I totally disagree with what some folks think this song's about a nice guy trying to win over some bitchy ice queen who chooses to ignore his gestures. At least that's how their posts make it seem)!
"King Leer" is the narrator himself. The song's all about how much of a jerk he is, and how completely clueless he is to the fact.
If you read the lyrics, everything he says and does is self-serving critical of everyone but himself. He's a delusional egomaniac.
First, he tries to buy her with cheap liquor (or Tizer. He didn't even put enough thought into the gesture to remember, but still expects a "Thank you").
He insults her boyfriend (whom she's already in a relationship with, obviously), essentially calling him a pervert ("or could it be the gift of the grab?"), then he himself tries to get frisky with her and she ignores his advances and does not call (why would she, after all?). He takes this personally.
Finally, he tries to get her attention with a scruffy chihuahua. She thinks it's cute, but she's figured out Leer's game, and she understands every halfhearted gesture comes with ulterior motives, so she tries to seem uninterested to get rid of him, leaving him stuck holding the dog.
And he still thinks he's being treated unfairly, of course!
Tod Hackett, the protagonist from Nathanael West's "The Day of the Locust", comes to mind when hearing this song about a man who's very self-serving, self-aggrandizing, and completely oblivious to the fact.
Great song, too... I know NOTHING about music theory, but I love the piano line. The way it goes from upbeat to almost melancholy. I couldn't explain it in musical terms, though...
@raytownian I completely agree with you. While you can easily look at the song in both ways, I much prefer your explanation and always saw the song that way as well.
@raytownian I completely agree with you. While you can easily look at the song in both ways, I much prefer your explanation and always saw the song that way as well.
I totally disagree with what some folks think this song's about a nice guy trying to win over some bitchy ice queen who chooses to ignore his gestures. At least that's how their posts make it seem)!
"King Leer" is the narrator himself. The song's all about how much of a jerk he is, and how completely clueless he is to the fact.
If you read the lyrics, everything he says and does is self-serving critical of everyone but himself. He's a delusional egomaniac.
First, he tries to buy her with cheap liquor (or Tizer. He didn't even put enough thought into the gesture to remember, but still expects a "Thank you").
He insults her boyfriend (whom she's already in a relationship with, obviously), essentially calling him a pervert ("or could it be the gift of the grab?"), then he himself tries to get frisky with her and she ignores his advances and does not call (why would she, after all?). He takes this personally.
Finally, he tries to get her attention with a scruffy chihuahua. She thinks it's cute, but she's figured out Leer's game, and she understands every halfhearted gesture comes with ulterior motives, so she tries to seem uninterested to get rid of him, leaving him stuck holding the dog.
And he still thinks he's being treated unfairly, of course!
Tod Hackett, the protagonist from Nathanael West's "The Day of the Locust", comes to mind when hearing this song about a man who's very self-serving, self-aggrandizing, and completely oblivious to the fact.
Great song, too... I know NOTHING about music theory, but I love the piano line. The way it goes from upbeat to almost melancholy. I couldn't explain it in musical terms, though...
Are you kidding? She's clearly the cunt.
Are you kidding? She's clearly the cunt.
@raytownian I completely agree with you. While you can easily look at the song in both ways, I much prefer your explanation and always saw the song that way as well.
@raytownian I completely agree with you. While you can easily look at the song in both ways, I much prefer your explanation and always saw the song that way as well.