Police, Every Breath You Take - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

#virginrock #police #everybreathyoutake
I heard the Police telling me “Every breath you take, I’ll be watching you”! I am sorry, but I could not help it! Very enjoyable experience!
Here’s the link to the original song:
• The Police - Every Bre...
/ @amyscut
/ @littleliesel
_________________________
🎁 Do you want to take a peek at my WISH LIST?
www.amazon.com...
💌 If you want to send me books, music scores, memorabilia, LPs or any other gift, you can use this mailing address, and Thank You!
Amy Shafer
7615 US Hwy 70 South #1010
West Nashville, TN 37221
United States
If you want me to do a First Listen and In-depth Analysis of YOUR song of choice, or if you want an exclusive 1:1 session where I can answer your questions, dig deeper into a topic, or even coach you in your musical experience, such as a music theory, piano, or harp lesson, singing, music reading, etc, follow this link: ko-fi.com/amys...
Patreon: / virginrock
Twitter: / virginrockmusic
Instagram: / virginrockchannel
Facebook: / virginrockchannel
Special thanks to those who are keeping my ko-fi cup supplied:
I’ve formed the habit of publishing all the names of my supporters simply because I appreciate your appreciation of my work, and I want to recognize each one of you personally. But, unfortunately, KZbin allows a limited number of characters for the description, and I cannot fit all names anymore. So, this is my message to each one of my supporters personally:
THANK YOU!
_________________________
Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.
_________________________
Credits: Music written and performed by Police
This video may contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. VirginRock is using this material for educational, critical, research, and commentary purposes in our effort to promote musical literacy and understanding. We believe that this constitutes a “fair use” of the copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, which provides allowance for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use”, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
If your copyrighted material appears on this channel and you disagree with our assessment that it constitutes “fair use”, please contact us.

[@luciengrondin5802]

I had never made such a connection between the lyrics in this song and the name of the band. Hilarious.

[@thomaswulf9959]

A few weeks ago I saw a quiz show with a question: Which Police song is really about controlling, obeserving, monitoring one's girl friend?

[@justinblumberg8101]

the most beautiful stalker song ever written

[@Mooseman327]

So true.

[@fernandosibecas3492]

It almost makes you feel sorry for the stalker!

[@victordevonshire807]

If you liked that. Fields of Gold by Sting will blow you away. So Beautiful and musically sublime.

[@Hildred6]

The music seems to reflect the theme of the song, the hypnotic and insistent quality of the beat is like the intrusive thoughts about the person in the song, which have taken over the mind of someone who is struggling to come to terms with a failed relationship. A person who struggles to let go and dwells compulsively on every move that person makes

[@johntate6537]

Yep. Remember loving this song from when I first heard it, but there was always that sense of obsession - of an inner pain being managed really badly. As I listened to it again in this reaction, I noticed even more how the drumming is almost violent, like someone banging repeatedly on a window. And I think the way there are so many long held notes and even chords against shifting harmonic backgrounds creates this sense of tension created by compulsion. It really is masterful writing.

[@rafalrocks]

“The drums are really strong here I think” - they’re really strong on every Police song. Stewart Copeland is one of the most innovative and gifted drummers ever!

[@fromchomleystreet]

He is, but he doesn’t do anything particularly innovative or impressive here, other than basically keep time. This is one of the songs on which the perennial battle between Sting and Copeland - whereby Sting tried his best to contain Copeland’s more expressive instincts and Copeland did everything in his power to avoid playing the kind of conventional rock back beat that bored him - was comprehensively won by Sting. This is a nice little pop song, but I generally find the ones where Copeland won that battle a lot more interesting.

[@bendancar]

Despite all those accolades, it doesn't crack my top ten of best Police songs, and is atypical of most of their catalog. Worth diving a little deeper into Police's repertoire,

[@jonathanross149]

It might crack my top ten, but it would never the song I would use to represent The Police. I would use Every Little Thing She Does is Magic to show how unique they are.

[@SimonRobertElder]

It might just crack my top 10, but my faves are Message in Bottle, Walking on the Moon, and Spirits in the Material World.

[@diogenesagogo]

Synchronicity II is probably my favourite.of theirs.

[@darcyperkins7041]

​@@diogenesagogoAnd Synchronicity I.

[@darcyperkins7041]

Invisible Sun, Masako Tango, Wrapped Around Your Finger, Regatta de Blanc (the song), Bring on the Night, Message in a Bottle.

[@FABIO_MARTINSS]

The piano chords, notes and melodic/ rhythimic ostinato repetition relates (or translates) to what This song is about: obsession and Control

[@Palimbacchius]

And weirdly popular at weddings ...

