About the song
The Police’s “Synchronicity II” is a powerful and enigmatic track that showcases the band’s unique ability to blend rock with complex themes and innovative musical elements. Released in 1983 as part of their fifth and final studio album, Synchronicity, the song explores the pressures of modern life and the feeling of existential disconnection.
Written by Sting, the band’s lead vocalist and principal songwriter, “Synchronicity II” presents a compelling narrative about a man trapped in a mundane routine, contrasted with a broader, almost surreal depiction of chaos and synchronicity in the world around him. The lyrics reflect Sting’s fascination with the idea of meaningful coincidences, a concept popularized by psychologist Carl Jung.
Musically, “Synchronicity II” is marked by its driving rhythm and dynamic arrangement, blending rock with a touch of new wave. The song’s pulsating beat and atmospheric synths create a sense of urgency and tension that complements its lyrical content. This combination helped make “Synchronicity II” one of the standout tracks on the album.
Upon its release, “Synchronicity II” achieved notable chart success. It reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart and number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The track’s success contributed to the album’s overall impact, solidifying Synchronicity as one of The Police’s most acclaimed works.
The song’s innovative sound and thought-provoking lyrics have made it a lasting favorite among fans and critics alike. “Synchronicity II” remains a testament to The Police’s ability to tackle complex themes with musical sophistication and emotional depth, leaving a significant mark on their impressive discography.
Video
Lyrics
Another suburban family morning
Grandmother screaming at the wall
We have to shout above the din of our rice crispies
We can’t hear anything at all
Mother chants her litany of boredom and frustration
But we know all her suicides are fake
Daddy only stares into the distance
There’s only so much more that he can take
Many miles away something crawls from the slime
At the bottom of a dark Scottish lake
Another industrial ugly morning
The factory belches filth into the sky
He walks unhindered through the picket lines today,
He doesn’t think to wonder why
The secretaries pout and preen like cheap tarts in a red light street,
But all he ever thinks to do is watch,
And every single meeting with his so-called superior
Is a humiliating kick in the crotch
Many miles away something crawls to the surface
Of a dark Scottish loch
Another working day has ended
Only the rush hour hell to face
Packed like lemmings into shiny metal boxes
Contestants in a suicidal race
Daddy grips the wheel and stares alone into the distance
He knows that something somewhere has to break
He sees the family home now, looming in his headlights
The pain upstairs that makes his eyeballs ache
Many miles away there’s a shadow on the door
Of a cottage on the shore
Of a dark Scottish lake
Many miles away
Many miles away
Many miles away
Many miles away
Many miles away
Many miles away