Back in 1977, Gordon Sumner, aka Sting, met up with a guy named Stewart Copeland. They started discussing music and decided to start a band. They recorded a single with some guy on guitar. They sacked him soon after and hired Andy Summers, therefore finalizing the lineup of The Police. The Police were a mix of rock, punk, and reggae. They created a unique brand of music and, in the short time from 1978-1983, released 5 albums that remain to this day staples in the world of rock n’ roll classics.
Sting: bass, vocals, songwriter
Andy Summers: guitar
Stewart Copeland: drums
1.
Roxanne
This was the Police’s first hit, and a very well known song that still gets tons of airplay. Sting sings about a hooker that he has fallen in love with. His vocals are very high pitched and catchy. The song gets very heavy during the chorus. “You don’t have to put on the red lights.”
4.3
2.
Can’t Stand Losing You
This track is all out pure punk. The story behind it is exceptional, and the reason why it was temporarily banned during the 80’s. It’s about a guy who got dumped by his girlfriend, and is killing himself to make her regret it. There a lots of classic lines here. “…and your brother’s gonna kill me and he’s six feet ten.” The chorus is pure and simple. “I can’t I can’t I can’t stand losing you.” Even though it’s repeated so many times it’s still ultra catchy.
5.0
3.
Message In A Bottle
This is Sting’s loneliness anthem. The lyrics are perfect, comparing loneliness to be stranded on an island. “Seems I’m not alone in being alone, hundred billion castaways looking for a home.” The only thing that prevents it from being perfect is the ending where Sting repeats the line “sending out an SOS” too many times. Not to mention perfect guitar playing too, just a great catchy classic.
4.9
4.
Walking On The Moon
Sting’s bass line is catchy and remarkable, along with Andy Summer’s trademark guitar playing. I’ve never liked this song very much, it’s always kind of bored me. The lyrics have nothing special about them.
3.5
5.
Don’t Stand So Close To Me
This is a song about a teacher falling in love with one of his students. Chances are you’ve heard this before. It has quite a bit of a reggae tinge to it. The Police have always had a great way of making a song with dark, quiet lyrics during the verses transform into fun, catchy and happy sounding tunes during the chorus. This is a fine example. Where would classic rock be without this song?
4.75
6.
De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Sure the lyrics are nonsense, but it doesn’t get any catchier than this. But actually this song does have a cool message behind it. It’s about people who use big words to try to sound important, like politicians. Andy’s guitar is great here; same with Stewart’s drumming. If you don’t love this song there has to be something wrong with you.
5.0
7.
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Whoever played the piano on this did a wonderful job. Sting’s lyrics and singing are once again perfect on this song. It’s been used in tons of movies, so most people have heard it. When it comes to love songs about being shy to a woman, it doesn’t get much better than this. There are just so many classic one liners in this song that you can’t argue that Sting is one of the greatest songwriters ever.
5.0
8.
Invisible Sun
I read somewhere that this song is “controversial.” I’m not sure why, but the lyrics do seem to have a dark message behind them. I, for one, don’t enjoy this as much as their other songs. Sting’s voice is just too high pitched and “out there” for me.
3.5
9.
Spirits In The Material World
This is the second song in a row where Sting’s voice is slightly unbearable. And the funny thing is that when performed live he could actually sing it like this. There’s a little saxophone added here, for a neat touch. This song has another dark message behind it, I’m not aware of what it is though.
3.7
10.
Every Breath You Take
This is a song that needs no introduction, but heck, I’ll do it just for fun. It’s about a guy who stalks his girlfriend, enough said. When Sting wrote it he knew it would be the band’s biggest hit. The guitar and bass form a very catchy atmosphere. Basically every line during the verses rhymes with the title of the song, making Sting a lyrical genius. The bridge (“since you’ve gone, I’ve been lost without a trace...) is spectacular. This is one of the greatest songs ever written, and it’s tough to argue with that statement.
5.0
11.
King Of Pain
This is without a doubt one of my all time favorite songs. The beginning is a little creepy, with piano being the main instrument. The lyrics are even a little disturbing. Sting uses elements of everything that symbolizes pain, then claims to be the king of it all. The chorus is beautiful. “I have stood here before beside the pouring rain etc.” Andy plays a very nice short guitar solo near the end. I would highly recommend this track.
5.0
12.
Wrapped Around Your Finger
This is another very dark, slow tune. Sting sings about being someone’s apprentice and them having total control over him. At the end, he overcomes his master. Stewart’s drumming is very neat in this song, especially during the chorus. Once again, this has a very eerie sound to it, but I can’t deny that it’s one of my favorite Police songs.
5.0
13.
Don’t Stand So Close To Me ‘86
A newer recording of the old hit. Not worth listening to though, because they changed it too much, making it slow and a little boring.
14.
Message In A Bottle Classic Rock Remix
There are only a few differences between this song and the original mix so it isn’t too interesting.
If you like the Police but aren’t sure if you love them I’d recommend this to you. It contains 90% of the essentials. I tend to like Synchronicity more than any of the Police’s albums, because it has a lot less reggae. If you’re in that boat, then buying this and Synchronicity would be the way to go. It’s such a shame that this band had to break up. If they were still together today, making albums (assuming that they could still make good ones), they would probably be in the top 5 greatest bands ever.
