HECK YEAH!| FIRST TIME HEARING The Police - Roxanne REACTION

[@Shrykespeare]

The Police had some truly great tunes, Among my faves are "Message in a Bottle", "Walking on the Moon", "Synchronicity II" and "King of Pain". I'm sure you also know from yesterday that Sting has an impressive solo collection too. And if you're curious about the other guys in the band, Andy Summers is the guitarist, and Stewart Copeland is the drummer. Phenomenal trio.

[@sheilameyers152]

I remember Bob Marley singing this! It is about a hooker that he took a liking to! Telling her not to put on that red light! Woah! yes don’t know if she ever turned off that red light!

[@thebronzetoo]

King of Pain was great!

[@dv3507]

Omg, yes! These songs are my favorites, as well. One of my favorite groups.

[@TonyM1961]

King Of Pain is my favorite song by them

[@walterrutherford8321]

The Police have done several songs but the one that sticks with me the most is, Shape Of My Heart. It plays in the closing credits of The Professional and the tone seemed to perfectly fit the tone of the movie at that point. I think that was Natalie Portman’s first movie when she was 12yrs old. She and Jean Reno are outstanding. Not sure if the Rob Squad want to review it because it’s a movie about a hitman so it is violent. Also in the movie is Ellen Green (Little Shop of Horrors) and Gary Oldman. Gary’s character in this movie is out of control. He also plays an over the top character in The Fifth Element, but it really works there. I don’t even have to recommend The Fifth Element because I’m sure you will eventually get to it. It also stars Bruce Willis who you’ve already seen and enjoyed in multiple movies.

[@Serai3]

Reggae verse, rock chorus. That was their pattern for the first two albums they made. Such a distinctive sound - no one else sounded like them. I tend to gravitate towards their lesser known songs. One of my favorites from this era is "The Bed's Too Big Without You." Beautiful song about loneliness and longing. Fun fact: The first time you see Eddie Murphy in his first film, 48 Hrs, he's singing Roxanne! Sting said he wrote this song when he thought about how hookers do have boyfriends, and wondered what a guy involved with one of them would be feeling about the situation.

[@fantasycamp4000]

When I hear this song I see Eddie Murphy and chuckle

[@surlechapeau]

Jay &Amber, You'll love their "Spirits In The Material World", "Walking On The Moon", "So Lonely" and many more!!!! Roxanne was their first single which I played on my college radio station!! Sting- primary songwriter Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar) and Stewart Copeland (drums, percussion)

[@pandoracle]

"So Lonely" definitely got the same kind of expressive energy as Roxanne, whilst listening to it, you instantly feel the urge to convert it into movement or dance

[@jamesbradley2301]

Some album tracks as good. Born in the Fifties and Truth Hits Everybody could have been singles

[@bradparnell614]

This was the first Police song I ever heard. They became one of the biggest bands during my high school years which ended with their last and most successful album, "Synchronicity". They had a ton of hits in the early 80s. You have so many more to check out like "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da", "Spirits In The Material World", "Don't Stand So Close To Me", "Message In A Bottle", "Invisible Sun", "Demolition Man", "Walking On The Moon", "Secret Journey", "King Of Pain", and "Wrapped Around Your Finger". BTW this was one of those mixed nationality bands as they were 2/3 British but the drummer was American.

[@poop_knife]

Drummer Stewart Copeland's father was a diplomat, so Stewart & his siblings essentially grew up overseas. He spent a good part of his youth in the Middle East & North Africa, which also informed his drumming. You can hear he tends to emphasize the "1" and "3" beats whereas most "western" percussionists emphasize "2" and "4." That's the eastern influence and it further distinguishes The Police style from other bands.

[@bradparnell614]

The thing I notice that sets him apart from all other drummers is the really sharp sound he gets from the snare. It's really crisper and louder than you hear in a lot of other bands.

[@casey4602]

Although I purchased both The Police and Sting's solo projects, I prefer Sting when he was in The Police.

[@jiboo6850]

@@poop_knife he also never played 2 consecutive bar the same. accents, kicks, snare ghost notes... each bar is unique.

[@tommcclary8689]

Their first 4 albums are incredible. The reggae ska sound is great. Ghost in the machine is one of the most underrated albums ever.

[@jamesbradley2301]

And Synchronicity is less good!?!

