What Makes This Song Great? "Murder by Numbers" The Police

[@Scorchinscotty]

Absolutely, Rick Beato, keep up the Deep Cuts! I always totally dug Murder by Numbers - what a perfect place to start! It continues to illustrate why I love your channel so much: you’ve featured songs and players that I grew up loving, that are little more obscure, but I believe are some of the absolute greatest. First, it was the most musically advanced guitarist of all time-The King, Allan Holdsworth. (One of the most advanced musicians, period.) Then Carlos Rios on Gino Vannelli’s Brother to Brother album: are you kidding me?!! I didn’t think anybody but me, my brother, and my circle of friends growing up, had even heard of him! Then, it was interviews with some of Allan’s drummers, including the genius Gary Husband...not to mention your old friend Vinnie Colaiuta! (Who also, by the way, followed the incredible Mark Craney-who played drums on Bro to Bro-playing drums on Gino’s next album Nightwalker. In fact, he wasn’t Vinnie yet-he was Vince Colaiuta!) Plus, Jeff Berlin, Vai, and all of the others I’m forgetting off the top of my head! Frampton, for God’s sake! The lovingly related stories of Allan by Gary Husband choked me up, man! He definitely meant as much to you as he did to me! And now, Murder by Numbers?! Come on!! All of these things have, actually, validated my tastes in music! You’re doing a great service to the world, by spreading the word about many of these greats, that so many people of our generation weren’t blessed to come across-let alone younger generations that would never hear of these people! Keep it up, man! I’m sure that you will surprise me again, with some player or album that I grew up on. I almost hesitate to suggest anyone because I’m working on starting my own channel!...But, I will: how about anything by Scott Henderson and Tribal Tech...or King’s X? Anything off of King’s X’s Gretchen Goes To Nebraska would be mind-blowing! (Especially, if you could get the individual tracks! Even if you couldn’t...🤘🏻🎸🤘🏻) (By the way, King’s X was the name of a restaurant that had awesome waffles, when I was growing up! In Wichita and the Midwest. ) Sorry, just rambling here...too much musical inspiration to be contemplated! So many great musicians and great music, and so little time! Thanks for all of it, Rick Beato!!!

[@tedfangc]

This is a song by 3 geniuses. This is Art. Really brilliant.

[@psychlos21]

It is so wonderful how a band like The Police can introduce a young audience of punk rockers to Jazz. I was one of those kids back in the day.

[@RobertBoston-n4d]

Na, Jazz is dead. This is all new

[@marudebaka6041]

​@@RobertBoston-n4dPerhaps jazz is dead to you because you don't understand it. It is very much alive.

[@dauchande]

The whole Synchronicity album is genius.

[@maxherron1376]

Rick, you deserve 5 million subscribers. Most of the time I have no idea what you a talking about, but I still enjoy each video (and always learn something). Thanks.

[@evilbob5270]

"Deep Cuts" - OK Rick, I've got my popcorn!

[@docwill184]

Max Herron; Just learn the phrychnolocrilogian scale and it'll all fall into place...

[@kennethbropson8019]

It reminds me of those cooking shows that are fun to watch, but you just know you're never going to cook any of it!

[@LightningDogg]

@@docwill184 LMAO is that the scale you can only play if you have 11 fingers?

[@JuanPabloRojasW]

I'm just like you Max. I don't play any instrument. Would love to play the bass (jazz mode) and I get lost in many parts from Rick's videos; none the less it's a matter of listening and learning from Rick. This is an awesome musical analysis.

[@scottnokes]

Rick, keep the Deeps Cuts series going! Taking some deep dives into songs in your "What Makes This Song Great?" series has been a fascinating journey. The musical genius revealed in those tracks as the layers are probed is something that is so refreshing, and absent from music teaching. I now have the Beato Book and several coffee cups. I especially appreciate your videos that cover advanced music scales, triads, sevenths, ninths, and the like. It really pushes me to understand more about the nuances of music theory, and how it all works. I learned 6 and 12 string guitar, some banjo, and uke as a child and teenager. Exploring them in my mid-50's is a completely different experience now that I have decades of immersion in a vast array of music styles. Thanks for making music great again for me.

[@ettoremacca2927]

K

[@barelyheard3513]

Yes, please keep this series alive!

