Kings & Queens (Ava Max song)

"Kings & Queens" is a song by American singer Ava Max, released as the fifth single from her upcoming debut studio album Heaven & Hell on March 12, 2020, through Atlantic Records. The song was written by Max, Brett McLaughlin, Desmond Child, Hillary Bernstein, Jakke Erixon, Madison Love, Mimoza Blinsson, Cirkut, and RedOne. The latter two musicians also produced the track, which implemented an electric guitar alongside lyrics about women's empowerment.

"Kings & Queens"
Single by Ava Max
from the album Heaven & Hell
ReleasedMarch 12, 2020 (2020-03-12)
RecordedAugust–September 2019
GenrePop
Length2:42
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Ava Max singles chronology
"Alone, Pt. II"
(2019)		 "Kings & Queens"
(2020)		 "Who's Laughing Now"
(2020)
Music video
"Kings & Queens" on YouTube

"Kings & Queens" received generally favorable reception from critics, who praised the production, guitar solo, and lyricism. The single peaked at number one in Israel, Latvia and Poland, while also charting in the top 10 in Scotland, Switzerland, Norway, the Czech Republic and Belgium. The music video was released on March 27, 2020, and is directed by Isaac Rentz. It features a Khaleesi inspired Max dancing in a heaven-themed throne room alongside a group of dancers, while also feasting at a banquet.

A version of the song featuring Lauv and Saweetie, dubbed "Kings & Queens, Pt. 2", was released on August 6, 2020.

Background and development

"Kings & Queens" initially went through ten different iterations which included different melodies and production, before the final version was completed around August–September 2019.[1] The single was first announced on February 27, 2020, where Max confirmed that producers Cirkut and RedOne, alongside songwriter Madison Love were involved with production. She later revealed the song's release date, along with the name and single artwork on March 7, 2020.[2][3] "Kings & Queens" was written by Max, Brett McLaughlin, Desmond Child, Hillary Bernstein, Jakke Erixon, Love, Mimoza Blinsson, Cirkut, and RedOne. The latter two also produced the track.[4]

Max decided to include the electric guitar in the track to complement the pop electronic sound in her music.[1] The song's chorus sampled the melody of Bonnie Tyler's 1986 song "If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)".[5] She stated that "Kings & Queens" is about how it would be a better place if queens ruled the world,[6] and likened it to her previous song "So Am I", acknowledging that it contained a similar message about women's empowerment.[1]

Critical reception

"Kings & Queens" received generally favorable reviews from critics. Madeline Rothman of MTV News stated that Max sings about "breathing fire, getting a 'royalty high', and calling on men to start championing the queens" with a strong electric guitar solo,[6] while Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone recognized the song's "pulsing verse and a dramatic hook peppered with regal synths", and compared the guitar solo to the discography of Queen.[7] Mike Nied of Idolator noted that the single "highlights Ava’s ability to fill dance floors across the globe".[8]

Writing for Uproxx, Caitlin White described the lyrics as "a subtle tribute to the power of women and a call to action for men to support the queens in their life",[9] while Heran Mamo of Billboard acknowledged that it compared chess moves to feminism; "In chess, the king can move one space at a time/ But queens are free to go wherever they like".[10] Soundigest writer Andrew Chinikidiadi praised the transitions of the electric guitar riff into the bridge and the song's ending. However, he lamented the repetition and duration of the track.[5]

Music video

A visualizer was released along with the song on March 12, 2020,[11] which depicts Max as a queen holding a glass of champagne and sword, with a royal deck of cards.[10] She confirmed on the song's release date that she already filmed the official music video, describing it as "very colorful, super fun, crazy dancing, and a big celebration", and likened it to a rainbow.[6] The music video was released on March 27, 2020, and is directed by Isaac Rentz.[12][13] Max is seen dancing in a heaven-themed throne room with a group of dancers,[13] as she was inspired by Khaleesi from Game of Thrones and wanted to portray an Amazonian queen surrounded by warriors. Max and Rentz used a moodboard to list several ideas for the music video, while also maintaining a feminist theme. She would often text her ideas to him during the night to ensure that it would be perceived as "authentic and personal".[14]

The video opens with Max holding a sword between her legs as she sits on a golden throne. She then organizes a banquet, in which several dancers begin drinking champagne and eating food, before performing a dance sequence. During the pre-bridge guitar solo, the dancers wield electric axes.[15]

