Kings & Queens

"Kings & Queens" by Ava Max is a vibrant and unapologetic anthem of female empowerment and solidarity. The song's core message is that the world would be a better, more harmonious place if women held equal power and were recognized as the 'queens' on their thrones. It directly challenges patriarchal structures and celebrates female strength, independence, and capability. Max imagines a reality where men champion the women in their lives, leading to a collective celebration. The lyrics reject the archetype of the 'damsel in distress,' with lines like "No damsel in distress, don't need to save me," humorously inspired by a spontaneous exclamation Max made in the studio. Instead, the song portrays women as powerful figures, capable of 'breathing fire' and being untamable. It's a call for women to recognize their own strength and for men to acknowledge and support it, suggesting that true power lies in partnership and equality, not in dominance.

The song opens with a powerful declaration, envisioning a world where queens hold their rightful places on the throne alongside kings. This ideal world is a cause for celebration, a place to “pop champagne and raise a toast.” It's a direct address to all the women who are fighting their battles independently, reassuring them that they are not alone in their struggles. The narrative voice establishes her strength and independence, asserting that her partner cannot handle the world on his own and relies on her more than he admits. There's a palpable sense of reaching a breaking point, a warning that she is about to demonstrate what true royal behavior looks like.

A core theme is the rejection of the traditional “damsel in distress” trope. The singer makes it unequivocally clear that she does not need to be saved. She possesses an inner fire that, once unleashed, cannot be contained or controlled. She playfully challenges any underestimation of her strength, using the metaphor of a sword to state that if she were to wield one, it would be far more formidable than a man’s. This imagery reinforces the idea that her power is inherent and immense, even if it's not always visibly displayed. The chorus repeats its celebratory and unifying message, a constant reminder of solidarity among women.

The second verse intensifies this assertion of power with a direct reference to the Queen of Hearts from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, warning that disobedience will have severe consequences: “it's off with your head.” This line is used to signify a complete shift in power dynamics, creating a new world order that will not be forgotten. She reiterates her self-sufficiency and fiery nature, explicitly stating she is stronger than she has ever been before, dispelling any notion of weakness.

The bridge introduces a clever and potent metaphor from the game of chess. It points out the limited movement of the king, who can only move one square at a time, while the queen has the freedom to move anywhere on the board. This comparison brilliantly encapsulates the song's central message: women possess boundless potential and freedom, unrestricted by the rigid roles that confine men. Getting too close to this power, she warns, will give you a “royalty high,” an intoxicating taste of true strength and vitality. The song concludes by reinforcing the central chorus, leaving the listener with the enduring image of empowered queens celebrating their collective strength and unity.

The creation of "Kings & Queens" was a multi-layered process that began in 2018. The song went through about ten different versions, with varying melodies and productions, before the final iteration was completed between August and September 2019. It was recorded in five separate studios across Europe, Germany, and Los Angeles. The song was written by a team including Ava Max (Amanda Koci), Madison Love, Brett McLaughlin (Leland), Cirkut (Henry Walter), RedOne (Nadir Khayat), Desmond Child, Hillary Bernstein, Jakke Erixson, and Mimoza Blinsson. Cirkut and RedOne are also credited as the producers. The process started with a verse and pre-chorus written by Max and Madison Love. RedOne then contributed the chorus melody, which initially had different lyrics. The final version was pieced together in the studio with Leland, Love, and Cirkut. Desmond Child received a songwriting credit because the track's chorus interpolates the melody of Bonnie Tyler's 1986 song "If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)," which he co-wrote. The song was officially announced on February 27, 2020, and released on March 12, 2020, as the lead single from her debut album, Heaven & Hell.

"Kings & Queens" is built on a strong, driving rhythm characteristic of the power pop and dance-pop genres. Its tempo is upbeat and steady, creating an energetic and danceable foundation that invites listeners to feel empowered and celebratory. The song largely follows a standard 4/4 time signature. The rhythmic structure is straightforward and effective, with a pulsating synth-bass line and a clear drum pattern that propels the song forward. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is synergistic; Max's vocal delivery often syncs with the main beat, particularly in the punchy pre-chorus and chorus, which enhances the song's anthemic quality. The rhyme scheme is generally simple and consistent within sections, often using couplets (AABB) or alternating rhymes (ABAB) to create a catchy and memorable lyrical flow. For instance, in the pre-chorus, "save me" rhymes with "tame me," and "sword" with "yours" (a slant rhyme). This predictability in rhyme, combined with the consistent rhythm, makes the song highly accessible and singable, which is crucial for a pop anthem.

