King of Pain

1984 single by The Police

"King of Pain" is a 1983 song by English band The Police. It is the fifth and final single from their fifth studio album Synchronicity. It went to number 1 in Canada, number 3 in the United States, number 7 in Ireland, number 17 in the United Kingdom and number 19 in Belgium.

"King of Pain"
Single by the Police
from the album Synchronicity
B-side
ReleasedAugust 1983 (1983-08) (US)
  • January 1984 (1984-01) (UK)
RecordedDecember 1982, January–February 1983
Studio
GenreNew wave
Length4:59
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)Sting
Producer(s)
Police UK singles chronology
"Synchronicity II"
(1983)
"King of Pain"
(1983)
"Don't Stand So Close to Me '86"
(1986)
Police US singles chronology
"Every Breath You Take"
(1983)
"King of Pain"
(1983)
"Synchronicity II"
(1983)
Alternative covers
Audio
"King of Pain" on YouTube

Track listing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alanis Morissette version

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"King of Pain"
Single by Alanis Morissette
from the album MTV Unplugged
Released19 April 2000
Recorded18 September 1999
GenreAcoustic 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 Alanis Morissette covered King of Pain for her 1999 live album MTV Unplugged. It was released as a single on 19 April 2000. It went to number 54 in Brazil and number 92 in the Netherlands.

Track listing

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  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

References

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  1. Buskin, Richard (March 2004). "Classic Tracks: The Police's 'Every Breath You Take'". Sound on Sound.