[@mattmarkus4868]

Yeah, so 4 years later, that never happened. Instead there’s another Beato channel for no apparent reason other than to get more subscribers. Deep cuts of WMTSG would be the answer but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@chadcarrdrums]

Stewart always knows where to come in, and is very intentional with where and when the kick is played, which is what makes his playing so different from every other player. He keeps the listener guessing while keeping the groove throughout. He's one of the greatest rock/pop drummers of all-time. A true master of numbers.

[@metaphoria3]

This is all Summers

[@chikkipop]

@@metaphoria3 No. There's a drummer playing.

[@WilliamSilva-dq6zj]

Yes to Copeland, his tracks he laid down still excite to this day 2023! I would never want to play like him. I'd be just a cheap copy, but his spirit enthusiasm and wit is what I'd hope to emulate....

[@theCelticDragon1]

The Police had so many 'deep cuts' worth diving into that were on par with their main hits, most of their output honestly.

[@PaxtonSanders]

Play the solo on Miss Gradenko and I will be impressed. That (wonderful) song has befuddled me since 1988.

[@hammalammadingdong6244]

The song did appear on the cassette version of the album. That's how I heard it. Great song.

[@DarthD00bius]

Me too. I had no idea it wasn't on the vinyl.

[@DanielBoonelight]

yea it was weird when he described music going from vinyl to CDs, completely skipping over an era where cassettes were the thing. when this album came out, cassette was the biggest-selling format, thus most people had this song on their version of synchronicity.

[@sommersmcc]

Also on the b side of Every Breath You Take 45

[@dinopappous6639]

It was also on the CD that was released.....This and Tea in the Sahara were the best cuts on Synchronicity....

[@DaithiDONKEYBIKE]

Me too...played that tape to death, god that was so long ago. Subscribed. :-)

[@drmachismo]

Love this - new series? Would be great to do great B-sides as well! You can really hear the vibe of Dream of the Blue Turtles in this song...

[@nickdryad]

Dan Rhodes thank god it wasn’t on synchronicity. It’s just not a police song. It typifies what went wrong with the band. Sting took over and everything became stingified. I know Sting and Andy were always into jazz but the appeal of the Police was they were nothing like anything else where as this is like a Jazz fusion piece. It’s not a pop song at all. It a great song in its own but frankly it’s C side.

[@UnitedFeodor]

Definitely should do a Beatles episode(Don't Let Me Down, for example) as well as The Smiths(How Soon Is Now?)

[@IvorThomas]

B sides... yes! Didn't Steely's "FM" have "Shanghai Confidential" as B side track?

[@cabofalcone]

Shanghai Confidential was B-Side to "Century's End" by Donald Fagen (1988).

[@mosesramirez6330]

He'll probably incorporate these, too. He did mention that this track was originally a B-side.

[@geoker55]

I honestly believe the thing that keeps me coming back to this channel is Rick is SUCH a fanboy. Yes, he has the pedigree from producing, writing, touring, teaching, etc, but his love of music just keeps me coming back. .... ALSO.... The Police and later Sting solo have some of the best music ever made.

[@PeterCosta511]

Everyone's first music teacher, no matter their age, should be Rick Beato!

[@Shevrer]

Do we want this to become a regular series? HOLY FUCK YES! Great video Rick, I didn't know this song, and it's stunning! Thanks.

[@anthonybentley6611]

Rick. I’m not a musical guy. I don’t play anything. You’re just damn enjoyable to learn from. Love your stuff. You’re fun to watch-. Good stuff.

[@Pricklyhedgehog72]

The brilliance of Stewart Copeland can't be under estimated.

[@Tamar-sz8ox]

My favorite drummer 💋

[@wbfaulk]

I think you meant the opposite of what you said.

[@DougBrito]

Indeed!!

[@drdre4397]

The entire band man. Andy summers always had unique and great parts, Rick has already said all that needs to be said about Sting and Stewart will hold down a simple beat perfectly for 3 hours to prove a point.

[@aaronhall9024]

Huge influence for me, even as a metal drummer!

[@nashurbina]

I've always been amazed by those fills Stewart Copeland did in that song. So magical and perfect

[@joshuafreedman7703]

NashUrbina Total jazz! 😁😁😁

[@jessemontano6399]

Goodlord. This is, HANDS DOWN, *THE BEST* MUSIC CHANNEL ON KZbin!!! Thanks for everything you do. You deserve 2million subs!!!

