Fantastic song. At first it seems completely obscure, but I think not now.
I this song is about imposter syndrome. Self-presentation, bluff, faking it till ya make it, and the attendant insecurities and feelings of inadequacy.
It was written at the time of the TE's first press and the backing of John Peel. 'Bless my cotton socks, I'm in the news' is said to be a reference to John Peel, who'd helped the likes of Bolan on his way. Is the writer really in that august company? The writer 'stands accused' or is self-accusing of being a middle class fake. So, what to do? Be arrogant, be silent, act the part, act like a star before you actually are, like Bowie. Thus the repeat references to Kingship, Royalty, essentially empty non existent things that people are fooled into investing in, by the power of image.
'The king sits on his face but it's all assumed' (your lyrics are wrong). It's all a bluff.
Then, Howard Hughes, outwardly the ideal American male, but actually a basket case. Again, the lyrics are wrong, 'it's live in solitude'.
The over the top histrionic bluster of the music and the horns fits this theme perfectly.
Accepting the reward is accepting your own talents, specialness and success, and being at one with it.
JC's one time bandmate Ian McCulloch seems to have been influenced by this song ( maybe he even contributed?) The Cutter by Echo and The Bunnymen (from the same time frame) is also about the anxieties of not measuring up. Strangely, that song also starts off with a coded reference to John Peel. Coincidence?
Fantastic song. At first it seems completely obscure, but I think not now. I this song is about imposter syndrome. Self-presentation, bluff, faking it till ya make it, and the attendant insecurities and feelings of inadequacy. It was written at the time of the TE's first press and the backing of John Peel. 'Bless my cotton socks, I'm in the news' is said to be a reference to John Peel, who'd helped the likes of Bolan on his way. Is the writer really in that august company? The writer 'stands accused' or is self-accusing of being a middle class fake. So, what to do? Be arrogant, be silent, act the part, act like a star before you actually are, like Bowie. Thus the repeat references to Kingship, Royalty, essentially empty non existent things that people are fooled into investing in, by the power of image. 'The king sits on his face but it's all assumed' (your lyrics are wrong). It's all a bluff. Then, Howard Hughes, outwardly the ideal American male, but actually a basket case. Again, the lyrics are wrong, 'it's live in solitude'. The over the top histrionic bluster of the music and the horns fits this theme perfectly. Accepting the reward is accepting your own talents, specialness and success, and being at one with it. JC's one time bandmate Ian McCulloch seems to have been influenced by this song ( maybe he even contributed?) The Cutter by Echo and The Bunnymen (from the same time frame) is also about the anxieties of not measuring up. Strangely, that song also starts off with a coded reference to John Peel. Coincidence?