Songs that Changed Music: The Police - Message in a Bottle

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Returning to the studio only three months after their debut album’s release, The Police set to work on their second album tightly insync with one another musically. Drummer Steward Copeland explained that recording the second album was a completely different experience than the first: “This time the material wasn't rehearsed but the band was. We knew each other's styles because we'd been playing together constantly for eight months, which we hadn't been doing when we recorded the first album. Reggatta took us three weeks to record. We just went into the studio and said 'right, who's got the first song?”
“Message in a Bottle” was one of the songs presented by Sting, although the song’s captivating guitar riff was not entirely new to the band. They had heard him playing around with it with a different melody while on tour. Guitarist Andy Summers explained in 1981: “Sting had that riff for a while, but there was another tune with it originally. He'd been fiddling about with it during our first American tour. Finally, he rearranged the riff slightly and came up with the song.” After only a week in the studio, the Police premiered the song at a concert at Hatfield Polytechnic for the BBC’s “Rock Goes to College.”
The song’s hypnotic guitar riff kicks off the track with a captivating chord progression that repeatedly denies the harmonic resolution our ears expect it to provide. The constant sonic rejection parallels the longing in the lyrics, and fits nicely with the picture Sting painted of his dejected dog and the song's origins in his book Lyrics:
“I used to play it over and over again to my dog in our basement flat in Bayswater...and he would stare at me with that look of hopeless resignation dogs can have when they're waiting for their walk in the park. Was it that hopeless look that provoked the idea of the island castaway and his bottle? I don't know, but the song sounded like a hit the first time we played it. The dog finally got his walk, and this song was our first number-one in the UK."
The song’s lyrics, however, move beyond this image of the hopeless longing of an island castaway and paint a narrative arch in which the protagonist’s desperate gesture of the message in a bottle results in the unexpected solidarity of “hundred billion bottles” of similarly lonely individuals “washed up on the shore.” The story’s philosophical resolution is as unexpected as the underlying harmonic progression of the song’s guitar riff - never taking us exactly where we expect it to go, but by the time we get there, it feels just right.
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[@Producelikeapro]

Which songs do you feel changed music forever?

[@callahanburke8486]

Depends on who you are and what you like.

[@richfish101]

@@dennisofficial4733 yeah !! 👍

[@keithsparbanie2108]

Hound Dog--Elvis Presley, Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On--Jerry Lee Lewis, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction--Rolling Stones, Like a Rolling Stone--Bob Dylan, I Feel Fine--Beatles, Paint it Black--Rolling Stones, Good Vibrations--Beach Boys, Purple Haze--Jimi Hendrix Experience, What's Going On--Marvin Gaye, Papa Was a Rolling Stone--Temptations, Baba O'Riley--The Who, Killer Queen--Queen, I Shot the Sheriff--Bob Marley, Love to Love You Baby--Donna Summer, Anarchy in the UK--Sex Pistols, How Soon Is Now--Smiths, Rapture--Blondie, Da Ya Think I'm Sexy--Rod Stewart, Miss You--Rolling Stones, Sheena Is a Punk Rocker--Ramones

[@ThomasL]

Black Sabbath by Black Sabbath ?

[@DJABEATS]

Major Lazer - Lean On

[@zachary963]

The Police and The Cure are two bands where you hear their first album and you go “Oh hey this is nice.” And then you hear their second albums and it blows you away.

[@jimosberg3769]

40+ years on and I'm still amazed at the drive and propulsion Stewart's drumming added to The Police

[@Producelikeapro]

Me too Jim!! Thanks ever so much

[@honuman39]

One of the best rock drummers period

[@Producelikeapro]

@@honuman39 agreed! Amazing

[@anthonybranch4712]

To me, 'Message in a Bottle' and Stewart Copeland's display of his unique drumming talent here, comprises his finest moment with The Police. The totally-out-there, unique syncopation may make it one of the finest displays of drumming in any popular rock song, period. In 40 years I've never gotten tired of hearing it, and it's still my favorite song out of the band's entire catalogue.

