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Kings and Queens (30 Seconds to Mars song)

"Kings and Queens"
The words "Thirty Seconds to Mars" and "Kings and Queens" are written in red capital letters, with the "Mars" in bold. On the white background appears a triad and four symbols in grey font.
Single by Thirty Seconds to Mars
from the album This Is War
Released October 13, 2009 (2009-10-13)
Format
Recorded 2008–09; The International Centre for the Advancement of the Arts and Sciences of Sound, Los Angeles, California
Genre Alternative rock
Length 5:47
Label
Writer(s) Jared Leto
Producer(s)
Thirty Seconds to Mars singles chronology
"A Beautiful Lie"
(2007)
"Kings and Queens"
(2009)
"This Is War"
(2010)

"Kings and Queens" is a song by American rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, featured on their third studio album This Is War (2009). Written by lead vocalist Jared Leto across the United States and South Africa, the track was produced by Flood, Steve Lillywhite and Thirty Seconds to Mars. According to Leto, the lyrics of "Kings and Queens" explore the triumphant feeling of human possibilities. The melody of the song contains several qualities similar to that of 1980s adult contemporary musical works and is imbued with elements of progressive rock. The song was released as the lead single from This Is War on October 13, 2009.

"Kings and Queens" received critical acclaim, with critics deeming it as an album highlight. Much of the praise went to the song's lyrics and the musical production; reviewers also complimented Leto's vocals. The song became the band's second number one single on the US Alternative Songs and attained success in international markets. The accompanying music video, directed by Jared Leto, features Thirty Seconds to Mars and a group of followers on a critical mass movement through Los Angeles at night. Critics lauded the simplicity of the video, which was nominated for numerous accolades, including four awards at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.

Thirty Seconds to Mars performed the song on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien featuring the Street Drum Corps, and included it on the setlist of the Into the Wild Tour. The song was also performed on the band's Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams Tour, as well as the Carnivores Tour.

"Kings and Queens" was written by Jared Leto and produced by Flood, Steve Lillywhite and Thirty Seconds to Mars. The song was recorded by Ryan Williams and Matt Radosevich at The International Centre for the Advancement of the Arts and Sciences of Sound in Los Angeles, California. It premiered on Kevin and Bean's radio show of KROQ in Los Angeles on October 6, 2009. Leto constructed the lyrics of "Kings and Queens" across two different continents; the idea was conceived on a flight from the United States and realised upon touchdown in South Africa. He further elaborated on the writing process in an interview with MusicRadar:


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