Feature Photo: Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0
The Kings of Leon have built a reputation as one of the most dynamic rock bands of the 21st century, blending Southern rock, alternative, and arena-ready anthems into a globally recognized sound. Originating from Nashville, Tennessee, the band is composed of brothers Caleb Followill (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Nathan Followill (drums, percussion), and Jared Followill (bass guitar, keyboards), alongside their cousin Matthew Followill (lead guitar, backing vocals). This tight-knit familial dynamic has been at the heart of their music, which is often characterized by themes of personal struggle, relationships, and introspection.
The band’s journey began in 1999, heavily influenced by their Southern Pentecostal upbringing. Their father, a preacher, and their mother, a church-supporting teacher, exposed them to gospel music and rigorous touring across the South, which laid the groundwork for their distinctive sound and work ethic. After stepping away from their religious roots, the Followill brothers moved toward a more secular musical path, signing with RCA Records in 2002. Their debut EP, Holy Roller Novocaine (2003), introduced their gritty, Southern-tinged style and received critical acclaim for its raw energy and authenticity.
Kings of Leon’s first full-length album, Youth and Young Manhood (2003), was both a critical and commercial success, with singles like “Molly’s Chambers” and “Red Morning Light” gaining traction. Their early sound, marked by a mix of garage rock and Southern blues, set them apart from their contemporaries and established a devoted fanbase. The success continued with their sophomore effort, Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004), featuring tracks like “The Bucket” and “King of the Rodeo,” which expanded their audience and showcased their evolving artistry.
By 2007, the band’s third album, Because of the Times, marked a shift toward more expansive and polished production. Singles like “On Call” hinted at the arena-rock ambitions that would define their later work. However, it was their fourth album, Only by the Night (2008), that catapulted them to superstardom. Anchored by the ubiquitous hits “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody,” the album topped charts worldwide and earned the band multiple Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year for “Use Somebody.” This release solidified Kings of Leon as a household name and one of the leading rock acts of their generation.
Over their career, Kings of Leon have released eight studio albums, including Come Around Sundown (2010), Mechanical Bull (2013), and Walls (2016). Each release has seen the band balancing experimentation with their signature sound, with tracks like “Radioactive” and “Waste a Moment” continuing to resonate with fans. Their most recent album, When You See Yourself (2021), reflects a mature, introspective phase of their career while maintaining the emotive power that defines their music.
Kings of Leon’s accolades include four Grammy Awards, three NME Awards, and two BRIT Awards, among others. Their ability to bridge genres and appeal to diverse audiences has been a key factor in their success. Beyond their music, the band has been involved in charitable efforts, including their support for Live Earth and the creation of the Followill Family Foundation, which focuses on education and community development in the Southern United States.
The enduring appeal of Kings of Leon lies in their authenticity, electrifying live performances, and the deeply personal connection they share as a family band. Their music has not only captured the spirit of their Southern roots but has also pushed the boundaries of modern rock, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
Complete List Of Kings Of Leon Songs From A to Z
- 17 – Only by the Night – 2008
- 100,000 People – When You See Yourself – 2021
- A Wave – When You See Yourself – 2021
- Actual Daydream – Can We Please Have Fun – 2024
- Arizona – Because of the Times – 2007
- Around the World – Walls – 2016
- Back Down South – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- Ballerina Radio – Can We Please Have Fun – 2024
- Be Somebody – Only by the Night – 2008
- Beach Side – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- Beautiful War – Mechanical Bull – 2013
- Beneath the Surface – Only by the Night – 2008
- Birthday – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- Black Thumbnail – Because of the Times – 2007
- California Waiting – Youth & Young Manhood – 2003
- Camaro – Because of the Times – 2007
- Celebration – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- Charmer – Because of the Times – 2007
- Claire & Eddie – When You See Yourself – 2021
- Closer – Only by the Night – 2008
- Closer (The Presets Remix) – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- Cold Desert – Only by the Night – 2008
- Comeback Story – Mechanical Bull – 2013
- Coming Back Again – Mechanical Bull – 2013
- Conversation Piece – Walls – 2016
- Crawl – Only by the Night – 2008