[@FABIO_MARTINSS]

@@Palimbacchius that's when the obsession and Control begins. And we know How It ends

[@tekelili1]

I discovered this channel a few days ago, and already spent hours binge watching it. Relistening with Amy songs I know by heart since decades, is like a journey you've done millions of times on your own, and doing it with somebody that points you to so many things you never saw before make it a completely different journey. How come that somebody gets into your world, and with some subtle changes, make it suddenly a better world ? Virgin Rock you rock Ma'am ! ❤

[@Marnee4191]

Such a perfect description of the appeal of this channel. I also think she's a genius communicator. (She is a professional teacher, after all.) She also seems wise, and that is not an adjective I use often (if ever) for non-fictional characters. I started playing drums around when she started this channel. And with that, I also started delving more into understanding music, trying to pick out drum parts by ear, and expanding my playlists. Amy added to my learning experience. These days, I now hear so much more in music - both music new to my ears and old favorites - even when she's not there analyzing it for me. I listened to The Wall album every single day for 6 months after discovering it. Yet, I felt like I had never really listened to it well when I watched her Wall series (which is very close to complete). Made me love that album even more. I knew I loved it. I did not know all the ways that it was genius. And I now I just hear so much more of the intricacy of songs. I never thought about how a song is structured before, and now I'm starting to notice.

[@John-tr5hn]

It's the craziest stalker song of all time, and it got everyone to see things from the point of view of the stalker, not the victim. It's brilliant.

[@SpaceCattttt]

And then Puff Daddy stole it and turned it into an undeserved eulogy for his pointless rapper friend...

[@MaximFedorovjr]

Sting said that this was initially a very dark song, written under the influence of the novel “1984”, it is not about love and kisses, but about Big Brother and total surveillance. And this is one of the greatest songs of the 20th century, and still sounds extraordinarily fresh.

[@michelewonder5808]

Amy picked up on that immediately!! The Police are always watching you. The best rock songs are about something other than love but can also be about love.

[@cosmicsolitude3870]

I’ve never really seen it as either of those interpretations tbh. I’ve always listened to this song as a heartbreak/struggling to cope with a failed relationship thing/hopeless romantic type of thing. This song has always felt sad to me. Not creepy or positive but like emotional pain

[@garryiglesias4074]

ROOOOOOOXAAAAANNE ! Message in a Bottle, Don't stand so close to me, So lonely... TOO MANY HITS by The Police.

[@dannyt286]

You’ve just scratched the surface😊

[@garryiglesias4074]

@@dannyt286 Yup, again, too many hits, she have to start somewhere :).

[@toddmathers5075]

To me this is an absolutely perfect pop song. Every choice they made from lyrics, vocals, instruments (what, when and how they are used), arrangement, and production are flawless. It also has the most effective bridge (the best part of the song in my opinion) I can think of in any song.

[@danb2TJ]

"Every choice they made..." 🎵🤣

[@69Mucci]

Agreed

[@terrykennedy-lares8840]

Congratulations Vlad on a great choice for a song to give Amy a place to start with a group. Amy, just to continue your "Police" joke, we used to call this the "Stalkers Song". "Every breath you take, I'll be watching you" I love your sense of humor about it. Great job! I aways liked the "Police" and everything they did.

[@joeloedeman5160]

Sting has said he can't believe how much people loved this stalker/obsession song. Later wrote "If You Love Someone, Set Them Free" as a counterpoint.

[@mikegraham4255]

I thought it was from the point of view of an Orwelian "police" state.

[@understandingnothing2445]

This song always reminds me of my penultimate school year in 1983 - Saturday I wrote a biology exam. The teacher asks how it was, easy or difficult? I guess I wrinkle my nose, I can't give an exact answer to that. But the lessons are over. And I go to the city and buy 2 records. Genesis: Genesis and Police: Synchronicity. Just because of the two songs: "That's all", and "Every breath you take", both of them I have heard in the radio some days before. For me, the Police song was never a love song, but it wasn't a song about a massive stalker either. For me, he describes the feeling when a love has come to an end and the abandoned person is still mourning it. I still remember how I wandered through the streets at night during my first lovesickness and thought of my departed sweetheart. This song reminds me of that feeling and nothing else. In Germany, many people understand/understood this song as a simple love song. Just as there are still married couples who play the song "White Wedding" at their wedding party. This is really strange. But for me, the Police song is just a song about a love, a relationship that has come to an end, and the grief, the pain that is felt.

[@mudhutproductions]

This tune was part of my high school soundtrack back in the day. It's surreal to watch younger people react to what was top 40 radio for us.

[@michaelbloom5342]

Sting, Copeland, and Summers were possibly the best Rock Trio ever. And yes, I say this as a gigantic Rush fan.

