King (Years & Years song)

{{Infobox song

| name = King

| cover = King - Years & Years (cover).png

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Years & Years

| album = Communion

| B-side = TCTS Remix {{small|(7", CD)}}

| released = 3 February 2015

| recorded = 2014

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = {{hlist|Dance-pop|synth-pop|house{{cite web|url=https://www.kaltblut-magazine.com/track-of-the-week-years-years-king/|title=Track Of The Week: Years & Years - King|work=Klatblut|last=Schlutt|first=Marcel|date=9 January 2015|access-date=1 April 2019|archive-date=16 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116132434/http://www.kaltblut-magazine.com/track-of-the-week-years-years-king/|url-status=dead}}}}

| length = 3:35

| label = {{hlist|Polydor|Interscope}}

| writer = {{hlist|Michael Thomas Goldsworthy|Mark Ralph|Andrew Smith|Oliver Alexander Thornton|Resul Emre Turkmen}}

| producer = {{hlist|Andy Smith|Years & Years}}

| prev_title = Desire

| prev_year = 2014

| next_title = Shine

| next_year = 2015

| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|g_uoH6hJilc|"King"}}|header=Music video}}

}}

"King" is a song by British synth-pop trio Years & Years from their debut studio album Communion. It was originally released as a single on 3 February 2015. The song was released in the United Kingdom as a digital download on 1 March 2015 through Polydor Records.

The song entered at the top of the UK Singles Chart with a combined sales-streaming figure of 101,000 copies, making it Years & Years' first number-one single, and biggest hit to date.{{cite web|url=http://mediaor.com/post/113155160219/official-charts-analysis-years-years-score|title=Official Charts Analysis: Years & Years score... - mediaor|work=mediaor.com}} Internationally, "King" peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland.

Background

In an interview with Rolling Stone, frontman Olly Alexander said: "When we recorded [the song], no one felt good about it. It sounds lame! And we could never fix it. We shelved it for awhile. When we came back to it, we just took a different approach: 'Let's try to make it an Eighties dance-pop track.' And we just started out with that, cut it all up, arranged it. Used that balearic flute vibe, like a bird in the forest." Synth player Mikey Goldsworthy revealed that the backing track "[is] actually Olly's voice sampled and fucked up."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/years-and-years-on-crafting-dance-pop-with-indie-rock-edge-20150728|title=Years and Years on Crafting Dance-Pop with Indie-Rock Edge|last=Drake|first=David|date=28 July 2015|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=24 November 2016}}

"King" was released as the album's fourth single on 27 February 2015. The song debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart, with a combined sales-streaming figure of 101,000 copies, and reached number three on the Irish Singles Chart. Alexander has stated many times that the song has a much darker meaning: "I was going out with a guy that was kind of a douche bag, but I still really liked him". He further stated "I know lots of people can related to this. It's a song about how it feels good to be treated badly by someone".[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbyzAUCGIx4]

Critical reception

"King" received critical acclaim. Billboard included "King" in its "Top 10 Songs of 2015 (So Far)" list in June 2015, stating "U.K. alt-pop trio Years & Years has yet to find a radio foothold in the States, but "King" sounds like it's destined to be played at arenas for years to come. When frontman Olly Alexander extends his arms and cries "Let go, let go, let go of everything" at the end of the single, it's almost impossible not to indulge in some type of uninhibited dance breakdown."{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6605615/best-songs-of-2015-so-far-justin-bieber-rihanna-fetty-wap|title=Top 10 Songs of 2015 (So Far)|publisher=Billboard.com}} Time named "King" the best song of 2015.{{cite web|url=http://time.com/4132832/top-10-best-songs-2/|title=Best Songs of 2015|date=3 December 2015|publisher=Time|access-date=January 14, 2016|archive-date=14 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114124818/http://time.com/4132832/top-10-best-songs-2/|url-status=dead}}

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Nadia{{cite news|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/moniquemelendez/premiere-years-and-years-gauzy-music-video-for#.cv0DXPJYq|title=Premiere: Years And Years Dance Like They're Possessed In Sia-Esque New Music Video|publisher= Buzzfeed Music|access-date=19 January 2015}} and choreographed by Ryan Heffington.

The video features Olly in an empty house with a couch being surrounded by backup dancers. The two other band members, Mickey and Emre are playing an electric keyboard in an empty pink room being surrounded by dancers. Olly levitates out of the house and walks down the street with the dancers following him. As they fumble with him, he plunges into an underground river where the dancers rise him back up to the house and they struggle with him until he is able to break them free and learn they were a hallucination.

