King of Hearts (song)

Last updated
"King of Hearts"
Cassie - King of Hearts.jpg
Single by Cassie
ReleasedFebruary 14, 2012
Recorded2011
Genre
Length3:37
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • John J. Conte Jr.
  • Raelene Arreguin
  • Jay Singh [1]
Producer(s) J2
Cassiesingles chronology
"Let's Get Crazy"
(2009)		"King of Hearts"
(2012)		"The Boys"
(2012)
Music video
"King of Hearts" on YouTube

"King of Hearts" is a song recorded by American singer Cassie. It was written by Jay Singh, John J. Conte Jr. and Raelene Arreguin. [2] "King of Hearts" is an uptempo electronic dance song that features jungle beats and escalating synths. The song is lyrically centered on the theme of seduction. Music critics praised it for the musical structure, many writing that it differs from most dance-pop music on the radio.

Contents

Background

MTV News reported in June 2007 that contrary to rumors, Cassie had not been dropped from Bad Boy Records after releasing two singles from her self-titled debut album. [3] The original first single from Cassie's second studio album was to be "Official Girl", but its lack of commercial success prompted the label to release two other promotional singles: "Must Be Love" and "Let's Get Crazy", both which failed to garner commercial success. After several delays, it was announced in December 2009 that Cassie had signed a new record deal with Interscope Records. [4] In late August 2011, Cassie announced that the album is complete, and that she recorded the last song for the album on August 26, 2011. [5] On September 15, 2011, Cassie announced on 106 & Park that the lead single "King of Hearts" would premiere by the end of October 2011 and the album would be released in early 2012. [6] The song was finally released for digital download on February 14, 2012 and serviced to US Rhythmic radio on March 13, 2012. [7] [8]

Composition

"King of Hearts" is a dance-pop and electro-dance song that runs for 3:37 (3 minutes and 37 seconds). [8] [9] [10] [11] The song incorporates elements of several musical genres such as electronic music, Europop, eurodance and contemporary R&B. [10] [12] [13] [14] It features the use of echoing vocal effects Mix/Mastered by Its Hott 2 Productions (Lamis Carneiro) and a fast backbeat while running through a four-on-the-floor rhythm and playing over a bouncy beat. [9] [11] [13] It begins with staccato electro synths [10] and handclaps then follows with "thudding, slightly syncopated" drum programming. The synth arrangements escalate throughout the song. The song's musical structure has been compared to Janet Jackson's "Rock with U" and Kelis' electro-dance album Flesh Tone (2010). [10] [15] The beats have been described as jungle-sounding while Cassie's vocals are described as "cool and restrained". [9] [10] Robbie Daw of Idolator.com found Cassie's vocals to be "paper-thin". [16] The lyrics are centered on seduction, evident in the lyrics: "You are the prince of charm, seduction is your art/ You never play my love, you're just my king of hearts." [17]

Critical reception

Marc Hogan of SPIN.com praised the song for its quality and sounding, comparing it to music by Kylie Minogue and Robyn while contrasting it with Usher's song "Climax", which was released at the same time. [9] Hogan further writes that "Cassie's song really does keep building from beginning to end, starting with staccato pinpricks of synth and handclaps soon joined by thudding, slightly syncopated drum programming." [9] The staff at Idolator.com writes "Unfortunately, it sounds to us as though Cassie’s heart was missing from this one." They find that "her customary distance works against her in this one, and the result is a throwaway." [11] Prefix's Andrew Winistorfer finds that the song "will not replace "Me & U" in anyone's mind when it comes to Cassie." [13] Bradley Stern of MuuMuse rated the song five out of five stars, lauding it as better than top 40 dance-pop songs. He writes "It’s that kind of fresh, it’s that kind of innovative: The lyrics, the melodies, the song structure, the delivery, the beats–there’s not one part of this song that contains even a single molecular flaw." [10] DJ Ron Slomowicz of About.com praised "King of Hearts" as a dance track unlike anything on the radio, comparing it to music by Taio Cruz and Chris Brown. [18] A writer from Evention writes "“King Of Hearts” is club music, Cassie style... An icy Ibiza-sized anthem that's just snatched the wig of every pop song released this year, without even sounding like it tried to... She sounds too bored to seduce you, but too cool to care, and that's just what makes her so darn enticing." [15] Jim Tonze of The Guardian writes that "What’s striking about the track she posted this month, King Of Hearts, is how it involves elements of nearly everything we’ve talked about. It has the ravey club-banger aspect, it has the innovative yet commercialedge of early noughties R&B, and it has enough sadness in her vocal to draw in the indie crowd. Put simply, it’s the best-sounding identity crisis I’ve heard for a while." [12] Beyoncé stated on her website that 'I can't stop listening to this song'. [19]

