☝️ Key Points
- The song lyrics are about a relationship where the woman has fallen in love with a confident man.
- The woman realizes that the man has been telling her self-defense lies.
- The text describes the sad reality of a relationship where the woman's needs are not fulfilled.
- The singer himself is called the 'King of Confidence' and realizes that it's not enough.
- Overall, the song is about the difficulties and insecurities in interpersonal relationships.
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song "King of Confidence" by
Elvis Costello are about a woman who is in a relationship with a man who is confident and full of conviction. The woman has decided to shape her mind just like her face. She paints lines and shadows to express the lonely mood that follows her.
The lyrics describe how the man can tell her everything and even comforted her when he cried. But the woman knew he was lying when he claimed to be honest. The love in this relationship is short and painful. The woman finally realizes that the man has only told her self-defense lies.
It's hard enough to be your lover and your confidante at the same time. You say you know what I need, but you don't know who I want. The lyrics describe the sad reality of a relationship where the woman's needs are not fulfilled.
The lyrics end with the singer being called the "King of Confidence" himself. He has spent years assuming this role, but ultimately realizes that it's not enough. Love remains painful and short-lived, both for him and for other people.
Overall, "King of Confidence" is about the difficulties and uncertainties in interpersonal relationships and how the search for self-confidence and love often leads to disappointments.