King of Sorrow

For the television film, see King of Sorrow (film).

"King of Sorrow" is a song by English band Sade from their fifth studio album, Lovers Rock (2000). It was released as the album's second and final single on 12 March 2001.

"King of Sorrow"
Single by Sade
from the album Lovers Rock
Released	12 March 2001 (2001-03-12)
Genre	Soul R&B
Length	4:53
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	Sade Adu Stuart Matthewman Andrew Hale Paul S. Denman
Producer(s)	Sade Mike Pela
Sade singles chronology
"By Your Side" (2000) "King of Sorrow" (2001) "Somebody Already Broke My Heart" (2003)
Music video
"King of Sorrow" on YouTube

Critical reception

Tanya Rena Jefferson of AXS wrote, "Sade sings a heartfelt song that is sad and deep of sorrow and no one can take her sorrows away. This song allows one to feel very dark inside. Yet, the music gives a sense of overwhelming soulful bliss that takes away the blues feeling of the song."^[1] A reviewer from People Magazine noted that "even such sad songs", as “King of Sorrow”, "attest to the adage that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger."^[2] Frank Guan of Vulture said it "witnesses Sade anointing herself a monarch. Whether it's to memorialize romantic pain or to recover from it, the act of aggrandizement is easily forgiven."^[3]

Music video

The music video for "King of Sorrow", directed by Sophie Muller, was filmed at and around the Normandie Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Ponce, Puerto Rico. It follows the dilemma of a single mother struggling to conciliate her children's needs with her dream of becoming a singer. The video was inspired by the 1960 French-Italian film Two Women, starring Sophia Loren.^[4]

Track listings

• UK CD 1

1. "King of Sorrow" (Radio Version) – 3:48
2. "King of Sorrow" (Guru Remix) – 3:47

• UK CD 2 and Dutch CD maxi single

1. "King of Sorrow" (Radio Version) – 3:48
2. "King of Sorrow" (Guru Remix) – 3:47
3. "King of Sorrow" (Fun Lovin' Criminals Remix) – 4:32
4. "King of Sorrow" (Cottonbelly Remix) – 5:57
5. "King of Sorrow" (Video)

• UK and European 12-inch maxi single

A1. "King of Sorrow" (Guru Remix) – 3:47

A2. "King of Sorrow" (Fun Lovin' Criminals Remix) – 4:32

B1. "King of Sorrow" (Cottonbelly Remix) – 5:57

B2. "King of Sorrow" (Radio Version) – 3:48

• UK 12-inch promotional single

A. "King of Sorrow" (Yard Mix) – 3:59

B. "King of Sorrow" (Yard Mix Version) – 3:59

Charts

Chart performance for "King of Sorrow"

Chart (2001)	Peak position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)[5]	48
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[6]	82
Poland Airplay (Music & Media)[7]	7
Scotland (OCC)[8]	88
UK Singles (OCC)[9]	59
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[10]	13
US Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[11]	1

References

1. Jefferson, Tanya Rena. "Sade's 10 best songs". AXS. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
2. "Picks and Pans Review: Lovers Rock". People. 27 November 2000. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
3. Guan, Frank (26 October 2017). "All 73 Sade Songs, Ranked From Worst to Best". Vulture. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
4. Tindle, Hannah (16 January 2018). "A List of Sade's Most Covetable Music Video Looks". Another Magazine. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
5. "Singles : Top 50". Jam!. 14 April 2001. Archived from the original on 13 April 2001. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
6. "Sade – King of Sorrow" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
7. "Major Market Airplay – Week 07/2001" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 18, no. 7. 10 February 2001. p. 23. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
8. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
9. "Sade: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
10. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
11. "Sade Chart History (Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.