There are a couple of songs I think of when I think of that theme of “Who’s Sorry Now?”

The first one is, “Under My Thumb,” by The Rolling Stones.

“Under My Thumb” is a song recorded by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, “Under My Thumb” features a marimba played by Brian Jones. Although it was never released as a single in English-speaking countries, it is one of the band’s more popular songs from the mid-1960s and appears on several best-of compilations, such as Hot Rocks 1964–1971. It was included as the fourth track on both the American and United Kingdom versions of the band’s 1966 studio album Aftermath.

The group frequently performed “Under My Thumb” on their American Tour 1981 and European Tour 1982 as the opening number at each concert. It was the song being performed by the group at the Altamont Free Concert in December 1969 during which the killing of Meredith Hunter took place.

Thinking of the lyrics to it, the power shift is the key, and one of the reasons I like the song so well. Mick is singing it, but it could just as easily be sung by a female with a few tweaks on the lyrics. I would daresay each one of us has been each side of this power dynamic before which is why I think the song was so popular. The repeat phrase, “under my thumb” reinforces that things ain’t what they used to be anymore. That cool little beat that pounds it in makes sure you’ll remember it. Unless you’re a masochist, you are feeling sorry for yourself that you’re now under his/her thumb. I don’t see these kinds of relationships being long-term. They can be a fun rollercoaster ride for awhile. I could also see this being sung by a pimp who has love-bombed women before forcing them to turn out tricks.

The second one is, “Wrapped Around Your Finger,” by The Police and written by Sting.

It is the second single in the UK (and the fourth single in the US) from the Police’s fifth and final studio album Synchronicity (1983.)

Here we have someone who starts out as another’s apprentice, but in the end, the servant has become the master. Again it is one of those power shifts that perhaps neither one realizes is happening. If it is a wise master, the dream is to have their student surpass them in skills. A master driven by ego will not like to see the shift, and they will become sorry they are not large and in charge anymore. If the student has been taught well, they will not make it uncomfortable for their previous master. Perhaps the relationship will continue and the new master will start to teach the old one. Too many complicated conditions are at work to know just how one of these situations will work out long term.

Jim Adams is the host of Thursday Inspiration. This week Jim has given the theme, “Who’s Sorry Now?” by Connie Francis.