The Police: King of Pain Meaning

Song Released: 1984

King of Pain Lyrics

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...

1. anonymous

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   Oct 12th 2023 !⃝

   Sting had recently separated from his first wife, and on a trip to Jamaica, he noticed a black spot on the sun. He remarked that, "That's my soul up there." He was struck by his own words and went inside to write it down, as well as other parts of the lyrics.
   Each line of the verses is used as semi-ironic symbolism of the dark nature of his soul after the divorce. Ex. He feels like, "a flag pole rag and the wind won't stop," or, "a butterfly trapped in a spider's web. The line, "There's a king on a throne with his eyes torn out," is a direct reference to the tragedy of King Oedipus, by Sophocles, who gouged his own eyes out after discovering that he had slept with his mother. This reference to destiny is what is communicated in the chorus as he begs for relief, but relents under the depressive thought that he will forever be the king of pain.
2. Madleader

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   Oct 1st 2017 !⃝

   Without a doubt, a song about depression; in fact, Sting admitted as much. As the song progresses, the imagery becomes dark, and even borderline grizzly. I like that the verses are all done in minor chords, but not so, the refrains. Not sure what that signifies, but it's a great song by which to get drunk, when alone, by playing repeatedly.
3. anonymous

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   Sep 24th 2014 !⃝

   It is a man of conscience reaching out to his higher power "to end this reign". Mankinds ability and desire to bring about suffering and loss in this world. The black spot on the sun is symbolic to the dark soul of mankind.
4. David Arias

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   Jun 9th 2011 !⃝

   Obviously sting is hurting for these people or animals. Like, "there's a rich man sleeping in a golden bed." the next line is "there's a skeleton choking on a crust of bread." Sting is referring the skeleton as a starved homeless man who is choking. As for "my soul is up there" basically saying he feels there pain.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway

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