Andy Summers: How The Police wrote "Message in a Bottle"

In this clip, Andy Summers breaks down the structure of The Police's hit song "Message in a Bottle", and how he came up with the iconic guitar riff.
Full Interview Here: • Andy Summers: His Care...
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[@rickbeato2]

Full Interview Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGead6RqbLpnpMksi=UkfTWahdas6dG-Vt

[@oldguycraggy5829]

I grew up thinking there was an endless conveyor belt of superb music. In my 7th decade I realise I was living through a never to be repeated golden era.

[@joshuajarod1909]

The end of your golden Era is the beginning of someone else's.

[@danguee1]

Absolutely. At least once a week I think to myself how privileged I've been to have grown up when I did (I'm now in my 7th decade, too). There's still some brilliant music being made but it's getting increasingly thin on the ground. We had it all. I was just too late to have the Beatles in my life - Fragile and Beck, Bogart and Appice were my introductions into proper music - but I've managed in the last decade to visit their stuff and am bowled over. But otherwise my exposure to superb music was relentless for the next few 4 decades before petering out....

[@icankillbugs]

Music has sucked for 30 years. Anything "good" that's been done since then had already been done better before by somebody else 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@S_Shant]

@@joshuajarod1909this is a fantastic point. Sincerely mean that. Simply, there are wonderful / different things for ea generation

[@2760ade]

@@icankillbugs Agreed! There are some really good young bands around, but they are always very derivative!

[@bobosputnik]

Andy Summers is 81. EIGHTY ONE! Listen to the way he talks and plays. Music is the only time machine out there. It can take you back to such a specific place and time. And by the look of Andy, it keeps you young as well. So awesome!

[@mattmid7012]

I had to look up his age as I was watching this as I was thinking he looked in his 60's and thought that can't be possible because I remember he wasn't young at the time he was in The Police.

[@mf9309]

I was thinking the same things! He looks and sounds great!

[@fabiencourtoistapping]

so great tube about the police ! MY first recording with a magneto front of the tv was walking on the moon !!

[@PabloskyS84]

Music as a time machine... I agree and like that idea a lot!

[@stevieG.]

He's more like 61, Rock on Andy we love you mate.!

[@Alun49]

Andy Summers gave The Police a unique sound. A brilliant guitarist!

[@Andrew_M_Ward]

This is so true, Sting wrote great songs but Andy and Stuart turned them into masterpieces

[@colmcq]

And got zero credit

[@flexiblestrategist9922]

Too bad he's never mentioned on top reader's polls.

[@artheisenbergscourier5726]

Quite agree. Sting has never written anything solo that it close to the craftsmenship of The Police

[@greva2904]

As I understand it, Sting always wrote his songs as slow jazz numbers. It was his two bandmates who then would speed the song up, rock it up and bring the song to life. Which would also explain why Sting’s solo career mainly consists of… slowish jazz numbers.

[@larshowen3319]

Andy, Gordon and Stewart are three superbly gifted musicians. It was so great that they found each other.

[@Biden_Cult_Morons]

Agreed. The stars aligned ✨

[@rickrisi]

don't call him Gordon, he gets really angry

[@queenslander954]

@@rickrisi. What about Gordo .. or Stingo

[@TheLegenDacster]

Stewart reached out to GS I believe.

[@thewomble1509]

@@rickrisi Aaahh, poor little Stingo.

[@tres311]

Don’t ever quit doing this KZbin thing. These interviews will live forever!

[@LiquidAudio]

So true, there is nothing else quite like this available and very little really interesting music content.

[@HollywoodRecordingStudio]

These interviews are historically significant. You’re going into deep music concepts with some of the most significant musicians of the modern era.

[@RabbiSteve]

God willing.

[@matkamoon]

Hard to believe he is 81 years old , still looks good. Still got it ..

[@Rampart.X]

Wut? Unbelievable!

[@GeorgeKing-ms1vy]

He's always looked at least ten years younger, which is why he didn't seem out of place being in a band with two men a decade younger.

[@thewomble1509]

@@Rampart.X Born in Poulton le Fylde, Lancashire, England on 31st December 1942!

