of Monaco
Telling my jokes to the OPEC leaders, getting it all on video
(Dave) (rest)
Once I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
A palatial palace, that was my home now I eat humble pie
I'm telling you I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
And now I vacuum the turf at SkyDome
(rest)
Once he was the King of Spain
(Dave)
I can't wait, I'm lowering interest rates, my people say:
(Jian speaking in a funny voice)
"King, how are you such a genius?
(Murray speaking)
There's a roof overhead
(Mike speaking in a funny voice)
and food on our plates!"
(Dave)
It's laissez-faire, I don't even give a care
Let's make Friday part of the weekend
And give every new baby a chocolate eclair
(Dave) (rest)
Once I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
Hey Clinton! Hey Yeltsin! Got problems?
You phone me now I eat humble pie
I'm telling you I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
Now the Leafs call me up to drive the Zamboni
(rest)
Once he was the King of Spain
(Dave speaking)
Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce to you the international orchestra!
(rest do vocal solos)
(Dave speaking)
Now some of you might be wondering how I came to be living in Canada
after being royalty in Spain. Should I tell them, guys?
(everyone yelling but Dave)
Tell us, King!
(Dave)
You see late one night when the palace was asleep
Out of my royal chambers and into the garden I creep
And I wait till the appointed time, when the moon is lighting the pitch
At which point my peasant friend, who looks just like me
Arrives and we make switch!
(rest gasp)
(Dave)
Prince and pauper, junior and whopper
World made up of silver and copper
Under my own volition, I took a change of position
So next time you drool in the pizza line
Remember, slower pizza's more luscious
(All)
The King of Spain never rushes!!!
(Dave) (rest)
Once I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
I was lookin' for off-handed ways to improve us now I eat humble pie
I'm telling you I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
And now I'm jamming with Moxy Fruvous!
(rest)
Once he was the King of Spain
Once I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
Oh... my unspeakable wife, Queen Lisa now I eat humble pie
I'm telling you I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
And now I work at the Pizza Pizza
(Jian yelling)
1 2 3 4!
(Dave)
Royalty, lord it looked good on me
Buried in silk in the royal boudoir or going nuclear free
Or playing Crokinole with the Princess of Monaco
Telling my jokes to the OPEC leaders, getting it all on video
(Dave) (rest)
Once I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
A palatial palace, that was my home now I eat humble pie
I'm telling you I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
And now I vacuum the turf at SkyDome
(rest)
Once he was the King of Spain
(Dave)
I can't wait, I'm lowering interest rates, my people say:
(Jian speaking in a funny voice)
"King, how are you such a genius?
(Murray speaking)
There's a roof overhead
(Mike speaking in a funny voice)
and food on our plates!"
(Dave)
It's laissez-faire, I don't even give a care
Let's make Friday part of the weekend
And give every new baby a chocolate eclair
(Dave) (rest)
Once I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
Hey Clinton! Hey Yeltsin! Got problems?
You phone me now I eat humble pie
I'm telling you I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
Now the Leafs call me up to drive the Zamboni
(rest)
Once he was the King of Spain
(Dave speaking)
Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce to you the international orchestra!
(rest do vocal solos)
(Dave speaking)
Now some of you might be wondering how I came to be living in Canada
after being royalty in Spain. Should I tell them, guys?
(everyone yelling but Dave)
Tell us, King!
(Dave)
You see late one night when the palace was asleep
Out of my royal chambers and into the garden I creep
And I wait till the appointed time, when the moon is lighting the pitch
At which point my peasant friend, who looks just like me
Arrives and we make switch!
(rest gasp)
(Dave)
Prince and pauper, junior and whopper
World made up of silver and copper
Under my own volition, I took a change of position
So next time you drool in the pizza line
Remember, slower pizza's more luscious
(All)
The King of Spain never rushes!!!
(Dave) (rest)
Once I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
I was lookin' for off-handed ways to improve us now I eat humble pie
I'm telling you I was the King of Spain now I eat humble pie
And now I'm jamming with Moxy Fruvous!
(rest)
Once he was the King of Spain
Lyrics submitted by ShiverForMe
King of Spain Lyrics as written by Jian Ghomeshi David Matheson
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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o___o WHY are there NO comments on this song?! Moxy Fruvous is a WONDERFUL band! :D I met Mike once! I kidnapped him for about twenty minutes and got his autograph on the back of my clipboard.