[@dvt1393]

He finally made it to 2 million subs. 🙂

[@MerkinMuffly]

Wow, I had the cassette version of Synchronicity, never knew this song wasn't on the vinyl album

[@Jeff_PNW]

Haha, same here. "Murder by Numbers" was my favorite song on that tape, and I'd often FF or RW to skip the popular songs that radio stations & MTV excessively overplayed.

[@jasonring5231]

Yep, same. I was thinking, "this wasn't on the album? How do I know it then?" I had the cassette! haha Love this song!

[@scurryfudge]

Could listen to you talk about Sting and The Police tracks for days. So much to discover there. Oh, and of course this would be a great series! Thanks for all your effort!

[@richmcfadden2257]

One of my favorite police songs. Love the deep cuts idea. More!

[@JamBurglar]

@@thanksfernuthin It was on the cassette (and the CD).

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

It's also on some of the more-recent CD releases of "Synchronicity" (including the gold version released by Mobile Fidelity in 1989), and it's also on their 4-CD box set titled "Message in a Box".

[@marcjones2493]

I can vouch that the original 1983 cassette tape had this song on it.

[@dolfinoff4925]

Murder By Numbers is an absolutely fantastic song. I've had it in my digital library for ages and simply love it.

[@jamescordrey4273]

yes, more deep cuts. i have loved Murder by Numbers ever since i first heard it in high school. what a gem.

[@doncoates9232]

James Cordrey Absolutley!! We must be around the same age. Diggit. 👍🏻

[@avprogrammering]

A gem like "Gematria", where A=1, B=2, C=3... and e.g. "God" = 7+15+4 = 26 (Tetragrammaton). Research Kabbalah and discover how all the world's a stage!

[@user-qr8ki8ue4i]

Me too! Always loved the groove(s) on this track. Now, listening to it again decades later, it reminds me of something Stevie Wonder would do.

[@ShinMadero]

The Police are so good. It's amazing that pop music used to be interesting.

[@iqi616]

Police is Sting's best work. His other stuff is all very sophisticated but musically far less interesting.

[@Pulse2AM]

@@iqi616 I watched their latest reunion footage imo Sting lost his edge that he had in the original Police work. It all sounded flat and MOR, not anything like the original energy they had.

[@spenserwilliams9167]

@@Pulse2AM they all hate each other basically,I'm sure it's hard to have the same energy.

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

In a way, the Police broke up at the right time. They had not yet started to suck by the time they split.

[@JoelHernandez-yl6yw]

It was a great time to be alive.

[@musicmansuperman]

I knew there was a reason the Police was my favorite band in the 80s. Now I know it was because they were simply the best. Nicely articulated commentary, Mr. Beato!

[@cortical1]

SO GLAD YOU'RE DOING MURDER BY NUMBERS!!! Thanks, Rick. Man, your tastes are like my mind in a different body.

[@cortical1]

The chords are awesome, but it was the time changes/accent offsets at the beginning that first drew me in.

[@cortical1]

Yes, I vote for making deep cuts (B sides/lessor known tunes) a regular series! Maybe one of U2's unique EP/B side tracks that came out during the Unforgettable Fire or Joshua Tree eras? I trust your judgment. -Tim

[@cortical1]

Damn, you've sent me down the Police rabbit hole now (listening to lessor known great tunes). Secret Journey. Darkness. Bed's Too Big Without You. It goes on and on...

[@cortical1]

@@SpaceCattttt Well, the telephone is ringing! Is that my mother on the phone!?

[@radiozelaza]

@@cortical1 check out instrumental B-track by Andy - "Shambelle", or the jam they did one time and released as a b-side "Flexible Strategies". I believe there is a recent compilation album of all Police b-sides entitled exactly like that.

[@dogmart]

Yet another fantastic drum part by Stewart Copeland. Lovely hi-hat and ride cymbal work.

[@jml-rj5re]

That ride symbol is genius. Copeland can create lik 3 interwoven, but independent rhythms with the kit. There's neve been another band like the Police since.

[@JendaHrbac]

He's incredible.

[@JacobGrippenMusic]

This is why I wasn’t all that disappointed that my seat at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN in 2007 was nosebleed behind the stage. I am still eternally grateful that my exploration into The Police beyond the “radio tracks” (which coincided with inheriting a pretty bitchin’ LP collection which included the first two Police albums)) happened just around the time they announced their 2007 tour, I don’t think I would’ve even thought to buy a ticket had I not started to delve deeper. Which makes this comment both relevant to this thread, and to the title of the new series Mr. Beato presents here.