[@FC-xc3zy]

Hogwash. Stewart simply copied reggae grooves and brought it to rock.

[@matthewbrown2037]

I remember hearing the Police for the first time, when i was around 12-13, and just being blown away by it. Songs like Message in a Bottle, So Lonely and Roxanne to this day remain some of my favorite songs.

[@-suphur]

Regatta de Blanc was a killer album period. Still a favorite of mine.

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed! Masterpiece!

[@Dasein23]

Best Police album by miles

[@dylanblay2297]

Still have an original on vinyl!

[@mrt77wv]

Every Police album is amazing, and unique in its own way.

[@mattperreault3518]

Hearing Stewart Copeland always gets me stoked on drums. What a band!!

[@Producelikeapro]

YES!! Stewart is incredible!! Thanks ever so much

[@BlaCkLaBeL2002]

Everything in this song sounds amazing. As a guitar player, I love the main guitar riff. But the drums are like... DAMN!! So freaking awesome!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed! All incredible!!!

[@ukguy6762]

The greatest 3 piece band that walked the earth..I rest my case!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Pretty amazing band indeed!!

[@accadoza]

Spirits in the material world, wrapped around your finger,king of pain 🌟🌟🌟

[@Producelikeapro]

Masterpieces

[@StevenDempseyArtist]

Warren, your song breakdowns are like no other. Just enough detail, historical context and whimsy to make the presentation really compelling to watch. Your style is second to none and refreshing. Keep up the great work.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it

[@Flowersinadesert]

He is the best. A talented musician with good taste in music. A rare thing

[@MangoNapalm]

When Neil Peart loves your playing, you're mighty indeed! Stewart!

[@Producelikeapro]

Absolutely!

[@Producelikeapro]

@Luke that’s amazing to hear and makes perfect sense!!

[@bongobulbul]

Yes he recognized it. I wished always Stewarts played Rush song New world Man

[@BassByTheBay]

Circa 1980, we music-loving teens would debate who was better between Neil and Stewart. I argued that there was no need to declare a "victor" -- they were so different, comparisons didn't mean much. But I _preferred_ Stewart. 😊

[@bongobulbul]

@phunkyCW Yes indeed, all the Signals album is cleary influenced by The Police & new wave style. Definitely, Copeland is one of the most influential drummers in music history. And Neil is in the same level for rock music, no doubt. No need to compare. Of course there is many many important drummers and tastes for all, but both + Bonham were my 3 personal main influences playing drums. You can find out there in the net hundreds of young drummers considering this 3 legends are not enough good, just because they value present drummers who got speed and success in bands (for instants Im thinking in Dave Grohl, who is totally overrated in my opinion). Greetings from Madrid!

[@Rondo2ooo]

Three geniuses, incredible songs, musicianship, played with a quite raw sound.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@radiomindchatter7994]

The first time I heard this was in 1979 and I was sitting in my car..poleaxed. It's still my favorite Police song and it should be said that not enough has been said about Andy's solo's near then end

[@brunoteixeira5912]

Stewart Copeland's drums were so neat & tight whilst being so creative! It was definitely a complete change for that time!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Bruno! Yes, an amazing talent!

[@petesawchuk]

He was on another level.

[@brunoteixeira5912]

Totaly Pete & there are clearly two distinctive eras on the sound and playability of the drums: the pre-Copeland and the post-Copeland! After him, drummers started to become tighter on every song sections! 🙌

[@mightyV444]

He's a massive influence on my own drumming; 'Zenyatta Mondatta' was one of the albums I'd first started to play the drums to, and I've always loved how he tuned his set much higher than others so it'd cut through the mix :-)

[@brunoteixeira5912]

@nimrodian it is true, of course, you had all the amazing drummers from r&b, funk, dance and jazz fusion but, I'd say Copeland marked a very distinctive sound produced and technique within popular music at that time. Very innovative

[@KellyDavidMusic]

"I'm not in love" - 10CC. One of my favorite bands. They were very innovative and influential in the 70's, but are rarely talked about today.

