King of Pain

Last updated

I remember this one song on Synchronicity, called "King of Pain", which had basically everything going all the way through it. If you listen to it now, it's very stripped down, bits and pieces coming in here and there. Literally everything was recorded all the way through and I really remember that one well — sitting down with Sting coming in one day, when we were mixing and [Sting] going, "This is shit" and I went, "I think you're probably right." The thing at the back of my mind always is trying to keep things simple so you can then hear what's there, as opposed to the kitchen sink style, which is cool, sometimes. Some people do it incredibly well. [6]

The multitrack recording bore little or no resemblance to the final mix that was included on the album. The introductory section with the piano and vocals was recorded separately on a different date and was edited into the main song. [7]

Composition and lyrics

"King of Pain" was written by Sting, while production was done by the Police and Hugh Padgham. The song was inspired by Sting's then-recent separation from his first wife. He remarked, "I conjured up symbols of pain and related them to my soul. A black spot on the sun struck me as being a very painful image, and I felt that was my soul up there on the sun. It's just projecting your state into the world of symbolism, which is what poetry's all about, really." [8]

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 [8]

Reception

Critical

The song received acclaim from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic retrospectively picked the song as a highlight from the album, writing that "King of Pain" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger", "are devilishly infectious new wave singles." [9] Sputnikmusic website picked it as an "essential track", writing that "King of Pain", "Every Breath You Take" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger", "rely on gorgeous, understated melodies, embracing the primary sonic overtones encompassing the record." [10] Michael Roffman of Consequence of Sound chose the track as "one of his personal favorite Sting-led tracks," pairing it next to his other works like "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" or "Fields of Gold". [11] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Mike Duquette rated "King of Pain" as the Police's 5th best song, saying "that singsong piano hook, the melodic bass and a simple, effective solo by Summers make what could have been a pity party into a sterling pop/rock offering that not even "Weird Al" Yankovic could improve upon." [12] In its contemporary review of the single, Cashbox said that the song "doesn’t connect as immediately as 'Every Breath You Take' but grows in evocative power," as "primeval rhythms and gruesome natural imagery seem to place the darkly complex piece in another world." [13]

Commercial

The song was a success in the United States, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock chart, while also reaching No. 33 on the Adult Contemporary chart. [14] "King of Pain" entered Canada's RPM chart at No. 48, on the edition of 20 August 1983. [15] The song climbed to No. 1 on the edition of 15 October 1983. [16]

Elsewhere, the song performed modestly. In the United Kingdom, the song reached No. 17, one of the lowest charting-singles since their first single, "Fall Out" (1979). [17] In Ireland, the song proved to be more successful, reaching No. 7, becoming their third top-ten single. [18] In Belgium (Flanders) and Germany, the song became their lowest charting-single. [19] [20]

Track listing

7": A&M / AM 176 (UK)

  1. "King of Pain" – 4:59
  2. "Tea in the Sahara" (Live) – 5:05

7": A&M / AM-2569 (US)

  1. "King of Pain" – 4:59
  2. "Someone to Talk To" – 3:08

7": A&M / AMS 9722 (NL)

  1. "King of Pain" – 4:59
  2. "Once upon a Daydream" – 3:28

12": A&M / AMX 176 (UK)

  1. "King of Pain" – 4:59
  2. "Tea in the Sahara" (Live) – 5:05

Personnel

Charts

"King of Pain"
Kingofpaincover.jpg
European 7-inch sleeve
Single by the Police
from the album Synchronicity
B-side
ReleasedAugust 1983 (1983-08) (US)
  • 6 January 1984 (1984-01-06) (UK) [1]
RecordedDecember 1982, January–February 1983
Studio
Genre New wave
Length4:59
Label A&M
Songwriter(s) Sting
Producer(s)
Police UKsingles chronology
"Synchronicity II"
(1983)		"King of Pain"
(1983)		"Don't Stand So Close to Me '86"
(1986)
Police USsingles chronology
"Every Breath You Take"
(1983)		"King of Pain"
(1983)		"Synchronicity II"
(1983)
Chart (1983–1984)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [21] 44
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) [19] 19
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [16] 1
Ireland (IRMA) [18] 7
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) [17] 17
US Cashbox [22] 5
US Billboard Hot 100 [14] 3
US Billboard Adult Contemporary [14] 47
US Billboard Mainstream Rock [14] 1
West Germany (Official German Charts) [20] 57

Sales

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada—50,000 [23]

Alanis Morissette version

"King of Pain"
Alanis-morissette-king-of-pain.jpeg
Single by Alanis Morissette
from the album MTV Unplugged
Released19 April 2000
Recorded18 September 1999
Genre Acoustic rock
Length4:05
Label
Songwriter(s) Sting
Producer(s) Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette singles chronology
"That I Would Be Good"
(1999)		"King of Pain"
(2000)		"You Learn (acoustic)"
(2000)

Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette covered "King of Pain" for her MTV Unplugged album, on 18 September 1999. The song was released as the album's second single on 19 April 2000. Morissette shifted the word "king" to "queen" towards the end of the track. Critics gave the track favourable reviews, with some calling a "tender" ballad, and others naming it outstanding. The song only managed to chart in Brazil and Netherlands.

