NAILED THE REGGAE SOUND ON THIS WITH A 🔥 HOOK! First Time Hearing The Police - Roxanne Reaction!

[@drsebesta]

Eddie Murphy's rendition from his jail cell in "48 Hours"...is best😅

[@scottlaughlin9897]

I was just gonna put that in. That was so classic. 😂😂😂

[@MikePhillips-pl6ov]

Amazing that folks have to remember a classic song for a parody of it. Amazing, and sad.

[@Laura_Martin42]

And in Pretty Woman!

[@jenniferfoster1692]

Yes! Even though I knew the song before seeing the movie, I still think of that scene immediately when I hear this song, lol.

[@chrisolivo6591]

The Police were my favorite band growing, but I couldn’t help but think of Eddie Murphy singing in his jail cell whenever the song comes on for the past 40 years. Lol

[@JimJack-ng9yi]

Every time I hear this song I think of Eddy Murphy singing it in the movie "48 hours" , I start laughing

[@billc.5861]

Drummer Stewart Copeland is the backbone of this band. He’s so incredibly talented, and The use of odd time signatures with the Latin jazz beats is incredible with the use of a splash symbols, so cool Huge drum influence on me Yeah Sting & Andy are good too

[@happyapple4269]

His dad was director of the C.I.A.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

And his hi-hat work is incredible.

[@billc.5861]

Yeah Steve that too. 😄 I’ve been struggling to copy his playing since the late 70s when I first heard him when I was a goofy teenager.

[@PabloQuadriCora]

BTW, I wanted ibstanly play drums after hearing the LP REGATTA THE BLANC (still my favorite LP, from my favorite band EVER) !!!!

[@kenrk]

You should check out their hit "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic". Great song.

[@correctlyrics]

Yup...2nd that

[@crystalb8612]

My favorite!

[@ed.z.]

During recording, Sting accidentally sat down on a piano keyboard in the studio, resulting in the atonal piano chord and laughter preserved at the beginning of the track. As a nod to the gaffe, Sting is credited in the liner notes for playing "butt piano." The Police were initially diffident about the song, but Miles Copeland III was immediately enthusiastic after hearing it; he became their manager and got them their first record deal with A&M Records. (Wikipedia)

[@aj_aka_alan]

4:12 They literally had an album called Regatta de Blanc. White Reggae. So, yeah.

[@bradbailey1893]

The late ‘70s had a sound called “ska” that combined reggae beat (3/4) with punk influence. The Police turned it into a pop / rock sound and they soared up the charts!

[@iambecomepaul]

“Roxanne” is how you BEGIN to understand the band. Lots of hits… lots of years… lots of influence… but here is where you start.

[@robbiemillar704]

Canary in a coal mine, synchronicity.. two of my favorites but lots of others in the other comments. Thanks keep up the great work.🍻🤣🇨🇦

[@johnbrookes3261]

The Police are so different and talented . You have only scratched the surface with these guys . Such a lot of hits from this band and im sure you will get around to hearing them .Thanks Guys

[@s.oliver3687]

"Spirits in a material world" is great too.

[@kimzwolinski9919]

Roxann is my favorite 😊🔥😎 Message in A Bottle would be a great next reaction. I can’t name which movie but it’s definitely been in a few.

[@Pton_reaction_addict]

Don't stand so close to me, synchronicity, can't stand losing you, king of pain.

[@rhphotocdn]

Roxanne was originally released as a single in April 1978 and did nothing. They re-released it in April of 1979 and it peaked at #12 on the UK Singles Chart. Rolling Stones #388 of 500 Top Rock Songs of all. times and #85 on the VH1 list of it's top 100 of all time. The Police, there will never be a band like them again, so unique, so much talent!!

[@albertgarcia8876]

Just heard Stuart Copland on Sirius radio (guest DJ) and he was talking about this song, one of his favorites, and out of his own voice.....no reggae influence.

[@shspurs1342]

@@albertgarcia8876 Caribbean yes. Also South American Latin jazz.

[@jeanniedebartolo5965]

My fav Sting song is Desert Rose ❤

[@kevinhennessy1615]

Love This Song The Police Were Brilliant and Have So Many Great Songs So Lonely, Message In a Bottle, Dont Stand So Close To Me, Walking On The Moon.

[@Christopher-Baltimore]

Gotta do “Wrapped Around Your Finger”!

[@s.oliver3687]

Great song.

[@davidmackeown9318]

I grew up listening to the police when I was young. Sting has such an amazing voice.