[@philfyphil]

Life is a minestrone, death is a cold lasagne

[@philmccracken6134]

That song has very nice pads, great ambience. Would love to see it deconstructed.

[@steveb6082]

I ran away from 10CC years ago.

[@sobrevalorado]

Hortera!

[@BassByTheBay]

There's a good documentary on the recording of "I'm Not In Love". The way they did those thickly layered/looped vocals was a real labor of love.

[@allsystemsgo8678]

One of their best. It really didn't take six months to record. They went in the studio when they had time and more importantly money.

[@jonramer8984]

Copeland’s isolated drums are mesmerizing 🥁

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed! Amazing

[@robert_bbiii]

A lot of people tend to take sides in the Police but really it was all three of them together. Sting's writing and bass, Copeland's amazing drums, and Summers guitar, Summers deserves more attention then he gets. I could not imagine the band without all three of them.

[@Producelikeapro]

Amazing combination of players!!

[@goldenbruce3583]

The police, I just love those guys, they're magnificent, brilliant and fantastic!! Their music just sounds really good!! Now at 54 I'm still listening to their music and I don't get tired of it, as new music comes in today the old music keeps getting better every day, I just don't get why old music sounds so good than today's generation of music.

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed! Truly wonderful band!!

[@eggsngritstn]

By far the best Police song. Not even close.

[@Producelikeapro]

Marvellous! Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@sulladrum]

It's hard to remember how revolutionary these songs were at the time, but I remember wondering how they could be punk when their musicianship was so obvious especially Stewart's drumming. I'm a drummer and it was a challenge to figure out exactly what he was doing. Thanks for doing these videos!

[@andyhinds542]

Outlandos D'Amour has to be one of the best debut albums of all time. I still love it as much today as when I first heard it in 1984, despite it being released in 1978. That's how brilliant it is.

[@Producelikeapro]

It’s a masterpiece for sure

[@noahstrodtman6121]

Up there with with the very best

[@mojophonic]

just found this now... I am wondering how someone could have given a thumbs down for this... I found it entirely entertaining and The Police... what's not to like? Great work!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Andrew!!

[@johnmurphy5739]

Sting deserves all the songwriting plaudits he's ever received (& there are many)... so gifted. Synchronicity II is another example, but his solo material is full of amazing music too... Desert Rose, All this time, Fields of Gold... its a long list. So glad I got to see the police 12 or 13 years ago!

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%! Thanks ever so much

[@jaypeters9042]

Great video Warren. I had the good fortune to meet Andy Summers after a gig in Cambridge UK with John Etheridge in '94. where andy happily chatted and signed my guitar too. I did ask the question, "Will their ever be a reunion", to which he said.. "Never say Never". Thanks for bringing back the memory. All the best Jay

[@Producelikeapro]

That's amazing! Firstly meeting Andy! And secondly you went to see John Etheridge! I'm a huge fan!

[@jaypeters9042]

@@Producelikeapro yeah wonderful intimate gig, kind of jazz bar feel. Invisible threads tour.

[@rayrecordings]

That Copeland drum sound is still unrivaled. Sting’s bass lines on the album still resonate today. Regatta is Police best album and one of the 100 greatest of british rock.

[@FedeSosaMusic]

Not only changed music, The Police made me pick up the guitar when I was only 8. Grateful for life to the band and this song. Great video Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

That's wonderful Federico!

[@billyhughes9776]

The Police -- in my top 3 for my favorite ever bands. I will never get sick of listening to their music -- to this day it still sounds fresh,...well,...at least to my old ears.

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed! Thanks Billy!!

[@PianoDentist]

End of 70's and early 80's so much of what was UK pop/rock was influenced by Reggae music. The punk/new wave sounds of the Clash, the police, Elvis Costello, culture club etc and of course the 2nd wave of Ska and the broader British working class take on Jamaican music e.g Madness, UB40. The British pallet was now sensitized to Reggae bands, due to the Police and others making it mainstream, which opened the way for home grown Reggae, dub and lovers rock bands like; Steel Pulse, Aswad, Misty in roots, Black slate ... the list goes on! And as you say, not to forget the influence that Bob Marley had on all of the above. Thanks Warren for another excellent video!