- Day Old Blues – Aha Shake Heartbreak – 2004
- Don’t Matter – Mechanical Bull – 2013
- Don’t Stop the Bleeding – Can We Please Have Fun – 2024
- Dusty – Youth & Young Manhood – 2003
- Ease Me On – Can We Please Have Fun – 2024
- Echoing – When You See Yourself – 2021
- Eyes on You – Walls – 2016
- Fairytale – When You See Yourself – 2021
- Family Tree – Mechanical Bull – 2013
- Fans – Because of the Times – 2007
- Find Me – Walls – 2016
- Four Kicks – Aha Shake Heartbreak – 2004
- Four Kicks (Live) – Day Old Belgian Blues EP – 2006
- Frontier City – Only by the Night – 2008
- Genius – Youth & Young Manhood – 2003
- Golden Restless Age – When You See Yourself – 2021
- Happy Alone – Youth & Young Manhood – 2003
- Hesitation Gen – Can We Please Have Fun – 2024
- Holy Roller Novocaine – Youth & Young Manhood – 2003
- I Want You – Only by the Night – 2008
- Joe’s Head – Youth & Young Manhood – 2003
- King of the Rodeo – Aha Shake Heartbreak – 2004
- Knocked Up – Because of the Times – 2007
- Last Mile Home – Mechanical Bull – 2013
- M Television – Can We Please Have Fun – 2024
- Manhattan – Only by the Night – 2008
- Mary – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- McFearless – Because of the Times – 2007
- Mi Amigo – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- Milk – Aha Shake Heartbreak – 2004
- Molly’s Chambers – Youth & Young Manhood – 2003
- Molly’s Chambers (Live) – Day Old Belgian Blues EP – 2006
- Muchacho – Walls – 2016
- Mustang – Can We Please Have Fun – 2024
- My Party – Because of the Times – 2007
- My Third House – Because of the Times – 2007
- No Money – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- Nothing to Do – Can We Please Have Fun – 2024
- Notion – Only by the Night – 2008
- Nowhere to Run – Can We Please Have Fun – 2024
- On Call – Because of the Times – 2007
- On Call (AOL Music Sessions) – Because of the Times – 2007
- On the Chin – Mechanical Bull – 2013
- Over – Walls – 2016
- Pickup Truck – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- Pistol of Fire – Aha Shake Heartbreak – 2004
- Pony Up – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- Pyro – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- Radioactive – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- Radioactive (Remix) (featuring the West Angeles Mass Choir) – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- Rainbow Ball – Can We Please Have Fun – 2024
- Ragoo – Because of the Times – 2007
- Razz – Aha Shake Heartbreak – 2004
- Red Morning Light – Youth & Young Manhood – 2003
- Rememo – Aha Shake Heartbreak – 2004
- Reverend – Walls – 2016
- Revelry – Only by the Night – 2008
- Rock City – Mechanical Bull – 2013
- Seen – Can We Please Have Fun – 2024
- Sex on Fire – Only by the Night – 2008
- Slow Night, So Long – Aha Shake Heartbreak – 2004
- Soft – Aha Shake Heartbreak – 2004
- Soft (Live) – Day Old Belgian Blues EP – 2006
- Split Screen – Can We Please Have Fun – 2024
- Spiral Staircase – Youth & Young Manhood – 2003
- Stormy Weather – When You See Yourself – 2021
- Supermarket – When You See Yourself – 2021
- Supersoaker – Mechanical Bull – 2013
- Talihina Sky – Youth & Young Manhood – 2003
- Taper Jean Girl – Aha Shake Heartbreak – 2004
- Taper Jean Girl (Live) – Day Old Belgian Blues EP – 2006
- Temple – Mechanical Bull – 2013
- The Bandit – When You See Yourself – 2021
- The Bucket – Aha Shake Heartbreak – 2004
- The Bucket (CSS Remix) – Only by the Night – 2008
- The Bucket (Live) – Day Old Belgian Blues EP – 2006
- The End – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- The Face – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- The Immortals – Come Around Sundown – 2010
- The Runner – Because of the Times – 2007
- Time in Disguise – When You See Yourself – 2021
- Tonight – Mechanical Bull – 2013
- Trani – Youth & Young Manhood – 2003
- Trani (Live) – Day Old Belgian Blues EP – 2006
- Trunk – Because of the Times – 2007
- True Love Way – Because of the Times – 2007
- Use Somebody – Only by the Night – 2008
- Velvet Snow – Aha Shake Heartbreak – 2004
- Wait for Me – Mechanical Bull – 2013
- Walls – Walls – 2016
- Waste a Moment – Walls – 2016
- Wasted Time – Youth & Young Manhood – 2003
- When You See Yourself, Are You Far Away – When You See Yourself – 2021
- Where Nobody Knows – Aha Shake Heartbreak – 2004
- Wicker Chair – Holy Roller Novocaine EP – 2003
- Wild – Walls – 2016
- Work On Me – Mechanical Bull – 2013
Albums
Youth & Young Manhood (2003): 12 songs
Holy Roller Novocaine EP (2003): 1 unique song (other 4 songs appear on Youth & Young Manhood)
Aha Shake Heartbreak (2004): 13 songs
Day Old Belgian Blues EP (2006): 6 live versions of previously released songs
Because of the Times (2007): 15 songs
Only by the Night (2008): 14 songs
Come Around Sundown (2010): 16 songs
Mechanical Bull (2013): 13 songs
Walls (2016): 10 songs
When You See Yourself (2021): 11 songs
Can We Please Have Fun (2024): 12 songs
Check out our fantastic and entertaining Kings Of Leon articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
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