[@metaphoria3]

This is a Summers track fs

[@RogerBiwandu]

Stewart plays incredible on this song, he plays some incredible fills, well, he plays REALLY incredible on all The Police's song anyway, what unique style, so creative in a Pop/Rock setting, he's a real Legend, and a pioneer in way.

[@metaphoria3]

Yeah but pales in comparison to Summers prog on this tune

[@p4yb4ck]

Mr. Beato... my life is better since I watch your channel!!! :))) Thx for your contributions!

[@lorenharris2965]

p4yb4ck amen. Rick gets it and I get him, lol.

[@andreaspinkernelle4835]

I always found "Once Upon A Daydream" was the best non-album track from The Police. The chords (Andy Summers at his best) and the lyrics (and how desperate and depressed Sting sings it) fit together perfectly. And although it is simple rhythmically (or maybe because of that), it totally sucks you in. I like that one a lot.

[@etamommy]

To me I always took a chance buying their singles because I liked the choice B-sides. Now of course you can buy CDs or box sets that collect all those tunes too but back then you had to spring for the singles even if you had the albums already to get those songs. Songs like "Friends" which was a warped one about cannibalism and Once upon a daydream, which I also love and someone to talk to....even though some were not Sting's compositions they were still great!

[@cliffmckay]

Always liked "Daydream" and especially loved "Shambelle", the instrumental b-side to "Invisible Sun". Fantastic.

[@markportier5466]

@@etamommy Andy’s tune “Someone To Talk To” is indeed a gem!

[@davidraiklen4521]

Incredibly wonderful. Man, what musicianship by the band and by Rick. I loved this song when I first heard it and puzzled over it figuring out the rhythmic and harmonic surprises and turns. I could not believe how sophisticated this "punk band" really was. Reggae rock, modern jazz, metal, psychedelic, so many influences. To get something this complex and unusual on the radio! Cool And the virtuosity of Stewart Copeland!

[@jeffreytam7684]

Let’s just take a minute to appreciate how good the band sounds for a live take. In particular Andy Summer’s tone. Just drools of flanger.

[@weldonwenturine3395]

Jeffrey Tam is that flangers or chorus?

[@nb_tman699]

I think it's Vibrato setting on a Roland Jazz Chorus amp. Flanger is Message in a bottle, Walking on the Moon, De Doo Doo Doo, etc..

[@capgage1]

I think it's Boss CE-1 chorus. The old tank, not the small Boss sized blue pedal. Not any flanger, not any other type of chorus either. Not a Jazz Chorus vibrato.

[@carlkerkman7028]

Diggin' the new analysis "Deep Cuts" - thanks for the insight, Rick!

[@howiedarrow7684]

The Police owned the world in 82/83 , lucky enough to see this tour in Rochester and Syracuse and this was definitely a crowd favorite. Thanks for the memories Rick!!!!

[@kurtthrelkeld5964]

Love the police and love deep cuts. The Police were a great band. Wish they had stayed together. I love music but am ignorant about how it's made. Watching you is wonderful even though I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about at times. Keep up the great work!!

[@spoon072000]

Big "YES" to the deep cuts question! First artist that came to mind would be some (early) Peter Gabriel. Thanks Rick!

[@ThePierric777]

The fact that this song didn't make its way onto the original Synchronicity album is beyond me. Thank you Rick for spelling this brilliant song out for us! I wish I could understand the theory behind the main chord progression of the song (verses).

[@Jekylnhyde55]

Murder was my favorite on the CD, with Tea in the Sahara, Miss Gradenko and Walking in Your Footsteps in tow... Great Deep Cuts vid, Rick! 👍👍

[@jonclarkson2281]

Tea is one of my favorite songs of all time!

[@geow8972]

Miss Gradenko and Walking in Your Footsteps! Nice call. Love the guitar in M Gredenko, melody in Footsteps.

[@dauchande]

Wow, you hit upon all my favorites as well, but you should probably add Synchronicity 2 as well

[@akesvensson3778]

"Deep Cuts" is most exciting! Go for it! Can't wait for the next episode. Thanks Rick!

[@bretjohnston9519]

I have always loved the brilliance of this song…one of my favorites and I think is quite underrated. Thank you Rick for breaking this down!

[@WilliamHBaird-eq2hp]

Rick I love your passion when your breakdown a song! "Murder by Numbers" is an EPIC track indeed. I also bought it on the single back in the day, and used to sometimes close my nights withit as a DJ back in the 1980's at 3:00AM! Thems was the days!