[@buckjofiden4804]

Really ?!

[@thewomble1509]

@@buckjofiden4804 Check it out.........

[@DrGonzo123456789]

Andy Summers...a guitarist who truly plays what is right for the song and thinks very much outside the box. Have always admired his work with The Police.

[@paxonearth]

In '79? I was 13 and I was listening to a radio show late at night and Geddy Lee was talking about the Police- "There's this band I've been listening to a lot lately. I think they're just great," or something similar. Then they played Message in a Bottle. It was the first time I had heard of the Police. My thinking was "If Geddy says they're good, then they must be good." My God, this song is absolutely haunting still.

[@vandalorianvandalorian4769]

I was 14, RUSH was my favorite band and I heard “Walking On The Moon” for the first time. SOLD!

[@DrawnInk1]

From a big Rush fan, the Police are superb

[@kevinmcfarlane2752]

Rush fan here. I like The Police too, independently of what Geddy said.

[@Augfordpdoggie]

Still Rush will always be the greatest band ever

[@chuckshick]

RUSH and The Police are thinking men’s bands. Inspired me to be a musician. Two of the greatest trios EVER! 🤟🏼

[@dorjem.4166]

It’s interesting that Andy Summers was talking about his love for Bartòk’s violin concerts, and in Rick Beato’s Sting interview Sting was talking about how Bach was the musical GOAT and is a constant and ongoing source of musical inspiration for him. These guys were musically educated and outstanding artists.

[@vinylrulesok8470]

Nothing sounds like the guitar on Message in a Bottle. Totally unique sound. That's why it's one of my favourite songs still, 45 years on

[@paulbangash4317]

I met Andy once. Long ago (76) when he was playing with Kevin Ayers at Manchester university. Time flies 💫

[@jeffreywolcott5424]

Read Andy's book, One Train Later. Hard to put down. Amazing story.

[@BarrieVee]

Nice to see Andy Summers interviewed.. He remains as humble as he ever was.. Andy Summers is a hugely underrated guitar player (and composer!) The Police would never have happened but for his exquisite playing and composing. N.B. He never received full credit, neither artistically (or financially!) for the work he put in to The Police. Sting owes him.. Bigtime..

[@paulcavanagh1294]

What a load of b0ll0x, the songs made the Police! The individual musicians helped, of course, but the songs were king! Without the songs Summers would still have been a session guitarist and Copeland a prog rock jobbing drummer! End of! And the riff in Message in a bottle was Stings!!!

[@BarrieVee]

@@paulcavanagh1294 twit.

[@DukeStarbuckle]

"The power of music." Exactly.

[@jgladwig]

Exactly

[@williestyle35]

", I suppose". 😊

[@teresamichelangeli5620]

I still cannot believe Sting got up at The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball and played this song absolutely flawlessly, singing with that incredible voice at the same time. There was serious talent in that band.

[@commonman317]

Also, "Roxanne". His voice was on fire that night. What a great live version.

[@teresamichelangeli5620]

@@commonman317 I once read he had great days with his voice, and not-so-great days. A lot of it was confidence. He was certainly “on” that night and I’ll never forget it.

[@hrosemd]

Agreed. One of the finest individual performances ever recorded.

[@thewomble1509]

@@teresamichelangeli5620 He also had a lot of throat issues around '79-82 due to the relentless touring the Police undertook.

[@GizmoBeach]

Mr. Summers is one of those rare guitarists who, when he begins playing a song or lick but you’re not actually watching him, you immediately think “That’s Andy Summers.” Love his talent.

[@IztokGolob-Naklo]

Saw them live in 2008. In Munich. Loved a very simple stage. No distractions. Just three veterans working their socks off. And Andy, better than on recordings. Brilliant guitarist.

[@undango]

What a great time we live in listening to these musicians describe various aspects of their musical journey. Helped by having a great interviewee such as Rick who knows when to interject and when to let the conversation flow . Clearly highly respected in the musical community.

[@secretsoffireband]

Great riff 🎸 - it's quite hard to play with those big stretches. Can't believe AS is 81! He is so switched-on and dexterous - respect🤘

[@WilliamBarker]

WTF? He looks and sounds timeless! I had to look it up....gobsmacked.

