King of Pain

Infobox Single
Name = King of Pain


Artist = The Police
B-side = "Tea In The Sahara" (Live)
from Album = Synchronicity
Released = start date|1983|8 ^USstart date|1984|1 ^UK
Format = 7", 12"
Recorded = 1983
Genre = New Wave
Length = 4:59
Label = A&M - AM 176
Writer = Sting
Producer = The Police
Chart position = * #17 (UK)
* #3 (US Billboard Hot 100)
NoReviews = Yes
Last single = "Synchronicity II" (1983)
This single = "King of Pain" (1984)
Next single = "Don't Stand So Close to Me '86" (1986)Extra album cover
Upper caption = Alternate covers
Background = khaki


Lower caption = US 7-inch single cover

"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, 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.

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

ong 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 also 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 also covered the song for their 2007 release "By the People, for the People".

Track listing

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

# "King Of Pain" - 4:59
# "Tea In The Sahara" (Live) - 5:05

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

# "King Of Pain" - 4:59
# "Someone To Talk To" - 3:08

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

# "King Of Pain" - 4:59
# "Tea In The Sahara" (Live) - 5:05

Legacy

The popular Canadian teen drama "", which is known for naming each episode after an 80s hit song, named an episode after this song.

=Alanis Morissette version=Infobox Single
Name = King Of Pain

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Cover size =
Border =
Caption =
Artist = Alanis Morissette
Album = Alanis Unplugged
A-side =
B-side =
Released = Start date|2000|04
Format =
Recorded = Start date|1999
Genre = Alternative, Rock
Length =
Label = Maverick
Writer = Sting
Producer = Alanis Morissette
Audio sample? =
Certification =
Last single = "That I Would Be Good"
(1999)
This single = "King Of Pain"
(2000)
Next single = "You Learn"
(2000)
Misc =

A single was released for the version that Alanis Morissette covered during her "MTV Unplugged". [ [http://www.amazon.com/King-Pain-Alanis-Morissette/dp/B00004TF93 Morissette's "King Of Pain" single] at Amazon.com.] The single includes unplugged songs "Baba", "Thank U" and "Your House". [ [http://www.telenet.tv/users/ohsmmmmh/alanis-integral-/dis/amdis-single.html List of singles by Alanis Morissette] .]

Track listing

#"King Of Pain"
#"Thank U"
#"Baba"
#"Your House"All songs from the Alanis Morissette MTV Unplugged.

=Notes=