[@beckiramsey9561]

Awesome group from the 80’s! The Police!❤❤ Great reaction, always bringing back memories for me!👍👍👏👏

[@robertlear2712]

I saw The Police perform this in concert during their last tour in 2008. They are such great musicians

[@First_Command]

“IF YOU LOVE SOMEONE, SET THEM FREE” is a great follow up song. It’s a great hit, is very loose and jazzy. I like all the different styles of the Police. Another good one is “EVERY LITTLE THING SHE DOES IS MAGIC”. I love watching you guys rock out to these bangers.

[@cassianfalkener3706]

If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free is from Sting's first solo album, so technically not from The Police catalog. That being said, I always love hearing these tiny snippets of Police songs in Sting's solo work. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic is one of the songs he did that with. If you want something completely different, I really liked Synchronicity, pt. II, but it wasn't as big as a lot of their other songs.

[@cletushouse906]

Was never a really big fan of The Police but this song is a cooker. Good stuff.

[@rubroken]

Makes me think of Eddie Murphy singing this in the movie"48 Hours"

[@JimJack-ng9yi]

I wrote the same thing as soon as I seen they were reacting to this

[@stevedahlberg8680]

It was one of their biggest hits. It was on the radio all the time. It was so popular to dance to at parties and clubs and wherever. And all three of those guys were stellar multitasking musicians. They make it sound simple but what they're doing is really not simple at all.

[@Jude_196]

LOVE The Police!! HIGH ENERGY: Synchronicity 1....but, just LOVE most ANYTHING THEY PUT OUT!! :)

[@KennethSavage-nn2vv]

In my class of 1983 High School year book, Roxane was listed as my favorite song. Still in my top 10 songs of all time. Fun reaction and review

[@brianflon6310]

Love that smile that crosses Phil's face as they hit that first chorus. Never fails.

[@asyrotk7604]

Sting's Desert Rose is another one you should check out.

[@samolevski1119]

I'm surprised a few other reactors had no idea what the red light represented, I thought it was universally known.

[@stevemurrell6167]

One of their biggest songs, their first big hit of many more that followed. They were huge in the late 70's and 80's.

[@kinjiru731]

This is one of the many great songs that had an awesome cover in the movie Moulin Rouge.

[@2eleven48]

Yes!

[@blastingweevil2968]

Stewart Copeland is probably one of the best drummers of the last 40 years his snare drum pop's soo loud combine that with sting's vocal's and bass playing it is a magical thing.. love everything the police has done.

[@bradgordon3760]

Walking On The Moon, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic are two more of many must listens.

[@chaddubois8164]

One of the most talented bands ever. Black belt drummer, Black belt guitarist and Sting.

[@cleonmagabeefy8500]

They're pretty awesome live!!!

[@davidholmes0416]

Love some 80's music 🎶

[@PorscheRacer14]

Many years ago, when I was helping build bridges around the city doing concrete work, they were moving a bunch of base material around to build up the road to bridge level. As the trucks were driving by and stopping by at the yard martial to confirm the loads I told the one driver to tell the other truck driver ahead of him, that just drove away ahead of him, "Tell him he doesn't have to put on the red light." They all looked at me like I was drunk. Then I pointed to the back of the truck that was driving away. The all had this lettered on the swing gates of the dump trucks: Rock Sand

[@TheNotedHero]

"Don't stand so close to me" is a great song of theirs. And then from Sting's solo career, check out "Desert Rose", it was a massive hit. He said at one of the concerts I went to that writing standard love songs is boring, so he always puts some twist into them.

[@dougpringle8938]

Yes don't stand so close to me is one of their best songs

[@anthonyblakely399]

Good reaction. 😊

[@williamflinchum-qo6ch]

I saw them in 82 in Atlanta,GA/ great show, the gurl band the go, go,s opened up fir them!/ enjoy hip hoppers/ lol😊😊

[@jimmyc3755]

As soon as you heard this when it was released, you were in. Never heard someone like Sting, and that beat. Seen them in concert and they were great!!!

[@TheZepp44]

Another great reggae song by The Police is The Bed’s Too Big Without You. The bass is insane, the drums are insane, guitar, and Stings voice to put the icing on the cake. Everything just Gels. 🤘😎🎸💀👊

[@Serai3]

All their early hits followed the reggae verse/rock chorus pattern.

[@jenniferfoster1692]

This was a huge song for them, everyone knew it. It was so big that Eddie Murphy's character in 48 Hours sings it in his jail cell. That also became an iconic scene because of Eddie+Roxanne+ Eddie's delivery=Gold.

[@VIDSTORAGE]

Spirits in The Material World is worth investigating by The Police

[@bradsullivan2495]

"Synchronicity II" is another unique sound by the Police.

[@cassianfalkener3706]

Not representative of their style, other than their style of doing their own thing. I'd love to see a reaction to it.

[@MZ-bl6wg]

My big brother was singing this song when my dad brought a pup home for us when I was little and yes we named her Roxanne , Roxy for short , love this song

[@samswords9993]

Roxanne is the lead lady character in Cyrano de Bergerac. Great play! I got to be in it during my college years.

