🎵The Police - Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic REACTION

[@overd002]

All three members are excellent musicians. I've been a drummer for 45 years and I'm floored by Stewart Copeland's playing.

[@chrisvet3179]

Any "Top XX Drummers" list that doesn't have Copeland in the first 10 is a joke

[@kurtsaxton823]

Definitely an amazing Drummer.

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

Walking On the Moon and Driven to Tears have some insane drum work!

[@dsagherian]

Another drummer here… Stewart Copeland has always been a huge influence.

[@corkydukeII5898]

As huge as they were (and they were HUGE), it's crazy to think they only produced studio LP's from 78 - 83, alittle over 5 yrs!

[@charlesberton2581]

The drummer is American, the other two are British. They consciously decided to create a fusion of raggae and rock. I always love me some Police. Thanks, cats.

[@mattpotter8725]

I also think there is some jazz influence in there as well, but you're so right it's a fusion of many influences from many different musical types.

[@guitearist]

@@mattpotter8725 I feel like Copeland's playing influenced a lot of hip-hop drumming too. Those ghost notes on the snare and cymbal work have definitely made their way to guys like ?uestlove.

[@danimi361]

And Stewart Copeland's Dad was the infamous Miles Copeland of the CIA. His speciality was orchestrating could around the world. Notably Iran in the early 1950s, which led to the Shah's reign until 1979.

[@garse70]

Stewart said his drum influence came from middle eastern rhythms. He grew up in Beirut.

[@lemurvision]

@@mattpotter8725 Sting and Andy definitely have jazz influences. Andy played in jazz/R&B/prog bands in the late '60s, Stewart grew up with Middle Eastern rhythms and was in a prog band in the '70s. It's all in there.

[@outlostexplorer7592]

Playing a standup bass the Police is a total vibe, hell Sting is a total vibe.

[@tonyhomant244]

Yes, to play stand up bass with a bow, or bass at all, and sing lead. That cannot be easy.

[@Goono123]

The Police are a vibe but I think Stewart Copeland brings much of the vibe. Such an amazing drummer

[@VG-iq8xq]

Check out the bbc doc from 81 with Jools Holland interviewing the band in Monserrat. It's awesome. That bass Sting is playing was custom built for him. He talks about it and him and Jools play a little jazzy number together

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

The name Sting gave to the double bass was ‘Brian’

[@teelurizzo8542]

The video was shot in the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean, they used to record in a studio there called AIR.

[@WThomas66]

*At 7:06 Lex says something remarkable. “It was in the 80s, when people still had Hope”. Bring back the Hope!

[@3DJapan]

Or as The Crystal Method and Obama said "keep hope alive!".

[@lindazee]

I haven't thought of it that way, but it's kind of true, and is just about one of the saddest things I've heard from a young person 💔

[@dmead4106]

@@lindazee the '70s and ' early '80s we just fought our way out of the First Energy climate hoax. I was a young man then and I was there it was hard.seems like I'll be fighting for the same things again, against some of the same people in this government. fight for what's right they're still hope.

[@edminchau811]

In the 80s we had Steve Jobs, Johnny Cash, and Bob Hope. Now we have no Jobs, no Cash, and no Hope. Please don't let anything happen to Kevin Bacon.

[@lindazee]

@@edminchau811 hahaha 😆 😂 🤣 I needed that. Sometimes we need to laugh at our circumstances. That was a good one! 👍 ( P.S. I'm borrowing it to share with friends.)

[@psterud]

The instrument Sting is playing in the video is a double bass, with a bow (more classical) instead of plucking it with fingers (more jazz). It's for show, and is not real. In the actual song he plays the usual electric bass. One of The Police's inspirations was a band called The Beat (or The English Beat for Americans), which is a great ska band that I highly recommend you listen to. Ska as a style is the predecessor to reggae.

[@OronOfMontreal]

The synthesized flute sound in the chorus makes the song sound like Carnivale!

