Andy Summers on Recording "Every Breath You Take"

In this clip, Andy Summers talks about the trials of recording the album Synchronicity with The Police and shares some advice he received from legendary producer George Martin.
Full Interview Here: • Andy Summers: His Care...
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[@richardb8104]

Guy looks really good for 81.

[@taotoo2]

I thought you were joking then googled it..

[@assininecomment1630]

The deception role l that _hair dye_ performs, has long been proven.

[@RobiFM90]

Looks 55 wow

[@joeblo5804]

He really does.

[@markusthedrummer8143]

It’s much easier when you are living out your two purpose and calling in life. Most Rockstars age quite well.

[@bignz721]

It is insane that Andy is not a credited writer on the song. That intricate (and difficult) guitar track is the heartbeat throughout

[@fillhixx]

The copyrightable song consist of the lyric and the melody, the part you can whistle. Arranging, like the guitar figure, is a whole different thing.

[@pihermoso11]

Because Sting has an ego bigger than everyone else, he treated his bandmates like Nashville session musicians and wanted all the credits to himself, this is why the band split and they never got along, although Andy and Stewart get along well

[@MrRichieOtti]

Musically, Sting may be a genius, but his human qualities have often been called into question.

[@tonymaner5510]

​@@fillhixxthat arpeggio is pure composition not an arrangement...

[@jim3541]

@@MrRichieOtti Hes a good musician, creative for sure but hes no genius lol He hardly even understands music theory. Watch an interview

[@MB-sf9gz]

A cup of tea solves everything

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

Damn straight!

[@TheLegobug]

lol...the way Andy talks...it must be more than Tea....and DEFINATELY more than 1 cup...

[@matthew4694]

“The kettle’s on the boil and we’re so easily drawn away…”

[@johnstitt2615]

Yes.....yes it does.

[@atravelerofbothtimespace4172]

A fat joint could end a war❤

[@MayberryMafioso]

Rick is so incredibly refreshing the way he completely enjoys every moment of spending time with these people who are his heroes, as opposed to enjoying every moment of hearing himself speak and constantly interrupting. The best.

[@bdc-muzik]

This guys contribution to guitar can’t be understated.

[@clsieczka]

George Martin, in English gentleman style, “ ah yes, I’ve seen that before “ is so amazingly proper. It’s simple as that.

[@SuperBartles]

I think to some extent it's the example George Martin always set. Andy Summers probably went back with a different attitude himself...and the others had got things off their chest, and decided not to beat each other up. Funny people, musicians

[@clsieczka]

@@SuperBartles Right. And sometimes writing songs is easier than getting along with people.

[@laurieharper1526]

I've watched this interview many times. Andy's dry, self-effacing humour is hilarious and his timing is spot on. A natural storyteller.

[@atravelerofbothtimespace4172]

Andy just has a unique guitar playing style that still stands out anytime i listen to the police The Message in a bottle riff does it for me everytime Much love to Andy

[@cad2597]

Since the first time I heard this song, my favorite part was hearing Andy's fingers drag along the strings. This is almost emphasized in this song. Tastefully done.

[@jasonmckenzie2835]

Between the 3 members of the Police, I always felt that Andy's interviews during their time were the most professional.

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

I wonder if his are the most honest about what was really happening?

[@jasonmckenzie2835]

@@user-qr7ee2cp4y The last piece of the puzzle is the 2021 Hugh Padgham interview. He produced the last 2 Police albums. Holy crap were The Police toxic.

[@assininecomment1630]

Hmmm.... 🤔 I guess I should probably look for that,​@@jasonmckenzie2835. Synch in particular, was a really significant album for 15 yr old me. Do I _want_ to hear about the emotional debacle it was created amidst?

[@Vpmatt]

Probably because he wasn't beating up another band member or being beaten up at the time 🤣

[@busywl69]

Nice when the guests do all the talking 💚

[@bluebuspilot]

You can always count on Andy to give you a straight story. Not some overly philosophical emotional rubbish. Brilliant.

