"King of the World" is a song by the American rock band Weezer, released as a single on January 14, 2016 for the band's self-titled 2016 album, along with a music video.[1]
| "King of the World" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Weezer | ||||
| from the album Weezer (White Album) | ||||
| Released | January 14, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2015 | |||
| Genre | Grunge | |||
| Length | 3:24 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Weezer singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Composition
editMark Beaumont of NME said that the song, as well as "LA Girlz", are "noble throwbacks to the quirky grunge of Weezer’s debut".[2]
Reception
editBill Bodkin at Pop-Break opined "Hearkening back to the sound of the Blue and Green albums, and even some of the Red album, “King of the World” kicks ass with classic Weezer crunch." Bodkin also praises Rivers Cuomo's songwriting for the song, stating that he writes with "hope and feel-good vibes".[3] Chris DeVille at Stereogum described the song as "[feeling] like ’90s Weezer with room to breathe."[4]
Live performances
editOn March 31, 2016, "King of the World" was performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in celebration of the release of Weezer's 2016 album. Rivers was dressed as Elvis Presley during the performance.[5] The song was performed the following day on Good Morning America, where a photo was shot with the band and several Major League Baseball mascots.[6]
Music video
editA music video for "King of the World" was released on January 14, 2016, and was directed by Scantron Films.[7] The video features a bearded man in a king's crown and cape, running along a boardwalk, causing havoc, whom eventually gets caught by a police officer, who arrests him.
Charts
editWeekly charts
edit| Chart (2016) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[8] | 39 |
| US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[9] | 17 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[10] | 17 |
Year-end charts
edit| Chart (2016) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Alternative Songs (Billboard)[11] | 38 |
| US Rock Airplay Songs (Billboard)[12] | 46 |
References
edit- ^ "Weezer announce release of The White Album, share "King of the World" — listen". Consequence of Sound. 15 January 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ Beaumont, Mark (April 1, 2016). "Weezer – 'Weezer' Review". NME. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
It's a fan-pleasing record that's actually more Beach Boys than peak Beatles: 'King Of The World' and 'LA Girlz' are noble throwbacks to the quirky grunge of Weezer's debut…
- ^ "Single Review: Weezer, 'King of the World'". Pop-Break. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ "Premature Evaluation: Weezer's "White Album"". Stereogum. 25 March 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ "Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, Dressed As Elvis, Is 'King Of the World' On 'Fallon'". Spin. April 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ "Rivers Cuomo Dresses as Elvis Presley for Weezer's 'Fallon' Visit - Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. April 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ Weezer - King Of The World. 14 January 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Weezer Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ "Weezer Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ^ "Weezer Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- ^ "Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.