The title 'All The King's Men' implies soldiers, royalty, boys who are used to getting what they want, which suggests reason for the generally quite derogatory terms used to describe the girls.There is frequent reference to wealth with the 'shiny shoes' and 'draping in jewels' and their power: 'cut off your hair.'
With reference to 'candied queen' describing her as a queen suggests the best girl perhaps reflecting the song title she is 'fit for a king'? However 'candied' implies almost like she's prepared; no more than just a meaningless treat to the boys.
'Watch me, the belle of the ball' could be referring to the perfect girl or equally to the nobleness and self-pride of the boys; a reflection of their arrogance of how they believe themselves to be the best. However there is a subtly sinister backdrop to this song also, making itself apparent in the very last line 'number my babies and my broken body.' 'Broken body' showing that the narrator has an unknown problem: perhaps this is why he is the 'belle of the ball,' he is in fact the centre of attention because of his problem and it is a metaphor for the freakshow that is himself.
While the 'problem' could be a physical disability the song shows his jealousy towards 'the king's men' who perhaps he wishes to be like. Alternatively 'number my babies' could show his 'broken body' is perhaps his infertility and he longs for these girls as he longs perhaps for a son which he cannot have. On the other extreme he could be an addict who cannot control his sexual nature and wanting so many girls hence 'number my babies' showing how many girls he's had. As in that last verse he even dreams about them and has realised 'it turns out I'm evil' because it appears he has no sense of morality he just wants and, despite coming to the realisation that he has a problem, can't control himself.
Hmmm, wow I have a lot of time, sorry about the essay :)
The title 'All The King's Men' implies soldiers, royalty, boys who are used to getting what they want, which suggests reason for the generally quite derogatory terms used to describe the girls.There is frequent reference to wealth with the 'shiny shoes' and 'draping in jewels' and their power: 'cut off your hair.' With reference to 'candied queen' describing her as a queen suggests the best girl perhaps reflecting the song title she is 'fit for a king'? However 'candied' implies almost like she's prepared; no more than just a meaningless treat to the boys. 'Watch me, the belle of the ball' could be referring to the perfect girl or equally to the nobleness and self-pride of the boys; a reflection of their arrogance of how they believe themselves to be the best. However there is a subtly sinister backdrop to this song also, making itself apparent in the very last line 'number my babies and my broken body.' 'Broken body' showing that the narrator has an unknown problem: perhaps this is why he is the 'belle of the ball,' he is in fact the centre of attention because of his problem and it is a metaphor for the freakshow that is himself. While the 'problem' could be a physical disability the song shows his jealousy towards 'the king's men' who perhaps he wishes to be like. Alternatively 'number my babies' could show his 'broken body' is perhaps his infertility and he longs for these girls as he longs perhaps for a son which he cannot have. On the other extreme he could be an addict who cannot control his sexual nature and wanting so many girls hence 'number my babies' showing how many girls he's had. As in that last verse he even dreams about them and has realised 'it turns out I'm evil' because it appears he has no sense of morality he just wants and, despite coming to the realisation that he has a problem, can't control himself.
Hmmm, wow I have a lot of time, sorry about the essay :)