[@matthewphilip1977]

"They all stood up and applauded. Someone said, 'That's a number one right there.'" Sure, Andy, sure.

[@RobotWillie]

@@matthewphilip1977 You can hear on Murder by Numbers which was recorded live in real time everyone in the studio applaud at the end, its pretty believable they did the same for Every Breath's main guitar take.

[@michaelshepherd885]

Funny how his "straight stories" have studios literally applauding him and him being the key component in every story 😀

[@dankauffmanmusic]

@@michaelshepherd885more believable than Copeland

[@michaelshepherd885]

@dankauffmanmusic i wouldnt say so. Summers has a chip on his shoulder that Sting/Copeland rightly get more praise

[@andercert70]

It's good to take a song out of the studio and hear it with other people. I often don't hear all the flaws in my work until someone else is in the room, then they all jump out at me mercilessly.

[@seamusburke639]

Andy has almost a decade on Sting and Stewart. He was literally too old for any of their shit.

[@feloniousmonk3049]

Somehow, the "Respect your Elder's" got lost in translation.

[@jasonmckenzie2835]

Hahaha

[@nba_fan7214]

Honestly it's probably why they were still able to power through even tho they hated each other. Andy was mature enough to keep them goin

[@markgivens2557]

My question is : how did he not get on in the 60's? Keith Richard mentioned Andy having been around London.

[@WilliamPayneNZ]

@@markgivens2557Andy Summers sold Eric Clapton one of the Les Paul’s Clapton used in Cream. Guy has been around forever.

[@greggorsag9787]

That comment about evaluating your songs/recordings in different contexts is GOLD.

[@Wargasm54]

Andy Somers sounds like Piers Morgan 🤔

[@RMoore-zt7zs]

Mr. Summers is one of the best at playing just what the song needs, and not one superfluous note more.

[@toddclarke1580]

I like how Andy plays his positions spread over 5 frets. It’s the same with Message in a bottle where he adds the 9th , 5 frets up from his root note , on every change. That’s not an easy riff for smaller hands. Very unique that He frets like a shredder , but has a fender clean sound and plays the riffs to support the song melody .

[@mitchweissman5045]

Amazing story. Having met George Martin at rehearsals for an off Bway play, I had the same reaction. Magical.

[@EncounterCaneCorso]

One of the best qualities of Rick as an interviewer is he doesn’t interrupt his guests. It’s great to hear these legends tell their stories. 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@ptjww9455]

Andy Summers has found the secret to NOT age...who could believe this guy is actually 81 YEARS OLD???

[@sterlingfury]

Wow !!!!!!!! Being creative and happy and prosperous are very good for you ❤❤❤❤

[@chalkiememe4183]

OMG. I thought that can’t be right so looked his DOB up and my Lord he is 81. He looks and sounds amazing, about 20 years younger.

[@coreyolson955]

wow! I just assumed he was certainly younger than my 73 year old mother and father.

[@markusthedrummer8143]

Most Rockstars look great for their age and lifestyle. It’s much easier to do when you are living out your true purpose and calling in life. Not to mention having a couple million bucks in the bank so that you can eat the cleanest freshest food available. When they say they are facing stress, it’s a much different kind of stress than someone who has a 9 to 5 job and is struggling to pay the bills.

[@jonathanbirch2022]

@@markusthedrummer8143 most musicians never reach that level of success, they can’t stand the touring for months on end

[@tonymaddox4081]

Rick gives all his guests the best: Southern Hospitality!

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

I love Andy Summers’ playing. He inspired me to build my own replica of his Telecaster. One of my favorite guitars and guitarists.

[@jerrydelcannon9458]

Me too! I built a PartsCaster with a SB Allparts DB body, an Allparts chunky-ish Maple V-neck, and Fralin PuPs. It is definitely one of my go-to guitars. When I want a change, I have a spare rosewood Thin Allparts neck. But to be honest, the V-neck is on it all the time.

[@mathewhoward9114]

To be able to share your passion for music Rick we are blessed with your KZbin channels. A very big thanks for all of your quality content.

[@richprincipe749]

Andy is an amazing storyteller!!

