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King for a Day (Thompson Twins song)
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = King For A Day
| cover = KFAD1.jpeg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Thompson Twins
| album = Here's To Future Days
| B-side = Rollunder
| released = 11 October 1985
| recorded = 19841985
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Pop rock
| length = 5:20 (album version)
3:58 (single version)
| label = Arista Records
| writer = Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie, Joe Leeway
| producer = Nile Rodgers & Tom Bailey
| prev_title = Don't Mess With Doctor Dream
| prev_year = 1985
| next_title = Revolution
| next_year = 1985
| misc =
}}
"'King For A Day'" is a 1985 song by the British band the Thompson Twins. It was released as the third single from the band's fifth album 'Here's To Future Days'.
It was written by Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie, and Joe Leeway. There are two versions of the song, with various edits and remixes of the two. The UK version of the song has alternate lyrics and is more synth based. The US and album versions contain electric guitar. The single peaked at number 22 in the UK Singles Chart, spending six weeks on the chart and would be the band's final UK Top 40 hit. The single fared better in America where it peaked at number 8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and also peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It was a success on the Swedish Trackslistan, occupying the number one spot for four consecutive weeks in November 1985, during a seven week chart stay.[http://sverigesradio.se/sida/topplista.aspx?programid=2696&date=1985-11-30 Trackslistan 1985-11-30] Sveriges Radio
The B-side, "Rollunder", was exclusive to this single with two versions; a shorter 7" version and an extended version. It is a variation of the band's song "Roll Over", which was planned for release as a single earlier in 1985, but withdrawn from sale at the last moment.
Music video
A promotional music video was made for the single that was directed by Meiert Avis. Three edited versions of the video are known to exist. The first version features Bailey, Currie, and Leeway at the "Hard Cash Hotel" with Bailey singing to Currie as he attempts to cheer her up. The ending shows the trio playing their instruments in front of stained glass windows with a backing band dressed as nuns. The second edited version shows more shots of the trio performing with the backing band interspersed with scenes from the trio at the hotel. The third edit omits any scenes from the hotel and solely features the trio performing with the backing band dressed as nuns in front of stained glass windows.
Formats
;7" UK vinyl single (1985) Arista TWINS 7
#"King For A Day" 4:10
#"Rollunder" 4:40
;12" UK vinyl single (1985) Arista TWINS 127
#"King For A Day" (Extended Mix) 8:02
#"Rollunder" 6:50
;12" UK vinyl single (1985) Arista TWINS 227
#"King For A Day" (U.S. Re-mix) 7:20
#"Rollunder" 6:50
;12" UK vinyl Picture Disc (1985) Arista TWIPD 7
#"King For A Day" (Extended Mix) 8:02
#"Rollunder" 6:50
;7" U.S. vinyl single (1985) Arista AS1-9450
#"King For A Day" (Single Version) 3:58
#"Rollunder" 4:40
;12" U.S. vinyl single (1985) Arista ADP-9442
#"King For A Day" (Rock Radio Edit) 4:10
#"King For A Day" (LP Version) 5:20
#"Roll Over" (LP Version) 4:58
Personnel
Written by Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie, and Joe Leeway.
*Tom Bailey vocals, piano, Fairlight, synthesizers, guitar, contrabass, Fairlight and drum programming
*Alannah Currie marimba, acoustic drums, percussion, tuned percussion, backing vocals, lyrics
*Joe Leeway congas, percussion, backing vocals
*Nile Rodgers additional guitar and backing vocals
* Produced by Nile Rodgers and Tom Bailey
* Mixed by James Farber
* Mixed at Skyline Studio, NYC
* Photography Rebecca Blake
* Artwork/Design Andie Airfix, Satori
* Art Direction Alannah
Chart performance
Official versions
In popular culture
* The song appeared in an episode of the short-lived 'Dick Clark's Nitetime' in 1985.
* The song appears in the 1986 film, 'Lucas.'
References
Category:1985 singles
Category:Thompson Twins songs
Category:Songs written by Alannah Currie
Category:Songs written by Tom Bailey (musician)
Category:Song recordings produced by Nile Rodgers
Category:Songs written by Joe Leeway
Category:Music videos directed by Meiert Avis
Category:1985 songs
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