[@dbradx]

Oh man you're so right, Ghost in The Machine is a brilliant album top to bottom.

[@ForbiddTV]

@@dbradx All five albums are excellent. Gotta give them credit that they quit before being mediocre like many bands.

[@tommcclary8689]

My fault. I forgot about Zenyatta Mondatta. All 5 are incredible. I was wrong. Sorry.

[@Sylvestror]

@@tommcclary8689 I really thought you dissed Synchronicity and we were about to have words lol

[@jonathanlocke6404]

His voice, the kinda jazzy drums, the way the guitar sounded, the reggae influence, the way they looked...Everything about them was just amazingly new and different when they came out...

[@margarethdekeijser6380]

Steward Copeland is an amazing drummer.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻❤❤❤

[@colty7764]

Synchronicity 2 is one of the best songs of the early 80s

[@user-gk9lg5sp4y]

I was there. We're old. 😁

[@kelliedee]

Thanks for this reaction! They had so many great songs. Message In A Bottle, Wrapped Around Your Finger, Walking On The Moon, Can't Stand Losing You, Don't Stand So Close To Me, Invisible Sun, Spirits In The Material World, King Of Pain, So Lonely, De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da. Ah, edited to add: Synchronicity 2 is another great song, with a cool video.

[@ForbiddTV]

Yeah, but those are only the singles. For a better vibe you need to listen to The Bed's Too Big Without You, Reggatta De Blanc (Grammy winner), and Bring On The Night.

[@Hollingsworth2781]

Sting was/is a creative genius. Literally every song on every Police Album is good to great. His solo career was amazing too.

[@bertisjordan1085]

The Police were one of the Bands that dominated the 80's and was really the start of the second British Wave. Their early popular stuff was reggae influenced. One of the groups that successfully expanded their sound. So many hits. "Walking On The Moon" "Message In A Bottle" "De Do Do" "King Of Pain" Stewart Copeland is one of my favorite drummers!

[@larryhudgins3647]

I love the syncopated bass licks!

[@pkmadsen2850]

As a band, they made fabulous use of SPACE. Notice how minimal the instruments are and their use of silences. Huge sound for a three-member band. Great songs coming up for you.

[@gregwatson3300]

That is a good point. It takes skill and confidence to play the silence as well.

[@dbradx]

Excellent point, and Stewart Copeland was a huge part of that - some of his best beats are the ones he doesn't play.

[@genespleen]

Absolutely, well said.

[@artiewithers6980]

Great point.

[@dalewaits1050]

Interesting interpretation. Never looked at it from that point of view before.

[@Jeflar70]

This is a band you’ll have fun reacting to. You still have classics like Walking on the Moon, Can’t Stand Losing You, Message in a Bottle, King of Pain, Wrapped Around Your Finger, Invisible Sun, Don’t Stand So Close to Me, So Lonely and tons more. The Police are one of the greatest bands ever to emerge in the UK.

[@owenboyd5674]

Invisible Sun is my favourite

[@KarlKraus1]

Walking on the Moon and Wrapped around your Finger are great songs by the Police! I'm astounded that you've done only TWO selections by them! these two I pointed out will satisfy you to the max! Especially "Finger" EDIT: Oh there's one more song you guys to need to listen to from this group: SOS! Once again blown away this wasn't chosen earlier either! In fact, it's a bouncier tune out of most of their songs

[@omunozl]

Great choices.

[@mattjohn4731]

You mean MESSAGE In A Bottle! Masterpiece!!

[@markmaioli4]

fyi what you call SOS is really Message In A Bottle 🤘

[@stevetournay6103]

By SOS I think you mean Message In A Bottle, which finishes with Sting singing "sending out an SOS" over and over. The song actually titled SOS is a classic by ABBA...

[@KarlKraus1]

@@mattjohn4731 right! i was thinking of ABBA for some reason! 🙄😝When I hear a phrase or word in a song over and over, I sometimes assume that's the title but... I've known the true name for years now so I don't know why I didn't type in the right one! Apologies guys!

[@andyastrand]

Sting great voice, accomplished bassist, Andy great guitarist and so precise, Stuart arguably the best drummer of his generation. Seriously tight band.

