If You Love Sting, Set Him Free Edition Part 1
2Digest
This episode delves into the career of Sting, tracing his musical evolution from his early jazz roots and the formation of The Police to his highly successful solo career. It examines the global success of The Police, highlighting key hits like "Roxanne," "Don't Stand So Close to Me," and the iconic "Every Breath You Take." The podcast also discusses the legal and copyright controversies surrounding "Every Breath You Take," including lawsuits over arrangement fees and comparisons to modern copyright issues exemplified by Beyoncé's "Break My Soul." Sting's solo career is explored, noting his eclectic musical experiments, his distinctive artistic persona, and the enduring influence of his sophisticated songwriting and unique style, while also addressing criticisms of pretentiousness. The episode touches upon the origins of his stage name and his early influences, providing a comprehensive look at his impact on popular music.
Outlines
Advertisements and Introduction
The podcast begins with advertisements for Progressive Insurance and the film "Blue Moon," followed by an introduction to "Hit Parade" and a promotion for Slate Plus.
Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers
The podcast sets a scene in 1943 where lyricist Lorenz Hart confronts self-doubt as Richard Rodgers celebrates a musical opening.
Sting's Solo Career and Early Hits
This section focuses on Sting's solo career, highlighting his 1985 hit "Fortress Around Your Heart" and his sophisticated, poetic style. It also touches on his collaboration with Dire Straits on "Money for Nothing."
The Police's Rise and Musical Evolution
The episode traces The Police's ascent to global stardom, from their blend of New Wave, reggae, and pop to their massive sales and MTV success. It covers their albums "Outlandos de Amor," "Regatta de Blanc," and "Zenyatta Mondatta," detailing the breakthrough of "Roxanne" and the evolution of their sound.
"Don't Stand So Close to Me," MTV, and "Synchronicity"
This segment discusses The Police's hit "Don't Stand So Close to Me," its literary inspirations, and the band's rise with MTV. It covers the massive success of "Synchronicity" and its lead single "Every Breath You Take," along with other hits like "King of Pain" and "Synchronicity II."
The Police's Hiatus and Sting's Solo Success
The podcast discusses "Wrapped Around Your Finger," the band's hiatus due to internal tensions, and Sting's burgeoning solo career by 1986, signaling a shift in focus.
Sting's Solo Experiments and Artistic Persona
This section previews Sting's future solo endeavors, exploring his diverse musical experiments and eclectic interests, including his personal life and artistic persona. It also addresses criticisms of his "pretentious" style and his penchant for literary references.
Copyright Law, Royalties, and "Every Breath You Take" Controversy
The podcast examines copyright law using Beyoncé's "Break My Soul" as an example, then returns to the lawsuit over "Every Breath You Take" royalties filed by Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland against Sting. It contrasts Sting's demo with the band's version and discusses Puff Daddy's "I'll Be Missing You" sample.
Sting's Early Life and The Police's Formation
This part of the podcast reflects on Sting's career, his early influences, and musical development. It details his jazz roots, his move to London, meeting Stewart Copeland, and the formation of The Police with Andy Summers.
Keywords
Sting
English musician, singer-songwriter, and actor. Best known as the principal songwriter, lead singer, and bassist for the new wave rock band The Police from 1977 to 1986, and for a successful solo career.
The Police
A British rock band formed in London in 1977. The trio consisted of Sting (lead vocals, bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar), and Stewart Copeland (drums). They became one of the world's best-selling music artists.
Every Breath You Take
A 1983 song by The Police, written by Sting. It was a commercial success, topping the charts in the US and UK, and became Billboard's number-one song of 1983. Sting described it as "evil and sinister."
Copyright Law
The body of law that grants creators of original works of authorship exclusive rights, including the right to reproduce the work, prepare derivative works, distribute copies, and perform or display the work publicly.
Songwriter Royalties
Payments made to songwriters for the use of their compositions. These are typically based on a percentage of revenue generated from sales, streams, or public performances of the song.
Arrangement Fees
Compensation paid to musicians for their contributions to the arrangement and instrumentation of a song. This can include contributions to guitar riffs, drum patterns, or other instrumental parts.
New Wave Music
A genre of rock and pop music that emerged in the late 1970s, characterized by its eclectic influences, including punk rock, electronic music, and disco. It often featured synthesizers, angular guitar riffs, and detached vocals.
Reggae Music
A music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. It is characterized by its off-beat rhythmic style, prominent bass lines, and often socially conscious lyrics.
Lorenz Hart
A legendary American lyricist, best known for his collaborations with composer Richard Rodgers. His work often explored themes of loneliness, unrequited love, and the complexities of human relationships.
Richard Rodgers
An influential American composer, famous for his musical theater collaborations, most notably with Lorenz Hart and later Oscar Hammerstein II. His melodies are known for their sophistication and emotional depth.
Q&A
What is the significance of "Every Breath You Take" in music history?
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police was a massive commercial success, topping charts globally and becoming Billboard's number-one song of 1983. Sting, the songwriter, described it as "evil and sinister," contrasting with its popular reception as a love song.
How does copyright law impact the distribution of royalties for songs like "Every Breath You Take"?
Copyright law primarily grants rights to the songwriter. In the case of "Every Breath You Take," Sting, as the primary songwriter, received royalties. However, bandmates Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland are suing for arrangement fees, arguing their instrumental contributions were vital to the song's success.
What was the origin of Sting's stage name?
Sting's stage name originated when he played in a jazz band called the Newcastle Big Band. The bandleader nicknamed him "Sting" because he wore a striped yellow and black jumper that made him resemble a bee or wasp.
How did The Police achieve their breakthrough in the US market?
The Police's breakthrough in the US was largely driven by the single "Roxanne." After an initial ban in the UK, the song gained traction with American DJs, fitting into the emerging new wave sound, and eventually reached the Top 40 on the Billboard charts.
What is the main theme of the podcast episode?
The podcast episode explores the career of Sting, from his early days in jazz and his time with The Police, to his successful solo career. It delves into his songwriting, musical evolution, and the impact of his work on pop music history, including legal and copyright issues.
Show Notes
Walk into any store or flip on a radio, and you’ll probably hear the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” sooner or later. Thanks to that ubiquity, the swooning, menacing megahit’s songwriter—Sting—is a very wealthy man.
Now his former bandmates, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, are suing Sting over who deserves to profit from “Breath” and other Police songs. No matter how that dispute turns out, it’s a reminder of Sting’s uncanny songwriting skill and his charmed life of hitmaking.
For more than four decades, Sting seems to resurface every few years with a new earworm, from “Roxanne” to “Russians,” blending New Wave rock with another genre—reggae, jazz, classical, country, even rap and Raï—and in the process, getting sampled by new generations of millennial and zoomer hitmakers.
Join Chris Molanphy as he recounts the long, varied, sophisticated, but catchy career of the King of Pain. Whatever he tries, every little thing Sting does is magic.
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