“Every Breath You Take,” the Billboard single of the year for 1983, was not just a landmark in music history—it began to drive a wedge between The Police. Sting penned this tune, and it became a worldwide smash almost immediately, rocketing up the charts to No. 1 in both the UK and the US. Later it became the centerpiece of their album “Synchronicity.” Originally produced by Hugh Padgham, the song’s recording was an exercise in tension, industry disagreements, and creative conflict that combined to form the chapter of its history.
“Every Breath You Take,” accompanied the release of the album “Synchronicity.” It would go on to become a commercial success, topping charts and captivating listeners around the world. The song’s erotic-subtext-tinged brutally honest lyrics and dark, atmospheric melody captured listeners’ imagination, making it an immortal part of pop culture. Despite its lasting legacy today, the creative process between band members in its making was far from peaceful.
Sting has been vocal about his perception of the song, describing it as “a nasty little song, really rather evil.” This lighthearted portrayal is a far cry from the more sinister undertones that percolate throughout the lyrics, painting a picture of obsession and surveillance. The song’s success came at a time when tensions were high within the band, particularly between Sting and drummer Stewart Copeland.
The production process exposed a deeper tension beneath the song’s catchy musical veneer. Copeland was restricted by the straight, tight drum pattern of the song which he loathed the rigidity of. This clash over musical interpretation soon turned into the first of many creative disagreements, which began to emerge during the recording sessions. Hugh Padgham, who produced “Synchronicity,” remembered a difficult ten-day stretch where nothing usable came to tape.
“By the time of Synchronicity, they were sick of each other,” – Hugh Padgham
Guitarist and founding member Andy Summers took to Facebook in recent days to reflect on how the song was conceived. He claimed credit for the details of its final version. He commented, “It was shit until I played on it.” His incredible contributions and touch turned it into the masterpiece that listeners know and love today. The collaborative process ended up being the most difficult part. Musicians were often driven to distraction by arguments over the bass and drum parts.
The depth of such dynamics is further highlighted by Copeland’s musings about their in-office collaborations. “We tore each other’s throats out in the studio but those two motherfuckers came up with incredible stuff and we got on really well on stage, in the van, on the plane,” he explained. This sentiment rings true and sums up the complexity of their work relationship—biting competition tempered with unexpected friendship.
As the years rolled on, “Every Breath You Take” kept getting resuscitated, appearing in movies, commercials, and television shows. The song has most recently landed in the soundtracks of cultural touchstones such as Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” At the center of both seasons two and four, it plays a crucial role. On top of all that TikTok has propelled the song into a musical juggernaut of a viral hit. On Spotify, it is averaging about 3.5 million plays per day, which puts it in the top ten most-streamed songs in the world right now.
Sting ultimately tried to rectify the historical imbalance around royalties paid to him compared to his bandmates. To settle their past underpayment, last month he paid $870,000 to both Copeland and Summers. Such a gesture would be an acknowledgement of a desire to make amends for some of the damage done in their shared history.
“Every Breath You Take” isn’t only memorable because of its chart-topping prowess. It powerfully reminds us of the complicated and sometimes messy dynamics that often accompany creative collaborations. The song’s infectious groove and quotable lyrics have made it an enduring classic in modern music. It invites reflection on the often-troubled dynamics that are inherent to creative teamwork.
“Go on Sting, pay Andy his royalties,” – Stewart Copeland
Interestingly, while some critics have viewed “Every Breath You Take” as a profound exploration of obsession, others have described it as “a very pleasant, perhaps even a bit bland song,” according to a lead researcher at Aarhus University. This strange dichotomy is a great example to show how drastically different interpretations can be depending on who is looking at them.