King of Pain Lyrics

[Verse 3]
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 spring tide's ebb
(That's my soul up there)
There's a butterfly trapped in a spider's web
(That's my soul up there)


[Chorus]
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


[Bridge]
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)

[Verse 4]
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
[Chorus]
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


[Outro]
King of pain, king of pain
King of pain, I'll always be
King of pain, I'll always be
King of pain, I'll always be
King of pain, I'll always be
King of pain, I'll always be
King of pain, I'll always be
King of pain, I'll always be
King of pain

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About

Genius Annotation

According to Sting, while spending time in Jamaica with his love interest and future wife, Trudie Styler, Sting noticed sunspot activity and the ensuing conversation developed the first lyric to this song. “King of Pain” is track eight on 1983’s Synchronicity and focuses on another dark place in Sting’s life.

The single reached number 3 in the US charts in October 1983, and number 1 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart for five weeks in August 1983. It is the most successful Police single after “Every Breath You Take,” even though no music video was made for the track.

Weird Al Yankovic later parodied the song calling it King of Suede.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did The Police say about "King of Pain"?
Genius Answer

Sting shared:

I was in Jamaica and I was looking at the sun one day. I noticed some sun spot activity and the following conversation took place with my significant other, Trudie. I say, “There’s a little black spot on the sun today,” Trudie waits expectantly for the pay off, “that’s my soul up there.” Trudie lifts her eyes to heaven and goes, “There he goes again, the king of pain”.

Credits
Written By
Recorded At
AIR Montserrat, Salem, Montserrat; Le Studio, Morin-Heights, Quebec, Canada
Release Date
June 1, 1983
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