FIRST TIME REACTING TO | The Police Synchronicity 2

[@matthewdooley7855]

I think the Police were masters of catchy hooks. Really smart artists. Lots of energy, their songs are distinctive, and often have a message. Love them! Glad you're enjoying this rabbit hole. I've never really wondered about the monster in the lake (or loch), but I feel like it's "Futility". The father is increasingly disgusted with his life, even though it sounds like he has "everything" - office job, family. Sting said this was based on the theories of Carl Jung.

[@brittreacts]

Well said!

[@Yowza78]

The studio version is so much more threatening and scary.

[@kevinwalsh9788]

The Studio Version is my favorite Police song.

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

All 3 of these men are BRILLIANT musicians. Sting is a brilliant lyricist. He was an English teacher prior to his career as a musician. Btw, he's referring to the lochness monster in this song.

[@GunsmithSid]

Maybe a second listen and to the studio version will reveal the relationship of the father to the monster.

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

"Shiney metal boxes" are cars. I love that line.

[@wiltchamberlainisthegoat13]

“Contestants in a suicidal race”. Awesome line as well.

[@carla68]

I always thought subway trains. Packing them in.

[@johnramsell8518]

This is an amazing song and Sting, the lead singer and bass player is one of the best songwriters of our generation. Also, love the “Owner of a Lonely Heart” reference you made Britt! We can be friends!!

[@matthewdooley7855]

OMG THANK YOU! I was like, I know that song she's humming, but couldn't put lyrics to it.

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

He looked so young here! The lyrics were adapted from an old Last Exit song recorded by Stings first band in 1976. So many of the police songs are cover versions of old Last Exit material: So Lonely, Beds too big without you, Oh My God, Bring on the Night, Truth Hits Everybody. I Born For You, etc etc. From the very beginning to the very end, Sting was delving into the archives bringing old songs back to life with Stewart Copeland & Andy Summers

[@matthewdooley7855]

I had never heard of Last Exit until this morning, and now I'm glad I have. Those raew some GREAT songs, and I always thought they were example's of The Police's distinctive style.

[@kennethhockey2598]

Sting is the Police's wordsmith. All their songs came from his years of writing them down as they would come to him. ☺️👍🎼🎶🎵

[@chucksmusicaldebris3536]

Owner of a lonely heart by yes. I saw Jon Anderson, the singer for Yes, a month and a half ago perform this song at 79 years old. His voice hasn’t changed. He is truly an amazing human being. I did grab a video clip of the song

[@kengarner3625]

The studio version is much moodier, threatening, not a happy song, a criticism of modern society… I know live music often reveals the artists’ real talent and charisma, but there is an art to production as well….

[@jeffin8127]

You definitely lose the drama of the song in the live version.

[@wiltchamberlainisthegoat13]

I almost always prefer the polished studio version of a song with a couple of notable exceptions. 1) “Stairway to Heaven”. Led Zeppelin live at Madison Square Garden in 1973 is amazing. 2). “BAD” by U2. U2 live at 1985’s Live Aid singing “Bad” is incredible to watch. It’s over 11 minutes, but well worth every minute of it.

[@ManuelRuiz-xi7bt]

The lyrics are super dark. It's about a male office worker about to lose it and hurt his family, or at least himself. Synchronously and ominously, a monster emerges from a loch to come knocking at the door. The studio version is one of their best works.

[@jamielandis4308]

The studio version has a serious punch.

[@hypno59]

One of the best lyricists in popular music in 30 years.

[@maine420grow]

The Loch Ness Monster theme song

[@davidwoolbright3675]

The monster is a way of saying the man’s insanity is slowly emerging in his brain. That’s the reason he walks unhindered through the picket lines. They see in his eyes he is losing it.

[@tonythebubble3703]

The something in the dark Scottish lake/loch is a reference to the Loch Ness monster. In the beginning the monster (in daddy) is only stirring, but in the end it’s arrived at the door of the family home - daddy’s finally snapped. The part about him walking unhindered through the picket line (striking workers are usually very hostile to workers crossing picket lines) I always thought meant something about his (increasingly erratic?) behaviour scared them so they stopped challenging him. Great song but very very dark.

[@woodyheywood8792]

Checkout Tea in the Sahara - Wrapped Around your Finger - Walking in your footsteps- all from their last album together "Synchronicity" - 3 Great musicians, writing , playing and giving us music we had never heard...but hopefully we might hear again....

[@chadperkins8406]

Owner of a Lonely Heart, in "doo doo", lol ;)

[@chadperkins8406]

1:27-1:38

[@nostalgiaprincess]

i can’t do the live versions anymore. you’re missing so much by hearing the originals

[@Christopher-Baltimore]

The Police just tore that up!

[@genageeraert8039]

The live was amazing

[@nostalgiaprincess]

@@genageeraert8039 agreed, but i’ve always thought first impressions should be the originals then listen to how the artist improvises on stage. that’s just me though. and probably the nostalgia of seeing the same things i saw first.