Live performances and covers

File:Carly Rae Jepson-DSC 0117-10.20.12 (8107371263).jpg covered the song on BBC Radio 1.]]

The band have performed the song on multiple TV shows including The Graham Norton Show (10 April), The Voice of Italy (27 May). They also performed the song as part of their set at Radio 1's Big Weekend (23 May), Glastonbury Festival (27 June), Wireless (5 July), T in the Park (11 July) and Latitude Festival (19 July). It is also the closing number on their Palo Santo Tour and Night Call Tour.

In April 2015, Nick Jonas performed an acoustic version of the song during Live Lounge on BBC Radio 1. The song was featured on the accompanied album.{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/king-live-from-bbc-radio-1s/id1047749818?i=1047750263|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117045001/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/king-live-from-bbc-radio-1s/id1047749818?i=1047750263|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 17, 2015|title="King (Live from BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge)" from BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge 2015 by Various Artists on iTunes|publisher=iTunes Store (United Kingdom)}} In September 2015, Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen covered the song on BBC Radio 1.

Track listing

Digital download{{cite web|url=https://itun.es/gb/v9lY4 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150309132211/https://itun.es/gb/v9lY4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-03-09 |title=iTunes - Music - King - Single by Years & Years |publisher=iTunes Store (United Kingdom) }}

"King" – 3:34

Digital download – Remixes{{cite web|url=https://itun.es/gb/b1KZ5|title=iTunes - Music - King (Remixes) - Single by Years & Years|date=March 2015|publisher=iTunes Store (United Kingdom)|access-date=2015-03-02|archive-date=2015-03-09|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150309132209/https://itun.es/gb/b1KZ5|url-status=dead}}

"King" {{small|(The Magician Remix)}} – 4:00
"King" {{small|(TCTS Remix)}} – 3:45
"King" {{small|(Oceaán Remix)}} – 3:25

Digital download – Remixes{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/king-remixes/1028242802|title=King (Remixes) by Years & Years on iTunes|date=14 August 2015 |publisher=iTunes Store|access-date=18 December 2018}}

"King" {{small|(Until the Ribbon Breaks Re-Imagination)}} – 4:02
"King" {{small|(Gryffin Remix)}} – 4:42
"King" {{small|(The Magician Remix)}} – 4:00
"King" {{small|(Arty Remix)}} – 4:23
"King" {{small|(Anevo Remix)}} – 3:28
"King" {{small|(Lenno Remix)}} – 5:16
"King" {{small|(TCTS Remix)}} – 3:45
"King" {{small|(Oceaán Remix)}} – 3:25