[@eduardocervantesaca]

And you also have Cream or even the Hendrix band but the Police kind of came at the right time with great melodies.

[@dago87able]

The Jimi Hendrix Experience were also possibly the best Rock trio ever ;)

[@robertfindley921]

I might agree with you on some days, but not most.

[@Heathcoatman]

This would be ok if you never heard of Rush. I posit that you arent really a fan of Rush at all. There is no comparison. I really like the Police, saw them live twice, including this album's tour. They have studio musicians on the stage. Rush? Cmon man

[@eaaaaaaaaaaaaaa5]

Serious? Never heard of Cream?

[@peterhughes8699]

"Message in a Bottle" is the best Police song imo :)

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

That's one of my favorites, but I'd say Synchronicity II beats it out by just a smidge.

[@sky_warrior_372]

I think so too. 🎶

[@gregorybrown3272]

Stewart Copeland's drum playing has never been more "in the pocket" than on this song. This may be the only time he has ever visited this territory.

[@chaddubois8164]

Simple beat, no fills until the end. Definitely not his usual style.

[@redadamearth]

It's such a simple song in terms of its structure, but its also one of the most moving about obsession ever written.

[@toddjohnson350]

Wait until you hear the piano in their songs Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic and King of Pain.

[@stuBdoc]

As you dig deeper into the Police's catalogue, and then into Sting's solo career, you will find that he is one of the most complex and cerebral composers alive today.

[@jerryhelm7848]

Over a career spanning more than 50 years, this band provided one of my most memorable gigs. They were promoting their first album, traveling in a custom van pulling a cargo trailer, taking turns driving, and sleeping in the back The gig was at a bar south of Dayton Oh. called Bailiwicks, which seated about 350 people. I had never heard of them. As they were a trio I imagined a power metal act like maybe ZZ Top. I was totally blown away by their unique sound and musicianship. We were providing PA and lighting for two shows, for which I had the privilege of mixing their monitors. I was immediately impressed not only by the music, but also by how truly gracious and nice they were. I was also surprised to learn that their drummer Stuart Copeland was the nephew of Aaron Copeland, the well respected contemporary classical composer. It was a day I will remember forever.

[@Xiroi87]

A career of more than 50 years? Ermmm... no, not even remotely. They were active for some 9 years, disbanded and reunited to tour for one year.

[@chriscraig6410]

@@Xiroi87 Jerry Helm's career has been more than 50 years. Please endeavour to be more affirmative in your interpretation of people's messages

[@diogenesagogo]

@@Xiroi87 It's not Aaron Copeland but Copland. And they're not related.

[@Oldman4128]

@@diogenesagogo aye, his father was Miles Copeland; one of the founding members of the OSS & CIA

[@Xiroi87]

@@chriscraig6410 I understood the OP said the band had a career spanning more then 50 years.

[@tat2jim]

Love how the vocal melody play against the guitar arpeggios. Brilliant!

[@tazgecko]

This song still get me singing after all this time. Never gets old.

[@jonathanross149]

They have several hits, and a lot more songs worth listening to.

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

Synchronicity II is my favorite

[@LeeKennison]

The Police are another significant band for you on your journey. The Police, along with Sting in his solo career, have lots of great songs. Sting is not only a great songwriter but also a great bass player, although you don't really get to hear his bass chops on this one, he's is just doing what best serves the song here. And yes Amy, the police are watching you. Be afraid, be very afraid.😉 (joking of course). I love this song musically and the Police are a great band, but the lyrics do give me a bit of a possessive lover bordering on stalker vibe. Lots of great observation, such as your remarks on the layering of sounds and rhythms, the pulsing bass, the strong drum strikes, and on Sting's voice. Great reaction!

[@chrisofnottingham]

Quite an amazing band. As just a casual fan I somehow ended up with their greatest hits album on cassette. The amazing thing, it was double album and every song really was a hit and a good one too.

[@musicgarryj]

Some people think this is a romantic song: it's a popular choice for weddings, but in fact it's about a stalker.

[@Astronometric]

It is both. Sting purposely likes writing lyrics that can have multiple meanings and that people can interprete as they want.

Not a stalker. A partner who wants total control over every everything. It's the darkness of obsession and control.

[@Xiroi87]

Obsession and control, pretty much the definition of a stalker.

[@meh8982]

This is the least romantic-sounding song, just musically, I can imagine. If I heard this at a wedding, I'm afraid I might burst out laughing at a very wrong moment.

[@peterkoller3761]

Sting's own musical reply to this song was "if you love somebody, set them free"

[@DC_Prox]

Your discussion of the piano's place, and its relationship with chords, reminds me of a part of a Tom Lehrer album I listened to many times as a kid. He was a pianist, and in part of his introduction to a folk song he lamented that the piano isn't really a folk instrument, and so he invited the audience to imagine that he was playing an 88-string guitar.