[@iloveseble]

Stewart Copeland is one of the best drummers of all time. Listen to his drumming in "Spirits of the Material World." Mindblowing. Synchronicity, Reggatta De Blanc and Zenyatta Mondatta are great albums, but I think I love Ghost in the Machine best.

[@langlsd1604]

Ghost in the Machine is my second favorite, Zenyatta is my favorite. With that being said, they don’t have a bad album at all.

[@argonwheatbelly637]

Can't miss his traditional grip, syncopation, and those hi-hats.

[@LBrobie]

Sting was playing stand-up bass in a jazz band when Stewart Copeland (the drummer) found him. this song came out when i was in high school and i immediately loved it and The Police became one of my favorite bands of ever. 🥰

[@TonyM1961]

Very classic song by The Police. Featured prominently in the film 48 hours with Eddie Murphy

[@michellebarry1555]

I was hoping someone would say this…a good recommendation for their movie channel 😊

[@ForbiddTV]

Eddie Murphy proved in that movie that no one could actually sing it and sound good.

[@carleton4199]

To this day "48 Hrs." is the first thing that I think about when I hear this song.

[@kevinmclaughlin1092]

@Michelle Barry 100% agree. The first great buddy, buddy cop movie which launched Eddie Murphy's acting career. Nick Nolte & Eddie have such great on screen chemistry.

[@bluelionvintage8134]

@@carleton4199 came here to say the same!!

[@mikerant4135]

Good music almost defies definition - you can listen and perhaps the most valid 'evaluation' is that you want to listen to it again. Ace track.

[@jennhurl]

Stewart Copeland is on every top 10 drummers of all time list! He's killer!

[@jeffredd9965]

Didn't he make the theme tune to "The Equalizer"?

[@samuelgates5935]

He went around the world studying with native drummers.

[@thebronzetoo]

His Dad was the REAL killer!!

[@truthteller356]

he was a weird one...

[@thelazyguitarist1628]

Top 5.

[@timothygarrett2785]

They were so popular in my area of Canada, that we used to have annual police picnics, it was something that just overwhelms everyone

[@chuckragland6100]

This song is inspired by a trip sting took to Paris, and he noticed the neighborhood where a lot of the houses had red lights on by the front doors. When he asked somebody about it, he told them that's where the ladies of the evening did their business, the infamous red light district, when the red lights were on, they were open for business. The person also told him most of those ladies actually have real boyfriends. When sting heard that he thought about what those boyfriends must think about their girlfriends doing that. And he wrote this song , as if he were one of the boyfriends, and what he would say to her.

[@mayLibertyprevail1a]

Thanks for the back story! It's an interesting and quite unusual topic for a song, so I wondered how it came about.

[@ZacCostilla]

You’ll love “Message In A Bottle”! I think it’s their best overall song, even though my favorite is “Walking On The Moon”. “King of Pain” is another great one.

[@the9-2-5outlawgamer]

That's probably when the h outbreak was escalating all over the world before the virus would come in the 1980s.

[@christinepuleo3662]

Walking on the Moon and So Lonely. 2 must hears.

[@kimhubbard826]

Everything Little Thingshe Does is Magic, So Lonely, Message in A Bottle, Can't Stand Losing You, Wrapped Around Your Finger, King of Pain, Spirits in the Material World, are all bangers.

[@jeremygray1331]

When I was a kid attending Laker games, I remember walking to where we parked after games and there was always a red light in a certain window. This song helped me understand what that was all about.

[@IanLeoMusic]

Stewart Copeland is one of the greatest drummers of all time…

[@eumaeus]

FOR SURE! A prime example, "Every little thing she does is magic" those fills, flamming, everything from Copeland is just perfect and astonishingly good.

[@tradeladder146]

Why because he is an American ? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@peteturner3928]

weirdly his dad was a CIA Spook!

[@zeppelinfan9360]

No argument 🎸☮️💕

[@BadlndsBob]

Absolutely. He is my very favorite drummer.

[@jesperry6314]

For many of us, Roxanne was our first introduction to the Police and at the time, there was nothing else that sounded like it on Radio. The Police was a seminal band for those of us who were in middle, high school, and college in the late 70's through the late 80's. As many others have mentioned their hit catalog is soooo deep and all 3 were accomplished musicians. Stewart Copland on drums influenced an entire generation of drummers.