[@RB747domme]

Oh yes, Rick, awesome idea for a video series. I love every move you make, every step you take, every song you break, every single day, every word you say, every song you play, every day you stay, I'll be watching you. Keep it up (Whooh woh woh woh) Keep it up (Whooh woh woh woh) Giant steps are what you take, talking in the room, I hope my Gretsch don't break, playing in my room, you could talk forever, talking on the Moog, while you're talking in, talking in the room. It's just a faster way, A minor 4th at C, More loneliness, with no one here but me, More songs were blessed, Then any man can hear, Rescue me before I fall into despair.

[@brianmatthews2503]

A very cogent description of the genius that was The Police.👍🏼

[@kaguya6900]

I'm all for making this a regular series! Do some deep-cut Genesis!

[@kevgamble]

Great idea. Personally, I'd vote for post-Gabriel, pre-Duke Genesis, or "Keep it Dark".

[@kaguya6900]

@@kevgamble You want a real deep cut from that period: Pigeons. I love Keep It Dark. It's one of my favorite songs from the band, but I don't really think of it as a deep cut (aside from the fact that it's been for-the-mot-part forgotten). I remember watching MTV at the time, and seeing the video multiple times. It was in the rotation. I think "deep cuts" are non-single album tracks and b-sides.

[@kevgamble]

@@kaguya6900 I hear you. I knew it was a single, but suggested it in the other sense you mention - that it's all but forgotten, and probably never known in the first place by most people today. Pigeons is deep! I only heard that EP for the first time a few years ago. Cheers!

[@jasonbone5121]

Great new series! Murder by Numbers was indeed on the Synchronicity cassette. Nice breakdown of an awesome song. Thanks for the chords!

[@rwellsinbc]

Jason Bone I was going to say that. I bought the cassette in France when the album was released and it included this song.

[@JoeChewBaca]

Yea, we had the cassette at home with it on there. Great song.

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

Yup, this was the final track on my cassette copy of Synchronicity.

[@ShotDownInFlames2]

I had the cassette too, and a giant boom-box to play it on.

[@mftepera]

Yeah I think my copy had this song. Don’t know how else it would be so familiar to me.

[@williedeuel]

Fantastic song to start this series! Stewart Copeland is a master of building and releasing tension within a song using really creative drum parts. One of the all-time greats.

[@amethystsamia]

One of my favorite songs...along with “the telephone is ringing...is that my mother on the phone!” Haha! Amazing group, amazing song. Duh. Definitely a great series! Would love to see more of it!

[@samward3357]

A recording of the version he played with Zappa is actually on Zappa's record "Broadway The Hard Way"

[@adam872]

Yep, I have a copy of that album. It's a great performance too, as is their arrangement of Stolen Moments.

[@Phoebedumplings]

Mr Sting!

[@snidelywhiplash]

Of all the Police songs I love, this one sticks with me as one of the most brilliant and unexpected.

[@dvt1393]

Absolutely LOVE the idea of this series. Giving some amazing songs that never made it in to the limelight their day in the sun.

[@Thedrummersalmanac]

One of my favorite drum grooves is Murder By Numbers! The weak-beat quarter notes over the 6/8 groove! pure genius... Great lesson, Rick

[@enriquebulto29]

Dear Rick, wonderful comments and interesting insights. You are helping The Police not to be forgotten!!!!

[@Nate_Higgins]

Yes man, more deep cuts! Great idea. Thanks for the chords too.

[@SteveFullerBikes]

Deep cut, but one of my favorite Police songs. The drumming, the chord progression, the recording...

[@mariomansilla6401]

I was a Police fan but didn’t know the song until I saw a Sandra Bullock movie about a murder, this song is played over the closing credits. Great analysis Rick, you lost me on some of the technicalities but indeed this song was a bridge to Sting’s first solo albums.

[@substrate001]

Rick, *_PLEASE_* keep these going! This is one of my favorite Police songs ever for all the reason you mentioned. Would love to see you go deep into the RUSH, Kansas & Yes catalogues... Soooo many incredible musical gems in there! GREAT VIDEO!

[@goosegagaadam]

Series =YES! Fantastic, as usual. The Police have always been one of my favorite bands and this song is especially one of my favorites from them. It always makes me turn into a professional air drummer! 😁

[@3HO]

Oh Rick, this one is just... I don't know how to say. I'm here, in Geneva/Switzerland, watching this video, and I'm just completely amazed (it's a small word) by this analysis ! the first time I heard this song was the Zappa concert version, and I didn't know that it was a Police song. Well, I thank you a thousand times for this video. As a guitarist, I learn a lot from you. Thanx, Master.

