The band reunited in January 2007 for a reunion tour that lasted until August 2008.
Biography
The Police formed in early 1977 in London by Stewart Copeland (drums), Gordon Sumner, better known as Sting (bass and lead vocals), and Henry Padovani (guitar). Andy Summers later joined the group, and after a very short stint as a quartet, Padovani left the band. The Police became one of the most popular bands in the late 70s and throughout the 80s.
The Police are notable as one of the first mainstream white pop groups to adopt reggae as a predominant musical form and to score major international hits with reggae-styled material. (The first all-white reggae band with permanent members and frequent recording in Europe was Peps Blodsband, lead by Peps Persson from south Sweden who changed from blues to reggae 1974/75). Although reggae was already very popular in the United Kingdom (due to the large number of Caribbean immigrants) and a number of Western European countries, reggae was little known in the United States and rejected by most black artists in U.S, and prior to the emergence of the Police only a handful of reggae songs had enjoyed any significant chart success. The Police, UB40, The Clash and Bob Marley (Jamaican, partly living in England after being shot in Jamaica, are considered with a number of new wave, rock and ska bands as one of the leaders of the Second British Invasion of the U.S.
The Police were strongly influenced by reggae (especially reggae drumming and base lines), jazz and, in the beginning, punk rock – something that came to be shifted more and more towards pop during the 80s. Their lyrics also changed from challenging, but yet somewhat politically restrained punk- and new wave lyrics, to after 1982 in some songs emphasize environmental awareness and human oneness. The biggest hits, however, had romantic or sexual themes. The Police met together with other "white" British bands which played reggae, as UB40, criticism from black English rastafarian reggae bands like Aswad (in a BBC documentary on TV) and Steel Pulse, for being accomplices in the music industry of "Babylon", stealing the Caribbean slave descendants' musical treasure. This criticism has later been withdrawn. Aswad has even made the covers of Police songs like "Roxanne".
Tension grew between the band members, because unlike most other bands, they did not share songwriting credits. They released their last album, Synchronicity, in 1983, selling over 8 million copies. Synchronicity is critically regarded as their best album, with hits such as Synchronicity II, King of Pain, and probably their best known song, Every Breath You Take. In 1984, after touring in support of Synchronicity, The Police went on hiatus while Sting pursued his acting and solo music careers. Two years later, The Police reformed and played a few concerts for Amnesty International. Soon after the band went into the studio. Sting wanted to re-record their old songs but Andy and Stewart wanted to leave the originals alone and only two songs were re-recorded during these studio sessions. Although the group is considered to have disbanded in 1984, 1986 was the last time The Police engaged in any musical activity.
In 1992 the band released "Message in a Box", their 4 CD box set, and performed at Sting's wedding to Trudie Styler. A live CD was released in June 1995. On March 10, 2003 The Police were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and performed Message in a Bottle, Roxanne and Every Breath You Take.
The Police reformed in 2007 and opened the Grammy award ceremony of that year with a performance of Roxanne. Towards the end of May the band began a world tour. In 2008 the tour ended at Madison Square Garden, New York on August 7, and The Police disbanded for good. Sting was quoted towards the end of the tour that he had achieved closure with the band and revealed that The Police would never tour or record again.
Sting has said that the material on the album Ghost in the Machine were inspired by the writings of Arthur Koestler, and that the Police's final studio album Synchronicity was influenced by the writings of Carl Jung. Sting also peppers his songs with literary allusions: the song "Don't Stand So Close to Me" mentions Vladimir Nabokov's novel Lolita; "Tea in the Sahara" alludes to the novel The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles; and "Wrapped Around Your Finger" refers both to the sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis, from Greek mythology, and to Mephistopheles, from the German legend of Faust .
