The Duke

Album: Soup (1995)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by Duke Kahanamoku, a famous Hawaiian surfer known as "The Duke." On Waikiki beach, there is a statue of Kahanamoku; Blind Melon came across it when they were playing the Big Mele Festival at Kualoa Ranch in Oahu. Along with the band Porno for Pyros, they got spent a week in Hawaii taking in the sights, with is how they came across the statue and got the idea for this song.
  • Blind Melon lead singer Shannon Hoon and guitarist Christopher Thorn wrote this song. Thorn told us: "I was trying to create the feeling of surfing and floating in the water with that music."

Comments: 1

  • Dean from CtWhere's all the comments for this great song, this great album?? Does no one realize just how great Shannon Hoon and Blind Melon were? Jeesh...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Adele

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Early Days of MTV

Early Days of MTVFact or Fiction

If you can recall the days when MTV played videos, you know that there are lots of stories to tell. See if you can spot the real ones.

Gary Lewis

Gary LewisSongwriter Interviews

Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top 10 hits despite competition from The Beatles. Gary talks about the hits, his famous father, and getting drafted.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Leslie West of Mountain

Leslie West of MountainSongwriter Interviews

From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."