Album: Synchronicity (1983)

Charted: 7 8

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• You consider me the young apprentice
  Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes
  Hypnotized by you if I should linger
  Staring at the ring around your finger
  
  I have only come here seeking knowledge
  Things they would not teach me of in college
  I can see the destiny you sold turned into a shining band of gold
  
  I'll be wrapped around your finger
  I'll be wrapped around your finger
  Mephistopheles is not your name
  I know what you're up to just the same
  I will listen hard to your tuition
  You will see it come to its fruition
  I'll be wrapped around your finger
  I'll be wrapped around your finger
  
  Devil and the deep blue sea behind me
  Vanish in the air you'll never find me
  I will turn your face to alabaster
  When you'll find your servant is your master
  
  You'll be wrapped around my finger
  You'll be wrapped around my finger
  You'll be wrapped around my finger Writer/s: Gordon Sumner
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 48

• Tiomothy Stone from UsaIf you read Carl Gustav Jung's autobiography, you would recognize this song is the story of Jung and Sigmond Freud's relationship. All the verses and references are easily plugged into that story. I have seen two different interviews of Sting, and he gave two different answers to the meaning of the song.
• Dumb"Brazilian band called Skank made a Spanish cover of this song called "Estare Prendido En Tus Dedos"
  
  Brazil speaks PORTUGUESE, not spanish, and the band that made that version was Gipsy kings which was french
• Rob Adams from Buford, GeorgiaI always heard "getting attacked by you if I should linger" instead of "hypnotized by you if I should linger."
• Jeanie from Santa Rosa, CaThis song is about the story of Faust. It's really clear if you know the story.
• Timothy C. Stone from VtThis song is about the relationship between C. G. Jung and Sigmund Freud. I can plug in the historic facts if you wish.
• Angeltoes from HeavenAnother tribute to Aleister Crowley. Rings are often used in magic. Yawn.
• Seventhmist from 7th HeavenI long thought he sang "I will turn your flesh to alabaster," because Sting slurs the word "face" a bit.
• Joe from Santa MariaTommy from Texas has it absolutely right in his interpretation of Sting saying he feels he is caught between a rock and a hard place. I know it's true because Casey Kasem said the exact same thing on American Top Forty sometime early in the eighties.
• Tim Stone from VtThe song is obviously about Carl G. Jung and his relationship with Freud. All the historical facts can be plugged into the lyrics.
• Sophia from ColombiaI always thought that this song was about falling for one's teacher/tutor/master/whatever, who was older and also married ("staring at the ring around your finger", "I have only come here seeking knowledge, Things they would not teach me of in college, I can see the destiny you sold turned into a shining band of gold"). This meaning I gave to this song made it very special for me, as I have been on that kind of situation.
• Tim Stone from VtThis song is actually about Carl Gustav Jung's relationship with Sigmund Freud. Honestly it is. I researched it in college.
  
• Barbara from U.s.a.This is my favorite song written by Sting because for me its personal. If there was a song that described my struggle with certain people who thought they were above me this would be it.
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 4th 1984, the Police play the final concert of their 'Synchronicity' world tour*; the concert was at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds in Melbourne, Australia...
  At the time the trio's "Wrapped Around Your Finger" was at #11 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and seven days earlier on February 26th, 1984 it had peaked at #8 for one week...
  The song was also the final one in their twenty-four song set list...
  * They would not tour again until May of 2007; the tour was named 'The Police Reunion Tour' and it ended in November 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 26th 1984, "Wrapped Around Your Finger" by the Police peaked at #8 (for 1 week) on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; it had entered the chart on January 1st at position #61 and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
  And on July 30th, 1983 it reached #1 (for 3 weeks) on the Irish Top Singles chart...
  Between 1978 and 1997 the trio had thirteen records on the Top 100; with four making the Top and one peaking at #1, and their #1 record was "Every Breath You Take" for 8 weeks in 1983...
  Their first entry on the Top 100 was "Roxanne" (it peaked at #32 in 1978) and it was also their last record to make the chart when it re-entered the Top 100 in 1997 (that time it reached #59).
• Amanda from Melbourne, AustraliaIt's simple - It's about someone turning the tables in a relationship. Turning one's face to Alabaster (White, Pale from shock) when one finds their servant is now their master. Love this song.
• James from Ventura, CaThough I'm probably stating the obvious here, it hasn't been mentioned yet - 'devil and the deep blue sea' is a callback to the first verse with Scylla (A demon) and Charibdes (a whirlpool - the deep blue sea).
• Tommy from Texas, TxThe line "Caught between Scylla and Charibdes" while it does relate to mythology, in this case it is how he feels, he is caught between a rock and a hard place in the fact that she is married, but he is hooked on her...
• Tommy from Texas, TxThe woman is teaching the young man how to be a good lover, and she is at first just having a fling with a younger man...In the end tho it becomes much more to her...She is the one who ends up being wrapped around his finger..
• Jibri from Muskegon, MiReggatta, you almost ruined a great song. I want what you smoke. I agree with the others that Sting is a genius but man( figure of speech), com'on. All I know is that it's a forever classic that young folks today would not appreciate. Just listening to it makes me sad where music today is heading. The only band that barely touched them in songs like this one is the Dave Matthew's Band.
• Thegripester from Wellington, New ZealandStudents of German literature will recognize the references to "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" by Goethe. The apprentice meddles with the sorcerer's magic and unleashes destruction, a metaphor for the impending technological age foreseen in the late 18th-century. Frankenstein is another such work.
• Miz Lady from Oakland, CaThere is also some T.S. Elliot too! LOL
• Miz Lady from Oakland, CaI think we're all right Regatta...lol. Sting is a teacher so Goethe, Marlow and The Illiad and Dark Ages Mythology. Sting is a genius and he makes you do your homework in every line of every song.
• Rhonda from Ocala, FlWrapped Around Your Finger lyrics
  
