This whole album is such a diversion from previous ones. It took me awhile to finally like it but after listening to it on repeat I have decided I like it. This song especially. The beat is wicked.
But on to what I think the song means:
I feel like there are two options to the meaning. the first is clearly that the guy is literally the "king of the gutters" aka homeless. he has grown up on the street and he is old now with grey hair and as it is the only home he has known he feel that the gutters are his kingdom. its basically about the life of a homeless person - handouts, being thrown out, stoned, etc.
The other option is about a criminal. he starts out as a petty criminal taking handouts and doing odd jobs. He drinks to deal with what he has to do for a living. As he gets older he becomes the head person in his crime organization. He becomes the 'king of the gutters' aka the underworld and 'prince of the dogs' aka the criminals under him. After all dogs obey their master right? He is essentially 'untouchable' which is an old mob name for people that are made men and are essentially above the law.
Anyway just two thoughts that are probably wrong but you never know.
This whole album is such a diversion from previous ones. It took me awhile to finally like it but after listening to it on repeat I have decided I like it. This song especially. The beat is wicked.
But on to what I think the song means:
I feel like there are two options to the meaning. the first is clearly that the guy is literally the "king of the gutters" aka homeless. he has grown up on the street and he is old now with grey hair and as it is the only home he has known he feel that the gutters are his kingdom. its basically about the life of a homeless person - handouts, being thrown out, stoned, etc.
The other option is about a criminal. he starts out as a petty criminal taking handouts and doing odd jobs. He drinks to deal with what he has to do for a living. As he gets older he becomes the head person in his crime organization. He becomes the 'king of the gutters' aka the underworld and 'prince of the dogs' aka the criminals under him. After all dogs obey their master right? He is essentially 'untouchable' which is an old mob name for people that are made men and are essentially above the law.
Anyway just two thoughts that are probably wrong but you never know.