Track listing

Personnel
  • Amanda Ava Koci – vocals, songwriting
  • Henry Walter – songwriting, production
  • RedOne – songwriting, production
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing
  • Brett McLaughlin – songwriting
  • Desmond Child – songwriting
  • Hillary Bernstein – songwriting
  • Jakke Erixon – songwriting
  • Madison Love – songwriting
  • Mimoza Blinsson – songwriting

Credits adapted from Tidal.[4]

Charts
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[19] 87
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[20] 12
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[21] 4
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[22] 9
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[23] 82
CIS (Tophit)[24] 17
Croatia (HRT)[25] 6
Cyprus (Top 10)[26] 2
Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100)[27] 1
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[28] 7
Estonia (Eesti Tipp-40)[29] 30
Euro Digital Songs (Billboard)[30] 5
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[31] 15
France (SNEP)[32] 32
Germany (Official German Charts)[33] 16
Greece (IFPI)[34] 39
Hungary (Dance Top 40)[35] 2
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[36] 12
Hungary (Single Top 40)[37] 4
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[38] 5
Iceland (Tonlist)[39] 11
Ireland (IRMA)[40] 20
Israel (Media Forest)[41] 1
Italy (FIMI)[42] 43
Latvia (Latvijas Top 40)[43] 1
Lithuania (AGATA)[44] 24
Macedonia (Radiomonitor)[45] 15
Malta (Radiomonitor)[46] 3
Mexico Airplay (Billboard)[47] 23
Namibia (Radiomonitor)[48] 7
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[49] 20
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[50] 10
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[51] 13
Norway (VG-lista)[52] 7
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[53] 1
Portugal (AFP)[54] 126
Romania (Airplay 100)[55] 48
Russia Airplay (Tophit)[56] 25
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[57] 5
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[58] 12
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[59] 16
Slovenia (SloTop50)[60] 5
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[61] 21
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[62] 5
Switzerland (Media Control Romandy)[63] 1
Ukraine Airplay (Tophit)[64] 29
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[65] 19
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[66] 6
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[67] 21
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[68] 36

Certifications
Certifications and sales for "Kings & Queens"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[69] Gold 15,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[70] Gold 20,000
Canada (Music Canada)[71] Gold 40,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[72] Silver 200,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history
Release dates and formats for "Kings & Queens"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various March 12, 2020
Original Atlantic [16]
Italy April 10, 2020 Contemporary hit radio Warner [73]
Various April 22, 2020
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Acoustic Atlantic [17]
April 30, 2020 The Remixes [18]
United States July 7, 2020 Contemporary hit radio Original [74]
Various August 6, 2020
"Pt. 2" [75]
United States August 10, 2020 Hot adult contemporary radio Original [76]

Kings & Queens, Pt. 2
"Kings & Queens, Pt. 2"
Single by Ava Max featuring Lauv and Saweetie
ReleasedAugust 6, 2020 (2020-08-06)
Recorded2020
GenrePop
Length2:55
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
  • Amanda Ava Koci
  • Brett McLaughlin
  • Madison Love
  • Henry Walter
  • Nadir Khayat
  • Desmond Child
  • Mimoza Blinsson
  • Hillary Bernstein
  • Jakke Erixon
  • Ari Leff
  • Jacob Kasher Hindlin
  • Derrick Milano
  • Diamonte Harper
Producer(s)
  • Cirkut
  • RedOne
Lauv singles chronology
"Slow Grenade"
(2020)		 "Kings & Queens, Pt. 2"
(2020)
Saweetie singles chronology
"Bussin 2.0"
(2020)		 "Kings & Queens, Pt. 2"
(2020)

A remix of the song titled "Kings & Queens, Pt. 2" was released on August 6, 2020. It features singer-songwriter Lauv and American rapper Saweetie.

Composition and lyrics

"Kings & Queens, Pt. 2" incorporates a new second verse from Lauv, who describes the male perspective of being in a relationship with a strong, independent woman. Saweetie also adds a rap verse in the song, continuing the theme of female empowerment.[77][78]

Track listing
Digital download – Kings & Queens, Pt. 2[75]
No.TitleLength
1."Kings & Queens, Pt. 2" (featuring Lauv and Saweetie)2:55
gollark: What esoł?
gollark: Yes, there are AT LEAST three more esolangs.
gollark: Wait, what's the unlabelled end?
gollark: extremely boring idea: Brain[REDACTED] encoded using frequency shift keying.
gollark: indecipherable squiggle indecipherable squiggle indecipherable squiggle a indecipherable squiggle h

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