Play (Jax Jones and Years & Years song)

"Play" is a song by English DJ Jax Jones and English band Years & Years, released as a single on 28 November 2018. It was included on Jones' Snacks EP. Sung by Olly Alexander, it is Jones' first track to feature male lead vocals since 2016's "House Work".^[1] The song is also included on the track listing of Years & Years' second studio album Palo Santo, rereleased the same day as the single.^[2]

"Play"
Single by Jax Jones and Years & Years
from the EP Snacks
Released	28 November 2018 (2018-11-28)
Genre	Deep house
Length	3:06
Label	Polydor
Songwriter(s)	Timucin Aluo Olly Alexander Mark Ralph Uzoechi Emenike
Producer(s)	Jax Jones Mark Ralph
Jax Jones singles chronology
"Ring Ring" (2018) "Play" (2018) "All Day and Night" (2019)
Years & Years singles chronology
"All for You" (2018) "Play" (2018) "Valentino" (2019)

Music video

The music video for the song depicts Jax Jones and Olly Alexander at a superstore, wherein they dance around on a conveyor belt while dodging food items. There are also fairly brief scenes of Jax as a cashier in the same store at the beginning and end of the video.

Background

Jones stated that he wanted to work with Olly Alexander of Years & Years because of his "unique voice", later saying "it was great to collaborate with someone so down to earth and open to new ideas." On working together, Alexander said the pair "giggled the whole time and danced around. I wrote loads of ideas and then we picked the ones we liked and made the song out of it."^[3]

Critical reception

Gay Times writer Daniel Megarry called the chorus "infectious" and labelled its sound UK garage, soul and house.^[3]

Cover art

The Vodafone Big Top 40 called the cover art a parody of Play-Doh.^[4]

Promotion

Jones announced the collaboration on 26 November 2018, revealing the song would be released two days later.^[1]

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2018–19) Peak position Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[5] 13 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[6] 46 Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[7] 48 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[8] 18 Hungary (Single Top 40)[9] 35 Ireland (IRMA)[10] 19 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[11] 22 Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[12] 26 Romania (Airplay 100)[13] 48 Scotland (OCC)[14] 9 Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[15] 50 UK Singles (OCC)[16] 8 UK Dance (OCC)[17] 1 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[18] 34

Year-end charts Chart (2019) Position Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[19] 47

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[20]	Gold	20,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[21]	Platinum	20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[22]	Platinum	600,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.