Play God (song)

"Play God" is the debut single by English singer and songwriter, Sam Fender. It was released on 30 March 2017 while a music video was released accompanying the video on 23 January 2019. The song was used in the trailer for the 2021 Netflix superhero series Jupiter's Legacy.[3]

"Play God"
Single by Sam Fender
from the album Hypersonic Missiles
Released30 March 2017
23 January 2019 (re-release)
Recorded2017
Genre
Length3:46
Label
Songwriter(s)Sam Fender
Producer(s)Bramwell Bronte
Sam Fender singles chronology
"Play God"
(2017)		 "Greasy Spoon"
(2017)
Music video
"Play God" on YouTube

Music video

When describing the music video, Fender told NME that "Play God" is "set in an alternate dystopian reality that shares similarities with our own world."[4] Vincent Haycock, who directed the music video described the video as a "satirical interpretation of power".[5]

Critical reception

Harvey James, writing for The Last Magazine praised the song and Fender's singing saying that he has"total mastery over his voice was immediately and strikingly apparent."[6] Clash called the song and the music video "provocative".[5] Maxamillion Polo, writing for Ones to Watch praised the relevancy of the track in regards to modern neoliberalism. Polo wrote that "the track, which is equal parts Orwellian and a reaction to the landmark political decisions in both the UK and the US, is classic Brit-rock at its finest." Polo further complimented the instrumentation of "Play God" saying it is "driven by lush guitar melodies and Fender’s swirling mixture of questioning and positing, “Play God” draws the listener into his world defined by an increasingly uncertain future."[1]

Charts
Chart (2017–19) Peak
position
Scotland (OCC)[7] 51
Switzerland Airplay (Schweizer Hitparade)[8]
71
UK Singles (OCC)[9] 89

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[10] Gold 400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Polo, Maxamillion. "Sam Fender Presents a Chilling Dystopian Vision in "Play God" Video". Ones to Watch. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  2. Simpson, Dave (26 February 2019). "Sam Fender review – home truths sung with power and poetry". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  3. "'Jupiter's Legacy' Trailer Reveals Netflix's New Superhero Epic". Collider. 7 April 2021.
  4. Reilly, Nick (14 January 2019). "Sam Fender debuts new single 'Play God' and announces UK tour". NME. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  5. Murray, Robin (23 January 2019). "Sam Fender Shares Provocative 'Play God' Video". Clash. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  6. James, Harvey (24 August 2018). "Sam Fender's Songs Are Lyrical, Literate, And Socially Conscious". thelast-magazine.com. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  7. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  8. "Schweizer Airplay Charts 09/2019 - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  9. "Sam Fender: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  10. "British single certifications – Sam Fender – Play God". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
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