King of Pain

Sting

About King of Pain

"King of Pain" is a song by English rock band The Police, released as the final single from their fifth and final studio album Synchronicity (1983). Written by the band's lead singer and bassist Sting as a post-separation song from his wife, "King of Pain" conjures up symbols of pain and relates them to a man's soul. A&M Records released "King of Pain" as the album's fourth single in the UK, while in many other countries it was released as the second single. The song received acclaim from music critics, many of whom praised Sting's lyrics and cited the song as a highlight from Synchronicity. It reached No. 3 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in October 1983, and No. 1 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart for five weeks in August 1983. In the United Kingdom, it reached No. 17 in January 1984. Multiple artists have covered "King of Pain". Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette covered the track for her MTV Unplugged album (1999) and released it as the second single from the album. 


Year:
1991
2,241 
#7

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There's a little black spot on the sun today
It's the same old thing as yesterday
There's a black hat caught in a high tree top
There's a flag-pole rag and the wind won't stop

I have stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain
I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain
There's a little black spot on the sun today
That's my soul up there
It's the same old thing as yesterday
That's my soul up there
There's a black hat caught in a high tree top
That's my soul up there
There's a flag-pole rag and the wind won't stop
That's my soul up there
I have stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain
I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain
There's a fossil that's trapped in a high cliff wall
That's my soul up there
There's a dead salmon frozen in a waterfall
That's my soul up there
There's a blue whale beached by a springtime's ebb
That's my soul up there
There's a butterfly trapped in a spider's web
That's my soul up there
I have stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain
I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain
There's a king on a throne with his eyes torn out
There's a blind man looking for a shadow of doubt
There's a rich man sleeping on a golden bed
There's a skeleton choking on a crust of bread
King of pain

There's a red fox torn by a huntsman's pack
That's my soul up there
There's a black-winged gull with a broken back
That's my soul up there
There's a little black spot on the sun today
It's the same old thing as yesterday

I have stood here before in the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain
I guess I always thought you could end this reign
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain
King of pain
King of pain
King of pain
I'll always be king of pain

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Sting

Gordon Matthew Thomas SumnerCBE (born 2 October 1951), known by his stage name Sting, is an English musician, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, activist, actor and philanthropist. Prior to starting his solo career, he was the principal songwriter, lead singer and bassist for the rock band The Police. more »

20 fans

Written by: Gordon Sumner

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Band and Members
"King of Pain" is a song by the British rock band "The Police". The group's members include Sting (real name Gordon Sumner) as vocalist and bassist, the drummer Stewart Copeland, and guitarist Andy Summers.
Album and Release
This song is a part of their fifth and final studio album, "Synchronicity", which was released in 1983. "King of Pain" was released as a single in 1983.
Song Position
"King of Pain" is the second track on the second side of the "Synchronicity" album.
Chart Performance
The song reached the number three spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and number one on the Billboard Top Tracks chart. In the U.K., it reached number 17.
Songwriting
The song was written by Sting, who said that the song's inspiration came to him while he was looking at the sun.
Genre
The song is generally classified as New Wave, Post-Punk and Reggae Rock music.
Song Meaning
"King of Pain" is known for its metaphor-laden lyrics regarding Sting's painful separation from his first wife, Frances Tomelty. It is a song about depression, alienation, and feeling pain.
Music Video
The music video for "King of Pain" features all three members of the group playing in an outdoor setting, with various shots of nature and animals interspersed throughout the video.
Cover Versions
Since its release, various artists have covered "King of Pain," including Alanis Morissette, whose version appeared on her 2005 album "The Collection."
Sting's Personal View
Sting has frequently referred to "King of Pain" as the song he is proudest of from his time with The Police.

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