[@davidgratton8869]

The police are one of my favorite bands. Stewart Copeland is recognized as one of the best drummers ever, Andy Summers is a subtle but brilliant guitarist, and Sting is a great composer, songwriter, singer with a unique voice. They were only together for six or seven years, but made some great, timeless music.

[@scottyvand]

I agree 100%. We were very fortunate they got together. One of the greatest bands ever.

[@tomenrico6199]

Their initial peak recording career may have only been six or seven years, but counting reunions they were actually together longer than that. I saw them during their farewell tour in about 2008 or 2009. Great show. Elvis Costello opened for them.

[@brianjones9392]

Yes Stewart is the man.

[@jovanisanfemio7641]

Yes , from the islands. ( British Isles ) !! Definitely a reggae influenced group .

[@scottjones758]

Filmed in Montserrat before the volcano blew. I was there a little after this in 1982 and our motel was on side of volcano( we didn't know). The locals told us the Police did the record at Air Studio on the island built by the Beatles.

[@smbmiller655]

The Police. True GOAT band.

[@chrisreinhardt5493]

Sting did an interview, for Much Music (Canadian version of MTV). In the Interview he stated that when this video came out, video's were new, there was no set plan, or direction for the video so they basically hand fun, and frolicked around.

[@bobschenkel7921]

The island where the album and this video were recorded is called Montserrat, and a few years later suffered a huge volcanic eruption that covered most of the island in ash. Sting, aka Gordon Sumner, is playing an Upright Bass, with a bow at times, very old school. Stewart Copeland on Drums and Andy Summer on Guitar are both tip top musicians. Sting and Andy are English and Stewart is from the USA.

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

It's The Police ...nuff said!

[@jfs70ss]

Scalloped Potatoes, Home Fries and the Police..?? LOL Only Lex can give you such strange analogy but that's what makes her SPECIAL....!!! Love it...!! Peace

[@1monki]

Sting: "Lads, I want us to be the breakfast potatoes of rock." Stewart Copeland: "I totally understand what you mean by those words, and I agree."

[@rk41gator]

LOVE that Sting is playing an upright bass on this tune!

[@guitarman8462]

On their reunion tour , they did a show at the River Plate 🏟️. And that's the one that ended up on DVD .

[@jengomango6476]

25 years ago my roommate was obssessed with Police. He used to listen to them a lot and got me hooked too. I heard this song so many times back then and probably haven't heard it since, but this is the first time i've been actively aware of that synth line. This song has always been about the drums for me. Strange how one's perception of sound changes.

[@Hornsfan64]

You should watch Rick Beato What Makes This Song Great (this song name). He isolates the tracks and you’ll hear things that you missed the last thousand times you heard it. It’s really good.

[@DivaInTheWoods]

@@Hornsfan64 I love Rick's channel! I'm hearing songs like never before. The track isolation he does is EVERYTHING! There are so many nuances that are missed once the song is mixed. I want a soundboard (or whatever that engineering piece is called) so I can do that to numerous songs. I actually haven't watched his vid on this song, so I'm going to check it out now!! 😍

[@Critical_Thinker858]

There's piano scattered in there too. It's beautifully arranged with several layers of instrumentation. The drums are coming' in HOTT! tho (and I love it). Copeland is a beast.

[@ivanbrowne3265]

This was recorded at Air Studios on the Caribbean 8sland of Montserrat. The video was also filmed there. You should look at the movie "Under the Volcano" for the story of the studio.

[@lrads1]

Man...all police/sting music at my parents' 1980s BBQs. My childhood. Love all of their albums. Classics forever!

[@BRENDAJASON1]

Even the beginning of this song the echo of the past rubbles up. I remember you bridge and the golden field I walked thru as the sun set across it. a era that only a few where touched

[@adambomb138]

To sum up the comments, Lex's analogies are awesome, The Police are English/American band in love with Reggae and Ska, and Sting is playing a double bass.