[@johnwattdotca]

As a guitarist who did Police songs I bought his first book. It's really good.

[@richprincipe749]

@@johnwattdotca Agreed... His first book is fantastic!

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Andy’s playing on the Police’ records is some of my favorite playing. I also like his stories. Although I equally enjoy all five full-length albums the Police recorded and issued, I still understand why Andy thought some of the music wasn’t suited for them.

[@benfloyd7748]

Good use of an apostrophe!

[@herseem]

He managed to fill a lot of sonic space without overcrowding anything.

[@feloniousmonk3049]

@@herseem Done so, brilliantly, allows the song to properly breathe between all the aritists playing. You get to clearly hear everyone.

[@realbser1956]

The reference to Monk & Ornette. Another musician giving props to the 50’s/60’s jazz greats. I love that. How many “musicians” of today would even know who those greats were?

[@TheClownfight]

My first concert was the polices farewell tour on this album... Musta been 1981 or 1982... It changed my life. For example, that album and tour are why I am watching Rick Beatto 40 years later

[@jasonmckenzie2835]

1983

[@williamlloyd3769]

Serving at Naval Air Station Keflavik when the album came out. Helped keep me on track listening then and all those years since.

[@e.jonsson6163]

Nice to know that you survived sunny keflavik😅

[@craiganderson6880]

Rick is a fantastic interviewer!

[@michaelbrickley2443]

Saw the Police during their 2nd tour of US after Roxanne was taking off. My Fathers Place @ Roslyn. Might’ve been a free showcase hosted by WLIR. They were unbelievable. Well, not really, just way better than you would’ve imagined based on Roxanne. These were jazz and prog rock guys. Head and shoulders above what I expected. This was people capable of playing Mingus or Monk and Yes and King Crimson. Wow….wish I still had the cassette recorded on my Blaupunkt Car Stereo

[@jdavidrhea]

Monk & Ornette references that immediately went over most people’s heads. 😎🎹🎷

[@overwhamming]

But not yours! Wish everyone were as smart and cultured as you.

[@625shapiro]

Thelonius Monk.

[@erichjung4192]

I'm not reminded often enough how great he is . His work with Robert Fripp "I advance masked" etc. is brilliant too bad that all came to exist during the Madonna MTV era deserved more exposure I think .

[@rodzillarox4882]

Rick just subbed to RB2 .. ddnt realize there were 2 channels. I so appreciate your material and interviews. Peeling back the curtain on their playing, recording methods and ideas is just amazing. I loved the Christopher Cross and Nuno vids and this one on Andy . Just amazing

[@IsmiseEireannach]

Rick, your interviews are outstanding. You're keeping proper music alive and interesting. Thank you so much .😊

[@mkmur55]

I always appreciate the artists' candor.

[@walterbriggs272]

I love this song for so many reasons and crank it up on radio every time

[@JS45678]

Love these interviews! 👏👏👏

[@hieronymous7]

"It's always context." Thank you for this interview!

[@AE-zq4ut]

Without Andy’s guitar part, that song is nothing.

[@brianelza9807]

Andy is a great storyteller. Love the voices!

[@nelsonduarte2423]

This guy will be forever young

[@zekeyv]

Appreciate the wisdom Mr. Summers.

[@jerrydelcannon9458]

I saw him at Wolf Trap "the Barns" in October. Of course, he was incredible and his droll sense of humor and funny stories helped make it an incredible evening. I will see him everytime he comes to the DC area!

[@roberturibe3150]

Having bought that cassette when it came out, i listened to it in and out of the dessert where i was working at the time. Brings back memories when i hear it.

[@erikferner374]

Always loved Andy’s guitar playing but thought that there was a lot of his talent and abilities that were suppressed. Like having a sports car but never going past 2nd gear. Great interview!

[@aquamarine99911]

I doubt his talent and abilities were suppressed. I'm sure Andy, like most experienced rock/jazz guys, can play a variety of styles. But this is the style that made him unique. This isn't Wes Montgomery or Jimi Hendrix. If Andy and Stewart just did what Sting told them to do, then Sting wouldn't have had to go solo. Of course, then they wouldn't have been the Police.