Background and writing

"King of Pain" was one of the songs Alanis selected to perform on her MTV Unplugged special on 18 September 1999. "King of Pain" was released as the second single from the album on 19 April 2000. [24] The CD Single features "King of Pain" and three songs recorded for the Unplugged special, but not included on the album: "Thank U", "Baba" and "Your House". [25]

Critical reception

Neva Chonin of Rolling Stone wrote that "songs with lusher orchestral backdrops – "You Oughta Know," "Uninvited" and the Police's "King of Pain" – still carry lengthy, vocalcentric intros." [26] Beth Johnson of Entertainment Weekly called it " a tender cover". [27] Chris Massey of PopMatters called it a "folksy cover which comes across exceedingly well." Massey commented that, "Sting's haunting vocals on the original song by The Police are almost overshadowed by the similarly chilling vocals of Alanis herself —almost. When the band kicks in – the bass is almost overpowering – and Alanis belts out the familiar chorus 'I have stood here before inside the pouring rain / With the world turning circles, running around my brain,' the power is outstanding." [28]

Track listing

  1. "King of Pain" (MTV Unplugged) – 4:05
  2. Thank U (MTV Unplugged) – 4:11
  3. Baba (MTV Unplugged) – 5:11
  4. Your House (MTV Unplugged) – 4:37

Charts

Chart (2000)Peak
position
Brazil (Hot 100) [29] 54
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [30] 92

Other cover versions

American alternative metal band Mudvayne released the track on their album By the People, for the People in 2007. American recording artist Lady Gaga performed the track along with Sting at iHeart Radio Festival in 2011; they also performed the track "Stand by Me". Their rendition of "King of Pain" was lauded by critics. Louis Virtel of The Backlot called it "the best version of the song you'll ever hear," praising Gaga for "sporting teal streaks and some Stevie Nicks drapery, and Sting is (of course) wearing Under Armour, basically. Excellent performance." [31]

"Weird Al" Yankovic parodied the song as "King of Suede" in his 1984 album "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Police</span> English rock band

The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. Within a few months of their first gig, the line-up settled as Sting, Andy Summers (guitar) and Stewart Copeland, and remained unchanged for the rest of the band's history. The Police became globally popular in the late 1970s and early to mid 1980s. Emerging in the British new wave scene, they played a style of rock influenced by punk, reggae, and jazz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alanis Morissette</span> Canadian and American alternative rock musician (born 1974)

Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian and American singer, songwriter and musician. She is known for her emotive mezzo-soprano voice and confessional songwriting. Morissette began her music career in Canada in the early 1990s with two dance-pop albums. In 1995, she released Jagged Little Pill, an alternative rock-oriented album with elements of post-grunge. This album sold more than 33 million copies globally, propelling her to become a cultural phenomenon. It earned her the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1996 and was adapted into a rock musical of the same name in 2017. The musical earned fifteen Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. Additionally, the album was listed in Rolling Stone's 2003 and 2020 editions of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" guide. The lead single, "You Oughta Know", was also included at #103 in their "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

<i>Synchronicity</i> (The Police album) 1983 studio album by the Police

Synchronicity is the fifth and final studio album by the British rock band the Police, released on 17 June 1983 by A&M Records. The band's most successful release, the album includes the hit singles "Every Breath You Take", "King of Pain", "Wrapped Around Your Finger", and "Synchronicity II". The album's title and much of the material for the songs were inspired by Arthur Koestler's book The Roots of Coincidence (1972). At the 1984 Grammy Awards the album was nominated for a total of five awards, including Album of the Year, and won three. At the time of its release and following the Synchronicity Tour, the Police's popularity was at such a high that they were arguably, according to BBC and The Guardian, the "biggest band in the world".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Every Breath You Take</span> 1983 single by the Police

