"The Joker and the Queen" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Ed Sheeran featuring Taylor Swift | ||||
from the album = (Tour Edition) | ||||
Released | 11 February 2022 | |||
Studio |
| |||
Genre | Folk | |||
Length |
| |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Ed Sheeran singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Taylor Swift singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"The Joker and the Queen" on YouTube |
"The Joker and the Queen" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran,taken from his fifth studio album, = ,that was released on 29 October 2021 by Asylum and Atlantic Records. Sheeran wrote and produced the song with Johnny McDaid,Fred,and Sam Roman. A duet version of the song,featuring American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift,was released on 11 February 2022 as the album's fourth single.
The single is a slow-paced folk ballad driven by a cinematic piano,waltz tempo,and 1950s-inspired strings. It marks the fourth collaboration between Sheeran and Swift,following "Everything Has Changed" (2012),"End Game" (2017),and "Run" (2021). An accompanying music video,a sequel to the video of "Everything Has Changed" with the same actors,was released on the same day as the song. The single was praised by critics for its pleasant sound. Commercially,it charted at number two in Japan and the UK;number three in Singapore;number five in Ireland,Lithuania and Malaysia;number 11 in Australia,Belgium,and Vietnam;number 12 in Canada;number 13 in India;number 15 in the Philippines;and number 19 in Hong Kong and Switzerland.
"The Joker and the Queen" is a song written and produced by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran,alongside his collaborators Johnny McDaid,Fred and Sam Romans. [1] After writing "Bad Habits",Sheeran thought that he finished writing for the day before Fred played him a piano instrumental created by Romans,which Fred found "very beautiful" but was never able to expand it into a song. Sheeran then spent about 20 minutes writing down various metaphors,including coming up with the song's title and the line "I fold,you saw my hand,you let me win,you put the cards on the table." Sheeran thought that the song was too easy to write and disliked it. However,Sheeran's brother Matthew created a string composition for the song,which Sheeran admired for sounding like an "old classic that had been around since the '50s". [2]
The song was recorded at Fieldwork Studio in London and Suffolk,Stamford Street in London,Promised Land Music Studios in London,Abbey Road Studios in London and Pixel in London. The mixing was handled by Mark "Spike" Stent at the Mixsuite while it was mastered by Stuart Hawkes at Metropolis Studios in London. [1] "The Joker and the Queen" was released on 29 October 2021 as the sixth track on Sheeran's fifth studio album = . [2]
Shortly after = was released,Sheeran confirmed that a new recording of the song featuring an American singer had been recorded and was set to be released in January 2022;however,he cautioned that it was not official as it had not been cleared for release. American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift,a frequent collaborator of Sheeran,began hinting that she was the featured artist on the song,using several easter eggs such as in Swift's music video for "I Bet You Think About Me" where she carves the equals sign on a wedding cake;the video's director Blake Lively promoted the video with the joker emoji on social media. Swift also released playing cards in promotion of her 2021 re-recorded album Red (Taylor's Version) . Additionally,in Sheeran's "Overpass Graffiti" music video,Swift's name can be seen in a newspaper column as well as on a leather jacket that Sheeran wears which also has joker and queen print. [3] [4] [5]
In December 2021,Sheeran confirmed that the duet "The Joker and the Queen" would be released as the fourth single from = in 2022. [3] [4] [5] On 1 February 2022,Sheeran revealed on social media that he was signing some CDs for a new project,which featured an artwork with a joker and a queen that resembled Swift. [6] [7] Four days later,the song credits in the lyric video for "The Joker and the Queen" showed "(feat. Taylor Swift)" in the title. [8] Sheeran officially revealed that the remix of "The Joker and the Queen" would feature Swift at the 42nd Brit Awards on 8 February 2022 in a red carpet interview with LADbible . [9] [10] Sheeran announced the single via social media the following day,set for release on 11 February 2022. [11] The single marked the fourth collaboration between Sheeran and Swift,after "Everything Has Changed" (2013),"End Game" (2017) and "Run" (2021).
