The Birth of a Classic: The Story Behind "Every Breath You Take"
Inspiration Strikes
The Police’s iconic hit "Every Breath You Take" was born in a moment of inspiration for Sting while visiting Ian Fleming’s Goldeneye resort in Jamaica. The song’s haunting melody and lyrics, which would become synonymous with the band’s unique sound, came to Sting in the middle of the night. "I woke up in the middle of the night with that line – ‘every breath you take, every move you make, I’ll be watching you’ – in my head," Sting recalled in 1993. "I sat down at the piano and had written it in half an hour."
From Demo to Masterpiece
Sting’s initial demo of the song, which can be heard below, featured him working alone at a Hammond organ in October 1982 at London’s Utopia Studios. "The tune itself is generic, an aggregate of hundreds of others, but the words are interesting," he later told The Independent. "It sounds like a comforting love song, but I didn’t realize how sinister it is. I think I was thinking of Big Brother, surveillance, and control."
The song underwent significant changes during the recording process, with the band working tirelessly to perfect the track. "This was a difficult one to get, because Sting wrote a very good song but there was no guitar on it," guitarist Andy Summers later told Revolver magazine. "He had this Hammond organ thing that sounded like Billy Preston. It certainly didn’t sound like the Police with that big, rolling synthesizer part. We spent about six weeks recording just the snare drums and the bass. It was a simple, classic chord sequence but we couldn’t agree how to do it."
Endless Retakes and Controversy
The recording process was not without its challenges. Stewart Copeland’s slippery drumsticks proved to be a major issue, with producer Hugh Padgham telling Sound on Sound that the drummer’s sticks would often fly out of his hands due to the hot and humid conditions in the studio. To solve this problem, Padgham even gaffered the sticks to Copeland’s hands and the headphones onto his head to keep them in place.
Sting was notorious for his perfectionism, often demanding retakes if there was something as small as a drum fill that he felt was out of place. This led to endless retakes, with Padgham remarking that it was hard to keep Sting’s interest in the studio techniques. "Remember, this was in the days before Pro Tools, when we’d have to use a razor blade," Padgham said. "And even though it was Sting who’d generally be involved in those decisions, it would still be hard to keep his interest. He’s not one to show patience or any interest in studio techniques."
The Breakthrough Moment
The song finally came together when Summers had a breakthrough moment. "I’d been making an album with Robert Fripp, and I was kind of experimenting with playing Hungarian composer Bela Bartok violin duets and had worked up a new riff," he told Revolver. "When Sting said ‘go and make it your own,’ I went and stuck that lick on it – and immediately we knew we had something special."
Disagreements Over Songwriting Credit
The song’s success was not without its controversy. Disagreements over songwriting credit would follow, since Summers’ guitar part became so integral to the track. The solo demo, issued as part of an upcoming box-set reissue of 1983’s Synchronicity, makes clear what was still missing.
Conclusion
"Every Breath You Take" is a testament to the band’s ability to craft a timeless classic. From its haunting melody to its thought-provoking lyrics, the song has become synonymous with the Police’s unique sound. Despite the challenges they faced during the recording process, the band’s dedication to their craft resulted in a song that would go on to become one of their biggest hits.
FAQs
Q: What inspired Sting to write "Every Breath You Take"?
A: Sting was inspired to write the song during a visit to Ian Fleming’s Goldeneye resort in Jamaica, where he woke up in the middle of the night with the song’s iconic melody and lyrics.
Q: What was the recording process like for "Every Breath You Take"?
A: The recording process was challenging, with the band working tirelessly to perfect the track. They spent six weeks recording just the snare drums and bass, and Stewart Copeland’s slippery drumsticks proved to be a major issue.
Q: Who came up with the guitar part in "Every Breath You Take"?
A: Andy Summers came up with the guitar part, which became a crucial element of the song’s success.
Q: Was there any controversy surrounding the song’s writing credits?
A: Yes, there were disagreements over songwriting credit, since Summers’ guitar part became so integral to the track.
