The Meaning Behind The Song: The King of Wishful Thinking by Go West
“The King of Wishful Thinking” is a classic 80s hit song that was performed by the British band Go West. The song was written by Peter Cox, Richard Drummie, and Martin Page, and was released in 1990 as the first single from the album “Indian Summer”. It quickly became a massive hit, reaching number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number nine on the UK Singles Chart.
The Lyrics
The lyrics of “The King of Wishful Thinking” are about someone trying to move on from a past relationship by convincing themselves that they are over their ex-partner. The song contains a typical 80s pop sound, with catchy hooks and a bouncy beat that is instantly recognizable. The lyrics to the song are as follows:
I don’t need to fall at your feet
Just ’cause you cut me to the bone
And I won’t miss the way that you kiss me
We were never carved in stone
If I don’t listen to the talk of the town
Then maybe I can fool myself
I’ll get over you, I know I will
I’ll pretend my ship’s not sinking
And I’ll tell myself I’m over you
‘Cause I’m the king of wishful thinking
The song seems to focus on the idea of trying to convince oneself that they are over a previous heartbreak, even if they are not. By telling themselves that they are over their ex-partner, the person in the song thinks that they can move on and forget about their past relationship.
The Meaning Behind The Music Video
The music video for “The King of Wishful Thinking” was directed by famous music video director David Fincher, who has directed a number of hit music videos and blockbuster films, including “Se7en”, “Fight Club”, and “Gone Girl”. The video shows the band performing the song in front of a screen that shows various clips of a woman, who is presumably the ex-partner of the person in the song.
The video features a number of close-ups of the woman’s face and body, as well as various clips of her walking away. The video seems to suggest that the person in the song is still hung up on their ex-partner, despite their best efforts to forget about them. The video also contains a number of shots of the man trying to distract himself from his thoughts by playing video games and reading magazines, which further reinforce the idea that he is trying to convince himself that he is over his ex-partner.
The Song’s Legacy
“The King of Wishful Thinking” remains one of the most popular songs of the 80s, and is often featured in various films, TV shows, and commercials. The song has also been covered by a number of artists, including New Found Glory, Jon Niklas, and The Feeling. The song’s catchy melody and relatable lyrics have helped it to remain popular with audiences of all ages, and it has become an enduring symbol of the 80s pop sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What inspired the writing of “The King of Wishful Thinking”?
The song was inspired by the idea of trying to convince oneself that they are over a previous heartbreak, even if they are not. The songwriter wanted to explore the idea of trying to move on from a past relationship by telling oneself that they are over their ex-partner, even if they still have feelings for them.
2. Who wrote the song?
“The King of Wishful Thinking” was written by Peter Cox, Richard Drummie, and Martin Page.
3. Who directed the music video for the song?
The music video for “The King of Wishful Thinking” was directed by David Fincher, who is known for his work on hit movies and music videos.
4. Why has the song remained so popular?
The song’s catchy melody, relatable lyrics, and enduring popularity with audiences of all ages have helped it to remain popular. The song has also been featured in a number of films, TV shows, and commercials, which has helped to expose it to new audiences over the years.
5. Has the song been covered by other artists?
Yes, “The King of Wishful Thinking” has been covered by a number of artists, including New Found Glory, Jon Niklas, and The Feeling.
6. What inspired the music video?
The music video was inspired by the lyrics of the song, which focus on the idea of trying to convince oneself that they are over a previous heartbreak. The video shows the man trying to distract himself from his thoughts by playing video games and reading magazines, which reinforces the idea that he is trying to convince himself that he is over his ex-partner.
7. Is there any symbolism in the music video?
The video shows various clips of a woman who is presumably the ex-partner of the person in the song, which suggests that he is still hung up on her. The video also features a number of close-ups of the woman’s face and body, which could be seen as symbolic of the man’s desire to be with her.
8. What other hit songs has Go West released?
Go West is best known for “The King of Wishful Thinking”, but they have also released a number of other hit songs, including “Don’t Look Down”, “We Close Our Eyes”, and “Call Me”.
9. What genre is “The King of Wishful Thinking”?
“The King of Wishful Thinking” is a classic 80s pop song, with a catchy melody and bouncy beat.
10. Has “The King of Wishful Thinking” won any awards?
“The King of Wishful Thinking” has not won any major awards, but it has been featured in a number of “best of” lists over the years.
11. How has the song been used in film and TV?
“The King of Wishful Thinking” has been featured in a number of films and TV shows, including “Pretty Woman”, “The Wedding Singer”, and “Baywatch”.
12. What impact has “The King of Wishful Thinking” had on the music industry?
“The King of Wishful Thinking” remains a classic 80s pop song that is beloved by fans of the era. The song’s catchy melody and relatable lyrics have helped it to endure over the years, and it remains an inspiration for many artists in the pop and rock genres.