[@justsomeguy6133]

He looks great for 81.

[@justsomeguy6133]

He’s ~ 10 years older than his band mates.

[@bmac5085]

Andy was, and still is a very original guitar player. A different style that made him stand out from others. One of my all time favourite player's.

[@fatdad64able]

No! It CAN‘T be!!! 😢

[@RodCornholio]

Sonically, what those three did was nothing short of mind-blowing. With or without studio engineering, they had a huge sound.

[@sergiobasilioli384]

Hope you get to interview Stewart Copleand too!

[@Berniewahlbrinck]

He has already!!!

[@Minnesconi]

What a cool person. Funny, precise communication.

[@thewomble1509]

Always the coolest, most sophisticated member of the band.

[@imannonymous7707]

I love to hear how guitarists apply theory , a lifetime of study, thinking, listening and feeling

[@JohnGeisler-ww3wb]

Refreshingly authentic interviews with poignant questions about the human experience as a musician. Thank you.

[@Theoriginalramjammer]

I am Fortunate to have seen the police live. Such a tight power trio. Andy so underrated. One the greatest bands of all time, and forever will be❤

[@MobiusBandwidth]

I don't know that he's underrated, certainly not by people over 30 or 40. he was arguably the most influential guitarist of the 80s, you had Hendrix in the 60s raising the bar, EVH in the 70s blowing the roof off, and then Andy, introducing whoosh, and volume swells, reggae to white audiences, suddenly everyone wanted to sound like him.

[@supertouring22]

What is it with the word "underrated ". Why does EVERY music video on youtube have someone saying this when its simply not true in ANY of the cases?

[@xoxb2]

I agree - it's bizarre. I sometimes think young American males, who make up the great bulk of YT commenters, have some kind of generational under-appreciation neurosis. It's very odd.

[@WilliamAlanPhoto]

Thank you. Great to hear these stories!

[@cdkslakkend5742]

By far one of the best and most revealing interviews. I credit Andy S. for giving me the belief to start learning classical guitar. I sold my electric equipment back in the day and I've never regretted it.

[@martinjohncameron]

That last comment… “It’s the power of music, I suppose.” Sublime. 👍

[@johncrow2457]

first police song I learnt at age 14 when it came out, just a fantastic riff and amazing song. Watched Sting play the guitar and sing it at the secret policeman's ball, superb stuff. he sang Roxanne as well.

[@bradh6185]

The feel of this song perfectly matches the lyrics. A lovely work of art.

[@timallen6025]

Every time is a valuable gift of musical learning Mr B .. Thank you 🙏

[@markendicott6874]

A true legend, and the reason i picked up a Guitar aged 9. Thank you Andy.

[@deanallen927]

Trippy question, Rick! A world without Message in a Bottle just seems unrealistic now. That song is really in people's ears, it'll never go away.

[@Julianhache]

Powerful advice from Andy. The more you give the more you get. Love it.

[@jonmorrow1291]

What a lovely interview. Really nice to see him pay tribute to the other two, and to hear about his son too. It's the power of music indeed.

[@wackenthaljef]

Great to have Andy interview!! congrats Rick!!All my youth!

[@russellpinkie9775]

Andy is a genius, this two was the song when I was a kid was like ok if I can play message in a bottle, I'm a good guitarist, so kudos to U Andy, even today it is a brilliant guitar piece 👌🎸💯

[@kailaniandi]

Absolute Legend from a legendary band. What an amazing song!

[@nickmaiorano296]

Just another day at the office, hey Rick? Interviewing living legends like Andy and Sting? Do you ever pinch yourself to see if it’s all a dream? Congrats on another huge accomplishment. Loved listening to the interview.

[@mmattson8947]

Now Rick just needs to get Copeland for the trifecta. I didn’t realize Copeland has a very active YT channel, and won a 7th Grammy last year. Rick would have a lot to talk about in an interview.

[@surfgod509]

brilliant insight , these interviews are simply priceless... Thank You for your extensive catalog of serious work.....

