Songfacts®:

• Despite the violent imagery in this maniacally fast rock song, lead singer Ronnie James Dio claimed it is about a chess game. The song's title refers to the goal of the game, which is to checkmate the king.
  
  Here are some of the lyrics that support this interpretation:
  
  "Danger, danger the queen's about to kill"
  "I'm no pawn, so be gone, speed on and on"
  "Oh no, move me out of harm" >>>

  Suggestion credit:
  Charlie - Rome, Italy
• This originally was Rainbow's debut in the UK singles chart, peaking at #44. After the commercial success of "Since You've Been Gone," "All Night Long" and "I Surrender," "Kill the King" was re-released in 1981 this time climbing to #41.
• Ritchie Blackmore was inspired to take up the Strat after seeing Jimi Hendrix in concert and he bought a second-hand Fender with a warped neck from Eric Clapton's guitar tech of the time.
• Drummer Cozy Powell got a songwriting credit on this track along with the band's primary writers, Ronnie James Dio and Ritchie Blackmore.