Charts

=Weekly charts=

Chart (2015) ! Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
{{single chart\|Australia\|9\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|access-date=18 April 2015\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Austria\|8\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|access-date=1 April 2015\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Flanders\|11\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Wallonia\|17\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Brazil\|4\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\| Bulgaria (IFPI){{cite web \|url=http://www.bamp-bg.org/en/2009-07-08-09-48-53/nmc-charts/483-20042015-26042015.html \|title=Airplay Top 5 - 20.04.2015 - 26.04.2015 \|publisher=Bulgarian Association of Music Producers \|access-date=1 May 2015 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129231658/http://www.bamp-bg.org/en/2009-07-08-09-48-53/nmc-charts/483-20042015-26042015.html \|archive-date=29 November 2015 }} \| 1
{{single chart\|Canada\|80\|artist=Years & Years\|rowheader=true\|access-date=18 July 2015}}
{{single chart\|CIS\|7\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|songid=62356\|access-date=12 August 2019\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Czech Republic\|20\|year=2015\|week=15\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Czechdigital\|16\|year=2015\|week=17\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Denmark\|6\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Billboardeurodigital\|2\|artist=Years & Years\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Finland\|14\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|France\|40\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Germany\|9\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|songid=1374506\|access-date=14 February 2019\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Hungaryradio\|19\|year=2015\|week=28\|access-date=17 July 2015\|refname="Hungary"\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Hungarysingle\|25\|year=2015\|week=16\|access-date=23 April 2015\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Ireland2\|3\|song=King\|access-date=21 January 2020\|refname="Ireland"\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Italy\|21\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|access-date=May 22, 2015\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Billboardjapanhot100\|88\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Luxembourgdigitalsongs\|6\|artist=Years & Years\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Dutch40\|3\|artist=Years Years\|song=King\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Dutch100\|5\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\| Mexico Anglo (Monitor Latino){{cite web\|url=http://monitorlatino.com/top-canciones-de-momento-mexico/ingles/ \|title=Top 20 México Inglés. Semana del 11 al 17 de Mayo, 2015 \|publisher=Monitor Latino \|access-date=May 21, 2015 \|language=es \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525204824/http://monitorlatino.com/top-canciones-de-momento-mexico/ingles/ \|archive-date=May 25, 2015 }} \| 9
{{single chart\|New Zealand\|18\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|access-date=1 May 2015\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Norway\|15\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Poland\|2\|chartid=1677\|year=2015\|rowheader=true\|access-date=9 July 2015}}
scope="row"\| Portugal (AFP){{cite web\|url=https://portuguesecharts.com/archive.asp?todo=show&woche=01&jahr=2016&sparte=s\|title=Portuguesecharts.com - Portuguese Charts - Singles - 01.01.2016\|publisher=Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa\|access-date=August 19, 2019}} \| 98
{{single chart\|Scotland\|1\|date=2015-03-14\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Slovakia\|1\|year=2015\|week=26\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Slovakdigital\|14\|year=2015\|week=20\|rowheader=true}}
scope="row"\| Slovenia (SloTop50){{cite web\|url=http://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Tedenske-lestvice/?year=2015&week=23\|title=SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart\|publisher=slotop50.si\|access-date=1 March 2018\|archive-date=18 September 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918101521/https://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Tedenske-lestvice/?year=2015&week=23\|url-status=dead}} \| align=center\|6
{{single chart\|Spain\|27\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Sweden\|26\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|rowheader=true\|access-date=18 July 2015}}
{{single chart\|Switzerland\|9\|artist=Years & Years\|song=King\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|UK\|1\|artist=Years & Years\|access-date=8 March 2015\|date=2015-03-14\|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart\|Billboarddanceelectronic\|14\|artist=Years & Years\|rowheader=true\|access-date=21 May 2015}}
{{single chart\|Billboardpopsongs\|37\|artist=Years & Years\|rowheader=true\|access-date=25 June 2015}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"\| Chart (2015) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| Australia (ARIA){{cite web\|url=http://www.aria.com.au/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2015.htm\|title=ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2015\|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association\|access-date=6 January 2016}} \| 71
scope="row"\| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40){{cite web\|url=http://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=2015 \|title=Jahreshitparade Singles 2015 \|language=de \|publisher=austriancharts.at. Hung Medien \|access-date=9 January 2016 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104175405/http://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=2015 \|archive-date= 4 January 2016 }} \| 75
scope="row"\|Belgium (Ultratop Flanders){{cite web\|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2015&cat=s\|title=ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS\|website=Ultratop }} \| 39