[@racegts]

Sounds like an invite to me Rick! You & Andy do the Bartock duets on guitar!🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@dreamscuba]

Yes. We all heard that invite. And Rick is the kind of guitarist that can pull it off.

[@Mudge07]

There’s a lot of poise, grace and attentive space in the music of The Police power trio and as Andy says when they put the pedal to the metal, then the whole place rocks. MIAB also works if played well as a cover, subtle shifts in the drum patterns with the solid riff, bass and almost carefree, vocal. Andy’s humour never far away and he clearly likes to spread the joy of learning, loving and playing music.

[@bobboberson2024]

One thing you understand immediately when you see the Police live - is how frickin' good Andy is. His abilities stick out far more than the recordings. What a band.

[@matthewryan3252]

You always have top-quality content on both of your channels!!! Love checking out your stuff out

[@user-qx7xe7sn1s]

I could listen to him all day. The guy is interesting, funny, educated, inspirational. He’s got it all. Well done mate !

[@andrewwest8334]

Non-stop gold, Rick. Love it and so will generations to come.

[@markhedges1194]

The melodies in that song alone are mind blowing, as is the song anyway! Great interview, and great to get Andy's take on The Police!

[@jacobpittman1996]

I love this Interview bite! Thank you Me Beato and Mr. Summers; sincerely, thank you.

[@rockista4195]

Perhaps Rick uses this channel as a pointer to his main one, but it's also very handy to come back and re-listen to great moments from his super interesting interviews!

[@decadepasts]

Rick does such great interviews.

[@JohnVC]

Yep. The thing is Rick speaks the language of every producer, songwriter, musician, etc. asks amazing questions but also gives them room to develop their ideas. I don't think he knows how good he is.

[@TheLegenDacster]

Andy Summers, you're an international musical treasure. Thank you. Nice one Rick.

[@spenny690]

When the single was out, l found a copy of 'Message in a bottle' in green vinyl at Woolworths, which l bought for 99p. I was so happy; l couldn't believe my luck! All these years later, it still gives me a thrill to think about it

[@ZenZill]

Andy Summers has such a great sound, really changed the minds of a lot of guitarists who wanted to be like Hendrix or Iommi.

[@josephasghar]

Very true.

[@lambd5578]

Message in a bottle was a genuine masterpiece. My favourite Police song ever. Good on you Andy.

[@ZENmud]

We drove over the Rockies from Vail to Denver, on a wicked cold winter night, to see the Police at McNichols Arena in 1980 or 1981 🎉❤🎉 and the van had a hiccup ~ we had to sit in -19°F cold for twenty minutes, until it started again. They played a very good set... and we stripped down because the HEATERS were at full blast, and our seats were in the high rows... Beautiful memories

[@davidvandunk6168]

As always, another great interview!!

[@tiffinmeister]

Great to hear that he has such a wonderful relationship with his son.

[@woodshed_moments]

Andy Summers is one of the apex influences in my Trinity of overall guitar influences for the over 40 years that I have been a guitar player writer and producer, he is simply that "it" guy that put the Police on the map and, and quietly tamed stitng.

[@lulumoon6942]

Andy Summers is so underrated, and wrote an enjoyable autobiography, look for it! 👍

[@detroithammer8869]

The power of music indeed!

[@briscocountythethird457]

My favorite guitarist and one of my biggest influences as a guitar player.

[@alexanderkerr]

Bartok Violin Duos!!! I always loved the Police and Andy Summers was such a star but now I’m even more impressed!

[@tomfull6637]

Love your interviews! Thx Anders Sweden

[@charmawow]

Rick, didn’t realise you had a second channel until today……..subbed immediately!

[@kennethsease6761]

Excellent interview

[@thetr00per30]

God , I just can't believe how good these dudes were. Each one of them was world class at their instruments to begin with. Can you imagine how fucking intimidating it must have to have been to bring music lyrics and present it to the others? No wonder they had to play it cool when working on new stuff you would not want to be attached when they shoot it down. All three of them said that the studio sessions were fucking brutal lol but it was worth it the songs will live forever.

[@user-tz6wj2bw9i]

Great interview!