Promotion

In December 2011, Interscope released a 37-second preview of the video onto their official YouTube account. [20] The official music video for "King of Hearts" then premiered on February 14, 2012 on VEVO. Cassie later premiered the video on BET two days later. [21] The video was directed by Christopher Sims and takes place in a Beverly Hills mansion. [22] Through the video Cassie wears a barely-there top and appears in different scenarios where she is dancing on the dining table and reclining in the bathtub by the fireplace. [23]

King of Hearts was remixed by numerous DJ's including Dutch DJ R3HAB to which Rap-Up.com said it "starts off with Cassie’s sexy vocals, escalating into a synth-heavy riot for the dance floor". [24] Erick Morillo has also remixed the track. On March 30, 2012, a Kanye West produced remix of "King of Hearts" was released online. [25] The following month, Richard X also released his remix of the song, which got named Pitchfork's "Best New Track". [26]

On April 24, 2012, Cassie performed the single live for the first time at BET's 106 & Park music video show. She concluded the performance with a brief dance number set to the Kanye West remix of the song, along with four dancers. After the performance Cassie and 106 & Park were worldwide trending topics on Twitter and it received mostly mixed to positive reviews from various online media outlets. [27]

Charts

Chart (2012)Peak
position
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100) [28] 46
US Rhythmic (Mediabase) [29] 39

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cassie Ventura</span> American singer, dancer, actress, and model (born 1986)

Casandra Elizabeth Ventura, known mononymously as Cassie, is an American singer, dancer, actress, and model. Born in New London, Connecticut, she began her musical career after meeting record producer Ryan Leslie in late 2004, who signed her to his record label, NextSelection Lifestyle Group. Two years later, Ventura released her debut single "Me & U", which was discovered by rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs; Leslie agreed to partner his NextSelection imprint with Combs' Bad Boy Records for the commercial release of her debut album. The song marked the first of her two entries on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number three by July 2006.

"Lost in the World" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). The song features vocals by Justin Vernon of indie folk band Bon Iver, as well as sampling his 2009 song "Woods". It also contains portions of "Soul Makossa" written by Manu Dibango, and samples of "Comment No. 1", performed by Gil Scott-Heron. It was produced by West and Jeff Bhasker, who wrote the track with Vernon and Malik Jones. "Lost in the World" was initially leaked on September 29, 2010, and was 5 minutes and 55 seconds long. The version on the album was divided into two parts, with the outro becoming a new track entitled "Who Will Survive in America".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flashing Lights (Kanye West song)</span> 2007 single by Kanye West

"Flashing Lights" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his third studio album, Graduation (2007). The song features a guest appearance from R&B singer Dwele and additional vocals from Australian singer Connie Mitchell. West co-wrote and co-produced the song with Eric Hudson, who had completed the production before the duo added a live string section in 2007. It was released to US rhythmic contemporary radio as the album's fourth single on November 20, 2007, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. A hip hop, electro rap, and R&B song with elements of numerous genres, it prominently utilizes strings and synths. Lyrically, the song features West rapping about a complicated relationship where a girl has power over him; he also compares the paparazzi to Nazis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Official Girl</span> 2008 Single by Cassie featuring Lil Wayne