[@bobbykanemusictube]

I have a friend, named Oz Middleton, that does a most killer rendition of this song. This is one of those pieces that I can listen to for weeks on end. I'll never get tired of it. If only I could write something that makes me feel that way. Oh well. No time like right now.

[@petesawchuk]

Do it, Bobby - the world could use another great song!

[@Producelikeapro]

Get writing Bobby my friend!!

[@Producelikeapro]

@@petesawchuk agreed!

[@whisper2441]

Too late Sting already wrote that song ‘No Time This Time’

[@Calumbo]

You and Rick Beato do excellent work. Would love to hear you do Rudie can't fail or something by the specials like ghost town?

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes great song ideas! Rick Rules! Thanks for the great compliment! I'm truly humbled!

[@chrisfuoco5474]

Yes or something from The Jam

[@rodrigofonseca6241]

Exactly my thoughts. I wanna you guys to know deep in the portuguese countryside this guy is enjoying your work (both you and Rick Beaton).

[@thelantern9075]

That MCI board is gorgeous.

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes! Indeed

[@voiceover2191]

To me what makes The Police so unique is that they wrote very commercial music, in the sense it was very popular and many songs just ended up in the charts in high places and still they had a totally unique sound that made them instantly identifiable after hearing a couple of notes. Pretty amazing. Funny thing was, that on their first few albums I typically preferred their not so well known songs.

[@nickgodfrey1148]

Copelands “Does Everyone Stare” is one of my favourites.

[@voiceover2191]

@@nickgodfrey1148 Yeah, that's a great example

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

Stuart Copeland's drum parts.... exceptionally breath-taking. Why do I always forget him, then? My brain needs reprogramming! And really dig the John Peel session version.

[@Producelikeapro]

HI Tony, for me Stewart is my favourite drummer along with Bonham and of course Roger Taylor!

[@petesawchuk]

Hey Warren - OMG, you are in my wheelhouse here. I was 18 when this came out! A few observations: 1 - I've always played that guitar riff as you did [and as Mr. Summers does now]. Back in the day, it felt great to see some "jazz chord shapes" make their way from what I was studying into a current hit song. 2 - I can't believe I never went in for a deep enough dive to hear that harmony part shadowing the riff. Thank you! 3 - re. Sting: That verse 2 vocal/bass breakdown was amazing. What a vocal [and certainly easier to hear he was playing fretless bass]! 4 - re. Andy Summers - brilliant & underrated. If you haven't read it, I very highly recommend his autobiography, ONE TRAIN LATER; it was [and likely still is] quite a journey for him. 5 - re. Stewart Copeland - my God, did he find the perfect part to play on track after track; such complexity & simplicity side by side. Cool hi-hat for days & days, well earning his independent hi-hat credit on DON'T GIVE UP from Peter Gabriel's SO! Time for a rewatch; thank you for choosing yet another immortal slice of music.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Pete for your great comment!

[@thomaslong8401]

I’m going against the tide here...but. I had just graduated college when this song came out and I couldn’t stand it. Hearing “Sending out an SOS” over and over got old. I was in Austin at the late 70s and KLBJ was an early champion of the Police. Just my experience.

[@fabianpatrizio2865]

no one drummed like Stewart Copeland...…technique, variety, inventiveness, power, everything....

[@garethde-witt6433]

Am a big Police fan 👍👍👍

[@Producelikeapro]

Me too Gareth!

[@Christian6.1803]

That Baxendale pick guard is 😍😍😍😍

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks! Yes, I love Scott's guitars!!

[@mightyV444]

Oh, is that the brand? Baxendale? :-)

[@2degucitas]

I feel 19 all over again when this song plays

[@Producelikeapro]

Fantastic!!

[@johnglenn4433]

What a drummer... What a drummer...

[@banigrisson]

These videos are literally beautiful in every sense...

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thank you ever so much Bani!

