"King of Pain" is a song by British rock band the Police, released as the second single from their fifth and final studio album Synchronicity (1983).

Sting's fascination with Carl Jung and, to a greater extent, Arthur Koestler inspired him to write the track.

As a Hungarian-born novelist who resided in England, Koestler was enthralled with parapsychology and the unexplained workings of the mind (he wrote the book titled The Ghost in the Machine in the late '60s, after which the Police named their fourth album).

The introductory section with the piano and vocals was recorded separately on a different date and was edited into the main song.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic retrospectively picked the song as a highlight from the album, writing that "King of Pain" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger", "are devilishly infectious new wave singles.

"[9] Sputnikmusic website picked it as an "essential track", writing that "King of Pain", "Every Breath You Take" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger", "rely on gorgeous, understated melodies, embracing the primary sonic overtones encompassing the record.

[11] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Mike Duquette rated "King of Pain" as the Police's 5th best song, saying "that singsong piano hook, the melodic bass and a simple, effective solo by Summers make what could have been a pity party into a sterling pop/rock offering that not even "Weird Al" Yankovic could improve upon.

"[12] In its contemporary review of the single, Cashbox said that the song "doesn’t connect as immediately as 'Every Breath You Take' but grows in evocative power," as "primeval rhythms and gruesome natural imagery seem to place the darkly complex piece in another world.

Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette covered "King of Pain" for her MTV Unplugged album, on 18 September 1999.

"King of Pain" was one of the songs Alanis selected to perform on her MTV Unplugged special on 18 September 1999.

[25] The CD Single features "King of Pain" and three songs recorded for the Unplugged special, but not included on the album: "Thank U", "Baba" and "Your House".

[26] Neva Chonin of Rolling Stone wrote that "songs with lusher orchestral backdrops – "You Oughta Know," "Uninvited" and the Police's "King of Pain" – still carry lengthy, vocalcentric intros.

When the band kicks in – the bass is almost overpowering – and Alanis belts out the familiar chorus 'I have stood here before inside the pouring rain / With the world turning circles, running around my brain,' the power is outstanding.

At the 2011 iHeart Radio Festival, Lady Gaga performed "King of Pain" as a duet with Sting.

Louis Virtel of The Backlot called it "the best version of the song you'll ever hear," praising Gaga for "sporting teal streaks and some Stevie Nicks drapery, and Sting is (of course) wearing Under Armour, basically.