The King and I (song)

"The King and I" (stylized as "The King & I") is a song by American rapper Eminem featuring American singer CeeLo Green. It was released on June 16, 2022, as the fourth single from the soundtrack to the Elvis Presley biopic film Elvis (2022).[1] It was later included on Eminem's second greatest hits album, Curtain Call 2, through Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records.

"The King and I"
Single by Eminem featuring CeeLo Green
from the album Elvis and Curtain Call 2
ReleasedJune 16, 2022
GenreHip hop
Length3:12
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Eminem singles chronology
"Last One Standing"
(2021)		 "The King and I"
(2022)		 "From the D 2 the LBC"
(2022)
CeeLo Green singles chronology
"Love"
(2022)		 "The King and I"
(2022)		 "Falling"
(2022)

Along with "From the D 2 the LBC", the song was received a Outstanding National Single nomination at the 2023 Detroit Music Awards, but lost to Lizzo's “About Damn Time”.

Background

In an interview for KTLA, CeeLo Green spoke about the collaboration process, saying, "Me and Eminem have been friends for years; I've longed for an opportunity to work with him. He said, 'Hey man, can you do this for me? I need it really quickly, I need it tonight.' So when Eminem says he needs something tonight, you deliver."[2]

Composition

Produced by Dr. Dre and Eminem, the song samples Presley's "Jailhouse Rock", and showcases the two artists taking turns paying homage to Presley: "'Cause me and Elvis jailed together like cellmates / Yeah, this the jailhouse, bitch and I don’t give a..." raps Eminem, before being joined by Green on the hook: "Middle fingers up, we 'bout to do this shit again". Eminem also references and interpolates Presley's song "Blue Suede Shoes" in a similar way he did on his song "My 1st Single" from Encore. Eminem name-drops rappers 2 Chainz and Wiz Khalifa, and reflects on the critics who have hounded his career: "I stole Black music, yeah, true / (For what?) Perhaps used it as a tool to combat school kids". He also points out the parallels between him and Elvis in the music industry: "One, he’s pale as me / Second, we both been hailed as king / He used to rock the jailhouse and I used to rock The Shelter."[3]

Charts
Chart performance for "The King and I"
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[4] 97
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[5] 15
UK Singles (OCC)[6] 86

Release history
Release history and formats for "The King and I"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various June 16, 2022
[7]
Italy June 24, 2022 Contemporary hit radio Universal [8]

References
  1. Corcoran, Nina (June 16, 2022). "Eminem and CeeLo Green Share Dr. Dre–Produced New Song "The King and I"". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  2. Samra, Christine; Rubin, Sam (June 3, 2022). "CeeLo Green talks honorary doctorate degree and new song with Eminem for 'Elvis' movie". KTLA. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  3. Garcia, Thania (June 16, 2022). "Eminem and CeeLo Green Share 'The King and I' From 'Elvis' Biopic Soundtrack". Variety. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  4. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Eminem". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  5. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 27, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  6. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  7. "The King and I (feat. CeeLo Green) [From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS] - Single by Eminem on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  8. "EMINEM " the King and I [ from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS ]" | (Radio Date: 24/06/2022)".
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