The Police - Lyrics From Their Singles Quiz

Answer: King of Pain

Released in January 1984, "King of Pain" spent five weeks on the chart, peaking at number 17. It was the fourth and final single to be released from the album "Synchronicity".

Answer: Roxanne

"Roxanne" reached number 12 on the UK chart in the spring of 1979. The single was taken from the band's first studio album, "Outlandos D'Amour". The Police recorded five studio albums and "Outlandos D'Amour" is the only one that did not top the charts.

Answer: Invisible Sun

Taken from the number one album "Ghost In The Machine", "Invisible Sun" reached number two on the British charts in the autumn of 1981. The song is about the troubles in Northern Ireland during the 70s and 80s. At the time of writing the song, Sting was married to Belfast born actress Frances Tomelty. "Invisible Sun" spent eight weeks on the UK chart.

Answer: So Lonely

"So Lonely" reached number six on the UK charts in 1980.
Some strange people actually thought the chorus to this song was "Sue Lawley, Sue Lawley" rather than "So lonely, so lonely". Sue Lawley was a news reader on the BBC at the time.

Answer: Synchronicity II

Released in November 1983, "Synchronicity II" spent only four weeks on the UK singles chart, managing a peak position of number 17. The album that it came from, "Synchronicity" topped the charts in both the UK and USA. The lyric "Packed like lemmings into shiny metal boxes; Contestants in a suicidal race" is about the main character in the song's commute home from work.

Answer: Can't Stand Losing You

"Can't Stand Losing You" reached number two on its re-release in 1979, having only made it to number 42 on its original release the previous year. A live version of the song charted again in 1995.
Although it is really rather a grim song (about a young man threatening to take his life because his girlfriend has dumped him), there are some terrific words in this song, including "I see you sent my letters back; and my LP records and they're all scratched". Poor old Sting!

Answer: Message in a Bottle

Taken from the number one album, "Reggatta De Blanc", "Message in a Bottle" was released in September 1979 and spent a total of 11 weeks on the chart. "Reggatta De Blanc" went straight into the UK album chart at number one.

Answer: Spirits In The Material World

Words like 'subjugate' and 'rhetoric' don't crop up in your average pop song, do they? "Spirits In The Material World" was released in December 1981 and spent eight weeks on the chart, peaking at number two. "Spirits In The Material World" was the third of four singles taken from the album "Ghost In The Machine" which reached number one on the UK album charts and number two in the USA.

Answer: Wrapped Around Your Finger

"Wrapped Around Your Finger" spent seven weeks on the chart in the summer of 1983, peaking at number seven. This was the second of four singles from the "Synchronicity" album, which was the last studio album that the band recorded. They have subsequently released a live album and numerous compilations.

Answer: De Do Do Do De Da Da Da

The chorus may be silly, but there are some interesting lyrics in the verses. Taken from the number one album, 'Zenyatta Mondatta', "De Do Do Do De Da Da Da" was released in December 1980. The single reached number five during an eight week stay on the chart.


All information about chart placing used in this quiz comes from the 19th edition of 'The Guinness Book of British Hit Singles and Albums". Thanks for playing.