| "King" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byFlorence and the Machine | ||||
| from the albumDance Fever | ||||
| Released | 23 February 2022 (2022-02-23) | |||
| Genre | Pop rock | |||
| Length | 4:40 | |||
| Label | Polydor | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Florence and the Machine singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "King" onYouTube | ||||
"King" is a song by Englishindie rock bandFlorence and the Machine from their fifth studio album,Dance Fever (2022). It was released on 23 February 2022 byPolydor Records.[1] The song was written and produced byFlorence Welch andJack Antonoff. Apop rockballad with a strongbassline, the song discusses Welch's conflict in choosing between her career and starting a family as well asgender expectations for women in society.
"King" was praised bymusic critics for its themes and composition, with some of them calling it a career highlight.Autumn de Wilde directed the music video for "King", which was shot in Ukraine, and stars Welch, Jack Riddiford, Alexander Antofiy, backup dancers, and an orchestra. The song was nominated forBest Alternative Music Performance at the65th Annual Grammy Awards.
On 21 February 2022, the band's fans received amedieval-styledtarot card in the mail that featured a photo ofFlorence Welch dressed in period clothing. The card had the word "King" on it, and each envelope was inscribed with "Florence + the Machine – Chapter 1" along its back. That same day, digital billboards began popping up around London that featured the same picture of Welch that was printed on the card.[2][3] The band's website was also updated with fifteen tarot cards, the first of which featured the mailer's design.[4] "King" was digitally released on 23 February 2022, asDance Fever's lead single.[1]
"King" was described bymusic critics as apop rockballad.[5][6] The track begins with restrained vocals, and minimal instrumentation over a strongbassline. At the three-minute mark, the song reaches an orchestral crescendo.[7][8] This was described as a "monumental drum break [...] followed by the thunderous impact of her band piling in".[9]
The song's lyrics focus on Welch's examination of her inner conflict between art and starting a family. In an April 2022 interview withVogue, Welch describes these struggles: "The whole crux of the song is that you're torn between the two. The thing I've always been sure of is my work, but I do start to feel this shifting of priorities, this sense of, like, maybe I want something different."[10] "King" deals with the more universal theme ofgender expectations, specifically societal expectations of womanhood.[7] The sacrifices which women have to make when choosing between families and their careers is a core theme of the track.[11] On the song's hook, Welch repeats the refrain "I am no mother. I am no bride. I am king."[12]
Themusic video for "King" was directed byAutumn de Wilde and choreographed byRyan Heffington, both of whom have collaborated with Florence and the Machine for their past music video releases. It was released on the same day as the single on the band'sYouTube channel.[13][14] The video was partially shot on location inUkraine, shortly before Russia's invasion in February 2022, with production being handled byAnonymous Content and Radioaktive Film. Jamie Feliu-Torres served as the music video's cinematographer, while visual effects were produced by Denis Reva andFramestore.[15][16]
The video depicts Welch floating around "draped in royal purple robes, as she unseats and cracks the neck of aJ. Crew-looking king", played by English actor Jack Riddiford.[14][15] Welch's character is flanked by courtiers, billed as "Lace Monsters", that "dance behind her and whirl in jubilation while the orchestra [credited as the "Ghost Orchestra"] floats in suspended animation."[14] Alexander Antofiy also stars as "The Henchman", a mysterious character who seemingly facilitates some of the actions taken by Welch's character.[15] According to Welch, while producingDance Fever, she would project horror films onto the wall, which served as inspiration for songs like "King".[10]
In an interview withCBS News on 13 May 2022, following the Russian invasion, Welch confirmed that all the actors were safe.
Both the song and its music video were well received by critics, who praised its themes and composition.[14] Tyler Golsen ofFar Out Magazine praised its instrumental arrangement and musical composition, describing it as "anthemic and operatic".[7] Elise Soutar, in a review forPaste, favorably compared the song's gradual build-up to Florence + the Machine's output onHigh as Hope.[17] In aGigwise review ofDance Fever, Lucy Harbron praised "King", and called it one the band's best songs.[6]
Hannah Dailey ofBillboard said that "the video is as dynamic as the song, which moves between soft, pensive moments and roaring, anthemic releases."[18] Matt Moen, writing forPaper, described the video as "Suspira [sic] mixed-with-The Craft".[19] Writing forThe Guardian, Michael Cragg ranked "King" as the band's twelfth best song.[20]Grazia magazine called the song "thefeminist anthem of 2022."[21] In an album review, Neil Z. Yeung writing forAllMusic, highlighted "King" as one of the songs that offer "some of the strongest lyrics and personal insight on the album".[22] Writing forThe Daily Telegraph, "[p]roclaiming the male regal title sounds at once transgressive and joyously funny".[9]
"King" won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically at The Ivors in London on Thursday 18 May 2023.[23]
| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA)[24] | 37 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[25] | 11 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[26] | 54 |
| USHot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[27] | 21 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[28] | Gold | 20,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||