[@EvelynBaron]

@@aquamarine99911 Sting went solo because he's an arrogant prick as was Copeland. I still wince at how he hogged the spotlight touring with Peter Gabriel on behalf of Amnesty International during the years of the Disappeared in Chili and Argentina -- Gabriel totally without ego didn't care, thank god. Don't care how brilliant Sting is. My sister in music industry knows him well, met him once back stage always looking over the shoulder of the person he was talking to in order to keep track of someone more important, yuck.

[@jimsullins9162]

RIck ! Awesome !! I love that I'm hearin the behind the scenes on "Every breath you take" , the groups problems/solutions and Summers simple and extremely effective riff that brought it alive :)

[@george94065]

Love hearing about the inspiration for great work whatever it is!! Thank you

[@ronnielarson9603]

Thank you for this…priceless.

[@dr.tetraminflakes3187]

man still get goose bump when i hear that

[@mikefellows3901]

This guy is a true legend, genius player !

[@danielmelo7146]

Thank you, Andy! Thank you, Rick!

[@Tepekegoat68]

The effects for Walking on the Moon always get me, my god that reggae vibe so smooth! One of the greatest band ever. 😎🔥🐐

[@GordonPavilion]

“It got nice”

[@roberthevern6169]

Brilliant, Rick, just brilliant! Subscribed to 1 and 2 for many years bcuz you are the 'top of the pop!' And I'm not a musician, just love music with the best host!!

[@matslindeberg]

Another great interview. Well done all around!

[@bonzoleum]

Excellent interview, Rick!

[@garyzsaludko1490]

Love it love it!!!! amazing guitar part....

[@zxcvbnmmification]

Rick is remember you having a video about continuing doing youtube videos… your killing it! Keep it up 👍🏼 👍🏼

[@JoseRivera-de6el]

Words of wisdom.

[@fredrikio]

Great story teller! 😍🔥

[@kingsecho3351]

Love this interview. Andy is a huge influence of mine. I love the police.

[@BHHartman]

Nah, fuck the police 😜

[@tylerthompson1842]

I hear so many ppl play it wrong or different. They palm mute without letting the notes ring out and blend like he does. Makes such a difference

[@interplanetarybusker9195]

Another excellent interview !!!

[@stevenbackstrom4767]

I subscribed buddy. Didn't even realize. Love your videos. All so interesting to dig into the meat of songs. Keep up the good.

[@arustydodge2111]

Friggin Love STUART COPELAND! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Amazing Percussionist👍👍 More, RICK…. Please!🙏😇

[@RobKandell]

“Mysterious Barricades” is one of my favorite albums.

[@theTruthLifeNWay]

Just subscribed, love your content Rick Love from Ireland

[@peetsnort]

Just.i got goosebumps the minute he struck those few cords .I still play that song flat out in the car

[@seanohalloran384]

I met Sting once. I was amazed at what a humble gentleman he was. I had heard Andy and Stewart say how difficult he was in so many interviews before I met him but I didn’t see it. Maybe Sting is such a perfectionist that he gets misunderstood. I hope the Police have at least one more album in them together. Great interview!

[@robertTUBEbrazeau]

easy to seem like a humble gentleman for a few minutes. context: try meeting the unwashed rube. try teaching him some semblance of musicality, once that’s somewhat taken care of… hang out with him for 7 years while his ego grows. at some point he’s now instructing you from on high. his hair is perfect and he believes he’s a genius. it’s like Andy said, “context is everything..”

[@user-wj3nu1po7g]

I think Stingo relaxed and mellowed out once The Police had split up and he also eased himself off the Charlie which he was clearly on so much between 80-84 as you can see him buzzing in many live TV interviews which can be found on youtube. It's during these interviews where he comes across as arrogent, rude and somewhat childish but I'm glad he got over that phase which was quite understandable considering the ridiculously hectic lives that they were living during that period.

[@seanohalloran384]

Possibly. I’m just saying I didn’t see it.

