King of Pain

"King of Pain" is a song by The Police, originally released on their 1983 album Synchronicity.

It was released as a worldwide single by A&M Records. It was the second single from Synchronicity in the US and the fourth single in the UK.

Reaching #3 in the US charts in October 1983, and #1 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart for five weeks in August 1983, the single is The Police's most successful US single (together with "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic") after "Every Breath You Take" based on chart position. In the UK, it reached #17 in the charts in January 1984.

"King of Pain" was the only single from Synchronicity that did not have an accompanying music video.

Song credits

 * Sting - Lead vocals, bass guitar, piano, backing vocals
 * Andy Summers - Backing vocals, guitars
 * Stewart Copeland - Drums

Other versions
Alanis Morissette covered this song during her MTV Unplugged performance (released on the 1999 album Alanis Unplugged).

"Weird Al" Yankovic parodied the song with "King of Suede", a monologue of a clothing store owner known for his suede garments.

The song is performed by the indie rock band Brandtson on The Militia Group's compilation, ¡Policia! - A Tribute to the Police.

Mudvayne recorded a demo of "King of Pain" in 1999. Mudvayne then re-recorded the song for their 2007 release By the People, for the People.

A Band Called Pain covered and recorded this song for their new album "Beautiful Gun".

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

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

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

Legacy

 * The popular Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation, which is known for naming each episode after an 80s hit song, named an episode after this song.

Alanis Morissette version
A single was released for the version that Alanis Morissette covered during her MTV Unplugged. The single includes unplugged versions of "Baba", "Thank U" and "Your House", which are not on the album.

Track listing
All songs from the Alanis Morissette MTV Unplugged.
 * 1) "King of Pain"
 * 2) "Thank U"
 * 3) "Baba"
 * 4) "Your House"