[@310765]

Another outstanding choice, this series just keeps getting better and better, many thanks Warren 👍🏼

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Andrew!!

[@darriangerard]

i agree!!

[@Producelikeapro]

@@darriangerard thanks ever so much!!

[@cornerliston]

Do I win a price? Either for guessing this video was the next one, OR (probably not) Warren listened to my suggestion? : )

[@Producelikeapro]

@@cornerliston haha it was always on my list! More to come!! Stay tuned!

[@fifthof1795]

I saw The Police four times , all at different points In their ascendancy. Dec79, Summer 81, Dec 83, Sept 2007..I think those dates are roughly correct. All in the UK. Fabulous band...no fault anywhere.

[@foto21]

I think it's their best song. It just has something you can't put your finger on. It's when they were fresh and you can tell. It's brililant without trying and it's 'message' is a pure one. Most Police songs have cynicism in them, this one doesn't.

[@markbeeson5674]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thank YOU Mark!

[@xenzirril]

My Google Algorithm found this video and put it in my feed and I'll be forever grateful. I'm a lifelong fan of The Police and I live for background info + technical analysis of what makes them great. This video is a real treat and I look forward to exploring other rest of your channel now!

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much John! That's very kind of you! Go Google!

[@jamesheath7601]

One of the greatest bands of all time

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much James!

[@Kevinb1821]

One of my favorite albums of all time is synchronicity. Once you get to synchronicity II The album is just continuous magic till the end, every breath you take, then my favorite police song king of pain, wrapped around your finger tea in sahara, and finishes with murder by numbers. Its the best 6 songs in a row of any album Ive ever heard.

[@NewFalconerRecords]

Yet another brilliant episode in this revelatory series. Loving it to bits. By they way, one of the best rock 'n' roll memoirs you will ever read is 'One Train Later' by Andy Summers. The Police don't even appear until the last third of the book. His musical journey prior to the band is simply astonishing. He played soul music with Zoot Money in London mod clubs in the mid-1960s, was in a psychedelic band called Dantalion's Chariot, joined Eric Burdon & the Animals... Soft Machine... jammed with Hendrix one night in a studio (Hendrix on bass)... toured with Neil Sedaka (who bought him an amp 'cos he didn't have one at the time). Incredible story. He was in his late 30s when he joined the Police --- though he looked 10 years younger. Still looks great today -- the music has kept him young. Great photographer too.

[@mightyV444]

I liked Sting's and Stewart's biographies also, however Andy's is my #1, and I've read it multiple times. He's 77 now, one year older than Keith Richards!

[@NewFalconerRecords]

@@mightyV444 ...and looks about 30 years younger!

[@mightyV444]

@@NewFalconerRecords - ... despite also having had his fair share of indulgence! :-)

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much New Falconer!

[@rabalder08]

Such a wonderful little film. Filled with interesting facts, great quotes and inspiration. As a bassist, Stewart Copeland is on my top three list of drummers I want to jam with.

[@Producelikeapro]

I hear you and agree 100% Björn!

[@Matty88K]

I was having drinks one night when the Police were first out in the USA and one of their tunes was playing. Two Jamaican guys sitting at the bar called them 'White boy reggae jazz'. My buddy and I never forgot that and still refer to them that way.

[@harvey1954]

Too bad those Jamaican guys haven't heard Ersel Hickey's "Bluebirds Over the Mountains". Released back in the 50s it contains that exact same type of guitar rhythm that would pop up in reggae ten years later. Ersel Hickey was a white man.

[@richg3d]

For real! Why not a critic of legendary Magazine songs. Shot by both sides of light pours out of me, love to see these pulled open!

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes!! Huge Magazine fan!!

[@melrupinski88]

I know this is 3 years late, but speaking of Magazine, there’s an interesting “connection” between them (well, John McGeoch) and The Police. Apparently, after leaving for Siouxsie and the Banshees, McGeoch insisted that they get Nigel Gray to produce their next album because he wanted to get the same tone as Andy Summers on Police albums. Gray ended up producing Kaleidoscope and JuJu for the Banshees. McGeoch and Summers are two of my favorite guitarists.