"Official Girl" is a song recorded by American singer Cassie. It features vocals by hip-hop rapper Lil Wayne, who wrote his guest verse, while the original composition was written by members of collective The Clutch including Balewa Muhammad, Candice Nelson, Ezekiel Lewis, along with Marcella Araica and Nathaniel "Danja" Hills. Production was also handled by Hills. The song was first released for digital download in the United States on August 5, 2008, through Bad Boy and NextSelection in association with Atlantic Records, who then serviced it to rhythmic contemporary radio stations on September 22, 2008. The single was issued on vinyl as well with a promotional record being released that month.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turnin Me On</span> 2008 single by Keri Hilson featuring Lil Wayne

"Turnin Me On" is a song by American singer-songwriter Keri Hilson, from her debut album, In a Perfect World... The song features American rapper Lil Wayne who co-wrote the song alongside Hilson and Zachary Anson Wallace. Production credits are shared between Danja and Polow da Don, who also co-wrote the song. Following the minimal chart success of Hilson's worldwide lead single "Energy" in the United States, international markets received "Return the Favor", while "Turnin Me On" was released as the third single in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cassie Ventura discography</span>

American singer Cassie Ventura, known simply as Cassie, has released one studio album, one mixtape, thirteen singles and eleven music videos. She recorded her first song, "Kiss Me", with Ryan Leslie for her mother's birthday in February 2005. Leslie then signed Ventura to his NextSelection imprint, writing and producing her first single, "Me & U", that same year. The song soon went viral after made available on her MySpace page and became a club hit in Germany. In the meantime, Diddy partnered with Leslie to release Ventura's self-titled debut album Cassie in August 2006, through Bad Boy and Atlantic Records. The album debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 and charted within the top forty in the UK Albums Chart, where it later received a Silver certification by the British Phonographic Industry. "Me & U" peaked in the top ten of several countries, including number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and spent seven weeks atop the US Airplay chart, being certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America selling over one million digital downloads. The follow-up "Long Way 2 Go" was the final single of the album and despite less successful in the US, it went on to peak within the top forty of various other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Get Crazy (Cassie song)</span> 2009 single by Cassie featuring Akon

"Let's Get Crazy" is a song recorded by American singer Cassie. It features a guest appearance from American singer Akon, who co-wrote the song with Bilal Hajji, Kinnda Hamid and RedOne, with the latter also helming the song's production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loving You No More</span> 2010 single by Diddy – Dirty Money featuring Drake

"Loving You No More" is a song by American rapper and producer Diddy and his group Dirty Money, from their debut album, Last Train to Paris. It was written by Dawn Richard of the group, as well as Mario Winans and Canadian rapper Drake, the latter of whom featured on the song. Sean Garrett and his production group, Team S. Dot, receive writing and production credits, as does Miykal Snoddy. The song was released as the album's second single in the United States on September 21, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ass on the Floor</span> 2011 single by Diddy and Dirty Money

"Ass on the Floor" is a song performed by Diddy and the duo Dirty Money, lifted from their debut album, Last Train to Paris. The song features guest vocals and production from record producer Swizz Beatz. It was released as the third UK single taken from the album on 18 April 2011. "Ass on the Floor" was co-written by the lead performers, as well as Leroy Watson. Incorporating pounding drums and shimmering synthesizers, "Ass on the Floor" was praised by critics as one of the best songs on Last Train to Paris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brave (Kelis song)</span> 2011 single by Kelis

"Brave" is a song recorded by American recording artist Kelis for her fifth studio album, Flesh Tone (2010). She co-wrote the song with Jean Baptiste, James Fauntleroy, while production was handled by Benny Benassi, and his cousin Alle Benassi. It premiered on January 6, 2011, by Will.i.am Music Group and Interscope Records as the fourth and final single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dancehall Queen (Robyn song)</span> 2010 promotional single by Robyn

"Dancehall Queen" is a song by Swedish recording artist Robyn, taken from her fifth studio album, Body Talk Pt. 1 (2010). The song was written by Klas Åhlund, who produced it with disc jockey Diplo. The initial writing and production of the song arose from a discussion by Robyn, Diplo and Åhlund about Ace of Base. The song features a dancehall and reggae-infused sound with 1980s synths and bass. It was released as a promotional single before the album was launched in April 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Show Me (Jessica Sutta song)</span> 2011 single by Jessica Sutta

"Show Me" is the debut solo single by American recording artist Jessica Sutta. The song was featured in the movie Teen Spirit. It was written by Alex Geringas, Paddy Dalton and its producer songwriter Busbee, which lyrically talks about how actions talk louder than words. Musically, the song is a club-inspired song. "Show Me" premiered on Idolator on August 3, 2011, and was released on August 23, 2011, via Hollywood Records.