scope="row"\|Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia){{cite web\|title=Annual Reports 2015\|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2015&cat=s\|website=Ultratop\|publisher=Ultratop & Hung Medien\|access-date=29 December 2015}} \| 79
scope="row"\| CIS (Tophit){{cite web\|url=https://tophit.ru/en/chart/airplay/yearly/2015-01-01/all/all\|title=CIS Year-End Radio Hits (2015)\|publisher=Tophit \|access-date=12 August 2019}} \|style="text-align:center;"\| 69
scope="row"\| Denmark (Tracklisten){{cite web \|url=http://hitlisten.nu/top2015.asp?list=Track%20100 \|title=Track Top-100 2015 \|language=da \|publisher=Hitlisten.NU. IFPI Denmark \|access-date=9 January 2016}} \| 27
scope="row"\| France (SNEP){{cite web\|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?categorie=Top%20Single%20de%20l%E2%80%99ann%C3%A9e&annee=2015\|title=Top de l'année Top Singles 2015\|publisher=SNEP\|language=fr\|access-date=18 November 2020}} \| 125
scope="row"\| Germany (Official German Charts){{cite web \|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-2015 \|title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts\|language=de \|work=GfK Entertainment \|publisher=offiziellecharts.de \|access-date=6 January 2016}} \| 38
scope="row"\| Ireland (IRMA){{cite web \|url=http://www.irma.ie/best-of-2015 \|title=Best of 2015 – Singles \|publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association \|access-date=24 January 2016}} \| 16
scope="row"\| Israel (Media Forest){{cite web \|url=http://www.mediaforest.biz/Charts/YearlyCharts.aspx \|title=Yearly Charts – 2015: Top Tracks International \|publisher=Media Forest \|access-date=5 January 2016 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192257/http://www.mediaforest.biz/charts/yearlycharts.aspx \|archive-date=2 January 2014 \|url-status=dead }} \| 38
scope="row"\| Italy (FIMI){{cite web\|url=http://www.fimi.it/news/classifiche-top-of-the-music-2015-fimi-gfk-la-musica-italiana-in-vetta-negli-album-e-nei-singoli-digitali\|title=Classifiche "Top of the Music" 2015 FIMI-GfK: La musica italiana in vetta negli album e nei singoli digitali\|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana\|language=it\|access-date=January 13, 2016\|archive-date=January 11, 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111221358/http://www.fimi.it/news/classifiche-top-of-the-music-2015-fimi-gfk-la-musica-italiana-in-vetta-negli-album-e-nei-singoli-digitali\|url-status=dead}} \| 55
scope="row"\| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web\|title=Top 100 Songs Year End 2015\|url=http://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2015\|website=top40.nl\|publisher=Stichting Nederlandse Top 40\|access-date=31 December 2015}} \| 6
scope="row"\| Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web \|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2015&cat=s \|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 2015 \|language=nl \|publisher=dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien \|access-date=9 January 2016}} \| 17
scope="row"\| Poland (ZPAV){{cite web\|title=Airplay – podsumowanie 2015 roku\|url=http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/aktualnosci.php?idaktualnosci=1305\|language=pl\|publisher=Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry\|access-date=30 December 2015}} \| 14
scope="row"\| Russia Airplay (Tophit){{cite web\|url=https://tophit.ru/en/chart/russia/yearly/2015-01-01/all/all\|title=Russian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2015)\|publisher=Tophit \|access-date=12 August 2019}} \|style="text-align:center;"\| 73
scope="row"\|Slovenia (SloTop50){{cite web\|url=http://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Letne-lestvice/?year=2015\|title=SloTop50: Slovenian official year end singles chart\|publisher=slotop50.si\|access-date=18 July 2015\|archive-date=30 June 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630022441/http://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Letne-lestvice/?year=2015\|url-status=dead}} \| align=center\|32
scope="row"\| Spain (PROMUSICAE){{cite web\|url=https://www.elportaldemusica.es/lists/top-100-canciones/2015\|title=Top 100 Songs Annual 2015\|publisher=Productores de Música de España\|language=es\|access-date=9 May 2022}} \| 70
scope="row"\| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web \|url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=43&dfom=20150001 \|title=Årslista Singlar – År 2015 \|language=sv \|publisher=Sverigetopplistan. Swedish Recording Industry Association \|access-date=9 January 2016}} \| 78
scope="row"\| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web\|url=http://swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/2015 \|title=Swiss Year-End Charts 2015 \|publisher=swisscharts.com. Hung Medien \|access-date=9 January 2016 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114025806/http://swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/2015 \|archive-date=14 January 2016 }} \| 45
scope="row"\| Ukraine Airplay (Tophit){{cite web\|url=https://tophit.ru/en/chart/ukraine/yearly/2015-01-01/all/all\|title=Ukrainian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2015)\|publisher=Tophit \|access-date=12 August 2019}} \|style="text-align:center;"\| 65
scope="row"\| UK Singles (Official Charts Company){{cite web\|title=The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2015 revealed\|website=Official Charts \|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-songs-of-2015-revealed__13270/\|access-date= 4 January 2016}} \| 11
scope="row"\| US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/hot-dance-electronic--songs\|title=Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Year End 2015\|magazine=Billboard\|publisher=billboard.com\|access-date=9 December 2015}} \| 31
scope="row"\| US Dance/Electronic Digital Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine\|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/dance-electronic-digital-songs\|title=Dance/Electronic Digital Songs Year End 2015\|magazine=Billboard\|publisher=billboard.com\|access-date=9 December 2015}} \| 40

