55: A Humiliating Kick In the Crotch

55. "Synchronicity II" by The Police {#16; 11/83} [Video: Synchronicity II.]

Back in the day I used to really dislike this song. Yes, really dislike.

Up until the point that this song was released as a single, I kinda liked most of the stuff I had heard by the Police. But, I was starting to find them a bit pretentious and overbearing. Arrogance; they were smart and they knew it.

And then, the video for this song pushed it over the edge. The video is set on a post-apocalyptical ship--dirty, grungy, and literally littered with lots and lots of floating pieces of paper. (I mean seriously, where is this post-apacalyptical ship getting all this paper to flit about?) In the video, Sting looks like he's Billy Idol coming from a casting call to be a pickpocket in Oliver!

I couldn't stand this song!

It didn't help that it is pretty boring musically. There's no great sing-along chorus. No hand-claps or catchy "na-nas." Just some full-of-himself nitwit droning on about something happening "many miles away."

I did not like this song!

But, as an adult, I gradually changed my mind. So much so that instead of hating the song, I now list it as #55 on my favorite song list.

Why the change of heart?

Well, I actually listened to the lyrics.

Yes, Sting can be a pretentious noob, but I can accept that now because he's earned that right. He's pretentious for a reason. The song doesn't have a whole lot going for it musically, but it does have three hall of fame level bits of lyrics. Here they are:

#3. "Another working day has ended
        Only the rush hour hell to face
        Packed like lemmings into shiny metal boxes
        Contestants in a suicidal race."

I've been that lemming. I've raced that race. I've faced that hell. (Nice work, Sting!)

#2. "We have to shout above the din of our Rice Krispies."

I don't care who you are, that's good writing right there! Snap! Crackle! Pop! Why does the cereal have to be so darned loud?!?

#1. "Every single meeting with his "so-called" superior is a humiliating kick in the crotch!"

Quite possibly the greatest single line in the history of rock and roll music!

COMING UP NEXT: Are you ready? Yes, I'm ready.