<i>In Case We Die</i> (Tinashe album) 2012 mixtape by Tinashe

In Case We Die is the debut mixtape by American recording artist Tinashe, first released on February 1, 2012 via her official website. The mixtape was released following a four-year stint as lead singer of girl group The Stunners and her array of non-album singles, including a collaboration with producers OFM, "Artificial People", in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sorry (Ciara song)</span> 2012 song by Ciara

"Sorry" is a song recorded by American singer Ciara. It was written by Ciara, Elvis "Blac" Williams, and Jasper Cameron, and produced by Harris and Cameron. The song premiered alongside its music video on September 13, 2012, and was released as a digital download two weeks later on September 25, 2012. Epic Records serviced the single to urban contemporary and rhythmic radio in the United States on October 9, 2012. "Sorry" is a midtemp R&B ballad with production akin to Ciara's previous single, "Promise" (2006). Lyrically, the song speaks on a relationship gone bad, and has been described as an autobiography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boys (Nicki Minaj and Cassie song)</span> 2012 single by Nicki Minaj and Cassie

"The Boys" is a song by rapper Nicki Minaj and American singer Cassie. It was released on September 13, 2012 by Young Money, Cash Money and Universal Republic as the lead single from the reissue of Minaj's second studio album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re-Up (2012). It was written by Minaj, Anjulie Persaud, Jonas Jeberg and Jean Baptiste, and produced by the latter two. It was Minaj's last single to be released by Universal Republic before the label went defunct and its artists roster moved to the revived Republic Records. Initially a track recorded by Cassie for her second studio album under the title "Money on Love," it was subsequently played for Minaj during sessions for The Re-Up, who decided to keep Cassie's vocals but wrote her own verses with certain production portions also being re-worked.

<i>RockaByeBaby</i> 2013 mixtape by Cassie

RockaByeBaby is the first mixtape by American singer Cassie, released on April 11, 2013, by Bad Boy Records. It was her first full-length project released since her self-titled debut studio album Cassie (2006). Following the premiere of the track "King of Hearts" in February 2012, which was initially announced as the lead single from her upcoming second studio album, Cassie announced that she would be releasing a mixtape. The mixtape's concept is based on the 1991 film New Jack City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Replay (Zendaya song)</span> 2013 single by Zendaya

"Replay" is an electropop song by American singer Zendaya from her self-titled debut studio album, Zendaya (2013). The song was released on July 16, 2013, as the lead single from the album through Hollywood Records after being premiered on July 12, 2013. The song was written by Zendaya in collaboration with Mick Schultz, Tiffany Fred and Paul Phamous while the song's production was handled by Mick Schultz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Lips (song)</span> 2012 single by Sky Ferreira

"Red Lips" is a song by American singer Sky Ferreira from her second extended play (EP), Ghost (2012). It was released on July 17, 2012, by Capitol Records. The song was written and produced by Greg Kurstin, with additional songwriting provided by Shirley Manson. "Red Lips" is a pop rock song that describes the emotional deterioration of an individual that Ferreira disliked. It differs from the previous electropop styles displayed in her earlier works; this was deliberately done to prevent Ferreira from being branded in a similar fashion as Britney Spears, which she felt that Capitol Records had intended to do.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2 On</span> 2014 single by Tinashe featuring Schoolboy Q