[@kJ922-h3j]

They are a British band, reggae and ska had a huge influence on British music and British bands who began in the 70s. A sub genre that came out of that was called 2 tone

[@jollyrodgers7272]

Yeah, these three were the Bomb in the late '70s/early '80s. WALKING ON THE MOON, SYNCHRONICITY II, DON'T STAND SO CLOSE, WRAPPED AROUND YOUR FINGER, MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE and this song are among my favorites.

[@beowulf1005]

One of my favorites. Stewart Copeland's drums make this song for me.

[@blanewilliams5960]

Yes, they are so tight.

[@donnazasgoat2274]

YES! The man can do compex polyrhythms with ease along with strange timing signatures.

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

What about their songs Walking on the Moon and Driven to Tears? Stewart's drum work is magnificent!

[@blanewilliams5960]

@@WilliamTheMovieFan Yes it is, he was what drew me into the band.

[@jorgemartinpellegrino6940]

@@WilliamTheMovieFan I'm a guitar player but Stewart is my favorite drummer. The beginning of Too much information is insane.

[@jimbodavis1944]

The Police are great. The fade-out is an underrated and lost art in the studio as far as ending a song. For me, fade-out endings inspire me to repeat songs the most because you feel like it never really ended in the studio, so you want to keep jamming like it was intended. Kind of like a dream you don’t want to wake up from, so you try to go back to sleep - hoping you jump back in.

[@georgenemeth4837]

Lex is the life. Brad doesn't give any input. Lex is AWESOME!!!

[@bwilliams463]

I really like the upright bass work, here, both plucked and bowed. It has a lovely, deep resonance to it.

[@ThePablo1961]

White Reggae was the term back in the Reggatta de Blanc

[@ralphcooley841]

I’m 70 years old and I grew up int the most prolific time in music. I would not trade a minute. I was and am a Motown Sound guy. Love anything from the Detroit sound. My second type of music was The Beach Boys. Was not much of a metal head. Love the walk through memory lane for me. You guy’s are so cute together!🧸👍❤️

[@r.plante2916]

Also from this album: "Invisible Sun" and "Spirits in the Material World."

[@DanielOrion74]

Absolutely this!

[@mannfamilyMI]

I second this

[@drogusmaxwell6640]

Some artists/bands just transcend generations.

[@ImaMacGregor]

This was my song for my first real girlfriend in the mid 80's. I was head over heels and she was my first thought when I would wake up in the morning. I would often put this song on while getting ready. It's still my song for her 37 yrs later (& kids & grandkids too!)

[@Jamienomore]

This song was used in the Movie The Wedding Singer. Their song 'Don't Stand So Close To Me' was used in the TV Programme Friends for Joey's STD Poster Ad. Every Breath You Take was used in the TV Programme Stranger Things.

[@neilsackman4723]

The Police were my go to jams in the early 80s. Bringing punk, ska and rock all together. Influencing bands such as another favourite, Rush, who All had great respect for the Police. Such a great group of musicians. Stewart Copland is a tremendous drummer.

[@chrishinman6143]

Hi guys ! You seem to be kind people with open minds..Thanks, its refreshing.

[@randomsasquatchwithwifi4090]

This band was the very first concert I ever went to. However, at this age...i dont recall much of it.

[@Ralph-ny1ey]

The music style you are thinking of is called SKA. Mix of Reggae and Rock/Punk. Bands like No Doubt, Sublime, etc. The police fit the category. Great band.

[@vh1984ful]

The early '80s soundtrack, magic.

[@benshafer5198]

Yeah, they do have a pretty unique flavor Lex. That stand up bass def contributes to distinctive sound. Stuart's drumming is always stellar and this track is no exception; but the piano actually makes this song for me. Witnessing Copeland play live in 1984 was one of my all time favorite concert experiences. Love these guys

[@Noelle0026]

I agree with you about the piano. Is Sting playing piano on this?