[@paulcwalina7910]

This was their breakthrough song. Hugely popular and put The Police on the map.

[@potcrak1]

It was one of those 'Where did this come from' the first time hearing the Police.

[@leegraves101]

I can’t listen to it without thinking of Eddie Murphy. When he sang it in 48 Hours .

[@xzonia1]

@@leegraves101 Lol! I'd forgotten all about that. Man, they should react to that movie! I haven't seen it in years, but that scene is memorable! X)

[@angelagoodwin5758]

Brilliant trio of musicians. Try "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and "Spirits In the Material World". So happy you guys are on the Police/Sting path. I LOVE Sting. He's a freakin' genius! Keep going, please!

[@spoonunit03]

Yeah, and they were ten-a-penny in the 80's. This was like normal to us 'kids' then. :)

[@kpowers]

Sting was also in Band Aid "Do they know it's Christmas"

[@miguelnavarrete3893]

Early Police from the late 70’s & early 80’s had a heavy reggae influence. You’ll be rewarded with a deeper dive into the Police and Sting as a solo artist.

[@frankshaffer7645]

-Bring On The Night -Driven To Tears/When the World is Running Down -Oh My God -One World Is Enough Ya gotta go on a road trip and just listen through some of their albums. The album was released in late 1978. It got play at college radio stations. They got booked on Benny Hill and Saturday Night Live. Then they got play on the mainstream stations. Then came MTV and music videos. Their album and single sales blew up.

[@welllivedlife-desireeg2804]

The Police are one of the greatest bands of the 80's. Loved them. Sting branched off and became a massive solo artist. They were an incredibly talented group. Great reaction!

[@lisajohnson521]

Greatest bands ever I think. They definitely innovative and different from the others.

[@LordEriolTolkien]

The Police get a remarkable sound for a 3 piece. And as you say, the feeling he squeezes in the one word 'Roxanne' just oozes raw emotion and feeling

[@petercourtien4581]

The Police are one of the bands from the late 70’s that told you that a new wave of music styles had arrived. I was 13 when I first heard them in 1978. 😊❤ Great reaction, guys.

[@lindascott6902]

Exactly the same age as me, and summer lying on the beach as a teenager was all about playing The Police 😄

[@paulions201]

Sting aka Gordon Sumner born and raised in Newcastle upo Tyne England , great voice.

[@selkirk57]

This was the song that brought The Police to all our attention. It was a huge hit when it came out. And it was so different from the standard rock songs being played at the time. Since you two are teachers you should listen to a song about a teacher by The Police called 'Don't Stand So Close To Me.'

[@farmerbill6855]

Because Sting was a school teacher in the UK.

[@chanellegale914]

This is my fav song from The Police love them! I'm Amber everytime I hear this song just grooving along to it lol

[@bobblowhard8823]

"Roxanne" was The Police's first big hit, released in 1978. The Police are one of a few bands that brought the 80's sound in early, in the 70's. This song is yet just another example of how the late 70's and 80's ruled, musically.

[@sahewins]

Message in a Bottle

[@johnpublicprofile6261]

Music decades in the UK run 1945-55 the music is rather moderate and shallow; 55-65 creativity is starting; 65-75 is the magic decade of the Beatles, Rolling Stones and so many others; 75-85 is the electronic age of experimentation and new sounds plus the previous decades bands have really mastered their stuff; 85-95 emotional, smooth and sophisticated sounds and still some occasional creativity; 95+ ?.....

[@bobblowhard8823]

@@johnpublicprofile6261 For me, music started to lose its magic and creativity somewhere in the mid 90's. The music of today, and the last couple of decades shouldn't even be allowed to be called "music", as it's akin to raw sewage.

[@johnpublicprofile6261]

@@bobblowhard8823 Other than rare exceptions, I agree. Hence "95+ ?..." But then these days it seems difficult to find what current music is, other than silent "C" music i.e *rap. That may say more about us being old fogeys 8-}

[@NRTSean]

Sting's 'An English Man In New York' is worth a listen....

[@trjbrew]

The Police had a reggae sound for their first few albums. Try "Walking on the Moon", "Message in a Bottle", "Murder by Numbers". This is an extremely deep rabbit hole.

