Sun King

Album: Sonic Temple (1989)
Charted: 39
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Songfacts®:

  • Ian Astbury, frontman/lyricist of The Cult, said regarding this song: "The title was inspired by Louis XIV. I mean they were a pretty decadent lot, used to crap on the floor in Versailles, I think. He'd get a little man to clean it up. The song's just basically a very masculine statement. Very much a he dog song. As I am a man."
  • Louis XIV was known as the Sun King (le Roi-Soleil), a nickname which originated from when the 15-year-old Louis wore the "sun" costume as he danced in the 13 hour "Ballet de la nuit." at court. After that performance he decided to choose the Sun as his symbol. He believed himself to be an absolute ruler and he thought his role in France was like the sun's role giving life to all things, regulating everything as it rose and set.
  • The Beatles also recorded a song called "Sun King." Though John Lennon claims he dreamed the title, he may have been reading a book with that name by Nancy Mitford about Louis XIV.

Comments: 1

  • Juan from El Paso, TxPowerful song. Billy Duffy at his best.
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