"Kings & Queens" is a song by American singer Ava Max. It was released on March 12, 2020, through Atlantic Records as the fifth and the lead single from her debut studio album Heaven & Hell.[1]
A remix of the song featuring American singer Lauv and rapper Saweetie was released on August 6, 2020, titled "Kings & Queens, Pt. 2".
Background[]
In an interview with Popdust, Max revealed that the song initially went through ten different iterations, which included different melodies and production, before the final version was completed. The song samples "If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)" by Bonnie Tyler.
A snippet of the song's studio sessions leaked in 2023. (
AUDIO)
Promotion[]
Max teased the single on her Instagram account by deleting almost all of her posts and changing her whole theme. She also sent out physical cards to some of her fans with a link to RSVP for the single on her website.
On July 8, 2021, Ava released an ASMR version of the song exclusively through Deezer.
Critical reception[]
The song received positive reviews, with Jon Blistein of Rolling Stone complimenting the song's "pulsing verse" and its "dramatic hook peppered with regal synths". Mike Nied of Idolator felt that the song "highlights Ava’s ability to fill dance floors across the globe". 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".
Track listing[]
Digital Download
- Kings & Queens (Ft. Saweetie): 2:56
Spotify Streaming
- Kings & Queens (Ft. Saweetie): 2:56
- Salt: 3:00
Remixes
- Kings & Queens (James Carter Remix): 2:16
- Kings & Queens (Until Dawn Remix): 3:15
- Kings & Queens (MOTi Remix): 3:00
- Kings & Queens (Fairlane Remix): 3:35
Acoustic
- Kings & Queens (Acoustic): 3:08
Kings & Queens, Pt. 2
- Kings & Queens, Pt. 2 (Ft. Lauv & Saweetie): 2:56
Lyrics[]
[Chorus]
If all of the kings had their queens on the throne
We would pop champagne and raise a toast
To all of the queens who are fighting alone
Baby, you're not dancin' on your own
[Verse 1]
Can't live without me, you wanna, but you can't, no, no, no
Think it's funny, but honey, can't run this show on your own
I can feel my body shake, there's only so much I can take
I'll show you how a real queen behaves, oh
[Pre-Chorus]
No damsel in distress, don't need to save me
Once I start breathin' fire, you can't tame me
And you might think I'm weak without a sword
But if I had one, it'd be bigger than yours
[Chorus]
If all of the kings had their queens on the throne
We would pop champagne and raise a toast
To all of the queens who are fighting alone
Baby, you're not dancin' on your own
[Verse 2]
Disobey me, then baby, it's off with your head
Gonna change it and make it a world you won't forget, oh-oh, oh
[Pre-Chorus]
No damsel in distress, don't need to save me
Once I start breathin' fire, you can't tame me
And you might think I'm weak without a sword
But I'm stronger than I ever was before
[Chorus]
If all of the kings had their queens on the throne
We would pop champagne and raise a toast
To all of the queens who are fighting alone
Baby, you're not dancin' on your own
[Bridge]
In chess, the king can move one space at a time
But queens are free to go wherever they like
You get too close, you'll get a royalty high
So breathe it in to feel alive (alive)
[Chorus]
If all of the kings had their queens on the throne
We would pop champagne and raise a toast
To all of the queens who are fighting alone
Baby, you're not dancin' on your own
[Outro]
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
[Chorus: Ava Max & Saweetie]
If all of the kings had their queens on the throne
We would pop champagne and raise a toast (Saweetie)
To all of the queens who are fighting alone (Ava)
Baby, you're not dancing on your own (Lauv, let's go)
[Verse 1: Ava Max]
Can't live without me, you wanna, but you can't, nah-nah-nah
Think it's funny, but honey, can't run this show on your own
I can feel my body shake, there's only so much I can take
I'll show you how a real queen behaves
[Pre-Chorus: Ava Max]
Oh, no damsel in distress, don't need to save me
Once I start breathing fire, you can't tame me
And you might think I'm weak without a sword
But if I had one, it'd be bigger than yours
[Chorus: Ava Max]
If all of the kings had their queens on the throne
We would pop champagne and raise a toast
To all of the queens who are fighting alone
Baby, you're not dancing on your own
[Verse 2: Lauv]
She's the queen and I'm just lucky to get close to the throne
I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy, but she's taking me home, yeah (oh-oh)
[Pre-Chorus: Lauv]
No damsel in distress, don't need to save her
She's a goddess, I will never try to change her
She know she got my world inside of her palm
But she can have whatever she wants
[Chorus: Ava Max & Lauve]
If all of the kings had their queens on the throne (yeah, baby)
We would pop champagne and raise a toast (ooh, yeah)
To all of the queens who are fighting alone (fighting alone)
Baby, you're not dancing on your own (woo)
[Verse 3: Saweetie]
Let's go
I'm a queen, I'm a boss, I'm a brat (Yeah)
Hella independent, I get this, I get that (Uh-uh)
Shout out to the girls from the 'burb to the trap
I don't need a man for shit, put myself on the map (Oh)
And they thought I was done
I ain't even hit my peak and I'm still on the run
I'm like Lolo on the laps how I'm runnin' the track
Only time I see a L's on the luxury tax
And my whole team winning
Post a pic just because, they like, "Oh, she chilling" (Yeah)
Million-dollar deals and my lipstick seal it
I need acrylic nails, I don't need no critics (Facts)
Saweetie gon' glow, Saweetie gon' shine (Yeah)
Takeoff for the tens, I don't see no nines
My name on they lips, my name on they minds
How I take it from the block to the Hollywood sign (Alive)
[Chorus: Ava Max]
If all of the kings had their queens on the throne
We would pop champagne and raise a toast
To all of the queens who are fighting alone
Baby, you're not dancing on your own
[Outro: Ava Max & Lauv]
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh (baby)
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh (ooh)
Music video[]
The music video, directed by Isaac Rentz, was released on March 27, 2020. Max described the video as "very colorful, super fun, crazy dancing, and a big celebration". It features her in a throne room wielding a sword as well as hosting a party with her friends, playing around with a life size chess board, and having a full on synchronized dance session.
Gallery[]
To view our gallery for Kings & Queens, click here.
Videos[]
Spotify[]
References[]
- ↑ "KINGS AND QUEENS. 3/12". March 7, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020 – via Twitter.
[]
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|---|---|
| Heaven & Hell Navigation | |
| Links | Album Information • Shop Music • Shop Merch • Photoshoots |
| Songs | My Head & My Heart • H.E.A.V.E.N • Kings & Queens • Naked • Tattoo • OMG What's Happening • Call Me Tonight • Born to the Night • Torn • Take You To Hell • Who's Laughing Now • Belladonna • Rumors • So Am I • Salt • Sweet but Psycho |
| Outtakes | 2 Many Emotions • Anything I Want • Cure The Pain • Dance Through the Fire • Dolla Baby • End Of The Night • Good In Hell • I'm Fine • Love Ain't (Sex) • Love Me Bad • Love Me Let Go • Me, U & The Night • Move • Middle of a Breakdown • My Love's Enough • Never Forget You • No Angel • No Deja Vu • Obscure Fantasy • Out of the Dark • She's A Killer • Silhouette • The Good, The Bad, The Ugly • Try Again • Wild Thing |