[@peteproudlove8815]

The energy The Police generated in their songwriting and music was incredible. The drums always on the front foot, always pushing the feel.. :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed! Huge Stewart Copeland fan!

[@RC32Smiths01]

The Police are an iconic and legendary band to say the least! So many great songs to see and hear!

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed! Amazing band!!

[@RC32Smiths01]

@@Producelikeapro Definitely true!

[@Producelikeapro]

@@RC32Smiths01 Thanks ever so much

[@RC32Smiths01]

@@Producelikeapro My pleasure!

[@bgorski6937]

Well done. The Police are in my top five for favorite bands of all time. I also consider Stewart Copeland the greatest living drummer, now that Neal Peart has died.

[@macsnafu]

The album version of Message In A Bottle is pretty good, but my favorite version is the one Sting played for The Secret Policeman's Other Ball, with just him singing and accompanying himself on guitar. It's such a beautiful and haunting version.

[@FSHSKainon]

love the video edits and graphics.. thanks for keeping it short n awesome!!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Brian!

[@steveb6082]

As a bassist I try to capture/emulate the original tones when I'm giggin with my cover band. However, that catalog of tones has been great to pull from when I'm recording either myself or other artists especially when someone wants "this new sound with an 'old' feel". Other than making me feel old I appreciate their desire. Once again, great video.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Steve for sharing!!

[@m17434]

Hi Warren, I feel the that the song 7 SECONDS by Youssou N´Dour and Neneh Cherry changed music because it was the first time that an African singer singing in his African language, was able to make it to the pop charts in the English speaking world. It was a worldwide smash hit. Peace.

[@davidvosspoor4694]

Oh GOD, please more of this!!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@toilettunes1]

man i love me a three piece .....great job

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Kip!

[@mikesparks3398]

I like this series!

[@brightlightbabe]

This was my first influence as a young Artist, I also purchased imported Ska, from the UK, exposed to Calypso, Reggae at a very early age with cultural events.Excellent to see the audio files, this truly is of intrigue.

[@therookie3719]

WOW I did not know one of my fav bands recorded at Surrey sounds in leatherhead my stomping ground...... back in the late 90s I had the honour of being invited in to Surrey sounds OMG 😲 I remember first u came to the small mastering room though a corridor with disks and some things that where mastered there on the wall then if I remember rightly a room with a pool table then up some stairs into a back room sorry very vague this bit as soon as I walked into the room there was the control room I still remember the feeling of YES PLEASE main monitors soffit mounted massive desk all the racks the tape machines sorry to young to realise names of kit then though the glass the recording room and I remember thinking to my self this building looks smaller for whatsbin it lol...just a heart shopping moment I will never forget now made even better Thanks guys........ ps so sad when I heard i was shutting down and has been a gym ever since 😫 hope you enjoy the post was worth telling when I saw this video

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much for sharing your experiences! I really appreciate it

[@sergio_m]

Thank you so much Warren. This song DID change my life also. It was instant love and the reason why I became a drummer. Just a little observation: the drums part you showed as different was not a different arrangement, but the way Copeland played it live (of course, it evolved through the years). The studio version is in fact the sum of different overdubs. Love the series! Thanks so much!

[@mightyV444]

I knew someone would've pointed out the drum overdubs already before me! ;-)

[@timbrown7652]

@Frank Lee agreed. A different studio version to live is a new arrangement!

[@mightyV444]

@Frank Lee - Oh yes, the single edit of 'Message...' definitely has several bits missing! I prefer the 'proper' album version, just like any other one; It's the radio/TV stations' problem if they don't have time to play the whole song, not mine! ;-)

[@Awen_Music]

Fantastic video Warren! I was in high school between 1984 - 1988, discovered the Police and worked my way back through their catalog with passion. There was magic in their music - it woke up my head - and my own journey as a budding singer /songwriter /guitarist would never be the same. Thanks especially for tackling "Message in a Bottle" with such insight and care!