"Every Breath You Take" is a song by British rock band the Police from their album Synchronicity (1983). Written by Sting, the single was the biggest US and Canadian hit of 1983, topping the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for eight weeks, and the Canadian RPM chart for four weeks. Their fifth UK No. 1, it topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks. The song also reached the top 10 in numerous other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ironic (song)</span> 1996 single by Alanis Morissette

"Ironic" is a song by Canadian singer Alanis Morissette. It was released in February 1996 as the third single from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). It was written by Morissette and Glen Ballard, and was produced by him. The lyrics present several situations that are described as "ironic"; this has led to debate as to whether any of these actually match the accepted meaning of irony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uninvited (song)</span> 1998 song by Alanis Morissette

"Uninvited" is a song by Canadian recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette, released as a single from the soundtrack of City of Angels in February 1998, becoming Morissette's first new recording since her international debut album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). Morissette wrote the song and co-produced it with Rob Cavallo. "Uninvited" is driven by four piano notes and builds to an instrumental climax, and haunting atmosphere accompanied by cryptic lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Oughta Know</span> 1995 single by Alanis Morissette

"You Oughta Know" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released as the lead single from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995), on July 6, 1995. After releasing two studio albums, Morissette left MCA Records Canada and was introduced to manager Scott Welch. Morissette began working on new music after moving from her hometown of Ottawa to Toronto, but made little progress. In Los Angeles, she met producer Glen Ballard, with whom she wrote songs including "You Oughta Know".

<i>MTV Unplugged</i> (Alanis Morissette album) 1999 live album by Alanis Morissette

MTV Unplugged is the first live album by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, released by Maverick Records in the United States on November 9, 1999. It comprises songs performed by Morissette on the television program MTV Unplugged. Twelve tracks were included on the album, but Morissette also performed "Baba", "Thank U" and "Your House" during the live taping. These were later released as B-sides on the "King of Pain" single release. The first single, "That I Would Be Good", was moderately successful, and two other tracks, "King of Pain" and "You Learn" were released as singles outside North America. As of March 2012, the album has sold 673,000 copies in the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Head over Feet</span> 1996 single by Alanis Morissette

"Head over Feet" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, taken from her third studio album Jagged Little Pill (1995). Written by Alanis and Glen Ballard, and produced by Ballard, it was released as the album's fifth single in July 1996 and presented a softer sound than the previous singles from the album. "Head over Feet" talks about being best friends and lovers with someone at the same time, with Alanis thanking them for their manners, love and devotion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Learn</span> 1996 single by Alanis Morissette

"You Learn" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). It was written by Morissette and Glen Ballard, the album's producer. Maverick and Warner Bros. Records released the song as the album's fourth single. The lyrics state that valuable lessons are learned from poor decisions. The album title is taken from this song's line "Swallow it down ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thank U</span> 1998 single by Alanis Morissette

"Thank U" is a song by Canadian-American recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette from her fourth studio album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998). The song was written by Alanis Morissette and Glen Ballard, who produced her previous album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). Morissette wrote the song after she came back from a trip to India. Maverick and Reprise Records released the song as a single on October 12, 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hands Clean</span> 2002 single by Alanis Morissette

"Hands Clean" is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, for her fifth studio album, Under Rug Swept (2002). It was written, composed, and produced by Morissette and released as the album's lead single in January 2002. It features a shuffling, largely acoustic-rock framework. Lyrically, "Hands Clean" caused controversy, since it is reportedly the singer's recollection of a forbidden sexual relationship she shared with a much older man when she was approximately 14 years of age.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hand in My Pocket</span> 1995 single by Alanis Morissette

"Hand in My Pocket" is a song by Canadian recording artist and songwriter Alanis Morissette from her third studio album, Jagged Little Pill (1995). The song was written by Morissette and Glen Ballard and was released as the second single from the album on October 16, 1995 by Maverick and Reprise, five months after the album release. The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who applauded Morissette's songwriting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That I Would Be Good</span> 1999 single by Alanis Morissette

"That I Would Be Good" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette that was first included on her fourth studio album, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie (1998). An acoustic live version of the song was recorded during a session for MTV Unplugged on September 18, 1999. The live version was released as a single in Europe in 1999 and in Canada on February 8, 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alanis Morissette discography</span>

The discography of Canadian-American singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette comprises 10 studio albums, three live albums, six compilation albums, two extended plays, 46 singles, 12 promotional singles, six video albums, and 41 music videos. She has sold more than 85 million albums worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Synchronicity II</span> 1983 single by the Police

"Synchronicity II" is a song by the Police, and the third single from their album Synchronicity. Written by lead singer and bassist Sting, it was released as a single in the UK and the US by A&M Records, reached No. 17 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1983. It features the non-album track "Once Upon a Daydream" on the B-side. The song was described by People Weekly as "aggressive" and "steely."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wrapped Around Your Finger</span> 1983 single by the Police

"Wrapped Around Your Finger" is the second single in the UK from the Police's 1983 album Synchronicity. Written by Sting, it was released worldwide by A&M Records and featured the non-album track "Someone to Talk To" as the B-side in the UK, while a live version of "Tea in the Sahara" was the B-side in the US.

