"King of Confidence" is a song by Elvis Costello. The song tells the story of a woman who has her mind made up and is confident in her decisions, just like her facial expressions show. She paints her emotions through lines, shadows, and colors, expressing the loneliness that often follows love. The lyrics speak of a love that is short and painful, filled with lies and self-defense. The woman confides in someone she believes she can trust, referred to as the King of Confidence. However, it becomes evident that this person is dishonest, as the narrator states that he knew the King of Confidence was lying when he claimed to be honest. The song explores the complexities of being a lover and a confidant. The narrator feels that the person they are addressing claims to know what they need, yet they fail to understand who they truly want. The mornings are depicted as tawdry and tarnished, as the body grows tired and complains, but remains unable to communicate its true feelings. The repetition of "Love is short and painful" emphasizes the overarching theme of love being challenging and filled with pain. The lyrics also mention spending years and a couple of days as the King of Confidence, suggesting the narrator may have once been in a powerful or confident position, but now reflects on the fleeting nature of this role. Overall, "King of Confidence" delves into the complexities of love, trust, and the difficulties of maintaining a relationship. It highlights the pain and loneliness that can accompany love, and the importance of genuine understanding and communication within a partnership.
