Every Breath You Take
Sting / Robert Downey Jr. Lyrics


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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, 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 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)
Every move you make, every vow you break
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake (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)

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)
Every move you make, every vow you break
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake (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)

Overall Meaning

At first listen, Sting / Robert Downey Jr.'s song Every Breath You Take sounds like a typical love song about watching over someone you care about deeply. But upon closer examination, the lyrics start to take on a more sinister tone. The singer is not simply watching over their loved one to protect them, but rather obsessively monitoring their every move, even when they are not together. This is made evident through the repetition of the phrase "I'll be watching you" after every mention of the subject's actions.



As the song continues, it becomes clear that the singer's attachment to the subject has turned into an unhealthy level of possessiveness. They speak of how their "poor heart aches with every step you take" and how they "dream at night [and] can only see your face." This is a dangerous level of dependence and control over the subject who is likely unaware of the extent of the singer's obsession.


The chorus, where the singer proclaims "Oh, can't you see, you belong to me," makes the disturbing nature of the song's subject matter even more apparent. The lyrics create a sense of fear and danger in the listener, as they realize the extent of the singer’s possessiveness, and the invasive nature of their obsession. The song is not about love but more about an unhealthy, unrequited obsession.


Line by Line Meaning

Every breath you take and every move you make
I'm obsessively monitoring your every action and keeping track of every movement you make


Every bond you break, every step you take, I'll be watching you
Even if you try to distance yourself from me or try to move on with your life, I'll always be keeping a watchful eye on you


Every single day and every word you say
I'm constantly listening to everything you say and observing every aspect of your life


Every game you play, every night you stay, I'll be watching you
Even your leisure activities and where you choose to spend your time won't go unnoticed by me


Oh, can't you see you belong to me
I believe that you are rightfully mine and that you should be with me


How my poor heart aches with every step you take
Your actions and decisions affect me deeply and cause me emotional pain


Every move you make, every vow you break
I'm aware of your choices and any promises you fail to keep


Every smile you fake, every claim you stake, I'll be watching you
I can see through any insincere behavior and I won't be fooled by any of your false claims or promises


Since you've gone I've been lost without a trace
I'm unable to function without you in my life and I'm struggling to move on


I dream at night, I can only see your face
Thoughts of you dominate my mind even as I sleep


I look around but it's you I can't replace
No one else can take your place in my heart and I can't imagine being with anyone else


I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I'm emotionally empty without your love and I crave your physical touch


I keep crying, "Baby, baby, please"
I'm desperate for you to come back to me and won't stop pleading until you do


I'll be watching you
I'll continue to monitor your every move and keep tabs on your life




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gordon Sumner

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@makelikeatree1696

He did this show when he was just out of prison and no one would hire him. This was the beginning of his arc of redemption. I have a ton of respect for the man. Literally from Best Actor Oscar nominee to rock bottom addict to the worlds best known working actor. He IS Ironman. Bravo, dude.

@LetsMars

I never knew Sting went to prison

@neenekinskins6241

@@LetsMars 🤣🤣🤣👍

@neenekinskins6241

Well said.

@kata7628

Actually he was written out because he relapsed and was arrested. But he did eventually get himself back on track, and I respect him immensely.

@VideoNozoki

THIS IS INCORRECT. Originally Robert Downey Jr. was going to be "The One" that Ally finally falls in love with, etc. But during shooting, RDJ was arrested for drugs again.
Originally the television show appeared committed to working with him. After all, the troubled actor and the show had been good for each other: Downey won a Golden Globe, and the show got a boost in its then-sagging ratings.
When Downey was arrested, they had to suddenly cancel the scheduled Tuesday appearance in Los Angeles with singer Vonda Shepard to promote a soundtrack album from Ally McBeal. On the album, Downey does a duet with Sting of "Every Breath You Take." Downey also sings a song that he wrote called "Snakes." So he screwed the show and the Vonda Shepard album too.
Downey was arrested just when the season ending and last story arcs were about to be filmed. They couldn't film him as the hero they wanted to. Instead there is just a NOTE left on a Snowman because he "skipped town to Chicago" to shoot around RDJ's absence. They had to start up with an entirely different person to build up to the level they had intended for the Ally-RDJ storyline they wanted to make.

"He is ironman." -- Ironman was a rich ass who lived off the wealth his father's company created, always looking at "the little people who don't really matter" with contempt. That is Ironman's origin, and he always continues to have the "I know more than anyone around me" personality (that continues through all the Ironman movies). Not really the biggest stretch RDJ has had to do for a role.

47 More Replies...

@path2304

Total respect for RDJ. He turned his life around and went on to be one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

@AccidentalPreppper

he is IRON MAN!

@deborahrunnells8222

👑👑⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

@oatnoid

A lot more fun than crack head in an alley... who knew?

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