[@aaronhanlon772]

Sting does a wonderful soft jazz version of this song. Amazing.

[@jonnno243]

In 1978 I bought the album Outlandos d 'Amour on vinyl, and I have loved it ever since, Roxanne is one of my favourite tracks from it.

[@KC-pc8ou]

Just remember you have to take a drink every time they sing Roxanne! Good way to kick off NYE 🎉..

[@jonnajois]

It's covered in the movie Moulin Rouge (with Nicole Kidman among others), then in a more tango way - magnifisant.

[@desiredbydesign6188]

Thx guys

[@Rowenband]

And the play is Cyrano de Bergerac from french writer Edmond Rostand. One of the most popular theater play in France. You may have seen the movie play made from it.

[@kidpoker007]

This is what put them on the Map

[@scottrbloom]

The fact that Sting was a literature teacher explains the unexpected little references to literary, (and other intellectual,) sources in his lyrics. He's a very smart and well educated man and even the simplest of his songs can be surprisingly clever. Rostand's play "Cyrano De Bergerac" is a very important piece of literature and dozens of movies have taken off on the plot. But mixing the character Roxanne, a pure hearted but naive young woman, with images of street walkers is kind-of different.

[@becksullivan4796]

This song was big. Gotta tell you back in the day once you heard you would randomly shout out ROXANNE throughout the day. It gets so stuck in your head. And maybe you bounce around the house…

[@JeanLuc6565]

Sting was in Paris when he saw a poster for a play ( Théâtre) , he notice the name of the main female character of the play , who was Roxanne , from the french novel Cyrano de Bergerac

[@sassycatz4470]

I love De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da.

[@okmickey232]

Message in a bottle or Can't stand losing you should be next. My favourite band as a teenager - Stewart Copeland, one of the greatest drummers of all time

[@bethjones5466]

First 3 albums were incredible

[@joedokes9753]

Stewart Copeland is arguably one of the top 10 drummers of all time. Mesh that with Sting's bass, vocals and lyrics, and the talent that Andy Summers on guitar brought, it's no wonder these three were one of the biggest bands of the 80's selling out stadiums. Roxanne is from their debut album and was the starting point to their careers. Their fusion of Reggae and Rock gave them a unique sound that no other band was doing at the time. If you liked Roxanne, you will also be interested in reacting to Can't Stand Losing You, Message in a Bottle, Walking on the Moon, Driven to Tears, Don't Stand So Close To Me, Spirits in the Material World and Every Little Thing She Does is Magic. If you listen to those in that order you will hear their progression, as a group, to incorporating other instruments into their music.

[@coachtomas]

My karaoke song of choice and I ruin it everytime lol. Sting's vocals are so raw and real in this. Most top tier songs have this contrast. With this it starts off all casual and simple with the some reggae influenced percussion. But then that chorus hits and we all rock out. Superb song. Great reaction.

[@TheOneAndOnlyFloridaMan]

The Police are one of the best and most unique bands to come out of the 80's. For more of their signature early sound listen to "Can't Stand Losing You".

[@jasonbarlow8263]

The Police are a whole new journey that needs to be explored

[@paulocarvalho6480]

So many good suggestions for The Police songs to react, and not even one suggesting So Lonely. It's a great song to listen and react to.

[@cosmocassidy420]

This song was performed in "URGH a music war" which was a combinarltion of many punk and alternative groups and performers that took place in I think 3 different city's all edited together. Featuring The police, the Gogo,s, Oingo Boing, Devo, OMD, Klous Nome and many others. Well worth the watch. Other really good songs by the Police you may want to check out would be. Don't stand so close to me, Synchronicity 2 and Every little thing she does is magic. Glad you like them Sting also sang in Do they know it's Christmas by Band Aid.

[@guitarman8462]

The Police - Can't Stand Losing You - Walking On The Moon

[@davepb5798]

Cyrano de Bergerac's muse?

[@neildarealdeal7129]

Thanks for reacting, anyway, this song is actually about a lady putting a red light in her window. Meaning, she was ready for business lol... Darealdeal

[@jathygamer8746]

Sting, Summers and Stewart are masters of the repetitive ending because of how they can each change it up on each cycle. This song was sung by Eddie Murphy in the movie "48 Hours" 🎧 💓 🎶

[@jmango2636]

This is a great song from the 70s … amazing how many great songs are named after a woman .. check out Maggie May by Rod Stewart or Angie by the Stones

[@duanetelesha]

Happy New Year, Stu Copeland top 20 best rock drummers.

[@chrisolivo6591]

The beauty of The Police is they evolved their music with each new album as it’s so different. ‘Roxanne’ to ‘Every Breath You Take’ just shows how talented Sting, Summers and Copeland were.