  You consider me the young apprentice
  Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes. (this is a married couple)(symbolic)
  Hypnotized by you if I should linger (attracted to a beautiful woman)
  Staring at the ring around your finger. (she's married)
  I have only come here seeking knowledge,(lieing to himself)
  Things they would not teach me of in college.
  I can see the destiny you sold (the road less traveled)
  turned into a shining band of gold.(she got married and is dissatified with her life)
  I'll be wrapped around your finger.(if I stay I'll be sucked in by you)
  I'll be wrapped around your finger.
  Mephistopheles is not your name,( I know your not evil)
  But I know what you're up to just the same.(you are trying to entice me because you are dissatified and lonely seeking relief in the wrong place)
  I will listen hard to your tuition,(he's going for it.Older woman young man,he doesn't want to resist)
  And you will see it come to it's fruition.(it's just an affair and sooner or later it will be over)
  I'll be wrapped around your finger.(young men love sex,what can he say?)
  I'll be wrapped around your finger.
  Devil and the deep blue sea behind me (he;s taking a chance her husband won't find out)
  Vanish in the air you'll never find me.When it's over it's over,for HIM.
  I will turn your face to alabaster,( you will become a beautiful memory.)
  Then you'll find your servant is your master, (but you will yearn for me.Your life is stilll juast as sad. You will live in your memorys.)
  And you'll be wrapped around my finger.( metiforic.)
  I'll be wrapped around your finger.(we have a history. It happened)
  You'll be wrapped around my finger.(we have a history. It happened)
  I'll be wrapped around your finger.....(we have a history. It happened)
• Doug from Jenison, MiI have always believed this song was about the writings of Carlos Casteneda
• Amanda from Albany, Gaok..let me get the lyrics right...lol....here we go....
  
  
  "I have only come here seeking knowledge,
  
  Things they would not teach me of in college.
  
  I can see the destiny you sold
  
  turned into a shining band of gold."
  
  "Mephistopheles is not your name,
  
  But I know what you're up to just the same.
  
  I will listen hard to your tuition,
  
  And you will see it come to it's fruition."
  
  
• Amanda from Albany, GaMephistopheles made a pact with the devil for knowledge....hence the line "mephistopheles is not your name...But I know all about you just the same...I can see the destiny you sold...Turn into a shining band of gold..."
• Shauna from Seattle, WaI have loved this song since I was a little girl (I'm 28) I always imagined it was like Rebekah said , about an affair with an older woman and a younger man ... I am fascinated to read all these other ideas and suggestions :)
• Chance from Port Washington, WiI submit that to "turn your face to alabaster" is to turn one's face white with fear, an image which dovetails beautifully with the next line, "Then you'll find your servant is your master". I agree with Rebekah above and her take on the song. Wrapped around your finger is a chilling song about a man who has had enough and decisively moves from being under the control of a woman to the one in control.
• Christina from Brooklyn, MdMephistopheles is Greek for the Devil-" a demon."
• John from Auburn, MaRegatta is right. I don't remember where I heard the same, but I know that I did, and it was when the song originally came out in 1983 or so. I believe "I will turn your face to alabaster" does mean somehow making them into stone, and the line about Mephistopheles is simply saying that the person being talked about in the song is not the Devil, but they know what they're "up to, just the same." And the band of gold - well of course it's a sign of bondage to someone. The ring is referenced earlier in "staring at the ring around your finger." Great explanation RdB!
• Tony from Detroit, MiI do know, that police/sting songs are indeed VERY deep, and are NOT to be taken superficially, BUT, Reggatta De Blanc, I think you dug too deep. You're thinking too much on this one. No insults intended. Though, if Sting himself confirmed your story, I probably wouldn't be too suprised. He's a HELL of a song writer.
• Cheryl from Hillsboro, Orwhat was on the flip side of rudolph the rednose raindeer by gene autry?
• Dave from Cardiff, WalesDuane - the Police's last hit was the 1986 remix of "Don't Stand So Close To Me"
• Abc from New York City, NyHmm, interesting theory about WOYF. But I think Sting doesn't always have to have a single source for his references in any song. He has a habit of taking "bits and bobs" if I may paraphrase him. The Merlin bit is interesting, though, I wonder if "Faust" was inspired by Merlin tales(?). Sometimes I wish I could just pull Sting out of the blue like Woody Allen does with Marshall MacLuen in "Annie Hall", just to set the record (no pun intended) straight.
• Reggatta De Blanc from Salt Lake City, UtYou all are full of crap. I did my homework and found the answer. Incredible. This song is "sung" by Nimue, Merlin's female apprentice. Line by line, if you study the lyrics of "Wrapped around Your Finger", you will find it tells of Merlin and Nimue's relationship brilliantly.
  
