What makes Queen Elvis by Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians notable?

'Queen Elvis' received positive reviews upon its release, noted for its inventive songwriting and sonic experimentation. The album solidified Hitchcock's reputation as a pivotal figure in the neo-psychedelic movement, influencing contemporaries and earning a dedicated cult following. By 1989, Robyn Hitchcock had established himself as a unique voice in alternative rock, with 'Queen Elvis' serving as his sixth studio album. This release followed the critical success of 'Element of Light' (1986) and showcased his continued evolution, blending whimsical narratives with more polished production.

How many songs are on Queen Elvis?

Queen Elvis has 12 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

Queen Elvis

Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians · 1989

46 min · 12 tracks

A kaleidoscopic blend of surreal lyrics and jangly guitars wrapped in lo-fi charm.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Madonna of the Wasps — Opening with vivid imagery, this track sets the tone for the album's surreal exploration of themes like desire and identity.
→
The Devil’s Coachman — This song features an engaging narrative that melds dark humor with melodic hooks, showcasing Hitchcock's lyrical prowess.
→
One Long Pair of Eyes — A standout for its introspective lyrics and haunting melodies, this track encapsulates the album's blend of whimsy and depth.
→
Veins of the Queen — This track exemplifies Hitchcock's knack for merging poetic lyrics with catchy choruses, making it a memorable highlight on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

68 /100

Treeline

Higher than 62% of albums we've rated

The album showcases inventive songwriting and a unique sound that stands out in its genre.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent jangly guitar sound, while the second half introduces more varied instrumentation and tempo changes.
Surreal lyrics are delivered with a conversational tone, often shifting perspectives between verses.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Madonna of the Wasps 3:05
2 The Devil’s Coachman 2:34
3 Wax Doll 4:14
4 Knife 3:26
5 Swirling 3:38
6 One Long Pair of Eyes 4:58
7 Veins of the Queen 3:26
8 Freeze 4:46
9 Autumn Sea 4:27
10 Superman 3:50
11 Veins of the Queen (royal mix) 4:02
12 Freeze (shatter mix) 4:16

What to play next

Listen next

Greatest Hits

1996

Go back to

Element of Light

1986

Full Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians discography Artists like Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata