Every Breath You Take Explained Sting

Let's face it, getting personal never hurt a record's sales.
If anything, it's the opposite.
Every Breath You Take, written by Sting after the breakup of his first marriage, is one of the biggest ballads ever.
Hear Sting talk about the song's meaning and songwriting process in this 2011 clip from BBC Two's Secrets of the Pop Song
Did you know? 'Every Breath You Take' started a 4-week No. 1 run on the UK singles chart #OnThisDay in 1983! 🏆
Every Breath You Take Explained
Excerpt from BBC Two's - Secrets of the Pop Song UK S01EP01

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I remember when I first heard *"Every Breath You Take".* It didn't sound sinister at all. I thought it was a song of mourning. Someone you loved dearly had left you, or someone you loved had passed away and naturally you're sad that that person is no longer in your life.

[@jacktilghman9797]

That’s how I interpret it, I like to think of it as a message from someone you’ve lost in your life, who’s passed on whether naturally or before they’re time. Just knowing that as long as you’re on earth, if there is something after, they’re watching and they’re with you, but if their is nothing afterwards, at the very least, they still live with you in your heart and in your memories.

[@guillermosahuquillo4499]

But singing “o can’t you see, YOU BELONG TO ME, how my poor heart aches with every step you take”. He has been rejected, and keeps stalking the poor girl.

[@SuperAngelic5]

Andy kicked this song to another level.

[@kathryncachart5809]

The reason why this song is so powerful is because it’s a song that’s open to interpretation. Everyone can relate to the words in some way shape or form

[@ThomasSawyers]

...it's a song about stalking someone, it's literally a song from the perspective of a stalker, speak for yourself lol, I personally don't stalk

[@RandomVidsforthought]

If you choose to discredit and ignore sting's statement then you're wrong

[@mncdssctn9110]

The stalker interpretation is the only way to interpret it. Anyone thinking this is a cute love song has a very toxic and creepy definition of love.

[@sandralai617]

We should thank Andy for this Song or rather he should thank Andy Summers.

[@nkogliaz]

There is definitely something that sticks in peoples minds and subconscious about 'Every Breath You Take', and it's absolutely Andy Summers guitar riff, it's ironic that he's never been given writers credit on what is arguably the biggest hit The Police ever had to date, if you listen to Summers in interviews, he claims the song was going in the trash, Sting and Copeland (the latter of which didn't even play a drum kit on the song, the kick was from a Oberhiem DMX drum machine, etc and so on), couldn't agree on anything pertaining to the song, and at one point, Sting told Andy, "Go on then, make it your own". and Andy Summers went in to the main room and just played that riff and recorded it in one take and everyone in the booth immediately started cheering, this has always been an incredibly sinister song to me, Sting has said it many times in countless interviews as well, it's pretty ironic a lot of people thought for years it was a love song, or a song about a passing loved one and Sting has been quoted numerous times finding it hilarious that people have taken the meaning of the song completely out of context for years (Like Puff Daddy with 'I'll Be Missing You', which ironically since he sampled / stole the one thing from 'Every Breath You Take; that Sting DIDN'T write, aka Andy Summers guitar riff for his remix, he has had to pay Sting almost 5k a day in royalties, and ironically will for the rest of his life, meanwhile Summers was shafted, once again and has still not received any remuneration or credit on the one thing Diddy stole), but Sting has always seemed to have a way of twisting a concept and pushing out something poetic, 'King Of Pain' was allegedly wrote when he and Trudie were staying at a house in Jamaica, and Sting was lamenting cheating on his then wife Frances, I read once that he said he was out on the veranda looking at the sky, and Trudie asked him what he was doing, and he said, "There's a little black spot on the Sun...", went back inside and penned the rest of the lyrics for the song after coming up with the next line 'That's my soul up there'. I love The Police, I own all of their 12"s, 45"s and all of the groups individual albums and singles as well (Summers/Fripp, Sting, Klark Kent, etc), but 'Every Breath You Take' has always been an incredibly contentious issue for me, and I think here soon, now that Sting has sold all of his rights to all of The Police songs to Universal Music Group aka UMG, this subject will come back out into the public eye in a big way in the year 2024 and on, Summers himself has been hinting at it quite frequently as of late, and I think it's time he got his credit and payment for his contribution to this timeless song.

