The Police

Lyrics

[Intro]
Oh, oh, oh

[Verse 1]
Another suburban family morning
Grandmother screaming at the wall
We have to shout above
The din of our Rice Krispies
We can't hear anything at all

[Pre-Chorus 1]
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

[Chorus]
Many miles away
Something crawls from the slime
At the bottom of a dark Scottish lake

[Verse 2]
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
[Pre-Chorus 2]
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

[Chorus]
Many miles away
Something crawls to the surface
Of a dark Scottish loch

[Guitar solo]

[Verse 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

[Pre-Chorus 3]
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
[Chorus]
Many miles away
There's a shadow on the door
Of a cottage on the shore
Of a dark Scottish lake

[Outro]
Many miles away
Many miles away
Many miles away
Many miles away
Many miles away
Many miles away
Many miles away

With their track "Synchronicity II," The Police delivered a disturbing and thought-provoking piece that delves into concepts such as Carl Jung's theory of meaningful coincidences and the impact of everyday stress on the human psyche. The song was released as the third single from the band's 1983 album Synchronicity, which eventually went on to become a commercial and critical success, propelled by tracks like "Every Breath You Take" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger."

About Synchronicity II

"Synchronicity II" forms a significant part of The Police's Synchronicity, which has been often regarded as one of the band's best works. The track, in particular, aptly illustrates Carl Jung's philosophy of synchronicity, where he defines it as "a meaningful coincidence of two or more events where something other than the probability of chance is involved.”

The song paints a sobering picture of a man's mundane life slowly driving him towards insanity. While he is struggling to keep up with the demands of his humdrum existence, a monster emerges miles away to wreak havoc and mayhem. The lyrics imply that perhaps the monster represents the man's internal demons, and his return home every day is a living nightmare. Sting, the lead singer and the songwriter of the band, stated that he tried to dramatize Jung's theory of meaningful coincidence through "Synchronicity II."

What makes this song even more intriguing is the way it intercuts these images of a middle-class family struggling to survive with the appearance of an avenging monster rising from the depths of a lake. These visuals and symbols showcase a side of suburbia that is repressed and unsettling, adding to the song's perplexing aura.

According to The Rolling Stone's review, "Synchronicity II" refracts the clanging chaos of "Synchronicity I" into a brutal slice of industrial-suburban life that represents the latter's symbolic antithesis. The reviewer also likened the monster to an avenging demon, bringing to the fore the underlying angst and pent-up frustration of the song's narrator. All in all, the song's abrasive texture and haunting melodies create a vivid and lasting picture in the listener's mind.

Moreover, "Synchronicity II" also had a music video in heavy rotation on MTV, which features each member standing atop their own tower, replicating England's late 70s Winter of Our Discontent. The Winter of Discontent was a time when several unions went on strike, including trash collectors, which resulted in uncollected garbage all around London. The use of this visual representation compliments the symbolism of the song and adds another layer to the already complex narrative.

The song reached number 17 on the UK charts and number 16 on the US charts in late 1983. Its success signified the band's increasing popularity and critical acclaim among audiences worldwide. The track was welcomed with open arms by fans and critics alike, showcasing The Police's genius for creating haunting melodies and expressing complex ideas through their lyrics.

The legacy of "Synchronicity II" endures till date, with the song still being listened to and enjoyed by people all around the world. It continues to speak to audiences on a deeper level, reminding them of the importance of paying attention to everyday synchronicities, the impact of stress and anxiety on the human psyche, and the need for self-reflection and introspection.

Overall, "Synchronicity II" is a masterpiece that showcases The Police's ability to create a thought-provoking and mesmerizing atmosphere, making it a standout track in their impressive discography.

• Release Date: June 17, 1983
• Artist: The Police