The song deals with the mixed feelings of lust, fear and guilt that a school teacher has for a female student and vica verse, and inappropriateness leading to confrontation.
The music and lyrics of the song were written by the lead singer of The Police, Sting, who had previously worked as an English teacher. In a 2001 interview for the concert DVD ...All This Time, Sting denied that the song is autobiographical.
The line "Just like the old man in that book by Nabokov" alludes to Vladimir Nabokov's famous novel Lolita which covers somewhat similar issues.
Sting was asked to perform on Mark Knopfler's "Money for Nothing" as he was in Montserrat at the time, and reused the melody from the chorus of "Don't Stand So Close to Me" in the counterpoint lyric 'I want my MTV'. It was only after this story was related to reporters during promotions for the Brothers in Arms album that lawyers for Sting became involved, and later copies of the album co-credit the song to Sting. The initial pressings list only Mark Knopfler. It is one of only two shared songwriting credits on any Dire Straits album.
Don't Stand So Close to Me
The Police Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of schoolgirl fantasy
She wants him so badly
Knows what she wants to be
Inside her, there's longing
This girl's an open page
Book marking, she's so close now
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Her friends are so jealous
You know how bad girls get
Sometimes it's not so easy
To be the teacher's pet
Temptation, frustration
So bad it makes him cry
Wet bus stop, she's waiting
His car is warm and dry
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Loose talk in the classroom
To hurt they try and try
Strong words in the staff room
The accusations fly
It's no use, he sees her
He starts to shake and cough
Just like the old man in
That book by Nabakov
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so (please don't stand so close to me)
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so (please don't stand so close to me)
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so (please don't stand so close to me)
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so (please don't stand so close to me)
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so (please don't stand so close to me)
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so (please don't stand so close to me)
Don't stand so close to me
The Police's song "Don't Stand So Close to Me" tells the story of a young teacher who becomes the subject of a schoolgirl fantasy. The song highlights the tension and struggle between the teacher's desire for the attention of a young student and his moral obligation to resist it. The lyrics depict the teacher's conflicting emotions as he experiences temptation and frustrations that lead to physical sickness. He is aware of the social and legal consequences of giving in to such temptations, which is undoubtedly why he is trying to resist.
The chorus, "Don't stand, don't stand so close to me," is a plea, as the teacher is aware of the possible ramifications of the physical closeness between him and his student. The song also demonstrates how society reacts to the teacher's attraction to his student; loose talk and strong words are spoken in both the classroom and teacher's lounge with accusations flying around. However, the teacher still feels drawn to the young girl and struggles to fight his emotions.
Overall, the song's meaning is about sexual temptation and the struggle to control it. It also highlights the danger of such temptation, particularly when it involves someone who is in a position of authority over another person.
Line by Line Meaning
Young teacher, the subject
Of schoolgirl fantasy
She wants him so badly
Knows what she wants to be
The young teacher is the object of desire for a particular schoolgirl who has fantasies of being with him.
Inside her, there's longing
This girl's an open page
Book marking, she's so close now
This girl is half his age
The schoolgirl is deeply yearning to be with the young teacher, and he's the only one who can read her desires. Her age is only half of his, making the situation inappropriate.
Her friends are so jealous
You know how bad girls get
Sometimes it's not so easy
To be the teacher's pet
The schoolgirl's friends are envious of her position and how close she is to the young teacher. It can be difficult to maintain the status of a teacher's pet.
Temptation, frustration
So bad it makes him cry
Wet bus stop, she's waiting
His car is warm and dry
The temptation of being intimate with the young girl is overwhelming for the teacher, to the point of tears when he thinks of it. She waits for him in the rain as he sits in his car, tempted to take her home.
Loose talk in the classroom
To hurt they try and try
Strong words in the staff room
The accusations fly
There are rumors in the classroom that are intended to damage the young teacher's reputation, and the staff room is full of strong accusations and suspicion.
It's no use, he sees her
He starts to shake and cough
Just like the old man in
That book by Nabakov
The teacher is unable to resist the attraction and becomes physically ill at the sight of the young girl. This is similar to the older man in Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov.
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
The teacher is warning the schoolgirl not to get too close to him as their desire for each other can't be acted upon.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gordon Sumner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fingerscrossed2453
@@philipwilliams5808
Message in a bottle: being shipwrecked
Don't stand so close to me: Lolita
Do Do Do Do: language structure, & how words are treated with importance & flippancy.
Spirits in the material world: state corruption
Every breath you take: stalking
I can't stand losing you: Suicide
So lonely: loneliness
Every little thing she does is magic: shyness in love
Walking on the moon: walking home being drunk & in love
They covered a range of topics. They used a range of instruments & changes within each of these songs.
Bands today use as few instruments as possible, and sing of either being wasted, rejecting love or having a mental health problem 😒 nobody even listens to the radio anymore because of how tiresome these tracks are
@timesnewlogan2032
I'm shocked that there hasn't been a comedy skit or a gag where someone finds out about a teacher-student relationship, and shouts "CALL THE POLICE!", prompting The Police to show up and sing this song.
@FendiGarcon1
Enjoy the freaking song bud
@timesnewlogan2032
@@FendiGarcon1 I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t!
@NexSkala
Enjoy life man it's a freaking joke.
@maddyh8su
in glee that kinda does happen! lol
@franky528
Not only that! Sting was a teacher before he was in the band
@JoroJojoro
I love how to the Police music videos where nothing more than them moving around randomly and semi-playing their instruments
@yam83
JoroJojoro The better to let those lyrics sink in.
@TheRealSkycraft28
I agree
@winogirlll
And let Sting sink in. Woof!