The Worst Song in the World: The Klittens on the royalist abomination that drives them mad
When it comes to the thorny issue of our continued bloody existence, there aren’t many things we’ve come up with that can be considered both the best and the worst elements of it. Music, however, is one of them. There are songs out there so brilliant they can make you believe in God and tracks so insidious that you grow certain that the Devil has defeated him. The worst song in the world, according to The Klittens, is a perfect example of this.
The Amsterdam five-piece’s own indie output is anything but insidious. While it might have a bite and a certain obliqueness, showcased in murky singles like ‘Atlas’ and ‘Canned Air’, there’s a melodic prettiness to their sound that even in the melancholic moments leaves you assured that life might be sad sometimes, but it is always beautiful. This is further exhibited on the forthcoming single ‘Reading Material’, set for release on January 22nd.
That sense of light and shade was also equally displayed when we asked them about the song they hate most in the world. In doing so, they drove a spear through the heart of their detestable royals, but they did so with a smile. The track in question was ‘Koningslied’ by John Ewbank.
And here’s what they had to say about it: “In the Netherlands, we have a monarchy, which we (peasants) cherish about just as much as you do yours. For the inauguration of our new king in 2013, the country’s best and brightest were commissioned to combine their voices with those of the Dutch people.”
This level of piercing sarcasm continued when the Klittens bared their claws and continued: “The result was a beautiful song, meant to not only commemorate the occasion but to be sung in unison by a proud nation. For a mere 500,000 euros, we, as a people, get to enjoy lyrical gems like ‘I will watch while you sleep‘ and ‘I save you from the storm‘. Mind you, we are not entirely sure who is watching who here.”
This frankly creepy lyricism isn’t the only fault they find in ‘Koningslied’, a song almost purposefully designed to be problematically divisive. They conclude: “It even has its own signature move with a: ‘The W of Willem, Three fingers in the air, come on’. And the accompanying music is just as tasteful, a mix between ’90s inspired ballads and hip hop, with just the right amount of violin…”
So, it’s not only a tax-funded royalist anthem; it’s a tax-funded royalist anthem that attempts to be cool. The Klittens demand that it gets in the sea, and, on this occasion, we support the band’s claim to cast it onto the ash heap of history.
You can check out all things The Klittens here.
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