[@johnk3195]

They played it for the encore when I saw the Syncronicity tour, it was magical.

[@HopHead500]

Thanks for the time machine trip. I had that 45 and had totally forgotten about Murder by Numbers for the last 35 years. Suddenly I’m 17 again listening to 45’s on my crappy stereo in my bedroom.

[@MarshalMcKitrick]

Yes, make more Deep Cuts of The Police. And, then move on to Deep Cuts for other artists. Appreciate your passion for music, Rick.

[@SeanZetterlund]

how does one man come up with so many great series ideas? great thinking and videos, Rick! 🤘

[@BarryWarne]

music is a lifelong learning journey and most musicians are constantly curious

[@mitchweiner]

Only a cynic would call having so many fresh ideas egocentric. Thank goodness Rick has little to no ego!

[@dig1272]

Yes, please make it into a series. This one on "Murder By Numbers" was fascinating!!!

[@stephenbobic3226]

Please do make this a series! There are so many great songs that either don't get "air" play or that are buried on B sides. "Murder by Numbers" became one of my favorites in the late 80s. Thanks for this new series!

[@dmccalldds]

The “final” Police song. Sniff sniff. I miss that band.

[@onethdasanayake3689]

Me too

[@air9music]

You did have Don't Stand So Close To Me '86 but it probably doesn't count

[@dmccalldds]

@@air9music hahaha true!

[@anthonybuck1044]

I always think of this song as that. "The Last one"

[@TrashWerewolf]

YES!!!!! This is one of my favorite Police songs and, IMO, the best song on Synchronicity. I love this tune!!!

[@drummaman1]

Great video! Though we're talking "Synchronicity" on this video, "Ghost In The Machine" stands to me as the most unique sounding and uniquely produced records of all time. Only the Police could've produced such a work at that exact time. It's fascinating to me.

[@ThomB1031]

Zenyatta Mendatta is better imo.

[@CoolDogWalter]

It was such a great moment of my musical life when I first noticed that the drums were in 3 and the vocals were in 4. Glad to see this song featured Rick please keep it up!

[@firedude117]

Deep Cuts is an excellent addition for your channel. I always appreciate the songs which don't always have airplay but are truly stand out examples of an artist work.

[@Confuseddalek]

Make this a series! I love hearing new songs from bands that don't get played.

[@derstuka96]

This would be another "What Makes This Song Great?" B-side or not, it's a great tune!

[@brianmiller1891]

This was always my favorite song on the "cassette tape" and later my "CD". So glad you did an episode on this one!

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

I love this idea for a series! I've not heard this song before, only their album tracks! Thank you for introducing me to this, and I look forward to more 'new' music delivered like this.

[@ZackMorse]

Always been one of my favorite Police songs ... The version of "Shadows In The Rain" on Sting's "Blue Turtles" LP especially has a similar feel to it. And yeah - it'd be cool to do this now and again. (Like some King's X)

[@codyburgess7034]

Zack Morse Kings X!!!

[@lamech006]

Yes, yes, and yes. {{KX}}

[@wewereborn2beloved]

Rick B analyzing a King's X tune would make my year.

[@alanbaum3228]

Agreed!

[@BassClass100]

Absolutely, Rick Beato, keep up the Deep Cuts! NO ONE is doing anything CLOSE and with so much clear explanations than you! Maybe this new generation can GROW and start to understand music better. PLEAAAAAAASE!!!

[@ntulsian]

Yes more deep cuts. One of my favorite Police songs and made all the better after hearing your analysis of it, takes my appreciation of the music to another level. Fabulous. Thanks for making these videos.

[@postive-vibes]

Such a creepy but cool song. Always loved it and glad to see a "deep cut" getting deconstructed.