"The Joker and the Queen" is a folk waltz. [12] [13] It has been described as a "cinematic" piano ballad. [2] In the duet remix,Swift takes over the second verse with a female perspective,replacing Sheeran's original lyrics. The lyrics explain love using a card game analogy. [14]
The track received positive reviews. Melissa Ruggieri of USA Today said the duet is a tender,heartfelt ballad,accentuated by "a sumptuous piano melody with a cinematic swoosh of strings". [13] Billboard writer Hannah Dailey wrote that the song is a delicate piano ballad about rekindling lost love. [15] Jason Brow of Hollywood Life described it as "another great addition to the Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift lore". [16] Michael Major of BroadwayWorld dubbed the track a beautifully reimagined version of the original album track. [17] Robin Murray of Clash called it an "undiverting ear-worm",claiming it was "pleasant but definitely not distracting,sitting more in Sheeran's MOR vein than Taylor's recent reclamation work." He said Swift and Sheeran are "relishing classicism,utilising form to craft a gentle delight". [18] Gulf News labelled it a "soothing romantic ballad" and a "Valentine's Day gift to (their) fans". [19]
Upon the release of =,the album version of "The Joker and the Queen" debuted at number 66,78,and 99 on Australia's ARIA Singles, [20] Canadian Hot 100, [21] and the Billboard Global 200 charts, [22] respectively. Following the release of the duet version,"The Joker and the Queen" reached a new peak of number 11 in Australia, [23] and debuted at numbers two and five on the UK Singles [24] and Irish Singles charts,respectively. [25] It debuted at number 15 on Billboard Philippine Songs chart and reached number 10 on the Billboard Global 200.
The music video of "The Joker and the Queen" continued the storyline from the video for Swift's 2013 single featuring Sheeran,"Everything Has Changed";the child actors who resembled Swift and Sheeran in the latter video—Ava Ames and Jack Lewis,respectively—play the grown-up versions of themselves in the former. [26] [27] The video shows a text message between the two characters,which is a real text-exchange between Sheeran and Swift that was shared to Swift's Instagram account in 2015. A screenshot of the "Everything Has Changed" music video also appears as a framed photograph in "The Joker and the Queen" video. [28]
Sheeran performed "The Joker and the Queen" at the 42nd Brit Awards on 8 February 2022, [29] and in Paris,Stade de France on 30 July 2022.
Credits adapted from Spotify and the liner notes of =. [1]
Weekly charts | Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada) [68] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [69] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 11 February 2022 | [10] | ||
United States | 14 February 2022 | Adult contemporary radio | Atlantic | [70] |
Italy | 18 February 2022 | Radio airplay | Warner | [71] |
Various | CD |
| [72] |
Edward Christopher Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter. Born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk, he began writing songs around the age of eleven. In early 2011, Sheeran independently released the extended play No. 5 Collaborations Project. He signed with Asylum Records the same year.
The discography of English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran consists of seven studio albums, two compilation albums, seventeen extended plays, one video album, sixty-five singles, eight promotional singles, one box set, and seventy-one music videos. As of October 2021, Sheeran has sold over 150 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists in history. According to RIAA, Sheeran is the 13th best-selling digital singles artist in the United States with certified sales of 80.5 million.
"Give Me Love" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released as the sixth and final single from his debut studio album, +, on 21 November 2012. The song was written by Sheeran, Jake Gosling and Chris Leonard. The single peaked at number 18 on the UK Singles Chart. On the album, Sheeran's cover of the traditional Irish folk song "The Parting Glass" is included at the end as a hidden track. A cover of the song recorded live at the Capital FM Studios in London on 30 May 2014, is featured on the deluxe version of American singer Demi Lovato's fourth album, Demi.
"Everything Has Changed" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift featuring the English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran from Swift's fourth studio album, Red (2012). It was released as the sixth single from the album on July 14, 2013, by Big Machine Records. A music video for the song was released earlier on June 6, 2013. Produced by Butch Walker, "Everything Has Changed" is a guitar-led folk-pop ballad. Its lyrics are about wanting to know a new lover better. The song received mixed reviews from critics, who either complimented or criticized the production.
"Thinking Out Loud" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran recorded for his second studio album, × (2014). It was written by Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge, and produced by frequent collaborator Jake Gosling. It was released in the US on 14 August 2014 as the album's third single.
"Bad Blood" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her fifth studio album, 1989 (2014). She wrote the song with the Swedish producers Max Martin and Shellback. It is a pop song using keyboards and hip hop–inspired drum beats, and the lyrics are about betrayal by a close friend. A remix featuring the American rapper Kendrick Lamar, with additional lyrics by Lamar and production by the Swedish musician Ilya, was released to radio as 1989's fourth single on May 17, 2015, by Big Machine and Republic Records.
"I Don't Wanna Live Forever" is a song by the English singer Zayn and the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from the soundtrack to the 2017 film Fifty Shades Darker. It was written by Swift, Sam Dew, and Jack Antonoff, who also produced the song. The single was released on December 9, 2016, by Republic Records to international commercial success. "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" is a sultry electro-R&B and electropop ballad that sees Zayn and Swift exchange romantic overtures. Its accompanying music video was released on January 27, 2017.
