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 a 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 turning circles running 'round my brain
I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain

There's a fossil that's trapped in a high cliff wall
That's my soul up there
There's a dead salmon frozen in a waterfall
That's my soul up there
There's a blue whale beached by a springtime's ebb
That's my soul up there
There's a butterfly trapped in a spider's web

I have stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain
I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain

And there's a king on a throne with his eyes torn out
There's a blind man looking for a shadow of doubt
There's a rich man sleeping on a golden bed
There's a skeleton choking on a crust of bread

There's a red fox torn by a huntsman's pack
There's a black-winged gull with a broken back
There's a little black spot on the sun today
It's the same old thing as yesterday

I have stood here before inside the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain
I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign
But it's my destiny to be the queen of pain

Queen of pain
I'll always be queen of pain
I'll always be queen of pain


Lyrics submitted by Lamia, edited by DarkBlue

King Of Pain Lyrics as written by Gordon Sumner

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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King Of Pain song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    The meaning behind this song is clear; the way she handled it was amazing. I love the switch to 'Queen' of Pain at the end.

    Fishfisheateaton May 23, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I'll always be QUEEN of pain.

    🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

    Everything you say is old news to us.

    Kinda like THE REVELATOR, in the Holy Bible. What was his name, again? Haha. God directly and specifically told him what was going to happen. I'm sure it was just a coincidence his name was john. 😇 I AM God's Angel...... and your worst nightmare, darling. 😂

    ImYourTerroron July 02, 2023   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The imagery in this song is so rich, almost like bob dylans at certain points. My favourite image is, "theres a black hat caught in a high tree top". To me the hat signifies the head, the mind. And because it is black I see it to be the dark part of your mind, the evil, the depression etc. The idea of it being caught in a high tree top means that it cannot be set free to fly away. So what it means is that you cannot shake this dark part of your mind, it flutters wildly in your head and will not go away.

    PrecipitatingDreamson August 25, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Este es uno de esos tipos de covers que extrañamente parecerían mejor que la versión original. Pero no por el estilo, sino por el cambio de estilo en sí.

    m.i.l.o.2003on March 06, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    yea, i'd never really comprehended the lyrics until i just read them. what great imagery, so clever. i think it's talking about all the imperfections in life's greatest, most beautiful creations and the sad, depressing occurances that happen inevitably, like the beached blue whale, ravaged, once beautiful red fox, and the "butterfly caught in a spider's web".
    i think she being the "king of pain" (though this is a cover on the police) signifies that she cannot live life without noticing and dwelling on the sad things. in a way i think it's great, because you can't appreciate the beautiful without the ugly and evil.

    emilystarneson July 02, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Love this song and all the takes on life's imperfections and her little irony quotes.

    Like the dot on the sun or the frozen salmon or the fossil up on the cliff.

    urbank1don June 09, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Love this song and all the takes on life's imperfections and her little irony quotes.

    Like the dot on the sun or the frozen salmon or the fossil up on the cliff.

    urbank1don June 09, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is one of the best covers I've ever heard.

    This is one of those songs that to me perfectly describes a feeling I find hard to put into words: How at times, really hard times, you feel detached. Far away from yourself...like you're on the moon just watching the earth in silence. You are so overwhelmed, you just disconnect entirely. You wish someone would rescue you from whatever it is hurting you, but you know you'll always have to go it alone...it's always been that way, and you start feeling like you're the only person who feels that way, like it's some title you hold.

    As an aside, I love the play on words with rain/reign, heh.

    delialon June 20, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is my favorite song. It' so deep and meaningful. I can relate to it in every word.

    kikakmon January 09, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    half of you idiots didn't know this was a cover? geez what the fuck has mankind come to...people who know and love alanis morrisette but not the fucking police.

    ashowofhandson January 21, 2009   Link

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