[@garyarnett1220]

"Roxanne" (the name) came from the French play "Cyrano de Bergerac" . The probably saw a poster for it. It was also an American movie that followed (loosely) the events of the play starring Steve Martin.

[@ziggymarlowe5654]

Roxane was a character in Edmond Rostand's play Cyrano de Bergerac.

[@reborndaughter445]

One guitar, 12 fellow campers, 2am, singing very loud! "No ma'am, we're not kicking you out of this campsite, but you must promise to never sing Roxanne again...." 1982 Van Isle.

[@vaportrails7943]

“Message In A Bottle” is probably the next one you want to do. 👍

[@katiecole5817]

As far as people commenting on the fact that you only know the "remake" or the newer songs that have sampled older songs: my gosh, The Police are probably from your parents era. I certainly knew very little from my parents era. (that which I knew of it, I didn't really enjoy). I'm just super happy that you young people are digging our old music!

[@gregoryhurst8483]

Their first hit

[@jenniferandrews1917]

IMO, Stuart Copeland is one of the best rock/jazz drummers ever.

[@justinwilton4603]

Damn stewart Copeland is one smooth drummer !

[@calumpotter5302]

You’d love message in a bottle by the police!!

[@Scarlet3241]

This song is one of their earliest, but it didn’t go to number one. I believe it was a top 40 hit. walking on the moon and message in a bottle both reached number one on billboard. I highly recommend both of them.

[@sarablack2547]

please do everything she does is magic.the offical vid was filmed in montserrat where there was a recording studio used by many artists.

[@timothybush9633]

Hi Paul & Sam, One if my favorite bands with songs like this and many others like Every little thing she does is magic, walking on the moon, De do do do De da da da, Don't stand so close to me , which is also a great movie about The Police by Guitarist Andy Summers

[@chrischar9428]

Ain't it Phil

[@Bekka_Noyb]

♥ You guys should check out their songs: Everything She Does is Magic, Spirits in the Material World & Synchronicity 2

[@nolansteiner4771]

this song was prob in a bunch of movies. One that I can think of was 'Moulin Rouge' (a variation of this song, at least).

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

In the 1982 movie 48 Hours, Eddie Murphy sings a very off-key version of the song in a jail cell.

[@agentsculder2451]

It's always qorth mentioning that Stewart Copeland's drumming is just off the chain. His playing is very unique, and really makes this song. Sting always gets most of the attention as the front man, but The Police would not have been as huge as they were without him.

[@peterattilakriszt3150]

You can hear this song at the end of the movie: CBGB. That movie is a must have for every music fan.

[@christopherstrong150]

I would imagine that the Roxanne in question is the Roxanne from The film play and book Cyrano de Bergerac . Later made into a film with the title, Roxanne. although at no point is she considered a” lady of the night”

[@leslapins7617]

George’s Michael’s cover of this song is a piece of art. As I read a comment once”Sting was mad of Roxanne, while George loved her!” 🥰

[@altosanon]

The song was used in the film "Moulin Rouge" in a cover version that is more of a tango!

[@chasestreet8082]

I remember back in the day when we used to do a drinking game when this song came on at the bar. Half the bar would drink every time he sang "Roxanne" and the other half would drink when he sang "Put on the Redlight." It quickly became a game where only beer was used, because the bartenders could never keep up! 🤣 -- For what its worth, drinking on " Put on the Redlight" meant you had to take 1 drink less (26 Roxannes to 25 Redlights). Anyway, great to see you two react to this one, and others have already mentioned the band's other big hits.

[@barsandbarbells2022]

Wow 😂 - didn't realize there was that much repetition! Not sure many would have lasted 25 shots of anything other than beer!

[@jgsrhythm100]

Jamaica was colonized by the England as a result much Reggae became popular in the 70's and many UK rock bands incorporated the Reggae one drop. The Police Elvis Costello The Jam and many many more

[@rsw1227]

THE POLICE: "So Lonely" "Walking On The Moon" "Can't Stand Losing You"

[@gerardoboraggini3776]

I love your reaction ❤ i can hear gojira l'enfant sauvage next time? Happy holidays

[@regis387]

so young here :)

[@jimmymcintyre7944]

Believe Roxanne was their first hit, at least this is the song that introduced them to me. They put on a good concert as well.

[@TMAN-hc1mo]

Yes Guys...You're are Right about first hearing this tune in a Movie...That would Be "48 Hours" which Starred Eddie Murphy & Nick Nolte...Actually, Eddie was a Jailed convict & was "singing" the Tune to Himself wearing a headset.. The Movie came out in 1982! *****

[@n_other_1604]

This was also sampled by a rapper - Cam'ron feat. Charly Baltimore - What Means The World To You.