[@seraphicdesigninc]

Please consider, "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic", "Don’t Stand So Close To Me", "King Of Pain" and "Shape of My Heart" by Sting/Miller

[@dago87able]

The beat is certainly prominent and propels the song, but I think that the most memorable, distinctive elements of it for the general public are the guitar figure (riff…?) that starts the song and the melody sung by Sting.

[@michaelfreeman6608]

I love this lady she makes me revisit old music and actually pay attention to the instruments and what they actually do to make the song what it is. It changes how I listen to music and gives me a greater appreciation for the work that is put into the production. She is truly a scientist of sound.

[@blacksunfish]

Stalker song extraordinaire. Creepy surveillance vibes.

[@Nogill0]

In the context of a supposed police or intelligence agency watching someone, the music takes a macabre twist-- a kind of possessive, twisted love relationship on the part of the "state", and someone who is destined to be whisked away, never to be heard from again... and I never saw THAT in the song before!

[@therealpbristow]

Well, it was already meant to be pretty dark... But yeah! =:o}

[@mikeconway9849]

Definitely stalker vibes!

[@richardholloway6189]

Sting wrote “if you love somebody set them free” as a counterpoint to this song

[@PaulG.x]

This and Stairway to Heaven are the two most misunderstood songs. Stairway to Heaven is not about going to heaven and is a bad choice for a funeral. As if "buying a stairway to heaven" was a viable life plan. The song basically is about not getting to heaven: "Your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know The piper's calling you to join him Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow? And did you know Your stairway lies on the whispering wind? Oh" As for Every Breath You Take for a wedding song , it is not very complimentary to the bride: "Every vow you break" "Every smile you fake"

[@lovisalindstrom7920]

just adding "Your beautiful" by james Blunt to that mix. Many play it att weddings in the UK iv heard, the last phrase is, I will never be with you.Also a song that have been accused of being stalker song, but to me not at all in the same league as this one.

[@LucyLeaf]

I think you would find Englishman in New York appealing and Fields of Gold, both by Sting. Police have a fascinating catalogue beyond that.

[@benjaminrettig8094]

Please, more Sting and Police!

[@ricardorgomez]

Whenever I'm feeling a bit moody or down, and this song magically comes up during my playlist, it always calms me down. Relaxes me. I don't even listen to the words much. They are there. But the music is amazing. The singing is just the frosting and cherry on top of the musical pie.

[@PsychoGallagher]

I gotta say, the chord progression of the synthesizer in the background at 6:24 is one of the most brilliant and emotionally overwhelming moments in music history to me. It is just so, so good. That tonal strech sounds to me like the absolute embodiment of the feeling of desperate longing mixed with utter melancholy. I have no real knowledge in music theory but damn, that tone goes deep. Absolute masterpiece! edit: and yes! I feel the same! It's like they got snuk in through the backdoor but from the moment you realize they are there it completely changes the way you feel the song.

[@Slarty8]

I DJ'd weddings for a number of years. This song was requested almost every time, and usually for the couples first romantic slow dance. If I mentioned the song was about stalking, most couples didn't want to believe that fact and wanted the song played anyway. The few that did believe (or already knew), didn't care and also wanted the song played anyway. Fair enough, it's a great song. P.S. I didn't bring it up often because you don't "make trouble" on a wedding day. Ask me how I know. 😏

[@chris...9497]

“I think it’s a nasty little song, really rather evil. It’s about jealousy and surveillance and ownership,” Sting said in 1983. Regarding the common misinterpretation of the song, Sting admitted that the ambiguity is intrinsic in the song. On one level, it's a sweet song with the classic relative minor chords, and beneath there is a distasteful character talking about watching every move. Sting said, "I watched Andy Gibb singing it with some girl on TV... very loving, and misinterpreting it. I could still hear the words, which aren't about love at all. I pissed myself laughing." "I think the song is very, very sinister and ugly and people have actually misinterpreted it as being a gentle little love song, when it's quite the opposite,” Sting told to BBC Radio. He confessed to DJ Casey Kasem that the misinterpretation led to some awkward moments: "One couple told me 'Oh we love that song; it was the main song played at our wedding!'” Sting recalled. “I thought, 'Well, good luck.'" The clearest sense of the meaning of the song is made apparent in its official video, made within a couple months of the song's release. The cruelty and contempt in Sting's face in the video is not 'sweetness and light', is not romantic. There is resentment and frustration twisting his mouth and accusation in his eyes; a clue arrives with the lyric "Every vow you break" being spat out. The image and intent is obsession and possession.

[@rikk319]

A lot of people in this world are more interested in how something makes them feel rather than facts like the composer's intention.

