Every Breath You Take (The Police)

Every Breath You Take (The Police) In this video, I explain the story and meaning of the song Every Breath You Take by The Police. You will learn how the song came about, why it was so successful, and what makes it special. Creation of the Song Every Breath You Take was released in 1983 by the band The Police. The song comes from the album Synchronicity, which was recorded between December 1982 and February 1983. Sting, the band’s singer, wrote the song, inspired by an older song by Gene Pitney. The famous guitar riff was played by guitarist Andy Summers. Meaning of the Lyrics The lyrics of Every Breath You Take deal with love, but also with control and obsession. Many think it is a romantic song, but it actually describes the feeling of constantly watching someone. The inspiration for the chorus came from a song by Leo Sayer. The opening lines of the song refer to a story by science fiction author Judith Merrill. Recording and Production The recordings took place at AIR Studios on the island of Montserrat. Producer Hugh Padgham ensured that the song achieved its distinctive sound. There were disputes between Sting and drummer Stewart Copeland, which made the work more difficult. The final mixing of the song was done at Studio Morin Heights in Quebec. Chart Success Every Breath You Take was a huge success, reaching number one on both the UK and US charts. The song was released as a single on May 20, 1983, shortly before the album Synchronicity. It was the only million-seller for the band The Police. In 2019, it was recognized as the most-played song on the radio. The Music Video The music video for Every Breath You Take was filmed in black and white. The directors were Godley & Creme, known for their distinctive style. The video shows the band in a simple yet striking setting, emphasizing the dark mood of the song. The Band The Police The Police were a British rock band, founded in 1977 in London. The band consisted of Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers. They were known for their unique mix of rock, reggae, and punk. Every Breath You Take is one of their best-known songs. Cover Versions of the Song Many artists have covered Every Breath You Take, including Sacha Distel and Shirley Bassey. Modern artists like UB40 and Karen Souza have also released their versions. A notable cover version was by Fame Academy with Christopher Komm in 2003. These versions show how popular the song has remained over the years. Use as a Sample The song has often been used as a sample in other songs. The most famous example is I’ll Be Missing You by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans from 1997. This song also reached number one in many countries. The melody of Every Breath You Take is particularly distinctive for this purpose. Influence and Significance Every Breath You Take is considered a timeless classic of pop and rock music. The song has inspired many musicians and is still frequently played on the radio. Its simple yet haunting melody makes it unmistakable. It remains an important part of music history.