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 bass 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 This criticism has later been withdrawn.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)
Demolition Man
The Police Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Strapped to the wing with the engine running
You say that this wasn't in your plan
And don't mess around with the demolition man
Tied to a chair and the bomb is ticking
This situation was not of your picking
You say that this wasn't in your planAnd don't mess around with the demolition man
I'm a walking nightmare, an arsenal of doom
I kill conversation as I walk into a room
I'm a three line whip
I'm the sort of thing they ban
I'm a walking disaster
I'm a demolition man
You come to me like a moth to the flame
It's love you need but I don't play that game
'Cause you could be my greatest fan
I'm nobody's friend I'm a demolition man
I'm a walking nightmare, an arsenal of doom
I kill conversation as I walk into a room
I'm a three line whip
I'm the sort of thing they ban
I'm a walking disaster
I'm a demolition man
Demolition man
Demolition man
Demolition man
Demolition man
Demolition man Demolition man
Demolition man
Demolition man
The Police's song "Demolition Man" is a powerful and intense track describing an ominous and dangerous individual known as the demolition man. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the destruction and chaos that this person brings with them wherever they go. The repetition of the phrase "And don't mess around with the demolition man" serves as a warning to listeners not to get involved with this character or face the consequences.
In the first verse, the imagery of being tied to the tracks and the train coming serves as a metaphor for feeling trapped and helpless in a dangerous situation. The line "Strapped to the wing with the engine running" adds to this sense of danger and urgency. The second verse continues this theme, but with the added pressure of a ticking bomb. The lyrics convey a feeling of powerlessness and desperation, as the situation is out of the singer's control.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's destructive nature, calling them a "walking nightmare" and an "arsenal of doom". The repeated line "I kill conversation as I walk into a room" highlights the intimidating presence that the demolition man possesses. The description of being a "three line whip" and something that is banned further emphasizes the dangerous and forbidden nature of this character.
The song ends as it began, with repetition of the phrase "Demolition man" as a final warning not to mess with this character. Overall, the lyrics of "Demolition Man" create a tense and ominous atmosphere, warning listeners to stay away from those who bring destruction and chaos with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Tied to the tracks and the train's just coming
Helpless and in danger, with impending doom just moments away
Strapped to the wing with the engine running
Trapped and at the mercy of the situation, with no control over the outcome
You say that this wasn't in your plan
Expressing surprise and frustration that things have not gone as expected
And don't mess around with the demolition man
Warning others to stay away from the artist, who is dangerous and unpredictable
Tied to a chair and the bomb is ticking
In an even more dire situation, with a ticking time bomb as a looming threat
This situation was not of your picking
Acknowledging that the current predicament is not the result of the listener's actions or choices
I'm a walking nightmare, an arsenal of doom
Describing themselves as a complete disaster, with terrible consequences wherever they go
I kill conversation as I walk into a room
Being so intimidating and overwhelming that they bring conversation to a halt upon entering a space
I'm a three line whip
Their presence is commanding and authoritative, with the power to force others to action
I'm the sort of thing they ban
So dangerous and disruptive that they are banned or avoided by others
You come to me like a moth to the flame
Others are drawn to the singer despite their destructive nature
It's love you need but I don't play that game
Recognizing the listener's desire for love, but rejecting it as a possibility
'Cause you could be my greatest fan
Even with warning signs, someone may desire the singer's attention and approval
I'm nobody's friend I'm a demolition man
Their persona is too destructive and chaotic to have meaningful relationships with others
Demolition man
Repeating the phrase as a reminder of the singer's dangerous and destructive nature
Demolition man
Repeating the phrase as a reminder of the artist's dangerous and destructive nature
Demolition man
Repeating the phrase as a reminder of the artist's dangerous and destructive nature
Demolition man
Repeating the phrase as a reminder of the singer's dangerous and destructive nature
Demolition man
Repeating the phrase as a reminder of the singer's dangerous and destructive nature
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gordon Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vincenza
on Wrapped Around Your Finger
You consider me the young apprentice
You view me as inexperienced and naive.
Caught between the Scylla and Charibdes
Trapped between two equally difficult and dangerous situations.
Hypnotized by you if I should linger
If I spend enough time with you, I become entranced by your charm and allure.
Staring at the ring around your finger
Fixating on the fact that you are already in a committed relationship.
I have only come here seeking knowledge
My intentions were purely to gain insight and understanding.
Things they would not teach me of in college
Subjects beyond typical education, particularly pertaining to relationships and seduction.
I can see the destiny you sold turned into a shining band of gold
I can see you devoted your life and heart to another through marriage vows
I'll be wrapped around your finger
I will be entirely under your control and influence.
Mephistopheles is not your name
You are not the devil, but you have a similar power and influence over me.
I know what you're up to just the same
I understand your motives and intentions, even if they are not explicitly stated.
I will listen hard to your tuition
I will pay close attention to your teachings and guidance regarding seduction and relationships.
You will see it come to its fruition
You will witness the success of your efforts to control and mold me.
Devil and the deep blue sea behind me
I made the decision to avoid the trap of temptation and turn away from this sin.
Vanish in the air you'll never find me
I will end our relationship and disappear into the background.
I will turn your face to alabaster
I will reveal the truth about your manipulative actions, leaving you pale and guilty.
When you'll find your servant is your master
You will find that I taught you a hard lesson about love and relationships.
You'll be wrapped around my finger
You will realize that I meant more to you than you thought when you had me under your influence.
Daniel
on Roxanne
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