Message in a Bottle
Sting & The Police/The Police Lyrics


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Just a castaway, an island lost at sea, oh
Another lonely day, no one here but me, oh
More loneliness any man could bear
Rescue me before I fall into despair, oh

I'll send an SOS to the world
I'll send an SOS to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my

Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah

A year has passed since I wrote my note
I should have known this right from the start
Only hope can keep me together
Love can mend your life but love can break your heart

I'll send an SOS to the world
I'll send an SOS to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my

Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah
Oh, message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah

Walked out this morning, don't believe what I saw
Hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore
Seems I'm not alone in being alone
Hundred billion castaways looking for a home

I'll send an SOS to the world
I'll send an SOS to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my

Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, yeah
Message in a bottle, whoa
Message in a bottle, yeah

Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
I'm sendin' out an SOS
I'm sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS




Sendin' out an SOS
Sendin' out an SOS

Overall Meaning

In Sting & The Police's hit song "Message in a Bottle," the singer is a castaway on a deserted island, feeling alone and hopeless. He yearns for someone to rescue him before he falls into despair. The singer's only hope is to send an SOS to the world in a message in a bottle. He commits this plea to the sea, hoping that someone will receive it, understand his distress, and save him.


After a year has passed, the singer hasn't received a response, and he realizes the futility of his efforts. He has only hope to keep him going because love may mend his life, but it can also break his heart. In the end, the singer discovers that he is not alone in being alone. He sees an enormous beach covered with hundreds of bottles left by other castaways, all of them looking for a home or someone to rescue them. The singer continues to send out an SOS to the world, hoping that someone will find him and understand his message.


Line by Line Meaning

Just a castaway, an island lost at sea, oh
I am all alone, isolated from the rest of society, trapped on an island with no escape.


Another lonely day, no one here but me, oh
I am constantly surrounded by loneliness and despair, with no one to keep me company or share my pain.


More loneliness any man could bear
The amount of loneliness I face is more than any human can endure.


Rescue me before I fall into despair, oh
I plea for help from anyone who can hear me, as my mental and emotional state deteriorates with each passing day.


I'll send an SOS to the world
I am reaching out to anyone who would listen, whether they are near or far, rich or poor.


I hope that someone gets my
I have come to accept that the world is a big place, but I still hope that someone, somewhere can hear me.


Message in a bottle, yeah
I will write my plea for help on anything I can find and cast it out to sea, trusting that the waves will carry it to someone.


A year has passed since I wrote my note
It's been a long time since I last reached out, and I am losing hope that anyone will answer my call for help.


I should have known this right from the start
Hindsight has made me realize that perhaps I should have tried harder to connect with others or seek help before it was too late.


Only hope can keep me together
At this point, the only thing keeping me going is the hope that someone, someday will hear my plea and offer me a way out.


Love can mend your life but love can break your heart
While I believe in the transformative power of love, I also know that it can be a double-edged sword that brings both joy and pain.


Walked out this morning, don't believe what I saw
As I continue to search for a way out, I am constantly reminded of my isolation and the hopelessness of my situation.


Hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore
Seeing endless messages in bottles that washed up on the shore only makes me feel more insignificant and desperate.


Seems I'm not alone in being alone
Looking at the sheer number of messages and castaways, I find comfort in knowing that others face similar struggles.


Hundred billion castaways looking for a home
Despite our differences, we all share the common goal of finding a way back to a place where we belong.


Sendin' out an SOS
I will continue to send out messages, hoping someone will hear my cries for help amidst the noise of an overwhelmingly large world.




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@raoul3016

So what instruments do you play?
Sting: Bass & Vocals
Andy Summers: Guitar
Stewart Copeland: Chair

@anajoaomartins7292

Underrated comment

@wolfstrongfist

dont forget about the countertop

@makeshift_graveyard7893

Ringo Starr: umbrella

@merdefilms3837

Kurt Cobain plays table in Nirvanas song marigold

@phillip4758

@@makeshift_graveyard7893 help!

41 More Replies...

@timothygrayson

A classic song about loneliness and redemption. Great stuff from the lads.

@Jerry-dv1gy

immaculate vibes from this comment

@JohnJohn-tl6wv

And about asylum seekers

@benlarmour5363

One of the best guitar riffs ever. I grew up with these guys. They were just great.

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