{"id":3091,"date":"2026-06-23T13:01:31","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T17:01:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/?p=3091"},"modified":"2026-06-23T13:01:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T17:01:32","slug":"how-sting-turned-heartbreak-into-the-polices-1983-hit-king-of-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.songfacts.com\/articles\/how-sting-turned-heartbreak-into-the-polices-1983-hit-king-of-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"How Sting Turned Heartbreak Into The Police\u2019s 1983 Hit \u201cKing of Pain\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By 1983, there was no other band quite like The Police<\/a>. They fit into many different categories and genres at the same time. One of The Police’s strongest features was the power all three members brought to the trio. Sting was a standout songwriter while simultaneously laying down some of the smoothest bass riffs. On top of that, Sting’s unique and distinct high tenor voice carries the band and makes them instantly recognizable. Stewart Copeland’s drumming was from another planet. Never fearing to give the song too much, while giving it what it needs at the same time. Copeland blended influences of jazz, punk, and rock into a unique approach to the kit. The same goes for guitarist Andy Summers. He was doing a lot more on The Police’s songs than many realize. Rapid chord changes, high versatility, while maintaining composure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Police’s fifth and final album, Synchronicity<\/em>, was the most successful release. It hit No. 1 in the US and the UK, driven by five successful singles. The third single released was \u201cKing Of Pain\u201d, a song written by Sting during a dark time in his life. This song is the deepest you hear Sting’s writing in the band. That’s because Sting was going through a divorce at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Moment the Song Came to Sting in Jamaica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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