"King For A Day" is a 1985 song by the British band the Thompson Twins. It was released as the third

single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...

from the band's fifth album ''

Here's To Future Days ''Here's to Future Days'' is the fifth studio album by British pop group Thompson Twins, released on 20 September 1985 by Arista Records. It was the third and final release for the band as a trio, which was their most successful and recognisabl ...

''. It was written by Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie, and

Joe Leeway Joseph Martin Leeway (born 15 November 1955) is a British musician and songwriter, who is best known as being a member of the pop music, pop band Thompson Twins, joining the band in 1981 after being one of their Road crew, roadies. Leeway was b ...

. 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 The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

, 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 The ''Billboard'' Hot 100 is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), radio play, and online streaming ...

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.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 It is a variation of the band's song "Roll Over", which was planned for release as a single earlier in 1985, but withdrawn from sale at the last moment.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 Meiert Avis is an Irish music video and commercial director. Avis has directed videos for artists such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Avril Lavigne, Paramore, Alanis Morissette, Flyleaf, Jennifer Lopez, New Found Glory and Josh Groban, ...

. 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

. * Tom Bailey – vocals, piano, Fairlight, synthesizers, guitar, contrabass, Fairlight and drum programming * Alannah Currie – marimba, acoustic drums, percussion, tuned percussion, backing vocals, lyrics *

– congas, percussion, backing vocals *

Nile Rodgers Nile Gregory Rodgers Jr. (born September 19, 1952) is an American musician, record producer and composer. The co-founder of Chic, Rodgers has written, produced, and performed on records that have sold more than 500 million albums and 75 million ...

– additional guitar and backing vocals * Produced by

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 Lucas or LUCAS may refer to: People * Lucas (surname) * Lucas (given name) Arts and entertainment * Luca Family Singers, also known as "lucas ligner en torsk" * ''Lucas'' (album) (2007), an album by Skeletons and the Kings of All Cities * ''L ...

.''

References

{{authority control 1985 singles Thompson Twins songs Songs written by Alannah Currie Songs written by Tom Bailey (musician) Song recordings produced by Nile Rodgers Songs written by Joe Leeway Music videos directed by Meiert Avis 1985 songs