"King"
Single by Years & Years
from the album Communion
B-sideTCTS Remix (7", CD)
Released3 February 2015
Recorded2014
Genre
Length3:35
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Andy Smith
  • Years & Years
Years & Years singles chronology
"Desire"
(2014)		 "King"
(2015)		 "Shine"
(2015)

"King" is a song by British synth-pop trio Years & Years from their debut studio album Communion. It was originally released as a single on 3 February 2015. The song was released in the United Kingdom as a digital download on 1 March 2015 through Polydor Records.

The song entered at the top of the UK Singles Chart with a combined sales-streaming figure of 101,000 copies, making it Years & Years' first number-one single, and biggest hit to date.[2] Internationally, "King" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland.

Background

In an interview with Rolling Stone, frontman Olly Alexander said: "When we recorded [the song], no one felt good about it. It sounds lame! And we could never fix it. We shelved it for awhile. When we came back to it, we just took a different approach: 'Let's try to make it an Eighties dance-pop track.' And we just started out with that, cut it all up, arranged it. Used that balearic flute vibe, like a bird in the forest." Synth player Mikey Goldsworthy revealed that the backing track "[is] actually Olly's voice sampled and fucked up."[3]

"King" was released as the album's fourth single on 27 February 2015. The song debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, with a combined sales-streaming figure of 101,000 copies, and reached number three on the Irish Singles Chart. Alexander has stated many times that the song has a much darker meaning: "I was going out with a guy that was kind of a douche bag, but I still really liked him". He further stated "I know lots of people can related to this. It's a song about how it feels good to be treated badly by someone".

Critical reception

"King" received critical acclaim. Billboard included "King" in its "Top 10 Songs of 2015 (So Far)" list in June 2015, stating "U.K. alt-pop trio Years & Years has yet to find a radio foothold in the States, but "King" sounds like it's destined to be played at arenas for years to come. When frontman Olly Alexander extends his arms and cries "Let go, let go, let go of everything" at the end of the single, it's almost impossible not to indulge in some type of uninhibited dance breakdown."[4] Time named "King" the best song of 2015.[5]

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Nadia[6] and choreographed by Ryan Heffington.[6]

The video features Olly in an empty house with a couch being surrounded by backup dancers. The two other band members, Mickey and Emre are playing an electric keyboard in an empty pink room being surrounded by dancers. Olly levitates out of the house and walks down the street with the dancers following him. As they fumble with him, he plunges into an underground river where the dancers rise him back up to the house and they struggle with him until he is able to break them free and learn they were a hallucination.

Live performances and covers

Carly Rae Jepsen covered the song on BBC Radio 1.

The band have performed the song on multiple TV shows including The Graham Norton Show (10 April), The Voice of Italy (27 May). They also performed the song as part of their set at Radio 1's Big Weekend (23 May), Glastonbury Festival (27 June), Wireless (5 July), T in the Park (11 July) and Latitude Festival (19 July). It is also the closing number on their Palo Santo Tour and Night Call Tour.

In April 2015, Nick Jonas performed an acoustic version of the song during Live Lounge on BBC Radio 1. The song was featured on the accompanied album.[7] In September 2015, Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen covered the song on BBC Radio 1.

Track listing

  • Digital download[8]
  1. "King" – 3:34
  • Digital download – Remixes[9]
  1. "King" (The Magician Remix) – 4:00
  2. "King" (TCTS Remix) – 3:45
  3. "King" (Oceaán Remix) – 3:25
  • Digital download – Remixes[10]
  1. "King" (Until the Ribbon Breaks Re-Imagination) – 4:02
  2. "King" (Gryffin Remix) – 4:42
  3. "King" (The Magician Remix) – 4:00
  4. "King" (Arty Remix) – 4:23
  5. "King" (Anevo Remix) – 3:28
  6. "King" (Lenno Remix) – 5:16
  7. "King" (TCTS Remix) – 3:45
  8. "King" (Oceaán Remix) – 3:25

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[72] Platinum 70,000^
Belgium (BEA)[73] Platinum 20,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[74] 2× Platinum 180,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[75] Platinum 400,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[76] 2× Platinum 100,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[77] Gold 7,500*
Poland (ZPAV)[78] 3× Platinum 60,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[79] Platinum 40,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[80] 2× Platinum 80,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[81] 3× Platinum 1,800,000‡
United States (RIAA)[82] Gold 500,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Ireland 27 February 2015 Digital download Polydor
United Kingdom 1 March 2015
Australia[83]
United States 21 April 2015 Mainstream radio
5 May 2015 Dance radio

