King Of Pain

by

The Police

Album: Synchronicity     Released: 1983

US Chart: 3      UK Chart: 17

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This is a very personal song written by Sting. He had recently separated from his first wife and was not getting along with the other 2 members of the band.

Sting wrote this in Jamaica at the house where Ian Flemming wrote the James Bond books.

Sting: "I conjured up symbols of pain and related them to my soul. A black spot on the sun struck me as being a very painful image."

This was a tough song to record. Sting didn't accept most of the suggestions from Andy Summers and Stuart Copeland.

The Police recorded this on the Caribbean Island of Monserrat. There was a great deal of tension in the band, and this was their last album.

Weird Al Yankovic recorded a parody of this song called "King of Suede." It's about a guy who is really good at selling suede. (thanks, Cliff - Burkesville, KY)

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Comments:

The story that Sting told in one of his shows is that he was having breakfast with his second and current wife Trudie Styler, and she read an item from the paper about sunspots: "There's a little black spot on the sun today." Sting answered, "That's my soul up there." Trudie laughed at him and said, "wow, listen to the King of Pain!"
- TheGripester , Wellington, New Zealand

This was my first exposure to the Police as a fourth grader. Even at that age this song grabbed me, spoke to me. The drums, the chords called out to me through my radio recorded cassette on my generic walkman and I learned about real music. I remember rewinding it so much I would run my batteries down in on day so I'd take it home and play it on my plug in and finish dreamin and crying.
- Miz Lady , Oakland, CA

To Kevin in Quebec:this defining line of the song if you listen and think. It follows the story of King Midas. He has lost the only thing that he tragically learns has ever really meant anything to him and and so is "magic touch" has left him laying in a golden bed alone in dispair - alone in anguish until death takes him. I like that line too.
- Miz Lady , Oakland, CA

Mudvayne's version of this song is great.
- Mel!ssa , Pittsburgh, PA

I consider myself fortunate in that when i first heard this song i was too young to actually judge it by it's lyrical content. I just loved hearing it, over and over, for the beautiful piece that it is. 'King Of Pain', is, and always will be etched in the imaginary mp3 soundtrack of my life. I have sung lines of this song in my head at least once a week for the last 22 years...Song writing of this calibre is very very rare and MUCH appreciated! Cheers Music lovers :-)
- Pete , Canberra, Australia

Mudvayne covered this song and it currently on their "For The People.... By The People" album. By-the-by, this is my Ultimate Anthem, the reason for that is that I am always on the receiving end of all pain, either internal and external(emotional and/ or physical).
- Christopher , Los Angeles, CA

Ringo Starr wrote the bridge for this song.
- Jay , Atlanta, GA

i can relate to this song so well because its like the story of my life. It talks about painful images and that no matter what its my destiny to be the king of pain
- ryan , albuquerque, NM

When I hear this song it reminds my of Magritte's paintings. Perhaps in KOP where everyone experiences harmony, the melancholic King of Pain experiences dischord and doom. It's a darkly obsessive song. I like to think Frank Sinatra hit on the same sense in 'Every Thing Happens To Me', on a much lighter note, of course. In a radio interview during Sting's 'Soul Cages' tour, the interviewer categorized many of Sting's songs as 'obsessive/compulsive', to which Sting replied that he was "no stranger to those feelings".
- abc , new york city, NY

I love the intellect inherent in many of Sting's lyrics. At the age of 14, "Synchronicity" actually had me grabbing a dictionary and an encyclopedia (pre-internet of course) to fully comprehend some of his brilliant songs. "King of pain" is a masterpiece to me and highly underrated as an exceptional single, especially by the in-the-know rock experts. Anything Bob Dylan ever murmurred or slurred is considered a classic but much of Sting's brilliance (I think anyway) is overlooked.
- William , Milwaukee, WY

This was what got the album cited in a trade magazine for "rock star Sting's endless fascination with rock star Sting". This was parodied by Weird Al Yankovic as "King of Suede".
- Ekristheh , Halath, United States

A remarkable song. The mental imagery is stark and breathtaking (more so as the lyric goes on), the underlying music quietly (well, until the end) disturbing in a "something's not quite right here" sort of way. And at the same time, it's a catchy pop song you can (and will) sing along with. Probably my favorite Police/Sting song of all time.
- Clarke , Pittsburgh, PA

the line that always gets me is "theres a rich man sleeping on a golden bed." I really don't know why i love this line so much but its the line that i identify most with
- kevin , quebec, Canada

This brilliance in writing can only come from experiencing an onslaught of which cannot be tampered with since it only belongs to the writer. It is a time that changes Karmic direction & is beyond courage, as you are in it & have no desire to stem the tide. Here the spirit world sits with you & craddles you as you grow in a wither. This light, this SOUL ripens you to the maturity & a hint of the magic that leads to your eternal growth & nature's enchantment. Hawk
- Christopher , Calgary, Canada

Alanis Morissette does a pretty good cover of this. Nothing can touch Sting, tho.
- rob , vancouver, Canada

I love this entire album. This is maybe my favorite song on the album. One thing that I love about the songs on "Synchronicity" is that Sting's inner teacher kind of comes out. Maybe not on purpose, but, it does none the less. Its widely known that Synchronicity is based on the studies of Carl Jung, but, he also makes references to other literary works. He refers to the Scylla and Charybdis in "Wrapped Around your Finger" which is in reference to "The Odyssey" and in this song, the line, "there's a king on a throne with his eyes torn out" could be seen as a reference to Oedipus from Sophocles' "Oedipus the King." Just thought it was interesting. Not only that, but now I can mention the greatest band in the world in my research paper!
- Matt , west springfield, MA

This album was not recorded in Monserrat, rather it was the album before this, Ghost in the Machine that was recorded in Monserrat. Another side note to the Ghost in the Machine album is that it was recorded in 10 days. The record company gave them, I think, 6 weeks or something of the such. This really wasn't that uncommon as The Police perfered to record their albums quickly because they didn't believe in spending too much time trying to make it perfect. The Police felt that if they couldn't get it right in one or two takes then they didn't do it.
- Matt , Danville, VA

This is most definitely my favorite Police song, beautifully written in terms of both words and music. In fact, this song is the reason I like the Police- I heard it on the radio, and completely loved it. Now they're one of my favorite bands.
- Matt , Pawtucket, RI

This has to be one of the best Police songs. I've always enjoyed this due to the rich lyrics and the music is well done too.
- Dee , Indianapolis, IN

Proof that serious poetry and popular music can come together in a wonderful fusion. Truly a masterpiece.
- Doug , Minneapolis, MN

This is a great song. Although it's not bright, happy..but to me, it abreact my pain in now and past. All images are in my brain. Maybe I'll draw them up in someday... 'I have stood here before inside the pouring rain With the world turning circles running 'round my brain'
- Vam , Beijing, China

Thought-provoking, as with all of The Police's songs, but this one has the most haunting imagery. A black hat caught in a high tree-top? Beautiful!
- steph , Ottawa, Canada

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