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"

scope="col"| Chart (2015)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2015.htm|title=ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2015|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=6 January 2016}}

| 71

scope="row"| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40){{cite web|url=http://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=2015 |title=Jahreshitparade Singles 2015 |language=de |publisher=austriancharts.at. Hung Medien |access-date=9 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104175405/http://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=2015 |archive-date= 4 January 2016 }}

| 75

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2015&cat=s|title=ultratop.be - ULTRATOP BELGIAN CHARTS|website=Ultratop }}

| 39

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia){{cite web|title=Annual Reports 2015|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2015&cat=s|website=Ultratop|publisher=Ultratop & Hung Medien|access-date=29 December 2015}}

| 79

scope="row"| CIS (Tophit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.ru/en/chart/airplay/yearly/2015-01-01/all/all|title=CIS Year-End Radio Hits (2015)|publisher=Tophit |access-date=12 August 2019}}

|style="text-align:center;"| 69

scope="row"| Denmark (Tracklisten){{cite web |url=http://hitlisten.nu/top2015.asp?list=Track%20100 |title=Track Top-100 2015 |language=da |publisher=Hitlisten.NU. IFPI Denmark |access-date=9 January 2016}}

| 27

scope="row"| France (SNEP){{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-singles-annee/?categorie=Top%20Single%20de%20l%E2%80%99ann%C3%A9e&annee=2015|title=Top de l'année Top Singles 2015|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=18 November 2020}}

| 125

scope="row"| Germany (Official German Charts){{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-2015 |title=Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts|language=de |work=GfK Entertainment |publisher=offiziellecharts.de |access-date=6 January 2016}}

| 38

scope="row"| Ireland (IRMA){{cite web |url=http://www.irma.ie/best-of-2015 |title=Best of 2015 – Singles |publisher=Irish Recorded Music Association |access-date=24 January 2016}}

| 16

scope="row"| Israel (Media Forest){{cite web |url=http://www.mediaforest.biz/Charts/YearlyCharts.aspx |title=Yearly Charts – 2015: Top Tracks International |publisher=Media Forest |access-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192257/http://www.mediaforest.biz/charts/yearlycharts.aspx |archive-date=2 January 2014 |url-status=dead }}

| 38

scope="row"| Italy (FIMI){{cite web|url=http://www.fimi.it/news/classifiche-top-of-the-music-2015-fimi-gfk-la-musica-italiana-in-vetta-negli-album-e-nei-singoli-digitali|title=Classifiche "Top of the Music" 2015 FIMI-GfK: La musica italiana in vetta negli album e nei singoli digitali|publisher=Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|language=it|access-date=January 13, 2016|archive-date=January 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111221358/http://www.fimi.it/news/classifiche-top-of-the-music-2015-fimi-gfk-la-musica-italiana-in-vetta-negli-album-e-nei-singoli-digitali|url-status=dead}}

| 55

scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|title=Top 100 Songs Year End 2015|url=http://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2015|website=top40.nl|publisher=Stichting Nederlandse Top 40|access-date=31 December 2015}}

| 6

scope="row"| Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2015&cat=s |title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 2015 |language=nl |publisher=dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien |access-date=9 January 2016}}

| 17

scope="row"| Poland (ZPAV){{cite web|title=Airplay – podsumowanie 2015 roku|url=http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/aktualnosci.php?idaktualnosci=1305|language=pl|publisher=Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry|access-date=30 December 2015}}

| 14

scope="row"| Russia Airplay (Tophit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.ru/en/chart/russia/yearly/2015-01-01/all/all|title=Russian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2015)|publisher=Tophit |access-date=12 August 2019}}

|style="text-align:center;"| 73

scope="row"|Slovenia (SloTop50){{cite web|url=http://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Letne-lestvice/?year=2015|title=SloTop50: Slovenian official year end singles chart|publisher=slotop50.si|access-date=18 July 2015|archive-date=30 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630022441/http://www.slotop50.si/Glasbene-lestvice/Letne-lestvice/?year=2015|url-status=dead}}

| align=center|32

scope="row"| Spain (PROMUSICAE){{cite web|url=https://www.elportaldemusica.es/lists/top-100-canciones/2015|title=Top 100 Songs Annual 2015|publisher=Productores de Música de España|language=es|access-date=9 May 2022}}

| 70

scope="row"| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan){{cite web |url=http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=43&dfom=20150001 |title=Årslista Singlar – År 2015 |language=sv |publisher=Sverigetopplistan. Swedish Recording Industry Association |access-date=9 January 2016}}

| 78

scope="row"| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=http://swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/2015 |title=Swiss Year-End Charts 2015 |publisher=swisscharts.com. Hung Medien |access-date=9 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114025806/http://swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/2015 |archive-date=14 January 2016 }}

