The Police - Every Breath You Take - 1983
The Police - Every Breath You Take - 1983
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The Police - Every Breath You Take - 1983
Every Breath You Take is a song by the English rock band The Police, released in 1983 as a part of their album Synchronicity. Written by Sting, the song is known for its distinctive, evolving melody and haunting lyrics. It became one of the biggest hits of 1983, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart for eight weeks and the UK Singles Chart for four weeks.
Background and Composition
The song was written by Sting, the lead singer of The Police. Contrary to its popular reception as a love song, Sting wrote it from the perspective of a possessive lover, making the song a complex exploration of jealousy and obsession. The melody is built around a simple, repeating guitar riff played by Andy Summers, the band's guitarist. Stewart Copeland, the drummer, contributed to the song's unique, syncopated rhythm pattern.
Reception and Legacy
"Every Breath You Take" received widespread acclaim and won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1984. Its music video, directed by Godley & Creme, was one of the earliest examples of a high-concept music video and received heavy rotation on MTV. The song's popularity endures, and it's often covered by other artists and featured in various media.
Controversies and Misinterpretations
Despite its romantic-sounding melody, the song has been subject to controversy due to its lyrics, which some interpret as reflecting stalking or obsessive behavior. Sting himself has commented on these misinterpretations, stating that the song is about control and surveillance, not love.
For further information on the band and their other songs, check out The Police and Sting.
Interactive Tasks
Quiz: Questions on the song
In what year was "Every Breath You Take" released? (1983) (!1979) (!1985) (!1990)
Which album features "Every Breath You Take"? (Synchronicity) (!Ghost in the Machine) (!Outlandos d'Amour) (!Reggatta de Blanc)
Who directed the music video for "Every Breath You Take"? (Godley & Creme) (!David Fincher) (!Spike Jonze) (!Michel Gondry)
For how many weeks did "Every Breath You Take" top the Billboard Hot 100 chart? (8 weeks) (!6 weeks) (!10 weeks) (!12 weeks)
What Grammy Award did "Every Breath You Take" win in 1984? (Song of the Year) (!Record of the Year) (!Best Male Pop Vocal Performance) (!Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal)
Quiz: Questions on the Performer
Who is the lead singer of The Police? (Sting) (!Andy Summers) (!Stewart Copeland) (!Brian Eno)
Which instrument is primarily played by Andy Summers in The Police? (Guitar) (!Bass) (!Drums) (!Keyboard)
What genre is The Police most associated with? (Rock) (!Pop) (!Jazz) (!Reggae)
Which of the following songs is also a hit by The Police? (Roxanne) (!Billie Jean) (!Like a Virgin) (!Sweet Child o' Mine)
Before forming The Police, Sting was a part of which profession? (Teacher) (!Lawyer) (!Journalist) (!Chef)
Quiz: Questions on the lyrics
What is the theme of "Every Breath You Take"? (Obsession and surveillance) (!Romantic love) (!Friendship) (!Freedom)
Which of the following lines is a lyric from "Every Breath You Take"? ("Every move you make") (!"Every step you take, I'll be watching you") (!"Every night in my dreams") (!"Every day is a winding road")
How does Sting describe the song's perspective? (From a possessive lover) (!From a heartbroken individual) (!From a long-distance relationship) (!From a joyful partner)
Which musical element is NOT prominent in "Every Breath You Take"? (Synthesizer) (!Guitar riff) (!Syncopated rhythm) (!Vocals)
What controversy surrounds the song's lyrics? (Perceived as reflecting stalking or obsessive behavior) (!Criticized for political content) (!Misunderstood as a simple love song) (!Deemed too abstract and cryptic)
Memory
| Sting | Lead singer of The Police |
| 1983 | Release year of "Every Breath You Take" |
| Grammy Award | "Every Breath You Take" won this in 1984 |
| Obsession and Surveillance | Theme of "Every Breath You Take" |
| Guitar Riff | Prominent feature of "Every Breath You Take" |
Open Tasks
Easy
- Research The Police's discography: Explore other songs and albums by The Police and share your findings.
- Draw the band members: Create drawings of Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland.
- Write a short story: Inspired by "Every Breath You Take," write a short story about surveillance.
Standard
- Analyze the lyrics: Dive deeper into the lyrics of "Every Breath You Take" and discuss its themes and meanings.
- Create a music video concept: Imagine and outline your own music video concept for "Every Breath You Take."
- Compare and contrast: Compare "Every Breath You Take" with another song by The Police in terms of themes and musical style.
Difficult
- Compose a response song: Write and possibly record a response song to "Every Breath You Take" from the perspective of the person being watched.
- Organize a class debate: Organize a debate on the ethical implications of the song's lyrics in today's context.
- Research the impact of MTV: Investigate how MTV and music videos like "Every Breath You Take" changed the music industry.
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Oral Exam
- Discuss the influence of '80s music: Talk about how songs like "Every Breath You Take" influenced the music scene in the 1980s.
- Analyze Sting's songwriting: Analyze how Sting's experience as a teacher might have influenced his songwriting.
- Compare music videos: Compare the music video of "Every Breath You Take" with a modern music video and discuss the evolution of music video production.
- Explore the concept of privacy in music: Discuss how "Every Breath You Take" and other songs address the theme of privacy.
- The role of media in music promotion: Discuss how the rise of MTV and other media platforms impacted the promotion of songs like "Every Breath You Take."
OERs on the Topic
Links
MUSIC QUIZ
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