The British-born rock band The Police is perhaps one of the most underrated rock groups of all time. Fronted by the bass-playing singer Sting, the group has written more hits than most music fans might be prepared to admit. To wit, their songs continue to feature on the radio airwaves today and remain favorites of many despite them not being at the top of the list of classic rock faves.
Here below, we wanted to right that wrong. We wanted to explore three tracks from the classic rock group. A trio of tunes that continue to entertain and inspire but that also somehow seem to remain underrated. But no longer! Indeed, these are three songs by The Police that should be more widely known and that have stood the test of time.
[RELATED: No Skips: 4 Classic Rock Albums You’ll Never Have to Fast-Forward]
“Every Breath You Take” from Synchronicity (1983)
Music fans may know this song from the Puff Daddy track that sampled it, released shortly after the murder of rapper The Notorious B.I.G. in the 1990s. But before it was part of a hip-hop hit, this classic rock track was winning fans over in the 1980s. It marks the group’s only No. 1 hit—it topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts for eight weeks. A love song of deep devotion, the track may even tread a little into the too devoted but that was what impressed back in the day. Sting really wanted to convey that he believed he and the object of his affection were meant for one another. Nevertheless, the passionate, heartfelt track subsists as one of pure admiration. On it Sting sings,
Every breath you take
And every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I’ll be watching you
Every single day
And every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I’ll be watching you
Oh, can’t you see you belong to me?
How my poor heart aches with every step you take
“Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” from Ghost in the Machine (1981)
A celebratory love song, this track honors its subject with praise. Peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, this 1981 offering brought a lively energy to rock music as well as an admission of shyness from the lead singer. The subject is so powerful, so incredible, that she makes Sting blush and he gets a little tongue-tied around her. Yet he is able to literally sing the woman’s praises to an audience. Such is the power of love. On the track, Sting belts,
Though I’ve tried before to tell her
Of the feelings I have for her in my heart
Every time that I come near her
I just lose my nerve as I’ve done from the start
Every little thing she does is magic
Everything she do just turns me on
Even though my life before was tragic
Now I know my love for her goes on
“Roxanne” from Outlandos d’Amour (1978)
One of the earliest hit tracks from The Police, this song is another that treads in the world of love and affection. But this time the subject is made clear and it’s for a sex worker named Roxanne. It was inspired by prostitutes who worked near a Paris hotel where the band was staying in 1977. Since its release, it has become perhaps the most widely associated song with the band thanks to its specific, even risque subject matter. It was also covered admirably in the 2001 movie Moulin Rouge. On the track Sting sings,
Roxanne
You don’t have to put on the red light
Those days are over
You don’t have to sell your body to the night
Roxanne
You don’t have to wear that dress tonight
Walk the streets for money
You don’t care if it’s wrong or if it’s right
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Photo by Peter Noble/Redferns
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