Although often mistaken for a love song, Sting has described it as "sinister and ugly," rooted in jealousy and the concept of "Big Brother". He has often expressed amusement—and some concern—that couples frequently choose it for their weddings. A Fractious Recording Process
Despite its polished sound, the recording was marked by extreme tension between the band members, particularly Sting and drummer Stewart Copeland. The Police - Every Breath You Take
Sting wrote the track in 1982 while staying at , the Jamaican estate formerly owned by James Bond creator Ian Fleming. At the time, his personal life was in turmoil; he was undergoing a painful divorce from his first wife, Frances Tomelty, and beginning a widely condemned affair with her best friend, Trudie Styler. Although often mistaken for a love song, Sting
The original demo was built around a Hammond organ. It only became "The Police" after guitarist Andy Summers added the iconic, clean, arpeggiated riff, which he inspired with the works of composer Béla Bartók. Sting wrote the track in 1982 while staying
Sting woke up in the middle of the night with the main line in his head and finished the song in just 30 minutes.
The Story of... 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police - Smooth
