The Police – Every Breath You Take

The song had a music video (directed by duo Godley & Creme) loosely based on Gjon Mili’s 1944 short film Jammin’ the Blues. Shot in black-and-white with a navy blue tint, the video depicts the band, accompanied by a pianist and string section, performing the song in a darkened ballroom as a man washes the floor-to-ceiling window behind them. Sting performs his part on upright bass rather than bass guitar.

This is one of the most misinterpreted songs ever. It is about an obsessive stalker, but it sounds like a love song. Some people even used it as their wedding song. The Police frontman Sting wrote it after separating from his first wife, Frances Tomelty.

In the 1983 Rolling Stone critics’ and readers’ poll, it was voted “Song of the Year”. In the US, it was the best-selling single of 1983 and fifth-best-selling single of the decade. Billboard ranked it as the No. 1 song for 1983

“Every Breath You Take” was the biggest US and Canadian hit of 1983, topping the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for eight weeks (the band’s only No. 1 hit on that chart), and the Canadian RPM chart for four weeks. Their fifth UK No. 1, it topped the UK singles chart for four weeks. The song also reached the top 10 in numerous other countries. In May 2019, it was recognized by BMI as being the most played song in radio history.Written by Sting, the single was the biggest US and Canadian hit of 1983, topping the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for eight weeks (the band’s only No. 1 hit on that chart), and the Canadian RPM chart for four weeks. Their fifth UK No. 1, it topped the UK singles chart for four weeks. The song also reached the top 10 in numerous other countries. In May 2019, it was recognized by BMI as being the most played song in radio history.

This won Grammys in 1984 for Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance By Duo Or Group With Vocal.

At the first MTV Video Music Awards in 1983, this won for Best Cinematography.

“Every Breath You Take” – Single by the Police from the album Synchronicity
Released 20 May 1983
Label A&M
Songwriter Sting
Producers The Police, Hugh Padgham