[@rogerdaly6326]

​@@nostalgiaprincess I agree with you , she needs to hear the original first so she has a point of reference to compare other versions to.

[@jondhuse1549]

Ahhh , the best use of the word "googely-moogely" - the Yellow Snow suite from Frank Zappa's Apostrophe' album...

[@xyloplax]

Song's about impending murder and the synchronized actions of the Loch Ness Monster, who ain't selling Girl Scout Cookies. The pain upstairs is his wife and kids.

[@leftcoaster67]

Sting the lead singer wrote the song and lyrics. I'm not sure but basically its a Father stuck in a industrial middle class life, at the same time the Loch Ness Monster is emerging from the lake.

[@mariemcquade062]

My PDC! Fav band, music and lyrics of the 80's ...❤

[@metoo7557]

Although this song may not be everyone's cup of tea, especially if you're only into top 40s, if you're into music though and songwriting you'll understand how good this song really is.

[@clintlandrum9498]

This is one of Brittracts strongest reactions. Such a good job.

[@kanadiankorner]

I'm also curious, though I suspect you've probably answered on another reaction vid or elsewhere, why do you lean so heavily into live versions of songs? The studio versions are more often than not what the artists envisioned as the true versions of their music. Live versions are definitely memorable and artists get more of an opportunity to freestyle the songs, but hearing the studio versions is where the artistic and audio nuances are going to be most notable. For example, the Beatles, or Pink Floyd, just to name a couple of examples. The bands lace the tracks with audible magic. Not so in a concert / live version. What's up Britt? Inquiring minds want to know. 😊

[@WThomas66]

The police are just as good live as they are in the studio. Stewart Copeland adds far more to the percussion live, by his own admission, than the studio versions of a lot of their songs. Songs like “demolition man” or “driven to tears” are better played live than the studio versions. True they are limited being a three piece, but the musicianship makes up for it.

[@kanadiankorner]

@@WThomas66 Did I say anywhere that the Police are not a good live band? I've seen the Police x3 and Sting x2 and Andy Summers x1 live. Great shows. Rush was also a 3 piece band. I've seen them live many times and the show's were amazing. Your point adds nothing to my question. Why review so many live versions as a first impression of a song? Most people in the 70s and 80s engaged with these bands through the radio, and records, then in music videos on MTV or Much Music in Canada and CDs and not live. So why so many first impressions from live versions of the songs? Not to mention she's listened to some live versions of songs as first impressions that are a complete reinterpretation by the artist of the original studio version. Without having first heard the studio version or the released music video she's not hearing what the original album release sounded like and has no idea how different it is and therefore can't appreciate what the artist decided to do in switching up the live version performed in that instance. Anyway, it's a question. One I think a lot of her audience would love to hear from her as to her reasoning for reviewing so many live concert versions of songs as her first impression.

[@ronniecampbell4375]

Tempo is high, which is common in live performances. I never paid that much attention to lyrics before I began listening to The Police. Great songwriters !

[@ericmorneau7758]

Yeah what’s with all these live versions?

[@TheRealMirCat]

Less copyright bot nonsense

[@brittreacts]

Bingo

[@SEANBANOG4]

"i like the Police"....YES!! another soul saved.

[@brittreacts]

😁😁

[@RICHIEV333]

I love that you call it a 'kick' drum. (What musicians call it) A lot of people would use the more generic term 'bass' drum. I have thought about it. I think it is called the 'kick' drum so that on the soundboard it doesn't get confused with the Bass guitar. (Just a guess)

[@branislavkukuruzovic590]

Synchronicity is concept taken from works of swiss psychiatrist and philosopher C.G. Jung. Vey very intellingent lyrics. Criticism of modern ways of life.

[@kevindohn6776]

OK, there's another trio with amazing musicianship, song writing, and a singing bass player that you've done only 1 video reaction and it's time for some more RUSH please !

[@brittreacts]

Added!

[@conrad98gtp]

This was in 1983, and The Police were at the top of their game. They were possibly in the top 3, if not #1 band, at that time. I saw them that year at the Day On The Green festival in Oakland, California. This was also their last record and pretty much the end of the band. They went out at their peak. Sting, the lead singer and bassist, and Stewart Copeland, the drummer used to fight like cats and dogs!! Sting was about as big an ego maniac as they come. He still is!

[@briankaufman8227]

Yeah right. I was shocked when Sting said that he was ashamed, or something of that nature, of the music he made with The Police. WTF?

[@conrad98gtp]

@briankaufman8227 I know. Isn't that crazy? Even with all the success and accolades, he still feels that way. Which says that in his mind, he thinks he's that much better than his band mates.

[@briankaufman8227]

@@conrad98gtp Reminds me of Eddie Vedder with his ego and rift with Dave Abbruzzese.

[@wiltchamberlainisthegoat13]

Yep….1983 for sure. I can still remember listening to this song while driving to my junior college campus. Lots of great memories with this. We were young and free!