[@mightyV444]

Awesome! :-) They've been a massive influence on me as a musician, too! :-)

[@hauntedhose]

The beginning of this song presents a feel of urgency that is the soul of great rock music

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%! Masterpiece

[@left0verture]

Ooh yeah! Love that John Peel version!

[@Producelikeapro]

Me too!

[@localbod]

Thanks for looking at this classic tune. I absolutely love this track. I'm pretty sure that Andy Summers once said that this was his favourite recording made by The Police. The drum intro and harmonised guitar riff still gets me every time and it remains one of the most recognizable starts to any recorded music.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! You are right! Love this song!

[@onechopbuddy3849]

From my favourite Police album

[@Producelikeapro]

One of mine too!!

[@mightyV444]

It's a tie between this one and 'Zenyatta Mondatta' for me :-)

[@SMITH-lw3rv]

Huge shout out to 'Landlord' which totally made the 7" unbelievably amazing and unique. Man I must have done my neighbours heads in repeatedly playing Landlord dead loud🤣🤣🤣...

[@MichaelB-gi4lt]

The amount of fun I had playing this song with a garage band in 1981 is incalculable. Great work.

[@Producelikeapro]

Me too!! I’ve played this song live so many times!!

[@evanderguitarist]

8:32 Coincidentally, these are the same chords found in Ramone's Blitzkrieg Bop.

[@Producelikeapro]

Very cool!

[@jorgosagb]

The pre chorus sounds ver punk indeed. Never noticed that before, amazing!

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed! Completely Punk indeed!

[@jasperchance3382]

It really twisted my brain when I heard it at the time, the three instruments all seemed to do different things. I was 16, starting to play guitar. Great timing!

[@peterdrake5156]

I live and work in a small town close to where Sting was brought up. He is a God in this town, and rightly so. I first heard the band when I was in sixth form and have never stopped loving their music. The writing, singing, guitar work, the drumming are all inch perfect and still kick ass in the world of popular music. I try to write music myself and the more I do, the more I realise quite how f*cking good these guys were. Well done for another great video - keep 'em coming, feller. How about something from Paul Weller?

[@kendallhoulder5139]

Thanks i Always wanted to know

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Kendall!

[@brizzieleif5258]

Nothing easy about playing Andy Summer riffs. A friend asked me to learn Every Breath You Take, so I could teach him. This involved stretching over five frets. Upon showing him the first position he replied f**k off and gave up.

[@Producelikeapro]

Great riff!!

[@Producelikeapro]

@Luke yes, wonderful players!

[@StewartNicolasBILLYCONNOLLY]

Stewart Copeland's drumming changed my playing. Singing Sting's lead vocal on many of the Police hits makes it absolutely essential that you also play Stewart's drum parts or it doesn't work! 🤓 Incidentally the 2 albums were Outlandos d'Amour and Regatta de Blanc.

[@brainiac.computer]

That John Peel version of Copeland’s drumming is smooth!

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed!

[@Peter-by3ox]

what a brilliant video. Man I can hear the collective expansion of young peoples minds as they watch.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Peter!

[@ryKirwan1]

Another great vid Warren 👍🏻🎸🥁🎤

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Ryan!

I was lucky enough to see the Police twice, during their Ghost In The Machine tour, then again for Synchronicity. Best trio band I’ve ever seen.

[@vanzandt8809]

The mark of a great song is when it still sounds as fresh forty years later.

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!

[@anderscarlsson3387]

Great video! Only one thing.... No chorus on Andys guitar. It´s the EHX Electric Mistress flanger. Major difference in sound, deeper and more mysterious somehow. It´s a wonderful sound. Other artists in other genres also used it to great success. The mistress is on the whole album.

[@Producelikeapro]

Great! I used a Flanger in this example as well! Thanks ever so much

[@Tyl-Fiedler]

What a great format ! Please more . Such a great quality content ! Greetings from Germany

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Tyl!

