King for a Day (Thompson Twins song)


"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 U.S.A. and album versions contain electric guitar. The single peaked at #22 in the UK, 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 #8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and also peaked at #13 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
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 It is a variation of the band's song "Roll Over", which was planned for release as a single earlier in 1985 but withdrawn from sale at the last moment.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 Arista TWINS 7
  1. "King For A Day" – 4:10
  2. "Rollunder" – 4:40
;12" UK vinyl single Arista TWINS 127
  1. "King For A Day" – 8:02
  2. "Rollunder" – 6:50
;12" UK vinyl single Arista TWINS 227
  1. "King For A Day" – 7:20
  2. "Rollunder" – 6:50
;12" UK vinyl Picture Disc Arista TWIPD 7
  1. "King For A Day" – 8:02
  2. "Rollunder" – 6:50
;7" U.S. vinyl single Arista AS1-9450
  1. "King For A Day" – 3:58
  2. "Rollunder" – 4:40
;12" U.S. vinyl single Arista ADP-9442
  1. "King For A Day" – 4:10
  2. "King For A Day" – 5:20
  3. "Roll Over" – 4:58

    Personnel

Written by Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie, and Joe Leeway.
Year-end chart Rank
US Top Pop Singles 96

Official versions

In popular culture