[@robertparobechek6580]

Thank you for illustrating what is wrong with this world.... something offends you.. so what.. stop listening then... I think this song is great. I'm glad to be Gen X....

[@chris...9497]

@@rikk319 The history of a song (or any piece of art, for that matter) is always interesting. Was the creator successful in the communication of the intended meaning? If not, why and how? Was it the writer not understanding something in the message? Was there something personal, psychological, cultural in the lyrics or the melody? I'm making no judgement either way, just quoting Sting about his own creation. But I do find it fascinating. The confusion itself is a commentary on so many things. Worthy of discussion/debate: Once a piece of art is released to the world, does its creator have any say over how to perceive or interpret it? Does the audience? Does anyone?

[@rikk319]

@@chris...9497 These questions were raised by my english composition professor in college. General consensus was that once a piece of art was out in public it was freely open to interpretation--but the creator's intention, which brought the art to life, was to be taken into consideration and respected.

[@41Forethought]

Great review as always, Amy. Every time I hear this song, I flash back to "The Prisoner," a British paranoid fever dream of a television series, produced by and starring Patrick McGoohan. Six: Who are you? Two: The new Number Two. Six: Who is Number One? Two: You are Number Six. Six: I am not a number - I am a free man! Two: [Laughter]

[@martinmarenov7460]

I can't believe you haven't heard this song. It's so popular and so much played on radio stations, used on commercials and so on

[@traog]

I'm a big fan of The police, and bigger fan of Sting's solo work, I may have more Sting CDs than any other artist, I'm surprised this song gets rated so highly, even though I do like the song. I'd expect their song "Wraped around your finger" or "King of Pain" to get more musical recognition. Strainge how I've listend to this song hundreds of times, and I don't know that I had ever paid much attention to the piano in it, the same technique is used in King of Pain, I'll have to pay attention to if it is in other Police songs. If you want a good one from Sting's solo work that I think you'd really like it is "Shape of my heart".

[@therealpbristow]

I have "Ten Summoner's Tales". Fantastic album all the way through. =:o}

[@JacoWium]

I concur with your remark about the piano part. This is why I follow a few musical analysis channels - they open my ears to elements I have missed in songs I thought I knew well. It certainly gives me new respect for musicians and a new-found appreciation for all the music in my collection.

[@traog]

@@JacoWium I do that to, I have no musical training or abilities, it is interesting to listen to people with much better understandings, about almost any topic, for insights I'd never see on my own.

[@flyincosmo9356]

Appreciate your channel! Each post allows me to hear my favorite songs (and some new ones) in an entirely new way!

[@mipsungvuclam]

This is one of those songs that whenever, wherever, I hear it I am happy that it’s on. I rented a kiosk at a local mall for a year and a half and I am sure that I heard this song at least four times a week and I enjoyed listening to it every time. I really enjoy when you dive into songs like this! It’s like you have picked a beautiful daisy and begin to pull each petal one by one and help me to appreciate every part of that spectacular bloom! That said, I will add that I was a bit bummed that you didn’t highlight the crescendo of the bass line preceding the last section of the song. That is my favorite moment of the song! It grabs me every time! Another song that I never tire of is, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, by Tears for Fears. I’m sure you would enjoy it! Thank you so much for what you do!!!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@chrisofnottingham]

Also, a ton of teenage guitarists got very frustrated trying to play the arpeggiated guitar part :-) Turns out that Andy Summers has quite small hands and his trick was basically to damp/mute the first note in the sequence and then not bother to keep it in the rest of the chord so that he could just play it on five strings.

[@mightyV444]

He still is able to play many 'stretchy' chords in their songs despite those small hands, though! 😅

[@danb2TJ]

plus, in the record it's tuned somehing in between A / Ab, which complicates any guitarist to play over the record, if you don't tune down before play, almost a semitone

[@mightyV444]

@@danb2TJ - Ohhh! Now it makes sense to me why the music sounded faster and higher-pitched in the clip I saw yesterday of Copeland's brother Miles doing vocals for a laugh during the song's recording sessions: They'd slowed down the tape machine when Sting added the final vocals! 😀

[@mikelistman5263]

I'm a 71 year old guitarist and still emulating Summers, among other greats whose shoestrings I am unworthy to tie. In contrast to the tedious "gymnastic" solos typical of those decades, listen for example to Summer's solo on "Little Black Spot"---it's almost like a bagpipe melody...still tears my heart.

[@danb2TJ]

@@mightyV444 what clip? link? or was a joke?

[@isayx3]

The way you describe the piano and how its used in music is exactly how I always felt, but never have been able to articulate as you did.