"Flinch" is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette for her fifth studio album, Under Rug Swept (2002). The song, written, arranged and produced by Morissette herself, is inspired by an old flame she previously dated when she was younger. Lyrically, "Flinch" is about feeling ashamed and embarrassed after seeing an ex-boyfriend, and how much he still affects her, with the protagonist claiming that she will eventually grow up and will not even flinch at his name.

"21 Things I Want in a Lover" is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette for her fifth studio album, Under Rug Swept (2002). "21 Things I Want in a Lover" was all written, arranged and produced by Morissette. It is an alternative rock song, featuring guitarist Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots. Lyrically, the song talks about all the 21 qualities that Morissette would like the most to find in a lover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tea in the Sahara</span> 1983 song by the Police

"Tea in the Sahara" is a song by the British new wave band the Police. Written by Sting, the song appeared on the band's final album, Synchronicity. It was written about the Paul Bowles novel The Sheltering Sky.

References

  1. ↑ "News: Predictions 1984". Record Mirror . 31 December 1983. p. 4. Retrieved 16 December 2020– via Flickr.
  2. ↑ Buskin, Richard (March 2004). "Classic Tracks: The Police's 'Every Breath You Take'". Sound on Sound.
  3. ↑ DeGagne, Mike. "King of Pain – The Police: Allmusic". Allmusic . Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  4. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "The Police - King of Pain (music video)". YouTube .
  5. ↑ "ICON Episode 032 The Police: Synchronicity". stitcher.com (Podcast). 11 December 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  6. 1 2 Crane, Larry (September 2006). "Hugh Padgham: The Police, XTC, Yes, Peter Gabriel, more..." . Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  7. ↑ Denyer, Ralph (March 1984). "The Producer Series - Hugh Padgham" (PDF). Studio Sound. p. 42.
  8. 1 2 "Sting.com: THE POLICE: King Of Pain, 12". Sting.com. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  9. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. King of Pain at AllMusic . Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  10. ↑ "The Police Synchronicity: Sputnikmusic". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  11. ↑ Roffman, Michael (1 June 2013). "Dusting 'Em Off: The Police – Synchronicity". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  12. ↑ Duquette, Mike (6 May 2022). "All 70 Police Songs Ranked Worst to Best". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 20 August 1983. p. 8. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "The Police – Awards – Allmusic". Allmusic . Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  15. ↑ "Item Display – Top Singles – Volume 38, No. 25, August 20, 1983". RPM . Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  16. 1 2 "Item Display – Top Singles – Volume 39, No. 7, October 15, 1983". RPM . Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  17. 1 2 "Police | Artist | Official Charts". The Official Charts Company . Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  18. 1 2 "The Irish Chart Placement". irishcharts.ie. Note: Sting must be searched manually.
  19. 1 2 "The Police – King of Pain" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  20. 1 2 "Offiziellecharts.de – The Police – King of Pain" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  21. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 235. ISBN   0-646-11917-6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid-1983 and 12 June 1988.
  22. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996 . Sheridan Books, Inc. ISBN   978-0-89820-209-0.
  23. ↑ "'Synchronicity' Sets A&M Sales Mark". 24 December 1983. p. 83.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  24. ↑ "Amazon.com: King of Pain: Music". Amazon.com . Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  25. ↑ "Alanis Morissette – King of Pain (CD) at Discogs". Discogs . Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  26. ↑ Chonin, Neva (3 February 2000). "Rolling Stone: Alanis Morissette: MTV Unplugged". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 27 May 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  27. ↑ Johnson, Beth (22 November 1999). "MTV Unplugged Review | Music Reviews and News | EW.com". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  28. ↑ Massey, Chris. "Alanis Morissette: MTV Unplugged | PopMatters". PopMatters . Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  29. ↑ "Hot 100 Brasil (PDF)" (PDF). Hot 100 Brasil. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  30. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Alanis Morissette" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  31. ↑ Virtel, Louis (9 July 2013). "Watch: Lady Gaga Destroys "King Of Pain" With Sting". The Backlot. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.