Radioactive (Kings of Leon song)

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"Radioactive"
Single by Kings of Leon
from the album Come Around Sundown
ReleasedSeptember 14, 2010 (2010-09-14)
Recorded2010
GenreSouthern rock[1]
Length3:27
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)Caleb Followill
Nathan Followill
Jared Followill
Matthew Followill
Producer(s)Angelo Petraglia
Jacquire King
Kings of Leon singles chronology
"Crawl"
(2009) 		"Radioactive"
(2010) 		"Pyro"
(2010)

"Radioactive" is a song by American rock band Kings of Leon, and was the first single released from their 2010 album Come Around Sundown.

The song, along with its accompanying music video, premiered on September 8 on the Kings' website. The following day, it received its official radio premiere on Australian radio, and debuted on US Alternative Radio on September 13. The song was released on US iTunes on September 14, and released at a later date in remaining countries.

The song was nominated for the 53rd Grammy Awards in two categories: Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Rock Song. The song is used in the films I Am Number Four and Boyhood.

Music video[edit]

The music video was released on September 8, 2010 on the Kings of Leon's website. The video that was made in a sepia-tone refers to the band's origins, with a Southern rock sound.[1][2] It shows the band at a barbecue with a gospel children's choir. Drummer Nathan Followill said, "Gospel music was a big part of us growing up, so to be able to come back and revisit that part of our lives at this stage in our lives is a pretty special thing."[3]

NME named Radioactive's music video the second worst music video ever, commenting, "The music industry gasped in disbelief as the Oklahoma boys leapt into a muddled mise-en-scene of questionable racial subtext."[4]

Live performances[edit]

Kings of Leon performed the song on Saturday Night Live on October 23, 2010 and on Late Show with David Letterman on October 25, 2010.[5][6] On November 25, 2010, the band gave a mini-concert in New York for The Today Show during which they performed a three-song set including "Radioactive".[7] They also sang it on May 13, 2011 on VH1 Storytellers.[8]

Track listings[edit]

Digital download
  1. "Radioactive" - 3:27
UK 2-track CD single
  1. "Radioactive" - 3:27
  2. "Radioactive (Remix Featuring West Angeles Mass Choir)" - 3:33

Chart performance[edit]

"Radioactive" debuted and peaked at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has since re-entered the chart at number 65 upon the release of the album.

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[35] Platinum 70,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel[edit]

  • Caleb - lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Nathan - drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Matthew - lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jared - bass, percussion
  • Jacquire King - percussion, backing vocals

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Peter de Saint Phalle (September 8, 2010). "Kings Of Leon 'Radioactive' Video Pays Tribute To Band's Southern Roots". MTV. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  2. ^ Staff (September 17, 2010). "Kings of Leon, 'Radioactive'". Billboard. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  3. ^ Goodman, William (September 8, 2010). "WATCH: Kings of Leon Debut 'Radioactive' Video!". Spin. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  4. ^ "50 Worst Music Videos Ever". NME. IPC Media. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  5. ^ McGee, Ryan (October 24, 2010). "Recap: 'Saturday Night Live' - Emma Stone and Kings of Leon". HitFix. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  6. ^ "Kings of Leon bring "Radioactive" to Letterman". Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  7. ^ "Kings of Leon perform "Radioactive" on the Today Show". Nova. December 1, 2010. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  8. ^ Becque, Elien (May 11, 2011). "Video: First Look at 'Radioactive'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  9. ^ "Kings Of Leon – Radioactive". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  10. ^ "Kings Of Leon – Radioactive" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  11. ^ "Kings Of Leon – Radioactive" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  12. ^ "Kings Of Leon – Radioactive" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  13. ^ "Kings of Leon Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  14. ^ "Kings Of Leon – Radioactive" (in Danish). Tracklisten.
  15. ^ "Billboard". Billboard.
  16. ^ "Kings Of Leon – Radioactive" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  17. ^ "Chart Track: Week 38, 2010". Irish Singles Chart.
  18. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  19. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Kings Of Leon" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  20. ^ "Kings Of Leon – Radioactive" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  21. ^ "Kings Of Leon – Radioactive". Top 40 Singles.
  22. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  23. ^ "Kings Of Leon – Radioactive". Singles Top 100.
  24. ^ "Kings Of Leon – Radioactive". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  25. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  26. ^ "Kings of Leon Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  27. ^ "Kings of Leon Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
  28. ^ "Kings of Leon Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
  29. ^ "Kings of Leon Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
  30. ^ "End of Year 2010" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  31. ^ "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  32. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  33. ^ "Alternative Songs – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  34. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2011". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  35. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
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