Meaning of "King of Stone" by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark

The lyrics of "King of Stone" explore themes of isolation, emotional detachment, and the consequences of shutting oneself off from love and human connection. The protagonist has chosen to embrace a stoic and unfeeling nature, becoming the "king of stone" in order to protect himself from the pain of vulnerability. However, this choice has left him lonely and disconnected from others, as symbolized by being "all alone." The repetition of the line "once again he's all alone, here I am the king of stone" emphasizes the cyclic nature of his emotional state. Despite his outward appearance of coldness, there is a glimmer of hope and humanity in the line "but I don't believe I'm made of stone," suggesting that deep down, he still longs for connection and warmth. The closing lines, where the protagonist acknowledges that he can still hear and understand others, hint at a desire for genuine connection, even as he maintains a facade of emotional distance.