[@kayeroskaft9619]

I always thought this was a sinister song-a song that says I’ll be stalking you. Even if the person from one’s past means no harm it is upsetting when he admits having sat outside your house-watching-40 years after a breakup. That meant driving at least 40 miles and never relinquishing the feeling of unrequited love experienced at the age of 20. (Never would I want this song at a wedding-scary. Yet, I really like the melody-takes you in to the obsession.)

[@sgdst]

It does. It being used by gang stalker to its victim mass surveilance otherwise.

[@sniffableandirresistble]

At the time that was written, many people conflated intensity and possessiveness with love plus men being megalomanical in nature took those lyrics to be assertiveness. It's Andy's riff though that is really haunting and not unlike having breakfast in a bank vault it's unforgettable. ❤

[@pachudoblas]

The song is actually very good, classic in nature. One of those that appears to have always existed. But what makes it one of the most successful and perfect songs in pop history is the arrangement by the trio in the peak of The Police’s capabilities. The whole Sincronicity album is a gem of songwriting but also of arrangement, musicality, playing with finesse, originality and constraint art the same time. Andy is genius level consistently and specially in Every Breath You Take. His riff is what finally takes the song to the level where it is, maybe what only 20 or 30 songs in pop are: inmortal. Stewart respect the song and makes a perfect drum track that is what the song demanded but maybe not what he would have liked to play, he is not so minimalistic, but he served the son really beautifully. Sting bass is simple but perfect as well. At the end, they sculpted the song to perfection. Great songwriting, God level arrangement and playing.

[@charissabanelundin6660]

Thank you for clarifying the true meaning of this song...

[@localgrassfieldboneshandler]

Yeah I felt bad at times for liking it when I heard what others were saying about it.

[@kingcon2k11]

I love th3 simplicity of stings lyrics, huge inspiration honestly

[@kristineholcroft9163]

This is one of my very favorites songs always will be

[@SKid_Athor]

Cant believe, I've seen this on point explanation. Wow!!!! 40 yrs too late, but ok. Bedda late than neva! It's a two-dimensional song now... Just makes it much more beautiful. Great Job, Sting. I'd love to be one of your kids in school. 🙂

[@Zephyr_Weiss]

Better late than never*

[@SKid_Athor]

@@Zephyr_Weiss yeah... and the later the stronger the perception is. 😔😎

[@newtraineee1882]

Legend

[@oldsanjuanapartmentsenpuer5575]

This song came back into my life after many many years by chance in a moment that I needed it the most. I heard it as a relaxing instrumental version in an office before a very important meeting that was about to happen. It was the first song that was ramdomly played when I entered the office as it was being opened. I was drawn to it and wanted to hear it with the lyrics. As I heard the song over and over I came to realize that this song may have unintentionally be a conversation between God and a person who wishes to be near Him. Which was exactly how I felt at that moment. In the beginning and the end of the song, what I interpret as "Gods" voice, He is saying in a calm way that He loves us and is always watching over us. In the middle of the song you can hear the desperation and different tone of voice of a person who is lost and in need of Gods love, which is irreplaceable. And only wants to be near Him. "Since you've gone, I've been lost without a trace I dream at night, I can only see your face I look around, but it's you I can't replace I feel so cold and I long for your embrace I keep crying, baby, baby, please" And finally "God" responds to this verse softly that His heart is aching and that He will watch over him to make sure he doesn't go the into the wrong path. That He will always be watching over us and protecting us even if we do take that path. That He is Everforgiving and will love us either way. I will have this song in my heart for the rest of my life. As long as I'm breathing. Some words that stick out for me are: Breath and Step: (as long as your in this mortal world taking the right steps to better yourself) Belong and Vow: (God created us in His image with the sole purpose of loving Him, obeying Him and thus acquiring His attributes, seeing His image in others and helping others get closer to Him) It's very interesting that this song was written during a very difficult time in which Sting sadly got divorced and eventually The Police went into different paths after writing their best song ever. It was as if unintentionally they were pleading God for help in the moment that they needed Him the most. In order to get along with someone you need to see the good in them, in other words, their God-like attributes and not pay attention to their ungodly ones. This is the only way you can overcome hatred and anger. I only hope The Police can reconcile and make much more wonderful songs as they did before. The world really needs them at this moment. God bless them for writing this wonderful and brilliant song. Simple and repetitive, but brilliant. Also interesting that the chords were inspired by the song "Stand by Me." Which similar to "Every Breath You Take" you can associate with God. As if He is telling us to seek for His help and have faith when we are in difficult times. And similar to Sting, Ben E. King was inspired to write his song from another older song called "Stand by me Father" mostly written by Sam Cooke. And Sam Cooke was inspired by the original old gospel called "Oh Lord! Stand by Me!" m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZa8i6dpe6akn5Y In my humble opinion "Every Breath You Take" is music's updated version of Stand by Me. Doesn't matter what religion you belong to, be it Christianity, the Bahá'í Faith, Hinduism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Budism, Judaism, we are all ONE religion, ONE human race and we all vow to the same ONE TRUE GOD.

