King of Wishful Thinking
{{Distinguish|Wishful Thinking (China Crisis song)}}
{{Short description|1990 single by Go West}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = King of Wishful Thinking
| cover = King of the Wishful Thinking.jpg
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Go West
| album = Indian Summer {{noitalic|and}} Pretty Woman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
| B-side = Tears Too Late
| released = 1990
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Pop{{cite web|first= Tom|last= Eames|title= The 100 greatest songs of the 1990s, ranked|website= Smooth Radio|date= July 31, 2024|url= https://www.smoothradio.com/news/music/1990s-best-songs-ranked/|accessdate= August 15, 2024}}
| length = 4:00
| label =
| writer =
| producer = Peter Wolf
| prev_title = Let's Build a Boat
| prev_year = 1987
| next_title = Faithful
| next_year = 1992
}}
"King of Wishful Thinking" (titled "The King of Wishful Thinking" on Chrysalis releases) is a song by British pop duo Go West, written by Peter Cox, Richard Drummie and Martin Page. It was featured in the film Pretty Woman and appeared on its soundtrack.[https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/how-king-of-wishful-thinking-got-on-the-pretty-woman-soundtrack/news-story/8dd2677f8bdfba6ad05e49e0b539ed8b How King of Wishful Thinking got on the Pretty Woman soundtrack] It was later featured on Go West's third studio album, Indian Summer, in 1992.
In terms of the group's discography, "King of Wishful Thinking" has become their best known song.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kelly-clarkson-covers-go-west-king-of-wishful-thinking-video-1235066798/|title=Kelly Clarkson is the Queen of 'Wishful Thinking' with Her Latest Cover: Watch|magazine=Billboard|access-date=3 June 2022|first=Hannah|last=Dailey|date=4 May 2022}} The track reached number three in Canada, number six in Australia, number eight in the United States, and number 18 in the United Kingdom. At the 1991 Brit Awards, the song was nominated for the Brit Award for British Video of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://www.brits.co.uk/history/shows/1986|title=History - BRITS Awards|website=Brits.co.uk|access-date=23 May 2019}}
Critical reception
Music journalist Hannah Dailey of the U.S. publication Billboard has labeled the song as "one of the crown jewels of ’90s classic hits".
Music video
The song's official music video is known for featuring various absurdist elements alongside the pop duo as they act on a solid white stage. It was produced, directed and written by Paul Flattery and Jim Yukich of FYI.
In 2018, actor Paul Rudd and late-night host Jimmy Fallon made a shot-for-shot recreation of the music video for The Tonight Show. Some elements such as a dancing Pope, zebras, and a trained circus elephant, present in the original video, were not reproduced in the remake.{{cite web | last=Dessem | first=Matthew | title=How Long Can You Compare Jimmy Fallon and Paul Rudd's Recreation of "King of Wishful Thinking" With the Original? | website=Slate Magazine | date=2018-02-11 | url=https://slate.com/culture/2018/02/how-long-can-you-compare-jimmy-fallon-and-paul-rudds-king-of-wishful-thinking-with-the-original.html | access-date=2022-12-14}} American band the Roots made a cameo appearance.{{cite magazine|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|title=See Paul Rudd, Jimmy Fallon Remake Go West's 'King of Wishful Thinking'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=10 February 2018|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-paul-rudd-jimmy-fallon-remake-go-wests-king-of-wishful-thinking-video-202333/|access-date=24 August 2022}}
Track listings
UK 7-inch and cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=The King of Wishful Thinking|others=Go West|year=1990|type=UK 7-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Chrysalis Records|id=GOW 8, 3235597}}{{cite AV media notes|title=The King of Wishful Thinking|others=Go West|year=1990|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Chrysalis Records|id=GOWMC8}}
- "The King of Wishful Thinking" – 4:00
- "Tears Too Late" – 4:25
- "The King of Wishful Thinking" – 4:00
- "The King of Wishful Thinking" (Jon Gass US 12-inch) – 5:49
- "Tears Too Late" – 4:25
- "The King of Wishful Thinking" (acapella) – 2:45
- The UK 12-inch single switches tracks one and two.{{cite AV media notes|title=The King of Wishful Thinking|others=Go West|year=1990|type=UK 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Chrysalis Records|id=GOWX 8}}
US and Canadian cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=King of Wishful Thinking|others=Go West|year=1990|type=US & Canadian cassette single sleeve|publisher=EMI USA|id=4JM-50307}}
- "King of Wishful Thinking" (LP version)
- "King of Wishful Thinking" (power mix)
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1990) !Peak |
| {{single chart|Australia|6|artist=Go West|song=The King of Wishful Thinking|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Canadatopsingles|3|chartid=1327|rowheader=true|access-date=14 May 2019}} |
| {{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|4|chartid=1328|rowheader=true|access-date=14 May 2019}} |
| scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1990/MM-1990-09-15.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=7|issue=37|page=IV|date=15 September 1990|access-date=30 August 2020}}
|49 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Germany|46|artist=Go West|song=The King of Wishful Thinking|songid=17706|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland2|23|song=King of Wishful Thinking|rowheader=true|access-date=14 May 2019}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|24|artist=Go West|song=The King of Wishful Thinking|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|20|artist=Go West|song=The King of Wishful Thinking|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|UK|18|date=19900825|rowheader=true|access-date=14 May 2019}} |
| scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1990-08-11/|title=Billboard Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|date=11 August 1990|access-date=25 June 2023}}
|8 |
| scope="row"|US Adult Contemporary (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/adult-contemporary/1990-09-01/|title=Adult Contemporary|magazine=Billboard|date=1 September 1990|url-access=subscription|access-date=25 June 2023}}
|7 |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1990|certyear=1990|access-date=August 8, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Go West|title=The King of Wishful Thinking|award=Silver|relyear=1990|certyear=2021|id=17037-810-1|access-date=20 February 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{YouTube|XBZUz4C6kqk|Go West - King Of Wishful Thinking (Official Music Video)}}
- {{YouTube|R66wJ1CrR7c|The King of Wishful Thinking}}
{{Go West}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Catholic Church in popular culture
Category:Chrysalis Records singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Peter Wolf (producer)
Category:Songs written by Peter Cox (musician)
Category:Songs written by Martin Page