The Police were one of the most iconic and influential bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s. With their unique blend of rock, reggae, and punk, they created a sound that was completely their own and helped define the sound of popular music for a generation. Led by the charismatic frontman Sting, The Police released countless classic songs that have become beloved staples of rock and pop music.
In this article, we will explore the 10 best The Police songs of all time, showcasing their incredible range as a band and their ability to create music that is both powerful and thought-provoking. From the energetic and infectious “Roxanne” to the haunting and introspective “King of Pain,” these songs represent the very best of The Police’s extensive musical catalogue. Each track is a testament to their incredible talent as musicians and songwriters and has left an indelible mark on the world of music.
These 10 songs are not only some of the greatest songs in the history of popular music but also serve as a tribute to the enduring legacy of The Police, one of the most influential and beloved bands of all time.
1. Every Breath You Take
“Every Breath You Take” is a hauntingly beautiful song that showcases The Police’s signature sound and Sting’s incredible songwriting. The track features a slow and melodic tempo, with Sting’s distinctive vocals and Andy Summers’ delicate guitar work creating an atmosphere of longing and melancholy. The lyrics of the song speak to the obsessive and possessive nature of love, with Sting singing “Every breath you take / Every move you make / Every bond you break / Every step you take / I’ll be watching you.” The chorus of the song is particularly memorable, with Sting’s vocals soaring above the instrumentation to create a truly unforgettable musical moment.
2. Roxanne
“Roxanne” is a high-energy and infectious song that showcases The Police’s unique blend of rock, reggae, and punk. The track features a lively and upbeat tempo, with Sting’s distinctive vocals and Andy Summers’ guitar riff creating an instantly recognizable sound. The lyrics of the song speak to the troubled relationship between a man and a woman, with Sting singing “Roxanne / You don’t have to put on the red light / Those days are over / You don’t have to sell your body to the night.” The chorus of the song is particularly memorable, with its catchy refrain and singalong chorus.
3. Message in a Bottle
“Message in a Bottle” is a powerful and emotive song that showcases The Police’s unique blend of rock, reggae, and punk. The track features a driving rhythm section, with Sting’s distinctive vocals and Andy Summers’ guitar work creating an atmospheric and emotional sound. The lyrics of the song speak to the loneliness and isolation of modern life, with Sting singing “I’ll send an SOS to the world / I hope that someone gets my message in a bottle.” The chorus of the song is particularly memorable, with its anthemic quality and soaring melody.
4. Walking on the Moon
Walking on the Moon” is a dreamy and atmospheric song that showcases The Police’s unique blend of rock, reggae, and new wave. The track features a slow and steady tempo, with Sting’s distinctive vocals and Andy Summers’ guitar work creating a hypnotic and otherworldly sound. The lyrics of the song speak to the feeling of weightlessness and freedom that comes with falling in love, with Sting singing “Giant steps are what you take / Walking on the moon / I hope my legs don’t break / Walking on the moon.” The chorus of the song is particularly memorable, with its ethereal quality and catchy melody.
5. Don’t Stand So Close to Me
“Don’t Stand So Close to Me” is an energetic and catchy song that showcases The Police’s unique blend of rock, new wave, and punk. The track features a driving rhythm section, with Sting’s distinctive vocals and Andy Summers’ guitar work creating an upbeat and memorable sound. The lyrics of the song speak to the taboo and tension surrounding a relationship between a teacher and student, with Sting singing “Don’t stand so close to me / Your duty to teach me / Is lesson I’m learning.” The chorus of the song is particularly memorable, with its infectious melody and singalong quality.
6. King of Pain
“King of Pain” is a haunting and introspective song that showcases The Police’s unique blend of rock, reggae, and new wave. The track features a slow and steady tempo, with Sting’s distinctive vocals and Andy Summers’ guitar work creating an atmospheric and emotional sound. The lyrics of the song speak to the feeling of despair and hopelessness that comes with a broken relationship, with Sting singing “There’s a little black spot on the sun today / It’s the same old thing as yesterday / There’s a black hat caught in a high tree top / There’s a flag pole rag and the wind won’t stop.” The chorus of the song is particularly memorable, with its haunting melody and melancholic quality.
7. So Lonely
“So Lonely” is a high-energy and infectious song that showcases The Police’s unique blend of rock, reggae, and punk. The track features a driving rhythm section, with Sting’s distinctive vocals and Andy Summers’ guitar work creating an upbeat and memorable sound. The lyrics of the song speak to the feeling of loneliness and isolation that comes with being without a partner, with Sting singing “Well someone told me yesterday / That when you throw your love away / You act as if you don’t care / You look as if you’re going somewhere.” The chorus of the song is particularly memorable, with its catchy melody and singalong quality.
8. Wrapped Around Your Finger
Wrapped Around Your Finger” is a powerful and evocative song that showcases The Police’s unique blend of rock, reggae, and new wave. The track features a slow and steady tempo, with Sting’s distinctive vocals and Andy Summers’ guitar work creating an atmospheric and emotional sound. The lyrics of the song speak to the feeling of being controlled and manipulated by a lover, with Sting singing “You consider me the young apprentice / Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes / Hypnotized by you if I should linger / Staring at the ring around your finger.” The chorus of the song is particularly memorable, with its haunting melody and ethereal quality.
9. Synchronicity II
“Synchronicity II” is a dynamic and powerful song that showcases The Police’s unique blend of rock, reggae, and new wave. The track features a driving rhythm section, with Sting’s distinctive vocals and Andy Summers’ guitar work creating an atmospheric and emotional sound. The lyrics of the song speak to the feeling of being overwhelmed by the pressures of modern life, with Sting singing “With one breath, with one flow / You will know / Synchronicity / A sleep trance, a dream dance / A shared romance / Synchronicity.” The chorus of the song is particularly memorable, with its anthemic quality and powerful melody.
10. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
“De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da” is a playful and catchy song that showcases The Police’s unique blend of rock, reggae, and punk. The track features a driving rhythm section, with Sting’s distinctive vocals and Andy Summers’ guitar work creating an upbeat and memorable sound. The lyrics of the song speak to the superficiality of modern communication, with Sting singing “De do do do, de da da da / Is all I want to say to you / De do do do, de da da da / Their innocence will pull me through.” The chorus of the song is particularly memorable, with its infectious melody and singalong quality.