[@RandomVidsforthought]

🤣

[@craftincrazykarri1880]

Thank you for your thoughts on this song. I like it. I hear this song alot at work and thought it was a stalking song. But when you think about it the way you wrote about, it's better and comforting. I've always looked for the meanings in songs. I don't know why but I like your interpretation of this song better. Thank you again. God bless. Take care. Karri

[@ruthcelitavlogs1447]

I love this song So much I sing this so nice ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@IvaHaze]

No way people play this on their wedding.

[@localbod]

The middle eight still stands out for me as a great piece of music.

[@britocuevasa.andrea7388]

It fits perfect for Joe Goldberg character jaja

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

The spitting image version is still my favourite and one in which any trace of stalking is removed

[@EndoftheTownProductions]

Has Andy gotten a writing credit yet for the song?

[@March1966]

The amount of money it’s made for the “writer” is why Andy Summers is pissed at Sting. There was no guitar part for the song. Andy came up with it on the spot, in the studio and deserves credit as cowriter. I believe “that version” of what happened while recording it has been substantiated by Stewart Copeland.

[@jaylene.turner6524]

Who knew a song about stalking would be very successful. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@GeddyLeeBell]

I've heard that people used Lips of an Angel by hinder at there weddings too. What's next Your Love by the Outfield?

[@paulself8698]

In my Top 10 songs ever.

[@stimbobis]

10 million times? It’s almost at 1 billion on Spotify

[@thegoodsgone1965]

True, but each time it gets played on the radio it earns quite a bit of money whereas on Spotify 1 stream = £0.003 (and even less if streamed from a free account). Still though a billion streams would net you at least a couple million quid or so.

[@RobertFornaro]

First song I heard after my daughter was born

[@azymighthh6835]

Do you all know that Sting was an english language teacher before professional singer

[@kayeroskaft9619]

Yes, I know that

[@nkogliaz]

Of course, but did you ever consider the lyrics to 'Don't Stand So Close To Me' also? Sting wrote some DARK songs during the tenure of The Police.

[@user-fk5fs7ff7j]

Yeah, I knew this when I first seen him in the police in Adelaide Australia, around 1979. Very good

[@stefanoripari1816]

Tre Police The Best

[@tristonsheldoncutinho3928]

So in season 2 of Stranger Things it signified mind flayer

[@courtneygillespie1187]

When I think about the song as some crazy person...... I like it better 😅 romantic ehh.......

[@devilmecare]

If you've been stalked it's not that nice of a song.

[@izizibee]

Stalking song might be adopted by zuck

[@jstone247]

Today this is regarded as tantamount to stalking, intimidation and coersion.

[@janovewaldner1]

I think that most of the success of the song comes from the fact that it was published by a band of young people who were already popular. The young audience made it popular(viral). I'm pretty sure that if Sting would have published this song at his current age now, it wouldn't had got, not even a fraction, of the attention or success.

[@nkogliaz]

Tell that to Andy Summers...

[@mpv409]

Sting can’t do math

[@AaronTheCrystalClod]

"I hope this is the Puff Daddy version of this song, not that Sting piece of shit!" - Tourettes Guy

[@sigmale770]

Una canción de simps acosadores que ofendería a muchas feministas locas paranoicas 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@elchristian]

...without the riff of Andy, it would be just another corny song.

[@sleuth-hb4ht]

the song is about the great reset

[@maxeyre2024]

Great reset?