"King of Emotion" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Big Country | ||||
from the album Peace in Our Time | ||||
Released | 8 August 1988 (UK) [1] | |||
Length | 4:50 | |||
Label | Mercury Reprise (US) | |||
Songwriter(s) | Stuart Adamson | |||
Producer(s) | Peter Wolf | |||
Big Country singles chronology | ||||
|
"King of Emotion" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1988 as the lead single from their fourth studio album Peace in Our Time . It was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Peter Wolf. [2] "King of Emotion" reached number 16 in the UK Singles Chart. [3] In the US, it reached number 11 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 20 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. [4] [5]
Recalling the song in the early 1990s, Adamson revealed that the song was influenced by the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women", "There was a groove that suited us, so I thought why not go the whole hog and write our own song?" [6] In 2002, the song was performed by British singer-songwriter Steve Harley (of Cockney Rebel) at the Stuart Adamson Tribute Concert. [7]
The song's music video was filmed in Wittenoom Western Australia and directed by Richard Lowenstein. [8] It received breakout rotation on MTV. [9]
Upon its release as a single, William Shaw of Smash Hits noted, "Big Country used to be the group whose tunes sounded all Scottish due to having billions of bagpipe-like guitars on them. This, on the other hand, is hip wiggling "rock" of the kind large crowds punch their fists into the air and shout "Awwwwwwwright" to. This is raunchy rock and ruddy roll, this is. Who are these imposters? Whoever they are, they've probably got a big hit on their hands." [10] Mica Paris, as guest reviewer for Number One said, "This sounds like an album track. It's stronger than their old stuff but it's just not a single." [11]
In the US, Cash Box commented, "A rough and ready rocker that has more elements of tough than tender. If Big Country sounded like guitars emulating bagpipes, this single sounds like guitars as axes, a decidedly heavier brushstroke here. Should score well on AOR." [12] Bill Coleman of Billboard wrote, "A new musical maturity is more than evident on this cleanly produced power chord rock piece of merit." [13]
In his 2015 book The Top 40 Annual 1988, James Masterton noted, "Even two and a half decades later "King of Emotion" still has the capacity to annoy as it only takes one listen to realise just how much better it could have been." [14] In a retrospective review of the album, William Ruhlmann of AllMusic commented, "On songs like the "King of Emotion", Wolf sought to retain Big Country's heroic quality while adding the widescreen dramatic style and cheerleader choral approach of Starship's "We Built This City." It was a brave try, but didn't really suit the group." [2]
7-inch single
12-inch single
Cassette single (UK release)
CD single
CD single (US promo)
Big Country
Production
Other
Chart (1988) | Peak position |
---|---|
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [15] | 17 |
Irish Singles Chart [16] | 11 |
UK Singles Chart [3] | 16 |
US Billboard Album Rock Tracks [5] | 20 |
US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks [4] | 11 |
The Crossing is the debut album released by Scottish band Big Country in July 1983. The album reached #3 in the UK; overseas, it hit #4 in Canada on the RPM national Top Albums Chart and #18 in the US on the Billboard 200 in 1983. It went on to be certified platinum in the UK and Canada. It contains the song "In a Big Country" which is their only U.S. Top 40 hit single.
Steeltown is the second studio album by Scottish band Big Country. The album was recorded at ABBA's Polar Studios in Stockholm with Steve Lillywhite producing. It was released on 19 October 1984, in the UK and 29 October 1984, in the United States. It was released on CD only in Germany, as well as remastered and reissued there.
Peace in Our Time is the fourth studio album by Scottish band Big Country, released in 1988.
"Three Little Pigs" is a song by American comedy rock band Green Jellÿ from their first video album, Cereal Killer (1992). Released by Zoo Entertainment in 1992 with the original band name, Green Jellö, the single was re-released on May 24, 1993, under the name Green Jellÿ due to a lawsuit for trademark infringement by the owners of Jell-O.
"In a Big Country" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country. It was released in May 1983 as the third single from their debut studio album The Crossing. The song reached No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart in June 1983. It was released in the US in the autumn of 1983 and peaked at No. 3 on the Top Rock Tracks chart and No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December of that year. It reached No. 3 on the RPM Top Singles Chart in Canada on 26 November 1983.
Big Country are a Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife, in 1981.
Emotions is the fourth studio album by American singer Brenda Lee. The album was released on April 3, 1961 on Decca Records and was produced by Owen Bradley. It was one of two studio albums released by Lee in 1961 and its title track became a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 the same year.
Where the Rose is Sown is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, which was released in 1984 as the second single from their second studio album Steeltown. It was written by Big Country and produced by Steve Lillywhite. "Where the Rose Is Sown" peaked at No. 29 in the UK and No. 25 in Ireland.
"Save Me" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1990 as a single from their compilation album Through a Big Country: Greatest Hits. The song was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Tim Palmer. It reached number 41 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for three weeks.
"East of Eden" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, which was released in 1984 as the lead single from their second studio album Steeltown. It was written by Big Country and produced by Steve Lillywhite. "East of Eden" reached No. 17 in the UK, and No. 12 in Ireland.
"The Teacher" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, which was released in 1986 as the second single from their third studio album The Seer. It was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Robin Millar. "The Teacher" reached No. 28 in the UK, and No. 14 in Ireland. A music video was filmed to promote the single.
"Alone" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1993 as the lead single from their sixth studio album The Buffalo Skinners. It was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Big Country. "Alone" reached number 24 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for three weeks.
"The One I Love" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1993 as the third and final single from their sixth studio album, The Buffalo Skinners. It was written by Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson, and was produced by Big Country.
"Broken Heart (Thirteen Valleys)" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1988 as the second single from their fourth studio album Peace in Our Time. It was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Peter Wolf. "Broken Heart (Thirteen Valleys)" reached number 47 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for four weeks.
"Fragile Thing" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1999 as the lead single from their eighth studio album Driving to Damascus. It was written by Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson, and produced by Rafe McKenna and Big Country. "Fragile Thing" reached number 69 in the UK Singles Chart. A music video was filmed to promote the single.
"Republican Party Reptile" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released by Vertigo in 1991 as an extended play from their fifth studio album No Place Like Home. It was written by Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson, and produced by Pat Moran. The "Republican Party Reptile" EP reached No. 37 in the UK and remained in the charts for two weeks. A music video was filmed to promote the EP.
"Peace in Our Time" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1989 as the third and final single from their fourth studio album Peace in Our Time (1988). It was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Peter Wolf. "Peace in Our Time" reached number 39 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for three weeks.
"Beautiful People" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, which was released in 1991 as the second and final single from their fifth studio album No Place Like Home. It was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Pat Moran. "Beautiful People" reached No. 72 on the UK Singles Chart, and No. 36 on the BBC's Heavy Metal/Rock chart.
"I'm Not Ashamed" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1995 as the lead single from their seventh studio album Why the Long Face. It was written by Stuart Adamson, and produced by Big Country and Chris Sheldon. "I'm Not Ashamed" reached number 69 in the UK Singles Chart.
"You Dreamer" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, which was released in 1995 as the second and final single from their seventh studio album Why the Long Face. It was written by Stuart Adamson, and produced by Big Country and Chris Sheldon. "You Dreamer" reached No. 68 on the UK Singles Chart.