[@patmcgroin6916]

"Don't Stand So Close to Me" is another big hit of theirs. Sting was a master of conveying subtle..."cringe" shall we say, lyrically and musically lol. Both songs explore the uncomfortable side of sexual and romantic attraction.

[@dvsreed]

You should listen to the Procol Harum song "A Whiter Shade of Pale"

[@The_Kiosk]

For being post-punk, they're one of the most musical bands of the era. One of the greatest living drummers, understated genius guitar, and god tier lyricism. The Police are my favorite band.

[@rideswaves]

Love your breakdown of how the piano fits into this song. One of those elements I never gave much thought to, but now that my attention is drawn to it, I'll never hear the song the same again. And I bought this album when it was released, so we're not talking about some short stretch of time here

[@rabbitfishtv]

That mysterious, sinister chord under the line “I’ll be watching you” is what makes the narrator scary.

[@Asher8328]

I liked what you had to say about the piano. I feel like it and Copland's drumming are the best parts of the song for me. Along with the very powerful vocals as well.

[@TheFlaneur-up1ft]

Back in the day songs like this were every month, every week almost. Seems we had the best of songs, writers, bands. I’m old I know, but I do feel it’s no longer like this today.

[@logantawhiti55]

I've always loved the bass and how everything rides on it.

[@jamesolsen7610]

I think you would enjoy Sting's solo song 'Russians', with its connection to Russian classical music (the Romance Theme from the Lieutenant Kije Suite by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev). A great piece musically and also lyrically --- quite a powerful message for world peace. I would love to hear you react to that.

[@alanglover9117]

Every little thing she does is magic

[@deepermind4884]

Wow, you really have a thing for Amy, don't you? Sorry buddy, she's married. IknowIknowIknow, it's a song.

[@robertlear2712]

I saw The Police perform this song concert in 2008 during their last tour. It was a special night.

[@3DJapan]

Dana Carvey on Sting: "Who has the balls to name himself a verb, present tense? He's not stung, he's not stinging, he's Sting!" (paraphrased)

[@shaunmoller2997]

One of the best 80 songs epic this song never gets old

[@ianbotha9912]

The song is about obsessive love... They called themselves The Police (they said) to get free advertising in the pubs in England. Part of what made the song so popular is that it has a lullaby quality, I think. You can take comfort and go to sleep know somebody is watching over you or you can consider it to be a stalker lulling you into a false sense of security and if you misstep he will do something.

[@nazfrde]

Sting has admitted that it is about stalking.

[@DarthVader-xz6vu]

A timeless masterpiece of Of love and obsession.

[@bighenry6633]

I remember when this initially came out that a lot of people thought this was some sort of love song, but it definitely isn't. This left one of two potential meanings for it, both of which I saw, and can still see, some validity for. This was essentially at the height of the cold war, so it was considered by some that Sting had turned the two opposing sides into a couple that had broken up, and there was suspicion and almost jealousy, but certainly obsession aimed at each other; but we were never sure which "side" represented which country/bloc throughout the song. The third, and interpretation that Sting has spoken about most is that of a stalker obsessing over their previous breakup. I'm going to hedge my bets and, since Sting often wrote complex (yet seemingly simple!) lyrics, that it is about both the cold war and the stalker! Next you need to listen to Message In A Bottle by Tge Police.

[@red-stapler574]

I would recommend some of their earlier songs like Message in a Bottle or Roxanne.

[@tarmaque]

You remind me of the piano instructor that was in my music department back in the 80's, who I got to know not from taking any classes from her (she also taught music theory) but from taking a couple trips with several ensembles on the same busses. She was awesome, but with an almost exclusively classical background. A couple of years ago I went and walked through the music department, mostly for nostalgia sake. She now had her own office, and when I looked at the catalog she was teaching Jazz Ensemble. That was my gig! (I'm a retired jazz trombonist.) One never knows where one's employment may lead.

[@niptodstan]

Listen to Bonnie Raitt, I can’t make you love me. Wonderful song.

[@SonicAgamemnon]

This band put a lot of thought into their songs, fighting each other along the way, and several times they hit a home run like Every Breath You Take.

[@ianmoffat4460]

Another Sting must listen to : An Englishman in New York. The subject of the song is actually an eccentric named Quentin Crisp. A really great track, especially if you luke the clarinet.

[@mightyV444]

That's a soprano saxophone, though! 😉

[@ianmoffat4460]

Whatever it is it sounds like a clarinet to me. I bow to your superior knowledge.

[@GaryBonaducci]

Agreed, and the video is great. If she does Englishman in New York, she should react to the music video.