  Scylla was beautiful maiden transformed into a monster sometimes described as having six dogs' heads on long necks. Scylla's cave was in a seaside cliff overlooking a strait that also harbored a phenomenal whirlpool called
  Charybdis. The twin perils are memorialized in the expression "between Scylla and Charybdis".
  This choice of equally dreadful alternatives was presented to Odysseus on his journey Home from the Trojan war. He chose to avoid Charybdis at the expense of losing six sailors to Scylla's multiple maws.
  
  At first appearing to be about manipulating someone (possibly into marriage), only to later become committed to that person, the lyrics, under closer examination, are actually about death, and its inevitability. References can be found subliminally in many places in the song. Here's the heavy hitter. The song also relates the story of Merlin. The story varies from incarnation to incarnation, but many details are consistent: Merlin takes a female apprentice, Nimue, whom he educates in the ways of magic. She eventually learns enough to capture, imprison, or kill Merlin. Trapping him in an object such as a ring ("turned into a shining band of gold") or turning him to stone (I will turn your face to alabaster) are not unusual in various recountings. Also, the mentioning of Mephistopheles in the song is likely meant to parallel the fact that Merlin is purported to be the son of the devil. The song lyrics all describe the relationship between Nimue and Merlin. There is always a deeper meaning to The Police and Sting songs. Or just stay in your cheery ignorant bliss.
• Duane from Wheatfield, InI remember that whole year of Synchronicity, Police could do no wrong. This was kind of the kiss off from the Police for sting. I think it was their last hit. Anyone else want to help out on that.
• Steve from Torrance, CaThis song was covered by the instrumental jazz group Blue Sky on their 1987 album, "Wish I were here". Interestingly, the songwriter's credit on this album gives it to "Illegal Songs, Ltd", not to Sting.
• Johnny from Los Angeles, CaSting is great with lyrics. What an interesting song...
• Jay from Atlanta, GaI always thought they were ahead of their time with the slow-motion-lip-synch. Coldplay used the same technique for the video "Yellow".
• Homzd from O-town, NvI know there is a story written by a philosopher about a lowly servant who over time is able to turn the tables on his owner and "tricking" him into believing that he is the servant. What is driving me crazy is that I can't think of the persons name who wrote it.
• Susan from Airdrie, CanadaI always think of this song having a mystical, medieval type of setting to it. I picture a young man who comes to a wizard and is apprenticed by him; who is patronizing to the young man, selfishly guarding his greatest secrets to himself, perhaps making the young man needlessly slave for him. However the young man (who also is a bit arrogant and ambitious), learning from the wizard perhaps leaves and then returns to seek vengeance on the selfish wizard, turning his old master into his slave. Actually, the line "vanish in the air, you'll never find me" reminds me of Apparating in the Harry Potter books!
• John from Levittown, NyDevil and the deep blue sea behind me is another nautical term. The devil was the center bean of a a wooden ship, and oiling it entailed being literaly suspended between the devil and the deep blue sea, which has since come to be akin to caught between a rock and a hard place.
• Rebekah from Fresno County, CaI imagine this song is about a May-December affair between a younger man and married woman. Seems to say that, though she'd distroyed or hurt many before him, he would be differnt. She would eventually be enslaved by him.
• Brett from Anchorage, Akthis song reminds me of the movie "the graduate".
• Shay from Markham, CanadaMephistopheles is from the famous German play, The Tradgedy of Faust or Urfaust (original) by Goethe. He was the character representing evil, or the devil, luring Faust.
• Dave from Cardiff, WalesOnly Queen's video for Who Wants To Live Forever features as many candles as that!
• Jessica from Saint Louis, MoIf what I heard was correct, Sting was burned repeatedly by flying drops of wax during the final scene of the video. Not too hard to imagine, I guess.
• Darrin from Hilo, HiIf you notice in the video, it's lip sync'd in slow motion. To achieve this effect, the playback was speeded up and they were basically lip syncing to a sped-up version of the song.

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