Koningslied

The Koningslied (English: King's Song) is a song written for the investiture of prince Willem-Alexander as King of the Netherlands on 30 April 2013. Upon release on request of the Nationaal Comité Inhuldiging (National Committee Inauguration), the song was met with tough criticism and as a result of the criticism Ewbank withdrew the Koningslied on 20 April 2013.[1] Nevertheless, the Nationaal Comité Inhuldiging confirmed on 22 April 2013 the song would be used as part of the investiture.[2]

"Koningslied"
Single by Various artists
ReleasedApril 19, 2013
GenreNederpop, Nederhop
Length5:07
LabelUniversal
Songwriter(s)John Ewbank
Producer(s)John Ewbank

Background, release and controversy

John Ewbank composed the music and wrote the lyrics using suggestions that were sent in during a participation project through Dutch social media and the official website of the inauguration.[3] Artists that cooperated on writing the song are Ali B, Bollebof, Daphne Deckers, Fouradi, Lange Frans, Guus Meeuwis, Kraantje Pappie, Gers Pardoel, and Jack Poels.

The Koningslied was released on 19 April 2013. Soon after its release it reached the first position on the iTunes download chart. The song quickly gained heavy criticism. The music, the rap part and the lyrics were fiercely criticized and ridiculed.[4] The same day, an online petition to get rid of the song was started by journalist Sylvia Witteman and was signed 20,000 times. It passed the 40,000 mark a few days later.[5] Alternative King's Songs were released on YouTube soon after.[6][7][8] As a result of the criticism Ewbank withdrew the Koningslied on 20 April 2013.[1] The Nationaal Comité Inhuldiging confirmed on 22 April 2013 the song would be used as part of the investiture.[2]

The song cost €550000, which was paid by the Nederlanse Publieke Omroep (Dutch Public Broadcasting Company).

Performance for King Willem-Alexander

The Nationaal Comité Inhuldiging originally intended that the song would be sung on 30 April 2013 for Willem-Alexander in one central place in all the provinces of the Netherlands and in each of the countries of the Netherlands Antilles.[9] This did not happen because of a lack in interest in Maastricht and Assen. In Utrecht, no license was given for the event and in Zwolle the DJ forgot to play the song.[9] The performance of the song in Rotterdam Ahoy by 33 of the participating artists was broadcast on two videoscreens in Amsterdam for Willem-Alexander and Máxima.[9]

Cooperating artists

Rob de Nijs withdrew after reading the song's lyrics.[10]

References
  1. Volkskrant: John Ewbank withdraws Koningslied (in Dutch)
  2. Telegraaf: Comité: Koningslied blijft (in Dutch)
  3. Koningslied official release (in Dutch)
  4. Marco Borsato shocked by criticism on Koningslied (in Dutch), Algemeen Dagblad, 20 April 2013
  5. 20.000 signatures against Koningslied (in Dutch), NU.nl, 20 April 2013 (ANP)
  6. Kings' Song in German Archived 2013-05-03 at the Wayback Machine, Nationaal Comité Inhuldiging, 29 April 2013
  7. Alternative Koningslied embraced (in Dutch)
  8. Rotterdams poet writes alternative Koningslied on YouTube (in Dutch)
  9. Geen Koningslied in drie provincies (in Dutch), Nederlandse Omroep Stichting, 30 April 2013
    Zwolle vergeet mee te zingen met het Koningslied Archived 2014-12-18 at the Wayback Machine (in Dutch), RTV Oost, 30 April 2013
  10. Opium op TV (3:50 minutes into the program) (in Dutch), AVRO, 20 April 2013
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