Kingfish

Album: Good Old Boys (1974)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is Newman's tribute to Huey P. Long (1893-1935), who was Governor of the State of Louisiana. Although Newman was born in Los Angeles, he spent much of his early life in New Orleans, a move which he documented in his song "Dixie Flyer." Huey Long was a populist politician; known as the Kingfish, he built much of the State's infrastructure in his four-year term, and was seen by many as the champion of the small man and the rural poor against big business.

    The song is written in the first person singular and includes the line "Every man a king." This was the title of the campaign song Long co-wrote with Professor Castro Carazo to promote his "Share Our Wealth" program. Newman also recorded "Every Man A King" for the Good Old Boys album. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 1

  • Bill from Uswell theoretically its a good old boys tribute to Huey Long, not Randy Newman's! Mr. Newman was the king of satire in song, he didn't really want to drop the bomb and I'm sure he didn't really mind short people!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Intentionally Atrocious

Intentionally AtrociousSong Writing

A selection of songs made to be terrible - some clearly achieved that goal.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.