| 45

scope="row"| Ukraine Airplay (Tophit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.ru/en/chart/ukraine/yearly/2015-01-01/all/all|title=Ukrainian Top Year-End Radio Hits (2015)|publisher=Tophit |access-date=12 August 2019}}

|style="text-align:center;"| 65

scope="row"| UK Singles (Official Charts Company){{cite web|title=The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2015 revealed|website=Official Charts |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-songs-of-2015-revealed__13270/|access-date= 4 January 2016}}

| 11

scope="row"| US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/hot-dance-electronic--songs|title=Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Year End 2015|magazine=Billboard|publisher=billboard.com|access-date=9 December 2015}}

| 31

scope="row"| US Dance/Electronic Digital Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2015/dance-electronic-digital-songs|title=Dance/Electronic Digital Songs Year End 2015|magazine=Billboard|publisher=billboard.com|access-date=9 December 2015}}

| 40

=Decade-end charts=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"\| Chart (2010–2019) ! scope="col"\| Position
scope="row"\| UK Singles (Official Charts Company){{cite web\|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-official-top-100-biggest-songs-of-the-decade-2010-2019__27936/\|title=The UK's Official Top 100 biggest songs of the decade\|publisher=Official Charts Company\|last=Copsey\|first=Rob\|date=11 December 2019\|access-date=12 December 2019}} \| 96

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

scope="col"| Chart (2010–2019)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| UK Singles (Official Charts Company){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-official-top-100-biggest-songs-of-the-decade-2010-2019__27936/|title=The UK's Official Top 100 biggest songs of the decade|publisher=Official Charts Company|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=11 December 2019|access-date=12 December 2019}}

| 96

Certifications

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Years & Years|title=King|award=Platinum|relyear=2015|certyear=2015|type=single|access-date=15 November 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|artist=Years & Years|title=King|award=Platinum|relyear=2015|certyear=2016|type=single|access-date=20 March 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Olly Alexander (Years & Years)|title=King|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2015|certyear=2024|type=single|access-date=17 September 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Years & Years|title=King|award=Platinum|number=2|id=11423|relyear=2015|certyear=2022|type=single|access-date=28 June 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Years & Years|title=King|award=Platinum|relyear=2015|certyear=2019|type=single|access-date=13 June 2019}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Years & Years|title=King|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2015|certyear=2018|type=single|id=5501|access-date=7 May 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Years & Years|title=King|award=Gold|relyear=2015|certyear=2015|id=2015-08-28|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|type=single}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|type=single|artist=Years & Years|title=King|award=Platinum|number=3|certyear=2016|relyear=2015|access-date=15 June 2016}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Years & Years|title=King|award=Platinum|id=years-years-king-the-magician-remix|relyear=2015|certyear=2015|type=single|access-date=15 November 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|artist=Years & Years|title=King|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2015|certyear=2015|type=single|source=artist|access-date=15 November 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Years & Years|title=King|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2015|certyear=2021|type=single|id=10059-4008-1|access-date=17 September 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Years & Years|title=King|award=Gold|relyear=2015|certyear=2018|type=single|access-date=15 March 2018}}

Release history

class=wikitable
Region ! Date ! Format ! Label
Ireland \| 27 February 2015 \| rowspan="3"\|Digital download \| rowspan="3"\|Polydor
United Kingdom \| rowspan="2"\| 1 March 2015
Australia{{cite web\|url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/king-single/id952680277\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402181656/https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/king-single/id952680277\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=April 2, 2015\|title=King - single\|publisher= iTunes Australia\|access-date=11 March 2015}}
rowspan="2"\| United States \| 21 April 2015 \| Mainstream radio \| rowspan="2"\| {{hlist\|Cherrytree\|Interscope}}
5 May 2015 \| Dance radio

class=wikitable

Region

! Date

! Format

! Label

Ireland

| 27 February 2015

| rowspan="3"|Digital download

| rowspan="3"|Polydor

United Kingdom

| rowspan="2"| 1 March 2015

Australia{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/king-single/id952680277|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402181656/https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/king-single/id952680277|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2015|title=King - single|publisher= iTunes Australia|access-date=11 March 2015}}

rowspan="2"| United States

| 21 April 2015

| Mainstream radio

| rowspan="2"| {{hlist|Cherrytree|Interscope}}

5 May 2015

| Dance radio