Discography
* Outlandos d'Amour (1978)
* Reggatta de Blanc (1979)
* Zenyatta Mondatta (1980)
* Ghost in the Machine (1981)
* Synchronicity (1983)
A Sermon
The Police Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But in the end it's only a trend
You have to unbend 'cause it's only a trend
Don't lose all your friends don't make heroes end
When you reach number eight it ain't no pearly gate
'Cause it won't satiate your growing appetite
You can ply your trade and push your crusade
Your old values will fade as you struggle to make the grade
As you struggle to make the grade
You struggle to make the grade, you needn't bother
When you hear number four you're almost through the door
But there's a whole lot more you just can't ignore
The telephone's sure, you know the score
But don't let this uproar dissipate your encore
It's written in the news how you paid your dues
But you've no excuse for the people you abuse
When you reach number one you can beat your drum
Sack your roadies in Birmingham
When your record is platinum, you can stick it to the bath
To the wall like you've always planned
It's written in the news how you paid your dues
There's no excuse for the people you abuse
When you reach number ten
People you abuse, no excuse
For the people you abuse
You got no excuse
For the people you abuse
The Police's song "A Sermon" appears to be a commentary on the music industry, fame, and the trappings of success. The lyrics depict the various stages of fame and success one can achieve, from reaching number ten to reaching number one on the charts. The song outlines the dangers of losing one's values and friends along the way and becoming consumed by one's own success, leading to potentially abusive behavior towards others.
The opening lyrics caution that just when one thinks they have made it to the top, it's only a trend, and they must remain grounded to keep their friends and not lose sight of what is important. As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the climb to the top can be treacherous, and the traps are laid for anyone with an honest crusade or values. The "old values" will fade as one struggles to make the grade, but in the end, it's not worth the bother.
The lyrics suggest that reaching number one is not necessarily the end goal, as there is always more to achieve, and it's essential not to abuse others in the process. The final stanza of the song emphasizes that there is "no excuse for the people you abuse," regardless of one's success or fame.
Overall, the song's message seems to be a warning against the dangers of success and the importance of staying grounded, keeping one's values, and treating others with respect.
Line by Line Meaning
When you reach number ten and think the struggle ends
Don't assume the struggle ends when you reach the top.
But in the end it's only a trend
Success is fleeting.
You have to unbend 'cause it's only a trend
Stay humble and don't let success get to your head.
Don't lose all your friends don't make heroes end
Don't let your success change who you are and treat your friends poorly.
When you reach number eight it ain't no pearly gate
Success won't necessarily bring you happiness.
'Cause it won't satiate your growing appetite
You will always want more.
You can ply your trade and push your crusade
You can use your success to promote your values and beliefs.
Emancipate or indoctrinate, but the traps are all laid for any honest crusade
Be mindful of how your actions influence others, and be aware of the potential for traps and setbacks in your pursuits.
Your old values will fade as you struggle to make the grade
As you strive for success, you may lose sight of your original values.
You struggle to make the grade, you needn't bother
Don't worry about striving for success if it comes at the expense of your values and well-being.
When you hear number four you're almost through the door
Don't let the illusion of nearing success distract you from the work that still needs to be done.
But there's a whole lot more you just can't ignore
There are always more challenges to overcome.
The telephone's sure, you know the score
Don't let external praise or criticism dictate your worth or actions.
But don't let this uproar dissipate your encore
Stay true to your values and continue forward despite external distractions and noise.
It's written in the news how you paid your dues
Don't let external validation be your sole motivation for success, and don't forget the hard work and sacrifices it took to get there.
But you've no excuse for the people you abuse
Success does not excuse immoral or harmful actions towards others.
When you reach number one you can beat your drum
When you achieve success, there may be a temptation to excessively celebrate it.
Sack your roadies in Birmingham
Don't let your success be a reason to mistreat or disregard others who helped you get there.
When your record is platinum, you can stick it to the bath
Your success may grant you newfound freedom or power, but don't abuse it.
To the wall like you've always planned
Don't let success change who you are and how you treat others.
For the people you abuse, no excuse
Success does not excuse immoral or harmful actions towards others.
You got no excuse
There is no justification for mistreating others, regardless of one's level of success.
For the people you abuse
Don't forget the impact of your actions on others.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel
on Roxanne
Algum leitor sabe a letra de Saludos Caballeros ?
Até agora não conseguí !
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