[@pete25901]

Maybe you were not seeing the true side of him.. which is most likely what happened

[@mrJimCharles]

@@robertTUBEbrazeauhe may not be a total genius, but I don't think the description "unwashed rube" could have ever fit Sting at any point

[@stevehughes1510]

When I heard the song back in '8 I thought, a simple song played and produced very well, like a lot of very good straight forward songs, it has 'magic'.

[@vandolmatzis8146]

chills

[@1stCorinthians2_14]

Subscribed to this channel as well. Love your videos, Rick!

[@Staykool777]

Amazing,

[@davemoskot7772]

That is probably one of the most beautiful Teles I’ve ever seen…

[@leepd1]

I was at that last gig.. Melbourne, at the show grounds.. 44,000 people.. incredible show.

[@mikeysuzefour]

The Police=Greatest 80's trio band ever (Seen them in 1983 & 2007.) 🎶

[@conorobrien5763]

Amazing song

[@thetruth3462]

Andy summers is a master storyteller

[@odieostrich7718]

legend.

[@ramiroflores2024]

we want a Rick Beato 3!!

[@sterlingfury]

Just subscribed here...long-term on your other...didn't realize this was different, and love your work ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@feloniousmonk3049]

LOL Felonious Monk, checking in here... for the late great Thelonius! Andy Summers love of jazz, infused with Sting's love of jazz, tempered at first by Stewart Copelands love of punk..... transmorgified into a portion of that New Wave that hit US shores. In a sense, they so much remind me of Steely Dan.... just so unique, there was no one else out there that sounded anything like these bands with jazz, fusion, and rock all melded into a style of music that deserved its own label as to type, there was just no pigeon hole it fit into.... Andy's totally sparse style of playing, combined with exotic jazz notes... proof that it is also leaving breathing space in the music for the rest of the band to shine, that makes absolutely great hits. I've got more love for good notes than a shredder with great chops and speed. Sadly, I missed the golden opportunity to see The Police, live. Did get to see Steely Dan live, while Walter Becker was still alive, at the Hollywood Bowl. I truly believe, if they could all get along, they could still fill huge venues with a World Tour, The Police.

[@paulb9453]

Subscribed! Hanging on every word of Andy Summers, some of the most evocative riffs ever created?

[@stevepetersen7697]

This was a first-date song for a fellow servicemember I met when stationed in Frankfurt. It was on a jukebox in a small restaurant near the Kaserne we lived on.

[@CaesarDarias]

It’s worth repeating that when Andy heard the first mix of Every Breath You Take, he flipped out because his guitar part was buried in the mix. He demanded a remix.

[@davidsummerville351]

Very cool

[@selbalamir]

Andy rules

[@markeosimmo]

Lovely lovely guy. Andy Summers , also funny 😂.

[@bandhole]

Admiral Martin 🤘

[@kevinhodgins1811]

This is the kind of stuff that NEVER shows up in biographies of the band. I love it!

[@andreasnewitsch59]

I saw Andy in Vancouver doing his one man show. Told some stories and plugged his new book.

[@davidthebostonfan]

3:36 is just magical

[@FaizalNazaruddin-ko8dw]

Mr Summers is - grotesquely - one of the most underrated musician. his guitar work is fucking magical

[@kingslaphappy1533]

Andy’s got the burps!

[@frijolero6048]

Vocal Sampling from Cuba does an amazing acapella version of this song.

[@WhyTheHorseface]

I have the documentary of the Montserrat sessions. So good.

[@jstone247]

This guy and Ringo are both friendly, down to Earth, and humble. Maybe that is behind their agelessness.

[@fortierma64]

Thank you Rick for pointing out this is a different channel (just noticed the RB-2), I thought I was on your main channel. Subscribe button clicked! Cheers!

[@EvelynBaron]

me too!

[@MrUndersolo]

It was years before I knew about the tension and fights in the band. I was a little kid and just amazed at what three talented guys could do. Thank you for this one, gentlemen!

[@TheTralfaz]

check out what The Bad Plus do with the guitar line ....live concert ...it'll blow your mind