[@benshafer5198]

@@Noelle0026 Pretty sure they brought in a session guy

[@sorensmith9873]

even stronger island vibe check out Walking on the Moon, really cant go wrong with any Police song

[@thisthatandtheother1057]

All are very talented. That interview on Rick Beato's channel with Sting was amazing. Beato - "What do you play to practice?" Sting - "Bach"

[@traci4187]

"I have to tell the story of a thousand rainy days since we first met" - that line was like an addiction for Sting. It's laced through several Police songs, and even in his solo stuff he did later.

[@monkeysuncle2816]

Every cake you bake, every leg you brake... 😆

[@nickrizzi4927]

It's always me that ends up getting wet is the obligatory correlate to your supposite. Well done!

[@CCDzine]

By far the best work ever done with the hi-hat cymbals.

[@Fakename70]

Copeland did a lot of overdubbing, though

[@kingboris1]

the young Sting as Singer and Stuart Copeland at the drums, 3 english guys on their way to International Stars

[@mikepaulus4766]

My favorite song by my favorite band. Straight Lydian bass line. Such a strong melody. New musical ideas in the fade out. No one else does that.

[@shirleyhinderliter4900]

This may be my favorite Police song. This or King of Pain.

[@michaelkearney2186]

GREAT song. I especially love Stewart Copeland’s drumming on this track The Police were British/American, but they fused many influences in their music. Great band that stands up over time Listen to “Invisible Sun”

[@jonasturklbach2705]

"The Police are a vibe." Big facts, Brad......big facts

[@saintsataniko2116]

Always loved The Police, and I think this is my favorite song of theirs.

[@TheMichaelseymour]

That "big violin " thing ......is a called a "Jello " i believe .

[@ianlove1215]

I saw their last UK concert in Hyde Park, magic day!

[@langlsd1604]

My favorite band. I don’t think you can go wrong reacting to any song on this album.

[@revwillyg6450]

Invisible Sun is awesome and dark. Love that one

[@monkeysuncle2816]

Are you safe, Miss Gradinko?

[@ericwilliams1031]

They are from the UK but the drummer is American. They have that Reggae Ska vibe in a lot of their music.

[@judithrunyon186]

You just have no idea how absolutely COOL they were!! Such a vibe and super fresh. Saw them in 1983, my first concert. I was 12 and it was amazing.

[@matthewteague623]

The Police have a few "Whoa, where did THAT come from?" songs.... "Mother", in particular. But by and large the Police are just amazing. The musical complexity, the lyrics, the vibe in general.

[@todvball]

So fun! Ahh to produce a fun vibe!!!

[@reverendprophet]

One of their albums is "Regatta de Blanc" which basically translates to "white reggae".

[@jd35711]

sublime has always kinda reminded me of the police

[@jkbezo1]

Ska-punk. That's why.

[@flakeyjay]

Police, Peter Gabriel, and many more recognized the African and Island sound had good tempo and blended with progressive rock well. Amazing music came out of this period of music especially Talking Heads!

[@Bee-28]

That IS some mighty fine drumming, never really appreciated it enough! Can't wait until you'lll react to "Bring on the night", my favourite song of theirs.

[@Critter-wr7el]

One of my all time favorite songs!

[@simonround2439]

In answer to your question about where the Police are from. Sting (bassist and lead singer) and Andy Summers (guitar) are from the north of England and drummer Stewart Copeland is from Washington DC, although he had a very cosmopolitan upbringing. The band burst on the the UK scene in the late 70s with a sound that combined punk and reggae influences. All three are musical geniuses in their own ways.

[@robs-journeys]

Late 70's early 80's British music had a ton of reggae influences - it was everywhere

[@d-2793]

Sting is the lead singer. He’s amazing. They are English New Wave. i guess could catalog it that way.

[@pedroV2003]

Stewart Copeland is American.

