About the song
“Every Breath You Take,” the hallmark song by the English rock band The Police, stands as a defining moment in 1980s music. Released in 1983 as a single from their album *Synchronicity*, this track, penned by lead vocalist Sting, quickly ascended to become one of the most iconic songs of its era. With its haunting melody and introspective lyrics, “Every Breath You Take” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive eight weeks, marking it as the band’s only No. 1 hit on that chart. It also enjoyed considerable success in Canada, where it led the RPM chart for four weeks, and was a major hit in the UK, reaching No. 1 for four weeks—the fifth time The Police had achieved this feat.
The song’s accolades extend far beyond its chart-topping success. At the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, it was nominated in three categories and won Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Song of the Year. Sting also received the 1983 Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically, further cementing the song’s critical acclaim. In 2019, it was recognized by BMI as the most played song in radio history, a testament to its enduring popularity and impact.
Written during Sting’s retreat to the Caribbean, “Every Breath You Take” was composed at Ian Fleming’s Goldeneye estate in Jamaica. The song’s lyrics, reflecting a possessive lover’s obsessive watchfulness, were penned quickly in a moment of inspiration. Despite its superficial appearance as a romantic ballad, Sting later revealed that the song had a darker, more sinister undertone, touching on themes of surveillance and control reminiscent of George Orwell’s “Big Brother.”
The recording process of the track was fraught with challenges, including internal band tensions and intricate production work. Guitarist Andy Summers’ distinctive guitar riff, inspired by Béla Bartók, became one of the song’s most memorable features, though the recording process was marked by significant difficulties, including disagreements among band members and complex studio techniques. The accompanying music video, directed by Godley & Creme, was acclaimed for its innovative cinematography and played a crucial role in the song’s widespread success, becoming one of MTV’s early staples.
“Every Breath You Take” not only dominated the charts but also made a lasting impact on popular culture. It ranked No. 84 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and is included in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. In addition to its critical and commercial success, it has been covered and sampled by various artists, including Puff Daddy, whose 1997 hit “I’ll Be Missing You” utilized the song’s melody, leading to a Grammy win and further cementing the song’s legacy.
With its evocative lyrics, memorable guitar riff, and significant cultural impact, “Every Breath You Take” remains a quintessential track of the 1980s and a lasting testament to The Police’s influence in rock history.
Video
Lyrics
Every breath you take
And every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I’ll be watching you
Every single day
And every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I’ll be watching you
Oh, can’t you see
You belong to me?
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take?
Every move you make
And every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I’ll be watching you
Since you’ve gone, I’ve been lost without a trace
I dream at night, I can only see your face
I look around, but it’s you I can’t replace
I feel so cold, and I long for your embrace
I keep crying, baby, baby please
Oh, can’t you see
You belong to me?
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take?
Every move you make
And every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I’ll be watching you
Every move you make
Every step you take
I’ll be watching you
I’ll be watching you
(Every breath you take)
(Every move you make)
(Every bond you break)
(Every step you take) I’ll be watching you
I’ll be watching you
I’ll be watching you
whoo, hoo
(Every game you play)
(Every night you stay) I’ll be watching you
I’ll be watching you
I’ll be watching you
I’ll be watching you
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play)
(Every night you stay) I’ll be watching you