[@tehpeasant]

This song taught me about these kind of chords which I've been using everywhere ever since

[@michaelgehringmusic8440]

Andy is a legendary musician and great guy.

[@afterforever2765]

Great interview! Well done.

[@atphotos]

Rick, cheers! You are really crushing it!!!!

[@nrich5127]

Andy is the most subdued of the 3 members and is always very reflective and interesting - what a great guitarist / creator.

[@brianm.9062]

what a fantastic reference 5.00 'at one point there was an empty tape, there was a point where they did not exist' wow deep.

[@kvetoslavhradecky6765]

Thank you, this guitarist is really very unique👍

[@mikemarkowski7609]

Great song, I love playing and singing it!

[@geclay]

So happy i saw this, i had no idea he was touring. Well now to get tickets , ty ty

[@mitchweiner]

I was a teenager when this song came out. It’s hard to believe it still stands the test of time. Just goes to show the quality of the musicianship!

[@guitartoneSA]

Without doubt one of the greatest bands of all time. Pure genius!

[@damo5791]

Double Rick Beato in my life. Sure thing Rick. Subscribed! Greets from London.

[@dr.percivalsmyth5487]

what a beautiful video. I've already seen the original (whole) video, but I just love listening to rick and his guests. McCartney next Rick! We must see this! We're waiting...! (Oh ok, and Ringo too.)

[@johnjohnson3709]

Wow! Great video!! I subscribed, thank you Rick 😊

[@poochcastilon]

What a cool interview

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

Didn't realise there was a Beato 2!! Subscribed now!!!

[@E4RLIES]

Why did nobody tell me your new channel is Rick Beato 2!! Missed you, glad this popped up on my feed😎👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🎹🎸🎸

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

Great song. Great interview.

[@hammalammadingdong6244]

Andy was a big reason I picked up the guitar. S-tier musician all the way.

[@davidhoxit4274]

Great insight....unmistakeable sound of these three wise men👍🏻

[@davidtempest263]

Message in a bottle is one of the most unique and unforgettable songs I’ve ever heard in my life. When I first heard it as a teenager, I was gobsmacked

[@samthebarber93]

Christ, my grandad (rest his soul) was exactly like Andy Summers. His playing style, his passion for musical intelligence, his love for old Fenders. It’s actually like listening to my grandad talking to me right now! Amazing! Rock on Summers! My favourite band of all time!

[@boomusic8229]

My memory of the Police on the Robert Klein radio show on WNEW back in NY is indelible. Zenyatta Mondatta had just come out & I think it was the most modern, futuristic sound I had ever heard! Been hooked ever since!!

[@Atif_Ph.D._Kate_Bush_Fan_Club]

He’s very modest and down-to-earth. Great guitarist.

[@narrowgaugegreg]

I went to the Berklee summer program when I was 16 in 1985. In guitar theory we the first thing we studied was the message in a bottle riff. so there's that....

[@JohnVC]

That must have been an awesome time

[@clivesaunders5576]

this man had a big influence how I played guitar big ups Andy!

[@ralphhyland8661]

What a great talent! Talk about being born at the right time!

[@jules153]

Andy reminds me of JPJ Jones from Zep, always playing classical and jazz stuff. They should get together 👍🏻👍🏻

[@lptomtom]

John Paul Jones Jones ?

[@jules153]

@@lptomtom ☺️ yep!

[@ChuckWortman]

😂😂​@@lptomtom

[@Roonlovesfish3874]

​@@lptomtom 🤣🤣🤣

[@Rampart.X]

Both are rock music geniuses.

[@danmang923]

Very unique his guitar playing.... Simply incredible

[@SylvainMenard]

Those three guys are just fantastic. Saw them twice in Montréal.

[@JohnnyPunish]

A humble gent who plays a wicked guitar, epic

[@JoolsVoiceOver]

I am so happy to say the Police were my first love at age 12/13 and I have never fallen out of love with them now at 58 I still play their music almost daily and my son now loves them too :0) xx

[@Mojokiss]

I used to study the Bartok violin duets when i lived alone on my sailboat during covid