[@wilks6]

The Police were post punk, with lots of ska feel to their early tracks. Ska music was born of reggae with rock vibes blended in, so The Police have a reggae/punk/rock sound which you can also hear in tracks like The Clash's "Train In Vain" or Sham 69 or early Pretenders songs. Some amazing early Police songs include "So Lonely" and "Canary In The Coalmine" or "Can't Stand Losing You."

[@julicor98]

Actually is the other way around. Ska was born first in Jamaica, then rocksteady an then Reggae. Ska was instrumental at first.

[@cheripetty1805]

There second Album is titled "Regatta de blanc". White Reggae 1st Album is "Outlandos d' amour" Outlaws in love Try "Walking on the Moon" "So Lonely" "Next to You" "One World"

[@michaelrjshannon]

Brad you are a very lucky man! Lex is such a delight!

[@3qqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq10]

Oh and almost forgot. I have been told that Eyoh and Whoioh are the call of the Ethiopian shepherd, and rastas worship Hailie Selasie I the deceased Emporer of Ethiopia as god, and Sting picked that Eyoh up from Bob Marley, if you noticed him calling Eyoh in this song. There are others, for example the song Walking on the Moon.

[@trevorleggo1777]

Gorgeous review guys….a lot of their other songs are romantic and quirky. Great choices, I like it when you start to look at the more quirky, underground stuff..

[@BalbazaktheGreat]

"It's a big enough umbrella, but it's always me that ends up getting wet." I love this song; it's... magic. If you liked this, you'll also like The Police: "Wrapped Around Your Finger."

[@robbob5302]

That is a great lyric. The 95% of the song is about how wonderful this woman is. Then they sneak in this one line, talking about how imperfect she is. I can't think of any other band would approach it that way.

[@BalbazaktheGreat]

@@robbob5302 Not sure if we are reading the line the same way. I always thought it was *her* umbrella. It's big enough for 2, but he never got the courage up to ask her to share it.

[@robbob5302]

@@BalbazaktheGreat I always heard it as she was being selfish. But maybe you are right.

[@alfredoarevalo725]

Or King of Pain.

[@rogerstarkey5390]

Been there! 😉

[@gunship4720]

This makes me think of The Wedding Singer.

[@vaughnnewman8903]

You be a cold, dark, shell of a being if you don't love this song.

[@TheJohnnywbred]

Police were Hugely popular when I was in college. Played in my dormitory over and over

[@RogerWyatt365]

The Police as musical Skillet Fries - Lex, your musical analogies never cease to amaze.

[@playbassken]

They are definitely a vibe and really hit it out of the park with their blend of raggae and progressive rock with very dynamic songs as a result.

[@jollyj3285]

Love this song....my 3rd concert ever was The Police in 1982 (with fantastic opener Oingo Boingo)...they were huge and show was amazing.....the Ghost in The Machine album is perfect

[@hughmoore3251]

Every little song they did was magic.

[@bmw128racer]

"Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" is literally magic. 😊

[@staticcentrehalf7166]

I think the 'Island' vibe comes from that they recorded a lot on Montserrat which was a bit of a destination back in the day for them, Eric Clapton, and Duran Duran I think.

[@CCDzine]

Hey, Grunge music. Stewart Copeland called and says he wants his snare drum back.

[@magyarmarton5712]

Sting plays the double bass. That's the biggest string instrument.

[@smbmiller655]

Stand-up bass, Lexi, lol 😂.

[@Kari_B61ex]

Love it - I saw the Police live in 1977/78 on a UK promotional tour for their first hit single 'Roxanne'. It was a medium size venue, and it was packed, everyone obviously heard the buzz about this great new band... Lex, they were the hot new potatoes on the block. React to Roxanne next on your Police deep dive.

[@rare_wulf9358]

They already did a react to Roxanne song.

[@stephenparks6002]

That place they were, was a famous Island studio, French I believe, The island was a volcano, and the studio was destroyed I think. Other famous people recorded at it as well. This song apparently , Sting brought as a demo, and was so finished when he brought it, they barely changed it at all to record it to the album...