[@mightyV444]

@@ianmoffat4460 - LOL! Please don't! 😄 A soprano saxophone actually does look a lot like a clarinet! It's made of metal though, not wood 🙂 Have a fabulous weekend! 😀👍☀️

[@ianmoffat4460]

Yes, the video is excellent. Well worth the look at. The back story about Mr Q Crisp is also quite interesting in a way.

[@dannyt286]

Someone compared The Police to Rush. Oooh, you went there! And I say that as a fan of the very same trio bands. I grew up with The Police. I learned every bass line to all the songs. And I just love Copeland’s style of drumming. No other like it. The lyrics, the style and skill level of these guys is unmatched. HOWEVER, when I started getting into Rush at the same time, it totally went to a different level for me. Mind blowing musicianship of each of those guys and the songs all came together beautifully. I say different level, not a higher level. These are two different bands either two very different styles and I can’t say one is better than the other, or that I prefer one or the other more. I just have to appreciate what each group brings to the music industry and the reaction videos just reminds me of when I first discovered them all over again.

[@kennywood6434]

I've been a fan of these guys for a LONG time. Saw them twice back in the 80s and they were great live. All three are brilliant musicians and Sting is one of THE greatest lyricists/songwriters of all time. You look amazing, by the way 😍 Edit: I agree with you about the placement of the piano and it's addition here. Perfect! They have another perfect addition with the piano on a track called "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" from their fourth record titled "Ghost In The Machine".

[@dianecourtney2724]

And does all the work for you …… love when you said that Amy ! That’s how I feel about this song ✌🏼 I feel this song is almost hypnotic In a good way .

[@toniyoung5131]

Sting was a geat fan of Bach i heard in an interview with Rick Beato. It seems he took inspiration from Bach.

[@JacoWium]

Yep. Numerous prominent musicians of our times trace their interest in music and songwriting back to Bach - most notably in the hard rock & heavy metal genres. Vivaldi gets a few mentions as well.

[@charlesberton2581]

Amy (sorry if I called you Ann in the past - my bad), this may be the most popular Police song, but it certainly is not my favorite, although I do love it. You may want to check out "Message in a Bottle" next. Second choice: "Roxanne". Third choice: "Bed's Too Big Without You". Thanks again!

[@felixnorman9562]

You have a nack of seeing things from another angle. I think is your genius of reading music notes, and playing the Harp & Piano!

[@jonathanross149]

They are 3 master musicians, and this is at the peak of their collaboration. They broke up after this album's tour.

[@Rowenband]

One of the simpliest bass lines in a song written by a great bass player.

[@patrickocallaghan3429]

It's actually by Andy Summers.

[@garryiglesias4074]

Simple ? Have you tried to play it ?

[@Rowenband]

@@garryiglesias4074 I didn't say easy to play. Simple when you listen it. A little less simple is Walking on the Moon, when listening but it's a hell to play too, with all off beats and strange tempos.

[@MrJaybon]

i listen to this song more then 5k times never tired of it 😁

[@GaryBonaducci]

Sure, though personally, I think that recognition should go to "Walking on the Moon".

[@maruad7577]

Today, after listening to this, I went back and listened to your reaction to "The Boxer". It was fun to see how much you have listened to since then and how much more confident and comfortable you seem now. I do recommend that you give Faouzia's "Fur Elise" Live version a listen. I don't know if it is a good choice for the channel but I think you might enough it just for it's own sake even if you do not record it.

[@sean.nathan]

For me... it's a song that absolutely requires viewing the wonderfully photogenic video that accompanied it... they were so visually entrancing as a group...

[@garynevister2123]

Lots of things to focus on musically here, lots of instruments, for me it's the guitar that makes the song. Love Andy's playing here. Takes me along on their musical adventure, like on a river boat or a hike, we're moving along, and the feeling is a bit dreamy, but also happy, with a sentimental vibe too.

[@stuie46]

I was 14 when this came out. What a school summer holiday that was.

[@rattfink9]

YES! Forced piano into a piece just rubs me wrong, but when it is used correctly, it can make the whole piece magical.

[@ianbotha9912]

Fragile was a song that I loved to listen to. More recently by Sting, Desert Rose and Fields of gold have been on my playlists.... Sting was a teacher, you might enjoy a song like Don't Stand So Close to Me.

[@ianbotha9912]

@VirginRockYT I'm not sure what message you are expecting of me. but thank you for replying. If you enjoy taking complex music apart I suggest Desert Rose by Sting. I always felt it deserves to be listened to by people who know so much more about music than I do.

[@mightyV444]

​@@ianbotha9912 - Looks like VirginRockYT were an impostor, possibly scammer! 😉

[@ianbotha9912]

@@mightyV444 probably

[@Bruhaha9]

Not to put them down, but I think it was pretty common in the 80’s for many women to swoon over how romantic this song was, and many men might have thought so too. But it’s actually more shading towards the view of a stalker, which makes it such a great piece of art.