"Kings & Queens" employs a blend of musical and literary techniques to create its powerful, anthemic feel. Musically, it is a power pop song characterized by its driving beat, prominent synths, and a memorable electric guitar riff. The production, handled by Cirkut and RedOne, is polished and grand, aiming for a timeless feel with retro synth sounds. A key feature is the glam rock-influenced guitar solo, which critics noted as having a "Queen-esque quality," adding a layer of classic rock theatricality. The song's structure is a conventional pop format that is effective and accessible. Vocally, Ava Max delivers the lyrics with a strong, clear chest voice for most of the track, using occasional, smooth transitions into her head voice for emotional effect and dynamic variation. Her phrasing is deliberate and impactful, emphasizing the empowering message. Lyrically, the song uses a direct, declamatory narrative voice. It incorporates allusions (to Alice in Wonderland) and powerful metaphors (chess, swords) to build its thematic world. The chorus acts as a powerful, repetitive hook, a common technique in pop music to ensure memorability and create an anthemic quality.

"Kings & Queens" achieved significant commercial success and cultural resonance upon its release. The song peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Top 40 chart. Internationally, it reached number 19 on the UK Singles Chart and topped charts in several countries, including Poland, Israel, and Slovenia. It has received numerous certifications, including double platinum in the US, quadruple platinum in Canada, and platinum in the UK. With over a billion streams on Spotify, it is one of Ava Max's most successful tracks. Beyond the charts, the song was embraced as an empowerment anthem, particularly by feminist and LGBTQ+ communities. Billboard recognized it as the "unofficial anthem of the parade-free 2020 Pride season" and included it on their lists of the "100 Best Songs of 2020" and "30 Best Pop Songs of 2020". The music video, directed by Isaac Rentz, features Max as a Khaleesi-inspired queen in a heavenly throne room, further cementing the song's powerful and royal imagery. A remix, "Kings & Queens, Pt. 2," was released featuring Lauv and Saweetie.

"Kings & Queens" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that reinforce its theme of empowerment.

• Royalty and Thrones: The central metaphor of kings and queens on their thrones symbolizes a world of gender equality where women share power equally with men. It's a vision of a utopian society built on mutual respect.
• Chess Game: The bridge uses a powerful chess metaphor: "In chess, a king can move one space at a time / But queens are free to go wherever they like." This highlights the perceived limitations of men (the king) versus the versatility, freedom, and power of women (the queen), who are not restricted by traditional roles.
• Sword: The line "And you might think I'm weak without a sword / But if I had one, it'd be bigger than yours" is a direct and provocative metaphor for power and strength. It subverts the phallic symbolism often associated with swords, claiming that female power is greater and more formidable.
• Breathing Fire: The phrase "Once I start breathin' fire, you can't tame me" evokes the imagery of a dragon, a mythical creature of immense power and untamable spirit. It symbolizes the unleashing of a woman's full, fierce potential when provoked or underestimated.
• Alice in Wonderland Reference: The line "Disobey me, then baby, it's off with your head" is a direct quote from the Queen of Hearts. This serves as a playful yet assertive symbol of command and the consequences of underestimating the new matriarchal power structure the song imagines.

The most significant recurring motif in "Kings & Queens" is the central lyrical hook of the chorus: "If all of the kings had their queens on the throne / We would pop champagne and raise a toast." This phrase encapsulates the entire theme of the song—a world celebrating gender equality—and its repetition drills the message into the listener's mind, solidifying its status as an anthem. Another key recurring phrase is "To all of the queens who are fighting alone / Baby, you're not dancin' on your own." This line acts as a powerful message of solidarity and support, repeated in each chorus to reassure and unify its audience. The pre-chorus contains the recurring defiant statement, "No damsel in distress, don't need to save me / Once I start breathin' fire, you can't tame me." This couplet is repeated to emphasize the singer's self-sufficiency and fierce independence, serving as a core tenet of the song's feminist message. Musically, the synth-heavy hook and the powerful electric guitar riff are recurring motifs that give the song its signature sound and epic, celebratory feel.