[@ljt3084]

@@briankaufman8227 Sting said that because it was pop music. Very formulaic. Sting wanted to compose far more technical compositions at the time but the Label knew that wouldn't sell in the UK charts.

[@skevich1]

If you want to rock to the Police, watch Can't Stand Losing You, live from the Synchronicity concert in Atlanta

[@briankaufman8227]

Great tune from an all-time great band.

[@wiltchamberlainisthegoat13]

I really enjoy your reactions. However, I wish you’d listen more often to the POLISHED final product that the studio versions offer. It’s what we would hear on the car stereo. It’s usually better.

[@brittreacts]

Added!

[@wiltchamberlainisthegoat13]

@@brittreacts One live version you should definitely check out, if you haven’t, is U2’s LIVE performance of their great song “BAD” at the 1985 LIVE AID event. It’s about 11 minutes, but it’s well worth it. Bono was amazing. It was definitely an iconic event! I’d love to see your reaction to it! 😃

[@leftcoaster67]

Owner of a lonely heart? What I like about the Police is their live versions are similar to the studio, but they freestyle it a bit more. (And I don't blame them)

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

My favorite band ever

[@brittreacts]

They’re soooo good!

[@kallsop2]

Sting the lead singer wrote this. Just like he writes his solo work.

[@christophermckinney3924]

Definitely check out the live version of synchronicity I from Atlanta concert 1983. They open the show with it. It’s energy.

[@robertvitrano3757]

Owners of a lonely heart, YES😉

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

Studio version

[@lancewolf2451]

I never noticed before...they appear to have a sound track of sting voice in the background

[@kathleenmayhorne3183]

Yeah, he was a school teacher to start out. Words can be beautiful or weird and beautiful, or just disturbing etc...

[@nickrizzi4927]

Love it Britt! Your reaction to S1 was awesome, and this is too! Was a drummer when this came out. Tried, but no Copeland here. No Moon, or Peart either. Love Police and You will PDC Sting on his solo work. I saw this tour many moons ago. R.E.M. opened as unknown to me at the time. They were ok, but I want as this! Britt, haven't had time to watch but see you have a Rod reaction can't wait for it. Talk about PDC! The Mod ain't far behind Elvis with that..... Your reactions are so fun and appreciated; thanks!

[@chrisrivera2]

Yeah, Sting is a modern day Mozart of modern popular music. As is Billy Joel. You have good taste.

[@jimcorbett3764]

This might be the only song I know of that references the Loch Ness monster

[@lancewolf2451]

Message in a bottle ... Official video.. bty, you're one the better lyric reactors

[@marklavor6618]

I like this part 2 version

[@philgonzalez5953]

Finally! ❤

[@brianelza9807]

Sting was an English teacher.

[@FeaturingRob]

I have always loved this one. The juxtaposition of the heartbreaking mundanity and stresses of modern-day living and the father whose paranoia is writhing in the bottom of his mind, like the legendary monster in the deep Scottish lake of Loch Ness. The studio version is much better rendition...which is true of most Police songs. Most of The Police's songs were written by Sting (Gordon Sumner). When you get into Sting's solo catalog, some of his best work just blows the mind...Fragile, If You Love Someone Set Them Free, Fortress Around Your Heart, Russians, Gueca Song (The Dance Alone), We Work the Black Seam Together, If I Ever Lose My Faith In You, Desert Rose, Moon Over Bourbon Street, Englishman In New York, We'll Be Together...so many great songs.

[@auralfixxation6702]

I'm glad you mentioned the lyrics. I remember people saying, this has an uplifting fun groove. I responded, you didn't even listen to the words did you?

[@featherinthewind333]

You need to listen to the studio version

[@carla68]

Russians is a nice old song that's becoming relevant again. I think it's Sting solo, not the Police.

[@PatiAnn]

Worth it huh 😄😁😘

[@Mariosilvagt3]

I prefer the studio version, but thanks anyway

[@brittreacts]

Fair enough!

[@FinallyTuned]

Would love to hear your reaction to “Brand New Day” by Sting.

[@AlexanderCalderon-kd6mh]

Were u humming "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" by Yes? Love this by the way. Have heard this in ages & never knew the name of it, until now! Thank you!

[@AlexanderCalderon-kd6mh]

Haven't heard

[@lancewolf2451]

the monster emergence in the lake is synchronous with the events in his life i.e its not a coincidence. As in synchronicity 1.."causaly" connectable. Makes for a good song but Its really a bunch on nonsense from Carl Jungs made-up ideas

[@derrickparran]

studio was best

[@deetgeluid]

Owner of a lonely heart reference?

[@backyardwildlifeintexas387]

Yes…. The band…. YES

[@MichaelGris-u2o]

Sting!!!

[@kdrive8213]

Why doesn't Britt do the studio versions on her reactions??? I love live version reactions but sometimes the studio version is so much better...

[@cookypuss8603]

90210

[@kevinbraiden9142]

90125

[@johnestiller5386]

You need to watch a video! It's 10 times better.

[@billbrink9618]

Owner of a lonely heart