[@alteredaustin1]

Montserrat is a British Protectorate, nothing to do with "French".

[@TracyfromNC]

A instrument! Brad, you're correct!

[@TrianglesAndCircles]

Back in the 80s when we still had hope (thanks Lex) we had it made. I was in high school and college then. Not much to worry about at the time.

[@dougwalker3333]

Those guys, and Sting solo, can write hits in any genre they choose.

[@KeithDCanada]

My big sister gave this cassette to me on my birthday when I was young. I had no idea who they were, and little did she know she would shape my musical taste for over 40 more years.

[@jonathanross149]

Might be my favorite Police song

[@brettkenschaft4239]

I heard an interesting and kinda funny story about Sting and this song. I may not have the exact details right, but when he was writing this he hit a huge wall with the lyrics in not being able to figure out how to follow up on the word "magic". He finally got it and went berserk, running into the studio yelling "tragic, tragic!" Or maybe he just called the other guys and yelled it over the phone. 🤷‍♂️ Something like that!

[@danbeard7807]

They are a great blend of rock, reggae, and jazz. Making a unique sound of their own. They sound just as good live as they do on the albums.

[@timothycook2917]

You guys should check out "Spirits in the Material World" by the Police. Underrated little tune

[@PlateOshrimp499]

Its chorus is musically kind of a slightly darker version of this song. Well, there are similarities at least lol. Love both songs tho!

[@somethingyousaid5059]

"Invisible Sun" even more underrated.

[@christopherowens6391]

Absolutely!That song is a total vibe!

[@bluefish4999]

Yes, my favorite song of theirs!

[@jetfowl]

I love that song, too!

[@thaitim007]

For a small Island, Britain produced an absolute ton of amazing groups like this.. 60s 70s 80s.. the brit music invasion..

[@paulboudreau3754]

The Police incorporated a lot of Reggae rhythms into their early albums. They also recorded at a famous studio in Montserrat, which is a tiny island in the south Caribbean so the island vibe was there during the process. The studio got wiped out by a hurricane.

[@JulioLeonFandinho]

the chorus is clearly influenced by Calypso, another caribbean style different from reggae, you can even see typical calypso percussions in the video

[@peckish_tooth6515]

"The Bed's Too Big Without You" is epic. IMHO they really paid their reggae dues with that one.

[@andrewcrowder4958]

This is the song that made my 15-year-old self go out and spend my own money on my first LP. Blessings to you both; you are wonderful at this, and complement each other so beautifully.

[@jeffreekoch9298]

The Police were new wave, post-punk, reggae rock. Kind of early ska-punk. Similar to the Payolas, Oingo Boingo, English Beat. The Specials, The Clash, Mighty Bosstones, No Doubt, etc. Brad gots it! Lex kinda does, too. Do more of The Police!The Police were in the late '70s and '80s. Broke up during the '80s and had solo careers. Many good songs and video from them. Yes, punk, new wave bands and ska, reggae bands hung out together a lot back then at same smaller clubs for gigs and same audiences. Like UK, NYC, LA, DC, etc. They grew up together in the underground scene, same college, underground radio stations, too. Also early rap music, too. That's why there were so much influences and fusions among them. That's how you get all of those offshoots like reggae rock, ska-punk, new wave, etc. Notice how a lot of post-punk, new wave had good rhythmic danceable bass guitars? It's usually funk and reggae roots influence. 🎸

[@jukeboxman1]

Stewart Copeland has actually composed dozens of well known movie soundtracks

[@mickreno9780]

The Equalizer series from 1980s.

[@gmunden1]

The Police is a group headed by Gordon Sumner aka "Sting". The group is British but this video was set in different locations. Sting does mostly solo performances now.

[@Namwen60]

Love your reactions, thank you. The instrument Sting is playing at the start is a double bass. He sometimes plays it live, but usually plays the trusty old Fender electric bass. Regardless, he is a master.