"2 On" is the debut single by American singer Tinashe for her debut studio album Aquarius (2014). The song features a guest verse from American rapper Schoolboy Q. Both artists wrote the song with Bobby Brackins, and features production from DJ Mustard, Jon Redwine, and DJ Marley Waters, who are also credited as songwriters. It features a sample from the 2005 single "We Be Burnin'" by Jamaican recording artist Sean Paul, resulting in writing credits for Cezar Cunningham, Sean Paul, Steven Marsden, Delano Thomas, Michael Jarrett, and Craig Serani Marsh. "2 On" was released as Tinashe's commercial debut single from Aquarius on January 21, 2014 and was sent to US rhythmic contemporary, urban contemporary on March 18, 2014, and to contemporary hit radio on July 30, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bitch I'm Madonna</span> 2015 single by Madonna

"Bitch I'm Madonna" is a song by American singer Madonna from her thirteenth studio album, Rebel Heart (2015), featuring guest vocals from rapper Nicki Minaj. The artists co-wrote the song with MoZella, Toby Gad, Ariel Rechtshaid, Diplo, and Sophie. It was released as the third single from the album by Interscope Records on June 15, 2015, along with a number of remixes commissioned. Produced by Madonna and Diplo, it is an EDM song with lyrics about Madonna having continuous fun because she is Madonna.

References

  1. ↑ "King of Hearts" (Legal Title) BMI Work #12910217, BMI Repertoire.
  2. ↑ http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyid=12910217&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID [ dead link ]
  3. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (June 21, 2007). "Diddy Says Cassie Hasn't Been Dropped — She's Just Busy With Kanye, Pharrell". MTV News . Retrieved 20 September 2009.
  4. ↑ Sir Platinum Graham (2009-12-11). "Cassie To Interscope With Diddy, Red Cafe ? | Singersroom Celebs". Blog.singersroom.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  5. ↑ "Casandra E". Canuhearme.tumblr.com. 2011-08-27. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
  6. ↑ "Cassie Showcases New Look, Talks New Music on '106 & Park'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  7. ↑ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  8. 1 2 "Cassie to Release "King of Hearts" on Valentine's Day". Rap-Up.com. Rap-Up. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Hogan, Marc. "Cassie Is Back And Dance-Pop 'King of Hearts' Rules". SPIN.com. Spin Media LLC. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Stern, Bradley (2012-02-10). "MuuMuse Approved: Cassie – King of Hearts". MuuMuse. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  11. 1 2 3 "Cassie Celebrates Valentine's Day Early with New Single "King of Hearts"". Idolator.com. BUZZMedia. 2012-02-10. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  12. 1 2 ""King of Hearts" Guardian Review". Cassie-Ventura.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  13. 1 2 3 Winistorfer, Andrew. "Watch Cassie's Comeback Video, 'King of Hearts'". Prefix. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  14. ↑ Sanfiorenzo, Dimas (2012-02-10). "Cassie "King of Hearts" (NEW MUSIC)". Global Grind. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  15. 1 2 "Cassie – King of Hearts (video)". Evention. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  16. ↑ Daw, Robbie (2012-02-14). "Cassie Crowns Her "King of Hearts" With New Video". Idolator.com. BUZZMedia. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  17. ↑ Cline, Georgette. "Cassie's "King of Hearts" Debuts, Records With Erick Morillo". The Boombox. AOL Inc. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  18. ↑ Slomowicz, Ron. "Song of the Day: Cassie – "King of Hearts"". About.com. New York Times Company. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  19. ↑ "Beyoncé | Cassie - King Of Hearts". www.beyonce.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-23.
  20. ↑ "King of Hearts by Cassie - Trailer - Interscope". YouTube. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  21. ↑ "Lil' Kim, Cassie Go Front Row at Fashion Week". Rap-Up. Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
  22. ↑ "Cassie: 'King of Hearts' Video Premiere". JustJared. BUZZMedia.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  23. ↑ "Video: Cassie – 'King of Hearts'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  24. ↑ "New Music: Cassie – 'King of Hearts (R3HAB Remix)'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  25. ↑ "New Music: Cassie – 'King of Hearts (Kanye West Remix)'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  26. ↑ "Cassie". Pitchfork. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  27. ↑ "Cassie Performs 'King of Hearts' on '106 & Park'". Rap-Up. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  28. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201212 into search. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Top 40 Rhythmic/Crossover eWeekly". Mediabase . AllAccess.com. April 17, 2012. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.