[@jasonsprecher5118]

The Police are Legendary. Sting solo career is legendary. There’s a Ton of songs for you guys to react to from both.

[@tombanaski3251]

You will never pronounce anyone’s name of “Roxanne” the same way again…whenever you hear that name, this song will play quietly in your mind… and you will smile when it does, like all of us ready do

[@athomeinaz5421]

So true! Every time someone new says my name they do that. Ugh

[@gotham61]

I have a turntable made by a company called Roksan. When you turn it on it has a red light.

[@Land-Shark]

I pronounce the Steve Martin movie title "Roxanne" the same way whenever I think about it. I see the movie poster with the title in my head, and my brain actually hears Eddie Murphy or Sting wail out "Roxanne!".

[@rebeccarockchik6704]

💯

[@dv3507]

So true!

[@karicastanza5216]

Gotta listen to "Message in a Bottle", "Wrapped Around Your Finger", "King of Pain", "Don't Stand So Close to Me", "Spirits in the Material World". So happy your going down the Police rabbit hole!

[@foreveralone11w]

“Don’t stand so close to me” should be your next one! ❤

[@helindove2237]

Especially when you know that both Amber and Jordan are teachers! 😊

[@joea7293]

Sting is a musical genius and the Police were such a breakthrough in the late 70'sand early 80's. The accents in the musicality is unmatched in what was and still pop music and in some rock. Stwart Copeland on the drums is amazing in his syncopation and Andy Summer's is classically trained. Great band and please listen to Message in a Bottle Thanks for the post and reaction guys. As always stay safe and much love

[@kgardneriii]

Hit up ‘Message in a Bottle’ by The Police next!

[@alhollywood6486]

The dirty little secret of The Police is that they are all accomplished Jazz/Fusion players pretending to be punks, at least on their first couple albums. One of the greatest bands of the 80s.

[@normandavidtidiman9918]

I'm not sure The Police ever "pretended to be punks". They adopted a certain look and mixed a fast rock/reggae sound that rode on the "new wave" after punk.

[@alhollywood6486]

@@normandavidtidiman9918 listen to Landlord. No judgment, but they would be the first to tell you they were glomming into the punk ethos.

[@mattjohn4731]

Yes and Andy Summers had been playing guitar professionally since 1959! But he looked young and they had magic chemistry and skills. Andy was their 2nd git. First guy was only on a couple early singles (Fallout, Landlord, Nothing Achieving...)

[@jamesbradley2301]

Of all time.

[@jamesbradley2301]

Of all time more like.

[@volkerthienenkamp9720]

Bring On The Night, So utterly brilliant, 3 musicians who blew us away, listened to it on repeat to concentrate on every instrument.

[@user-or1ye3iz6d]

How many people here wish they would do a whole day of The Police/Sting reactions?? I do!!! 🙌

[@Triggerhippie70]

Same!!!

[@BongEyedBastard]

Yup

[@alandoust551]

Defo

[@sherribrock2726]

I can think of a few I’d rather hear all day but I def would listen to The Police as well!!💕💕💕

[@jeanine6328]

I don’t think you could do ALL of it in a day. There’s sooo much.

[@benoitrenaud519]

Three of the best rock musicians ever. That was their first hit. They were the no1 band in the world for a few years with good reasons!

[@vandergod]

Huge song for the Police! This was very popular. Eddie Murphy was singing it from his cell at the start of “48 Hours” (movie suggestion). And there is an acoustic version that is amazing from “The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball”. Thanks for being you and what you do.

[@ForbiddTV]

There's also an instrumental Studio version. Try singing to it and you will understand how Eddie Murphy nor anyone else can make it sound good like Sting did.

[@Lexy-O]

And also an acoustic Message in a bottle

[@bethtanner4481]

Doesn't this get covered in Moulin Rouge too?

[@laurin4405]

@@bethtanner4481 Yeppers... Bit of a different "feel" to it in "Moulin Rouge"... Rawer, with more passion :}

[@vandergod]

@@Lexy-O Those performances were the best!

[@luissalinas6938]

Don't stand! Don't stand so close me " ... fire

[@Particulator]

The Police have so many good songs with a wide range of styles, they're amazing. I really like their song _Bring on the night_ for the guitar and bass play mixed with Sting's haunting voice.

[@andymcgill354]

Sting is appearing at Cardiff Castle this summer.