References

  1. ↑ Schlutt, Marcel (9 January 2015). "Track Of The Week: Years & Years - King". Klatblut. Archived from the original on 16 January 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  2. ↑ "Official Charts Analysis: Years & Years score... - mediaor". mediaor.com.
  3. ↑ Drake, David (28 July 2015). "Years and Years on Crafting Dance-Pop with Indie-Rock Edge". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  4. ↑ "Top 10 Songs of 2015 (So Far)". Billboard.com.
  5. ↑ "Best Songs of 2015". Time. 3 December 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Premiere: Years And Years Dance Like They're Possessed In Sia-Esque New Music Video". Buzzfeed Music. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  7. ↑ ""King (Live from BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge)" from BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge 2015 by Various Artists on iTunes". iTunes Store (United Kingdom).
  8. ↑ "iTunes - Music - King - Single by Years & Years". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). Archived from the original on 2015-03-09.
  9. ↑ "iTunes - Music - King (Remixes) - Single by Years & Years". iTunes Store (United Kingdom). March 2015.
  10. ↑ "King (Remixes) by Years & Years on iTunes". iTunes Store. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  11. ↑ "Years & Years – King". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  12. ↑ "Years & Years – King" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  13. ↑ "Years & Years – King" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  14. ↑ "Years & Years – King" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  15. ↑ "Airplay Top 5 - 20.04.2015 - 26.04.2015". Bulgarian Association of Music Producers. Archived from the original on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  16. ↑ "Years & Years Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  17. ↑ Years & Years — King. TopHit. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  18. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201515 into search.
  19. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201517 into search.
  20. ↑ "Years & Years – King". Tracklisten.
  21. ↑ "Years & Years Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)". Billboard.
  22. ↑ "Years & Years: King" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  23. ↑ "Years & Years – King" (in French). Les classement single.
  24. ↑ "Years & Years – King" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  25. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  26. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  27. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – King". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  28. ↑ "Years & Years – King". Top Digital Download. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Years & Years Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
  30. ↑ "Years & Years Chart History (Luxembourg Digital Song Sales)". Billboard.
  31. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Years Years" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  32. ↑ "Years & Years – King" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  33. ↑ "Top 20 México Inglés. Semana del 11 al 17 de Mayo, 2015" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on May 25, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Years & Years – King". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  35. ↑ "Years & Years – King". VG-lista.
  36. ↑ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  37. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com - Portuguese Charts - Singles - 01.01.2016". Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  38. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  39. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201526 into search.
  40. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201520 into search.
  41. ↑ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  42. ↑ "Years & Years – King" Canciones Top 50.
  43. ↑ "Years & Years – King". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  44. ↑ "Years & Years – King". Swiss Singles Chart.
  45. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  46. ↑ "Years & Years Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  47. ↑ "Years & Years Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  48. ↑ "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2015". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  49. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2015" (in German). austriancharts.at. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 4 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  50. ↑ "ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS". Ultratop.
  51. ↑ "Annual Reports 2015". Ultratop. Ultratop & Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  52. ↑ "CIS Year-End Radio Hits (2015)". Tophit. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  53. ↑ "Track Top-100 2015" (in Danish). Hitlisten.NU. IFPI Denmark. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  54. ↑ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2015" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  55. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  56. ↑ "Best of 2015 – Singles". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  57. ↑ "Yearly Charts – 2015: Top Tracks International". Media Forest. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  58. ↑ "Classifiche "Top of the Music" 2015 FIMI-GfK: La musica italiana in vetta negli album e nei singoli digitali" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Archived from the original on January 11, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  59. ↑ "Top 100 Songs Year End 2015". top40.nl. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
  60. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2015" (in Dutch). dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  61. ↑ "Airplay – podsumowanie 2015 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  62. ↑ "Russian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2015)". Tophit. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  63. ↑ "SloTop50: Slovenian official year end singles chart". slotop50.si. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  64. ↑ "Top 100 Songs Annual 2015" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  65. ↑ "Årslista Singlar – År 2015" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Swedish Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  66. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2015". swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  67. ↑ "Ukrainian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2015)". Tophit. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  68. ↑ "The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2015 revealed". Official Charts. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  69. ↑ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Year End 2015". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  70. ↑ "Dance/Electronic Digital Songs Year End 2015". Billboard. billboard.com. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  71. ↑ Copsey, Rob (11 December 2019). "The UK's Official Top 100 biggest songs of the decade". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  72. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2015 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  73. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2016". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
  74. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Years & Years – King". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  75. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Years & Years; 'King')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  76. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Years & Years – King" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 7 May 2018. Select "2018" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "King" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  77. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Years & Years – King". Recorded Music NZ.
  78. ↑ "Wyróżnienia – Platynowe płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2016 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  79. ↑ "Spanish single certifications – Years & Years – King". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  80. ↑ "Sverigetopplistan – Years & Years" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  81. ↑ "British single certifications – Years & Years – King". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  82. ↑ "American single certifications – Years & Years – King". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  83. ↑ "King - single". iTunes Australia. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.