All The King's Men Lyrics

Lyric discussion by pjmcprettypants 

Cover art for All The King's Men lyrics by Wild Beasts

I always thought (and hoped) that this was a satire on ideas of masculinity.

"throw out your shoes"? "you're birthing machines"?

From the Wikipedia article "Barefoot and Pregnant":

"Shinine Antony[...]said[...]"Barefoot And Pregnant is a phrase that pokes fun at chauvinists who want their women barefoot (so that they are unable to socialize) and pregnant (helpless)""

Sounds about right for this song.

Yes yes yes

I think a lot of their work is a satire on ideas of masculinity and plays on ideas of masculinity, even their name. Men are wild beasts. We can see that in songs like Hooting and Howling or We got the taste dancing in our tongues or even in Plaything and the Lion's share. Men are the providers, men are the protectors, men are the players, men are the conquerors.