[@jeffreymackay4343]

This band was the biggest band in the mid-80s, seriously. Their last album, Synchronicity, is considered one of the best albums of all time. They only made 5 albums in their brief existence (about 9 years), but their impact and influence can still be seen and heard today)

[@aleksanderfinstad5785]

Just love the way Sting play his bass

[@matthewthomas7418]

Another great track by them I recommend is 'Walking on the Moon' 🙂

[@pilesovinyl]

This is without question the best Police track ever. Period. Having seen them perform this live in the mid 80s, it was UNBELIEVABLE. It was amplified 1000% in the chorus in concert and they shot bright blinding lights in the audience's faces on the chorus as well, hard to adequately describe it. Check out a live clip of it...

[@martycrimmins3214]

The Police are an awesome band and have a very deep and rewarding rabbit hole! "Message In A Bottle", "Don't Stand So Close To Me", "De Do Do", "Wrapped Around Your Finger", "King Of Pain", and SO MANY others! But I agree with what several people have already mentioned: Do "Walking On The Moon" next. The vibe of that song is outstanding!

[@xzonia1]

It does make me feel like I'm bobbing about in space; love it! X)

[@brendaedwards6741]

And the video for 'Walking on the Moon' HAS to be seen if only for Stuart Copeland's ability to drum on anything - including a space rocket!

[@tud1366]

A "better" version of this song is done by Eddie Murphy in the movie 48 Hours. This song was never the same after we all heard that.

[@billclarke117]

As you can see, Stewart Copeland is an exceptional drummer.

[@rarelycares8416]

"Synchronicity" and "Canary in a Coal Mine" are my favorite two Police tunes.

[@scottlincoln1735]

I’ve prob heard this song a thousands times but it’s simply wonderful to watch two people enjoy it for the first time. Excellent.

[@the9-2-5outlawgamer]

In a documentary, how Sting got his name, I think it was because he was in his university's band dressed up in black and yellow resembling a bee, so the nickname, the stage name stuck. He was born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner in 1951. He also began his acting career appearing in The Who's rock opera film second to "Tommy", "Quadrophenia" in 1979. He even played the demonic charmer in the film adaptation of "Brimstone and Treacle" in 1982. In the band The Police, only two of the founding members are British while the drummer Stewart Copeland was born in Canada, and a naturalized citizen of the UK. He became a television and film composer he even did the music for 1998's Spyro the Dragon, an original Sony PlayStation platform open world video game.

[@denisemeredith2436]

Roxanne was written in Amsterdam because in the Red Light District women do switch on red lights in their front rooms and pose to show that they are available for business. You should check out So Lonely and Don't Stand So Close to Me.

[@derekangus1354]

A great trio band capable of such innovative, high level musicianship! They really had a magic bag of goodies each new album. Reggatta de Blanc ("White Reggae") was also loaded with unique hits. Roxanne was from their debut album in 1978 if you can believe it! The band won 5 Grammy's over the years.

[@retroreactions....]

As many others have commented, I vote for "Wrapped Around Your Finger", "King of Pain", and the AMAZING "Synchronicity II". Each of the 3 members is unbelievably talented!

[@mayLibertyprevail1a]

All three, excellent choices for their next Police reaction!

[@nvsteveg]

Synchronicity II is such an amazing song. I belt it out in the car whenever it comes on!

[@retroreactions....]

@@nvsteveg that feeling you get....

[@stormy7722]

Syncronicity 2 is my fave song all time..lol Love it!

[@barba7521]

I agree 100 percent with these three suggestions

[@nordeguzman]

React to their songs SO LONELY & EVERYTHING SHE DOES IS MAGIC

[@ResidentPetrolhead]

For those of us of a certain age, we were first introduced to this song in the 1982 film 48 HRS., being sung by a 21-year-old Eddie Murphy, in not only his first film but his very first scene. Before we even see Murphy, playing a prison inmate, we hear him belting out "ROOOOOOOXXXXXX-AAAAAAANE!" from down the corridor. Once you see it, you'll never be able to separate the two again, even though the song is a banger in its own right.