[@Tyl-Fiedler]

@@Producelikeapro No, i thank You !!! You already helped me so much teaching me to mix my drum Videos With your amazing tipps !!! And now you Made me sit down and take my old Tele in my hands and learning That Message in the bottle Riff :) Thank you for your Passion for the Music and for your wisdome .you are such a great Guy With such a good soul that shines through your Videos !!! Thank you so much

[@Producelikeapro]

@@Tyl-Fiedler that's very kind of you! I'm so glad to be able to help! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren

[@BBBri57]

@@Tyl-Fiedler Haha, me too now you mention it!

[@tonybanks1035]

always assumed andy wrotte the opening riff. He DID in fact write many iconic riffs in the police repertoire (no less than the amazing every breath you take guitar riff). Kudos for Sting, this riff is amazing

[@sabrinasjourney]

This song has touches of Bob Marley's melodic, pop reggae style, who must have been huge influence at the time this was written

[@2bteachable2]

Another great video! You keep me guessing on where you will go with the next video.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!!

[@richfish101]

Great video 👍👍

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much!

[@richfish101]

@@Producelikeapro your welcome mate 👍

[@zorroinhell5549]

Another great and invaluable video Hermano. I was in high school when this song came out. memories.

[@timbrown7652]

Me too!

[@mightyV444]

Oh man ... 4 days ago, when coming across this comment, I was thinking, "Why are they calling him 'Hermano'?! His name's Warren!" - Two days later I saw the facebook posting in Spanish of a Tex-Mexican friend of mine in which she was wishing her twin 'hermano' a happy Birthday; Duh! x-)) I had actually known about a year ago it was Spanish for 'brother', but I'd forgotten again meanwhile :-)

[@zorroinhell5549]

@@mightyV444 Its a complex world...Hermano. LOL

[@mightyV444]

@@zorroinhell5549 - Yeah, it sure is! :-))

[@dancarter482]

RHYTHM ~ The element that makes The Police stand out more than any other single detail is the fact that they were all rhythm. Bass - rhythm Andy's guitar parts - rhythm in space Stuart - just one GIANT percussion monster Sting - rhythmic verses and choruses One of the reasons the magic faded toward the end was the introduction of synths and backing singers - all that amazing space around their rhythm got clogged-up with noise!

[@electricwhiterabbit]

Awesome vid Warren! Just one thing, Andy didn’t use a chorus on the early stuff, he used a EH Electric Mistress flanger.

[@Producelikeapro]

Great! That's what I used in the video! I had a Voltz chorus! Thanks ever so much

[@Bodyknowledge77]

Well done! This tune is so significant and signature for them that when they reunited (I saw them in 07') they opened with it. It's brilliance!

[@mightyV444]

Yes! I was actually thinking once they'd finished the song, "Well, they've already played their biggest hit - what could possibly still come *now* ??" LOADS of great songs, the answer was! :-)) And I reckon they'd done a great job with rearranging most of the songs, too! It would've been a bit boring, had they played them exactly like they'd already done back in the day.

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, truly a masterpiece!

[@user-om2kk5sz2y]

Thanks

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@briangregory6303]

Thank you for this one. Still my favorite Police song. I'm still not sure how but I think I completely missed it on radio, albeit we only had one am station back then. I remember riding my bike and singing Roxanne. The next Police moment I remember was holding the 45 for Don't Stand So Close To Me in my hands.

[@jrr832]

I love their sue lawley song

[@Producelikeapro]

Haha genius! I'm showing my age by knowing why that's funny! Haha

[@mightyV444]

One of my German friends used to believe they were singing her name in that song; "Simone, Simone, Simoneeeee!" x-))

[@Producelikeapro]

@@mightyV444 haha maybe?

[@mightyV444]

@@Producelikeapro - Nah, it does sound more like "Sue Lawley" :-) And that's a good one, too! x-)) Had to look up who she is, though :-)

[@jrr832]

@@mightyV444 the first time a lot us of a certain age in England heard The Police was on a news show hosted by Sue Lawley

[@YashKMusic]

i liked the video before even watching because The Police. thank you!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much Yash!

[@SolMarineris]

Super revelatory analysis thanks 👍, I had always thought it was Summers that came up with the stacked fifths of the guitar hook