Lyrics: The King Has Lost His Crown
I believe your new girl turned you down And they say she's pushing you around How does it feel, I guess it hurts your pride Tell me my friend how many nights you cried Disaster and disgrace The king has lost his crown Suddenly He's clumsy like a clown Aaaaah The world is upside down The king has lost his crown Was it hard to step down from your throne And to know tonight you're all alone Oh what a shame, you really want that girl She doesn't care, still you just dream of her Disaster and disgrace The king has lost his crown Suddenly He's clumsy like a clown Ha-aaaahh The world is upside down The king has lost his crown Disaster and disgrace The word is all around Suddenly He's clumsy like a clown Aaaaaaa-ah The world is upside down The king has lost his crown
Unpacking the Fall of the King
From Pride to Humility
“The King Has Lost His Crown” paints a vivid picture of someone who once stood tall and confident, now brought low by heartbreak and rejection. The metaphor of a king losing his crown is a powerful one: it speaks to the sudden loss of status, pride, and self-assurance. The lyrics open with the painful truth that the protagonist’s new romantic interest has turned him down, leaving him vulnerable and exposed. The repeated questioning—”How does it feel, I guess it hurts your pride”—suggests both empathy and a hint of schadenfreude from the narrator. This fall from grace is not just personal but public, with “disaster and disgrace” echoing throughout the song.
The World Turned Upside Down
What makes the song particularly poignant is the way it captures the disorienting aftermath of emotional loss. The refrain “The world is upside down” conveys how everything familiar has changed for the protagonist. The image of a once-royal figure now “clumsy like a clown” adds to the sense of humiliation and confusion. The king’s loneliness is palpable, especially in lines like “And to know tonight you’re all alone.” Despite his longing for the girl who rejected him, it’s clear she is indifferent, amplifying his sense of isolation. The recurring chorus underlines the universality of such falls from grace—anyone can lose their “crown” in the face of love’s challenges.
A Relatable Tale of Heartbreak
On a broader level, “The King Has Lost His Crown” is a story of vulnerability that most listeners can relate to. It explores the pain of unrequited love and the humbling experience of being rejected, regardless of one’s status or confidence. ABBA’s storytelling, paired with evocative music, turns this personal struggle into an anthem for anyone who has faced the sting of disappointment and the journey toward self-acceptance after a fall.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
Release Year: 1979
Label: Polar Music