[@GranFelicia]

then after the movie came out ... walking down the HS halls and randomly hearing someone belt out "RoooooooooooXXXX-AAAAANE!" oh those were the days!! LOL

[@normandavidtidiman9918]

For those of a certain age we actually brought the record in 1979 🙄

[@robinjohnston24]

For those of us of a certain age that were born and raised in England, Roxanne came out well before that movie. TBH I’d forgotten that scene. By the time 48 Hours came out The Police were huge, maybe not in the US, but in much of the rest of the world.

[@sarablack2547]

I knew the song before I saw 48 hrs.thinking now it must of been one of the first times I recognised a song in a movie and had that omg moment obvs long before omg was a thing lol

[@ResidentPetrolhead]

@@normandavidtidiman9918 Which would almost suggest being a different age, one might reasonably infer...

[@reborndaughter445]

This song is so sooooooooo classic 80s. One of the very best. Back in an early 80s camping trip, we were told the next morning we'd have to leave if we spent another evening singing Roxanne! There's a great song with Sting, Rod Stewart, and Bryan Adams All For Love. Blessings!

[@emiliarodriguez4164]

Give " King of Pain" & "Wrapped Around Your Finger" by The Police a listen to. I'm sure you're gonna love them!

[@tommarks3726]

Can't stop losing you official video. Great song. Great reaction.

[@vincentp149]

The Police were huge in their day. The creative tension between Sting, Copland and Summers was legendary and always produced amazing songs. My favorite is "Walking on the Moon," but there are somany to choose from. "Driven to Tears," "Next to You," "Bring on the Night," "Shadows in the Rain," "De Do Do Do De Da Da Da," "Invisible Sun", "Spirits in the Material World," "Demolition Man," "One World (Not Three), "Synschronicity II" and "King of Pain" are all classics. I was lucky enough to see them on the Ghost in the Machine tour in 1982. Happy Birthday to Andy Summers who just celebrated his 80th Birthday.

[@poop_knife]

Andy is a guitarist who doesn't get as much credit as he deserves, but he was an architect of the textural style of playing that followed in the 80s & 90s. Pick scrapes against the strings, mashing the strings against the frets to create a percussive sound. A lot of players use techniques like this, but Andy really played them up and they became part of the texture of the songs.

[@76JStucki]

One thing about Sting- he seems to consistently play with some of the most amazing drummers on the planet. Stewart Copeland, Omar Hakim, Vinnie Colaiuta, Manu Katche….. if you know drums, you know those names. Seriously some of the best to ever do it.

[@salingerperry7330]

Stewart Copeland phenomenal drummer!!

[@P.Galore]

When The Police first arrived in LA, and before their first record, a friend who worked for their record company and I went to the airport to pick them up. On the way through Beverly Hills, Sting noticed a tall building at the corner of Roxbury and Santa Monica Blvd. The building was called the RoxSan, with illuminated red letters at the top of the building. One of the letters was blinking. Sting then began singing " Rox San, you don't have to put on the red light".....Little did we know.....

[@NOLAgenX]

My introduction to The Police was this song. I was “helping” my dad cut the grass (translation: he drank beer while my 11 year old self cut the grass). My radio always played in the yard when I cut grass. This came on and my break became the full length of the song as I didn’t move in the yard…I just stood there. I’ve been a fan ever since, over 40 years now.

[@joanlajara3939]

Gotta do Dadodada! And anything from Synchronicity! Excellent album!!!❤️

[@rubyswaim1441]

That's just one drum kit. Stewart Copeland is a drumming genius.

[@Lexy-O]

He really shows off his drumming chops on the third album Zenyatta Mondotta

[@elettewheeler7893]

The moment I heard Roxanne, I knew they were going to be big. They were. One of a kind.

[@markdraine3571]

The first big hit in 77 or 79 , somewhere in that vicinity..It just sounded different with the Ska -influenced vibe. It's a bit repetitive but not monotonous and holds up well , quite catchy with a meaningful theme.

[@jamesscully529]

It was 1979. I was twenty, and wondering who the hell these guys were. They played a now defunct club in Toronto called The Edge back then, slept on the promoters coach. They took a higher royalty rate versus any upfront money from the record label, so confident they were, so their starving early tours paid off when they struck it big and became rich with no debts to pay back.

[@leejones2010]

Drummer Stewart Copeland is one of the best ever. He was amazing on the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert in the UK.