[@JacoWium]

Correct! Sting himself has explained that the song's narrator is sinister and that jealousy, surveillance and ownership are the themes. By definition thus: stalking. I think it illustrates how little attention listeners pay to the lyrical substance in songs (in general). I'm not pointing fingers; I'm as guilty as anyone else.

[@DavidLindes]

4:48 - Sting would be proud of you for that take. Because while I don't think (as far as I've heard) that police surveillance was particularly meant by this song, Sting has been known to express frustration at people finding it "romantic", rather than how he now sees it (whether or not this was on his mind at the time of writing -- there's reason to believe it was a realization he had later), which is much more sinister, and Big Brother-ish or stalker-ish. So, you caught it, straight off. Good stuff.

[@Trendyflute]

Their biggest song, though when a song pleases such a wide audience it can be a little structurally simple to my ears...but part of its success is the subtle but constant little variations in all the repeated elements that keep you tuned in, plus the sonic quality of every instrument and Sting's voice are mesmerizing. The drum sound is similar to the popular 80s "gated reverb" drum sound that Phil Collins made famous (which began with Peter Gabriel's solo 1980 track _Intruder_ ) but produced differently, made up of multiple drum tracks for each part of the kit dubbed together, with the snare as tight as it could go. A few fav Police tracks for me are Walking On The Moon, Synchronicity II, and Invisible Sun!

[@bcmorrison3]

Rather than muted, I love how the string transitions were amplified and reverberated throughout, made part of the song. Adds a "timeless" feel, like when you are watching a scratchy film on an old projector.

[@kylelewis4685]

Wrapped around your finger, King of Pain, Spirits in the Material World, Every Little Thing She Does Is magic, and Invisible Sun would all be ahead of this one on a list of my favorite Polic songs. It says alot given how great this track is in reality. As a guitar player Andy's playing on this track is outstanding.

[@peterliljeholmen5703]

Looking forward to hear your thoughts about the piano sections from The great gig in the sky, and Us and them, from The dark side of the moon by Pink Floyd…

[@mightyV444]

I'm looking forward to her 'Us And Them' reaction, too! 😀 Because it's my favourite Pink Floyd song! 😊

[@garydonais758]

Love Stuart Copeland’s snare work

[@TheSpanishInquisition87]

I guess a piano is a percussion instrument if you think about it.😂 I'd never noticed the piano before. They use a xylophone similarly in "King of Pain" from this same album.

[@NikaWatt]

Wonderful review. I think you nailed it, you have to feel the music and the lyrics are secondary. Interesting take though on the 'police' watching you! Did I miss it, but why have you never listened to one of the best groups ever, the musician's group, the one the pro's love? Steely Dan, You thought I was going to say Supertramp didn't you. ;-)

[@domenicov_versus3789]

As classical musician you will find very interesting songs like Mad Man Moon, Blood on the Rooftops, One for the Vine, The Lamia and the other classic Genesis's masterpieces.

[@ninenames]

Hi. I watched your comments on Electric Wizard the other day, and liked your sensibility and say. Only thing I wanted to add, was my personal opinion that you don't have to be dark personality to tap into the dark grooves of dark art. If you manage to do it, I even think your light will shine brighter. Thing I wandered about, was if you could do a video on "Godspeed you! Black emeperor.", you could choose to listen to the album "Lift your skinny fists like antennas to Heaven" and fpr example the song "sleep". Maybe it is too long, with its 23 minutes, but would have been nice to listen to what you could say about it. Anyway, thanks for this channel🙂

[@eldonstrackeii7892]

The follow-up response to this track appears on Sting's solo debut, 'Dream of the Blue Turtles'. That song is 'If You Love Somebody Set Them Free'.

[@hughcdavies]

@luciengrondin5802 agreed, but the song is about being jilted for someone else and being unable to accept that. Hence the "Since you've gone" section, which explains the "watching you" line. Although the chords are pretty straight forward, Andy's complex phrasing is (as ever) very difficult. Phil Collen of Def Leppard has a vid on here where he admits he would struggle to play Andy's version live. I play my own simplified version, more like Stingo himself plays, you still know it's the same song. One final thought, this is a love song, but about the end of a love. Lyrics about breaking hearts is something Sting does very well.

[@Emburbujada]

Ah, the stalkers anthem! Add this one to a list alongside Death Cab for Cutie's "I Will Possess Your Heart" XD

[@mightyV444]

Great song, too! Especially the long version! 😀👍 'Gonna Get Close To You' by Dalbello is also on that list 😅

[@darrenmetal3338]

You can't go wrong with The Police. Legends!

[@caroline___]

Amy I will now always think of surveillance when I hear this song 😅