This song makes me very emotional.
Adrian Lyles dropped his new single, “King of Everything,” on January 24th, and I have a lot to say about it…
First off, a question for Adrian Lyles himself—because I’m taking this personally: Why did you have to make me cry like that? Like, bro, who hurt you?
“King of Everything” captures the suffocating feeling of never being enough—for yourself or others—no matter how hard you try. The anxiety, fear, and self-doubt conveyed at the beginning of the track hit like a punch in the gut.
As the song progresses, something truly remarkable happens. While many of the lyrics remain the same, the tone shifts entirely. It transitions from Lyles grappling with a desperate need to prove himself worthy of having friends, being loved, and loving himself—to him channeling his frustration into anger. Why does he have to go out of his way to prove he deserves to be happy? Why must he keep pushing harder to become this ideal person everyone expects him to be? Can’t he just be who he truly is?
Adrian Lyles has a voice that makes you feel. You can hear his passion and raw emotions in every note. He doesn’t prioritize perfection over vulnerability, and that raw honesty makes “King of Everything” even more impactful.
Check out “King of Everything” Below.
Ileyah is a mom, a writer and a musician. She loves late nights and gluten free snacks.