[@dennislindqvist8443]

Their second album is my favorite. Walking on the moon, Message in a bottle, Bed's too big without you, Bring on the night are the most famous songs. But all their albums are really worth listening to.

[@danieloconnor1005]

You can't go wrong with the police. Literally every song is fire

[@nicholaspowell3294]

High class songwriting, from a high class band, lucky enough to have seen them a couple of times in the late 70s early 80s.There albums are absolutely brilliant.

[@talkingdonkey1817]

Sting and the Police were well known for their fusion of both reggae and jazz with rock and roll. Sting (Gordon Sumner) was well known as a jazz bassist before The Police and that is where he got his name, as folks referred to his bass sound having a “sting”.

[@juliewatson7492]

I saw The Police when they toured with The Go Go’s. Sting sang Roxanne acapella. It was dark in the arena except for the light just on him. It’s one of the best performances I have ever seen. Everyone was in complete silence as he sang. This was about 40 years ago and I still remember it so well.

[@ThePinkDragon]

sounds cool

[@MetalMcfly]

Andy Summers and Stuart Copeland were the dream team. They are accomplished and respected by their peers but in the eyes of 3 man bands i.e. Rush, Triumph, Thin Lizzy etc... They were sooo underated at that time. They did however get recognition within the next 3 yrs after this was released/ Summers/Copeland were a force.

[@brianherrington7226]

The Police were the band of the late late 70s till 83 releasing one excellent album after the other. Another brilliant trio in rock n roll history. Not one bad song.

[@colibri1]

This 1978 song was their first big radio hit, the first song I remember hearing by them. My favorite song by them back then was 1979's "Message in a Bottle," with 1980's "Don't Stand So Close to Me" a close second.

[@GinaGeeILuvu]

I absolutely love the Police and I love this song! You have to hear more of their hits like, King of Pain, Wrapped Around Your Finger, Don’t Stand So Close To Me, Message In A Bottle, and more…❤❤

[@goosiegander]

You HAVE to listen to Message in a bottle - all time classic, you will love it.

[@stevenblock9712]

The Police "exploded" on the scene in the late 70's (This song was in 1979.) and Sting is still a rock icon after 45 years.

[@dawngipe6324]

This song always reminds me of Eddie Murphy singing this at the beginning of the movie 48hrs...love it!!! The song...not Eddie's version...sorry Eddie...but makes me laugh everytime!!!!

[@SJ-GodofGnomes21]

This was one of a collection of songs that filled the clubs in the 80's... remember dancing to this on a Friday/Sat night

[@danielmarshall3102]

I know both of you will love their song "WALKING ON THE MOON". it shines a light on their drummers prominent reggae influence.

[@BruceColon-BSides]

Greatest pop trio of all time. So many classic hits. Check out Message in a Bottle, Synchronicity 2, King of Pain, Don’t Stand So Close to Me. Many many more from there.

[@cherylhurst7093]

Def Walking On the Moon, Wrapped Around Your Finger, Message in A Bottle ( you will love the bass on these songs). The Police had such a unique sound. They really stood out reggae, some funk, some rock, some whatever you want to call it. Fantastic and that Sting and they were easy on the eyes :) Sting was my crush back in the 80s along with Jon Bon Jovi and a couple of others.

[@CalvinCaylor]

Saw them on their final tour (Synchronicity) and this song ROCKED! Saw them in a sold out Kemper Arena in KC. When they got to the chorus, the 50 x 10 foot bank of lights that was pointed to the audience would come on. Between that and the pounding chorus, the audience lit up!

[@michaellynch9550]

Movie connection here. If you wanna see Eddie Murphy sing this song watch the movie 48 hours. It’s a classic.

[@misterdoe]

Glad you went back to where it started -- their first single. Sting has said he was trying to evoke Bob Marley on this one. Some others to check out: "Walking on the Moon," "Voices Inside My Head," "Spirits in the Material World," "De Do Do Do De Da Da Da" (a song about words), "Don't Stand So Close to Me" (inspired by the novel Lolita), and "Message in a Bottle." And solo Sting, I like "All This Time," mainly for how offhand the video seems, like they just walked into a bar, set up a camera, and started filming -- people are walking in front of Sting, pushing him around, and at one point he disappears completely into the crowd of people around him. Also "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" is a good solo choice for Sting.