Someone is going to take my heart/
But no one is going to break my heart again.

“I Used to Be King” is written by Gram Nash who is a member of the famous Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. They are one of the great bands of all time and we will see their names throughout this list.

“I Used to be a King” takes the form of a letter. It is a list of things he wants to say to his ex-girlfriend. Nash says he was on top of the world and everything has turned to dust. What happened? It appears his ex broke his heart. He used to be a king where everything he touched turned to gold, now he’s left without a hand to hold. He is singing to the girl that “I did love you” and “I miss you late at night”. But he wants to act cool in front of her too: “I’m okay, how are you?”

Nash reflects on why things went wrong in the relationship: It’s because “I built my life on sand.” Is this “foundation of sand” the partying lifestyle, or the traveling? Nash doesn’t say. He promises that “someone is going to take my heart, but no one is gonna break my heart again.”

He sounds defiant. He isn’t singing about how his going to change the foundation of sand. He is singing to the heavens  vowing that no one is going to screw him over again. It is cathartic. These are the things you say when you’re still hurt, before rational reflection.

I Used to Be King Lyrics

I used to be a King and everything around me turned to gold
I thought I had everything and now I’m left without a hand to hold
But it’s all right I’m O.K. How are you
For what it’s worth I must say I loved you

And in my bed late at night, I miss you
Someone is going to take my heart
But no one is going to break my heart again
I used to be a King and everything around me turned to rust

It’s ’cause I built my life on sand
And I watched it crumble in the dust
But it’s all right I’m O.K. and I want to know how you are
For what it’s worth I must say I loved you as you are

And in my bed where are you
Someone is going to take my heart
But no one is going to break my heart again
I used to be a King and everything around me turned around
But I know all I have to do is sing

And I’ll life myself way off the ground
But it’s all right I’m O.K. How are you?
For what it’s worth I must say I loved you
And in my bed where are you
Someone is going to take my heart
But no one is going to break my heart again

Songwriters: Graham Nash