"Shape of You" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 6 January 2017 as one of the double lead singles from his third studio album ÷ (2017), along with "Castle on the Hill". The Dance Hall & R&B infused song was written by Sheeran, Steve Mac and Johnny McDaid. Due to its interpolation of "No Scrubs" by TLC, Kandi Burruss, Tameka "Tiny" Cottle, and Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs are also credited as writers. The song was produced by Sheeran and Steve Mac.
"Castle on the Hill" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 6 January 2017 as one of the double lead singles from his third studio album ÷ (2017), along with "Shape of You". "Castle on the Hill" was written and produced by Ed Sheeran and Benny Blanco. The song refers to Framlingham Castle in Sheeran's home town of Framlingham in Suffolk, and reminisces tales of his upbringing in the town. The BBC states, "the song has been described as a love letter to Suffolk."
"Perfect" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran from his third studio album, ÷ (2017). After the album's release, it charted at number four on the UK Singles Chart. On 21 August 2017, Billboard announced that "Perfect" would be the fourth single from the album. The song was serviced to pop radio on 26 September 2017 as the third single from the album in the United States. The second version of the single, titled "Perfect Duet", with American singer Beyoncé, was released on 1 December 2017. Another duet with Italian singer Andrea Bocelli, titled "Perfect Symphony", was released on 15 December 2017.
"End Game" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her sixth studio album, Reputation (2017). The song features the English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and the American rapper Future, who both wrote it with Swift and the producers Max Martin and Shellback. "End Game" is an incorporation of pop rap and R&B. It features loose vocal cadences and hip-hop-influenced drums that create trap beats. The lyrics are about finding true love amidst the gossip on ones' perceived reputations.
"River" is a song by American rapper Eminem featuring English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It is the fifth track from his ninth solo studio album Revival (2017). The song was written by the artists alongside producer Emile Haynie. "River" was released to radio on December 15, 2017 in Italy, and in the UK on January 5, 2018, as the album's second single. The music video received a nomination for Best Cinematography at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards. "River" details the struggles of a failing relationship that culminates in an abortion.
"Beautiful People" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran featuring American singer Khalid. It was released on 28 June 2019 through Asylum Records as the third single from the former's compilation album, No.6 Collaborations Project (2019).
"South of the Border" is a song by English singer Ed Sheeran featuring Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello and Dominican-American rapper Cardi B. It was released on 12 July 2019 through Asylum and Atlantic Records, along with "Antisocial", as the sixth and seventh singles respectively from Sheeran's compilation album, No.6 Collaborations Project (2019).
"Take Me Back to London" is a song by British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran featuring British rapper Stormzy. It was released through Asylum and Atlantic Records as the final single from the former's compilation album No.6 Collaborations Project (2019).
= ("Equals") is the fifth studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 29 October 2021 through Asylum and Atlantic Records. The album was supported by five singles: "Bad Habits", "Shivers", "Overpass Graffiti", "The Joker and the Queen", and "2step". The song "Visiting Hours" was released as a promotional single.
"Bad Habits" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 25 June 2021, through Asylum and Atlantic Records, as the lead single from his fourth studio album, = ("Equals"). The song marked his first solo release from an album in over four years. A limited edition CD and cassette single were also released. The song received mixed reviews from music critics, who compared its sound and style to the works of the Weeknd, as well as Bronski Beat.
"Shivers" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, released through Asylum Records and Atlantic Records on 10 September 2021 as the second single from his fifth studio album, = (2021). "Shivers" entered atop the charts in the United Kingdom and Ireland, dethroning Sheeran's previous single "Bad Habits" after eleven consecutive weeks at the summit in both countries. The song also topped the charts in Austria, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland and peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
"2step" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran from his fifth studio album = (2021), appearing as the ninth track on its track listing. It was written by Sheeran, David Hodges, Louis Bell and Andrew Wotman, and produced by the latter two. A remix featuring American rapper Lil Baby was released on 22 April 2022, making it the fifth and final single from the album. It was sent to hot adult contemporary radio in the United States three days later. On 2 May 2022, Sheeran released a version of the song featuring Ukrainian pop-rock band Antytila, and later released an additional 12 "global remixes" of the song, with artists from Finland, India, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Brazil.
"Peru" is a song by Nigerian singer Fireboy DML. It was released on 20 July 2021, through YBNL Nation, and distributed by Empire. "Peru" was written by Fireboy DML, Ivory Scott, & Kolten Perine and produced by Shizzi & Perine. On 23 December 2021, a reworked version of "Peru" was released, in collaboration with English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The music video for the version with Sheeran was released on 24 December 2021. An additional remix, featuring rappers 21 Savage and Blxst was also later released. The song was nominated at the 7th annual African Entertainment Awards USA for Song of the Year. The song is not about the country of Peru, but rather a reference to Nigerian singer Peruzzi; the government of Peru nonetheless reacted positively to the song on Twitter.