[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
The Police — King of Pain
Album: Syncronicity
Avg rating:
7.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1864









Released: 1983
Length: 4:51
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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 the 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 springtide'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.

There's a red fox torn by a huntmen'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 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.
King of pain
King of pain, king of pain, I always be king of pain...
Comments (55)add comment
"Actually, it was something I said. I'd just left my first wife – a
very painful break – and I went to Jamaica to try and pull myself
together. I was fortunate to be able to go to Jamaica, I have to say,
and stayed at this nice house and was looking at the sun one day. I was
with Trudie who is now my current wife and said 'Look, there's a little
black spot on the sun today'. And there's a pause. I said, 'That's my
soul up there'. I was full of hyperbole. I said that! I went back in and
wrote it down on a piece of stuff, and wrote some other stuff."
— Sting, In The Studio Radio Show
Sting Discography
 Danimal174 wrote:

I don't see how this song is not rated higher on here. It's amazing. 




IDK.   I am confounded by that also!

I don't see how this song is not rated higher on here. It's amazing. 
 xkolibuul wrote:
Read the rating and weep.  Among their very best.
 
On another note, "We Built This City", "Achy Breaky Heart", "Kokomo", and "Ice Ice Baby" all were #1 hits.  I don't think that says a whole lot about their artistic merit.
I love the drumming on this track.  :-)
Excellent!! Especially in FLAC w/ great studio phones, amp & DAC! Thank You RP!  
What a fucking good sound. Hit hat and ride of Stewart are so precise and his snare is so dynamic 
 joeyudin wrote:

One of their worst songs ever.



It's okay to be wrong.
Reminds me of The Larry Sanders episode where Sting is playing this song. If you haven't seen this show yet, please do - one of the best of all time.
One of their standout songs, imo. Among quite a few I must admit. I was never their biggest fan, but my wife of 38 years has always loved Sting (she might have a thing for intense looking white guys) so I've heard ALL their music numerous times over the years.
 Hippostar wrote:
The genius of Stewart Copeland.  

Yes, but there were actually three geniuses in that group, at least, while they were together. Andy Summers' guitar work in that band is just astounding.

The genius of Stewart Copeland.  
Remember the days when anything with vocals by Sting, Phil Collins or Stevie Nicks would rocket up the charts?
Not a bad song on this album though... 
Recently watched the documentary from Andy Summers perspective - very interesting - check it out if a fan. I think it was on Netflix (otherwise A Prime)
 joeyudin wrote:
One of their worst songs ever.
 
Read the rating and weep.  Among their very best.
Haven't heard this Police album in years...and forgot just how good it is.  
 joeyudin wrote:
One of their worst songs ever.
 
Polar opposite opinion here. One of my favorites from one of my favorite bands.
Is this remastered? It sounds like it is, even sped up. Or I never heard it in living 192kbs internet before.
 Steely_D wrote:
Stage 1: Wahoo! A pop/punk band that's really really good!!
Stage 2: Man I'm hearing these guys a lot. Like a LOT. Isn't there something else?
Stage 3: Hey, they're getting back together! That might be good.
Stage 4: Look at these assholes who really really seem to hate each other. I misjudged the music; it was a job, not joy.
 
That is a trenchant analysis. I think of the Police as musical acid washed jeans, moving quickly from avant-garde to cliche and now cringe inducing. 
 joeyudin wrote:
One of their worst songs ever.
 
Andy way overplayed too
One of their worst songs ever.
 Piranga wrote:
His best work. Too bad he didn't keep the band together.
 

He didn't want to and to be fair, they had all outgrown the band. Three unique, gifted musicians with distinct personalities and differing ideas.
His best work. Too bad he didn't keep the band together.
Steely_D wrote:
Stage 1: Wahoo! A pop/punk band that's really really good!!
Stage 2: Man I'm hearing these guys a lot. Like a LOT. Isn't there something else?
Stage 3: Hey, they're getting back together! That might be good.
Stage 4: Look at these assholes who really really seem to hate each other. I misjudged the music; it was a job, not joy.
 
You can't write such songs, if it's just a simple job. Lots of talent and creativity, too.
This song takes me back to a lonely existence in a Donga in the desert.
 MrStatenIsle wrote:
Very arresting group, as usual.
 
Some people obviously weren't cuffed enough when young.
 The King of Payne loves this song.
Removed from the repetition of commercial radio and the sins of overplaying (none the fault of the artists), this piece returns to its simple beauty, complex rhythms, and deep lyrics. 
Very arresting group, as usual.
 ziggytrix wrote:
Are these the best lyrics Sting ever wrote? I think perhaps. {#Cheers}
 
Fragile gives it a run...
 planet_lizard wrote:
Don't care what anyone says I bloody love this song.
 
I agree but I hear it all the time, ad nauseum, unfortunately. 
Such a cool blend of musical elements, I feel it, this is great my friends
Don't care what anyone says I bloody love this song.
 Steely_D wrote:
Stage 1: Wahoo! A pop/punk band that's really really good!!
Stage 2: Man I'm hearing these guys a lot. Like a LOT. Isn't there something else?
Stage 3: Hey, they're getting back together! That might be good.
Stage 4: Look at these assholes who really really seem to hate each other. I misjudged the music; it was a job, not joy.

 
Stage 5: Realizing that they still put out a lot of amazing, thoroughly enjoyable music and being okay with everything else.
Saw this tour at the Greensboro Coliseum.
It's my soul up there.................
Stage 1: Wahoo! A pop/punk band that's really really good!!
Stage 2: Man I'm hearing these guys a lot. Like a LOT. Isn't there something else?
Stage 3: Hey, they're getting back together! That might be good.
Stage 4: Look at these assholes who really really seem to hate each other. I misjudged the music; it was a job, not joy.
Are these the best lyrics Sting ever wrote? I think perhaps. {#Cheers}
 LPCity wrote:
King of Suede

 
{#Lol} Funny how with the Police he started out with reggae-inflected punk and slowly morphed into a very good pop songster. His solo output IMHO further reflects his transformation over many decades. Hey, he's a good songwriter, singer, and entertainer.
 Wrapped around your finger is another great one.

RDS wrote:
One of their very best songs... and I love the title (don't ask)! So much better than Most of Sting's solo output IMO.

 


One of their very best songs... and I love the title (don't ask)! So much better than Most of Sting's solo output IMO.
 below72 wrote:
Funny how you couldn't turn on a radio in the late 70's and hear Stayin' Alive and a plethora of other late 70's BG's throwaways....
now you don't hear them at all  {#Drunk} 

 
I hear the late-'70s era Bee Gees on the radio just about every day, usually on an "oldies" station when I'm driving.
Funny how you couldn't turn on a radio in the late 70's and hear Stayin' Alive and a plethora of other late 70's BG's throwaways....
now you don't hear them at all  {#Drunk} 
King of Suede
Funny how you couldn't turn on a radio in the eighties without hearing the Police, now you never hear them. Same with Styx. Not that I liked Styx.

Now I'm truly dating myself. 
Not my favourite Police song, but still a very good one!!!
A bit over-produced but still a brilliant album. 
Taken by surprise  while the magician pulled out  a rabbit outta black hat.
Once again I thought it was "On Broadway"
Beautiful, chugging, hooky riff.  Love it.
Quite possibly my favorite Police song. 
Great to hear this one here.
Well, this is the Police ... no need to say anything else! {#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananasplit}{#Bananajumprope}{#Dancingbanana}
Wow, can't believe this is a first time play. I saw this concert.