Song Stories: The Police: Every Breath You Take

In 1983 The Police were arguably the biggest band in the world. The band’s popularity had spread far beyond the music world into the cultural mainstream. The success of "Synchronicity" made them a global sensation, and their appeal transcended genres. With the album's release, they were able to not only dominate the airwaves but also draw huge crowds at their live shows. The Police’s 1983 world tour, which supported "Synchronicity", was one of the most successful tours of the decade, playing sold-out arenas and stadiums around the world.

"Every Breath You Take" was the lead single from the album and the bands fifth UK Number One Single. It was a departure from the bands punk rock roots, and has since gone on to become the song that many people to come to associate with the band. With its haunting melody, delicate instrumentation, and Sting’s evocative lyrics, the track was destined to be a hit, but its themes were much darker than most listeners initially realized.

The song is often misunderstood as a romantic ode to devotion, but it is actually about obsession and control. The lyrics are from the perspective of a possessive narrator who is watching every move of their lover. "Every breath you take, every move you make, I'll be watching you," Sting sings, which seems to imply a love so intense that it crosses the line into surveillance and unhealthy fixation. While the music itself is soft and almost serene, the lyrics tell a much darker story. The contrast between the gentle melody and the unsettling words creates a sense of tension, making the song all the more impactful.

"Every Breath You Take" became one of The Police’s most commercially successful tracks, and it reached number one on the charts in several countries, including the U.S. and the U.K. Its success, however, also led to confusion. Many listeners interpreted it as a tender love song, without realizing its darker undertones. This misinterpretation led to the song being used at weddings and romantic occasions, even though the song is, in essence, about unhealthy obsession rather than genuine affection.

Over the years, "Every Breath You Take" has continued to be one of the most played songs on radio and in popular media. It has been used in countless films, TV shows, and commercials, further cementing its place in pop culture. Sting himself has admitted that it can be a bit surreal to hear the song played in contexts where it doesn’t quite fit the original meaning.

This song and its subsequent album made the band the biggest band in the world for a brief time but it also marked the beginning of the end. Tensions within the band were at an all time home, and Stings growing solo aspirations led to the bands break up.

By 1983, Sting had already started to experiment with solo projects. He released The Last Ship, a solo album, in 1991, and before that, he had written “Russians” and “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free,” tracks that were included in his solo endeavors. This shift signaled a growing divide in priorities: while Copeland and Summers were committed to the band, Sting’s artistic vision was moving in a different direction.

The band formally announced their breakup in 1986, following a period of silence. It was an emotional and dramatic decision, but by then, the rift between the band members was too deep to repair.The Police would eventually reunite in 2007 for a world tour. The reunion was a moment of both nostalgia and closure for fans who had missed the band’s unique chemistry. The band’s return to the stage was highly anticipated and proved that, despite their tumultuous history, they still had the magic that made them the biggest band in the world in the early 1980s.

"Every Breath You Take" is a rather unique song, it gave the band their biggest hit, and made them the biggest band in the world, but also was part of the straw that broke the camels back. Leading to the demise of one of the most important and influential bands of the 1970s and 80s.

Thank you for reading 

Jack