Kingfish

Album: Good Old Boys (1974)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is Newman's tribute to Huey P. Long (1893-1935), who was Governor of the State of Louisiana. Although Newman was born in Los Angeles, he spent much of his early life in New Orleans, a move which he documented in his song "Dixie Flyer." Huey Long was a populist politician; known as the Kingfish, he built much of the State's infrastructure in his four-year term, and was seen by many as the champion of the small man and the rural poor against big business.

    The song is written in the first person singular and includes the line "Every man a king." This was the title of the campaign song Long co-wrote with Professor Castro Carazo to promote his "Share Our Wealth" program. Newman also recorded "Every Man A King" for the Good Old Boys album. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 1

  • Bill from Uswell theoretically its a good old boys tribute to Huey Long, not Randy Newman's! Mr. Newman was the king of satire in song, he didn't really want to drop the bomb and I'm sure he didn't really mind short people!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Benny Mardones

Benny MardonesSongwriter Interviews

His song "Into The Night" is one of the most-played of all time. For Benny, it took him to hell and back.

Janis Ian

Janis IanSongwriter Interviews

One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song Titles

Spot The Real Red Hot Chili Peppers Song TitlesMusic Quiz

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have some rather unusual song titles - see if you can spot the real ones.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.