[@Keepgoing42]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One of my favorite and the best Police. First time I had ever heard a Bbmajor7#11 chord

[@ozbondweefin5738]

Hey Rick, Great choice for your inaugural video into your "Deep Cuts" series. I've always liked this tune. I'm playing in a blue-grass group in which we are working on this (challenging chords for our mandolin player!). Interestingly, when Sting sang with Zappa (on the "Broadway the Hard Way" album), the band plays the changes to the Oliver Nelson jazz standard, "Stolen Moments." Sting sings the lyrics to "Murder by Numbers" over those changes. Knowing well how the Police's Murder by Numbers sounds, I'm not sure that the "Stolen Moments" changes work that well (IMHO). I'm sure that it was an impromptu performance with no rehearsal, so Zappa must have told his band to "play Stolen Moments" while Sting sang the Murder by Numbers lyrics. Would have been cool to have been in the audience to hear this performance (or even cooler to have been playing in the band)! Cheers!

[@RSReffuw]

This is one of my favorite Police tracks! Hell yeah Rick

[@navasaband]

More Deep Cuts please. Hits pay the bills but deep cuts validate a career.

[@markbayer1683]

Stewart Copeland's parts were often not easy to latch onto, especially early in a song. He grew up overseas and listened to a lot of Middle Eastern music (and reggae later), so his formative rhythm experiences were not typical American four on the floor with a big 2&4 backbeat. Go listen to "Spirits in the Material World" and try to anticipate the "1" on the chorus. Stewart did this kind of thing all the time. Brilliant. And his hi-hat work was so different and fresh. Nobody sounds like Stewart C.

[@alexanderfrederick1420]

Oh my god.. one of my favourite songs. The drumming, the piano.. simply beautiful. Thank you Rick Beato.

[@redskin133]

Piano?

[@alexanderfrederick1420]

@@redskin133 omg.. was watching a different video on "Does everyone Stare" at the same time and got my line's crossed. HAHA??!!! D:

[@robertk7484]

Excellent choice of songs - loved this tune from the very first moment I heard it. Really called back to the Police reggae / punk foundations. The discord, the sonic tension, and the odd beat/time signatures - all expected from the Police. A truly under-appreciated band.

[@NicklasNylander87]

Loved it! As a less schooled musician I also appreciated the chords charted at the beginning! Keep up the great content Ricko!

[@SpencerTaylorOnline]

I have loved this song since I first heard it in the early '80s as a kid! It has such an exciting feel and flow. It doesn't sound like anything else to me. It also seems to bridge multiple styles with incredible ease and swagger.

[@vincenttallarida6861]

People transitioned from LPs to cassettes in 1983 because portable players (the Sony Walkman, boom boxes with dual cassette decks for dubbing) were wildly popular. *Very* few people had CD players. Didn't hear this track until I bought my 2nd copy of Synchronicity, on cassette, in 1984. Needless to say, I was blown away and still am. Thank you for the great review, Rick!

[@christopherchild4022]

YES. New series, hell yes. Great song to kick it off with; always loved Zappa’s version.

[@Phoebedumplings]

Christopher Child Mr Sting!

[@zachrowe1511]

This is a great series, but I really appreciate the editors notes when you acknowledge a flub

[@DuncanPrior]

I love this song and the way that the Police put all these interesting details into songs. I love the way that Sting comes in on King of Pain as well even though I've listened to that song so many times.

[@jesselawson224]

You must do more deep cuts, I love how music makes you feel. The way it makes you feel is infectious and I just want to listen all day long!

[@alexandremello6913]

Stewart was one of the smartest drummers in rock. It is amazing how you're thrown off the beat when the guitars enter. His polyrhythmic ideas were so interesting.

[@geoffmclain2206]

You really know how to break it down into its basic components. I have struggled with this song for DECADES!!! You came along and straightened me out in 12 minutes and 58 seconds. Thanks.

[@oscher88]

Its is SO cool to see someone enjoying and appreciate all the nuances of this song and just smiling all over! Great vid

[@jimhyman8544]

Great idea! As an old rock radio guy, I have great appreciation for "deep cuts."

[@JC-zw9vs]

Stewart says this was not just one take, it was a jam and was the first take. Bang. Just like that brilliance out of the gate.

[@ChrisB...]

Synchronicity was my first CD, it was a great choice! Thumbs up to a Deep Cuts series.

[@stevenciancanelli6955]

One of my Favorite Police songs and one of those mystical drum lines that still break my brain

[@djspiketac]

Rick, most of the time your music theory explanation is over my head but your excitement and enthusiasm keeps me watching and I find myself listening to the bands you are talking about. The music industry should be embracing you instead of hassling you. Thank you for creating these videos.

[@WisersPlace]

I knew it!!! I knew it!!! As a 10 year old I would listen to the album front to back and loved MBN.

[@Texturas75]

MBN?