The Police were a rock band formed in London in the late 1970s. The band really got going when Andy Summers replaced Henri Padovani on guitar, joining Sting (bass, pictured right) and founder member Stewart Copeland (drums, left). This lineup went on to record 5 albums, starting with 1978's "Outlandos D'Amour". They effectively disbanded in 1986 as Sting famously went solo, as did Andy Summers, albeit in jazz instrumental music after a brief flirtation with pop-rock (the 1987 album "XYZ"). Stewart Copeland went into TV and film scores, and later orchestras, as well as forming Oysterhead. Then in 2007 it was announced The Police were to reform for a world tour that year and into 2008, which is the only time I ever got to see them, me being so young. On balance I'd say they're my favourite band and Andy Summers is my favourite guitarist. Here's that top 10:
10] Low Life (1981)
Originally a B-side, it's that simple but sweet arpeggio on the guitar that makes me like this song so much. The horror of a sax on the track is lessened by the great music before it. And there are some nice lines in there like "pay for love but the hate comes free." Modern life is like that.
9] Man In A Suitcase (1980)
It's short and it's groovy. The Police could do the ska thing with ease and the drumming is dynamite. Packing your stuff is one of the big reasons travelling is a pain.
8] Bring On The Night (1979)
I love the daylight but sure there are times you want it all over with for the day. Above is the best ever live version I've come across featuring some incredible guitar work by Andy Summers. And Sting nailing that reggae bassline in the chorus while singing is no mean feat. It's been admitted that the Stevie Nicks hit "Edge Of Seventeen" is influenced by this song's intro.
7] King Of Pain (1983)
That's my soul up there. This song is probably about pain. Kinda cathartic to listen to at certain times as you can imagine. The lyrics paint some interesting pictures and we get a brief guitar solo in there too.
6] Omegaman (1981)
If you know me well you'll know this is almost autobiographical for me. Andy Summers wrote this song and it would've been the lead single from the Ghost In The Machine album but Sting vetoed that. Insecure much? Obviously this song is influenced by the movie of the same name (I Am Legend was the remake), and has one heck of a guitar solo.
5] De Do Do Do De Da Da Da (1980)
I'm told that when this came out there was some controversy about the title and chorus being nonsensical. I like that and how if you listen to the verses it's actually far from that. Stewart Copeland's snare being high in the mix like that is pretty unique. The staccato guitar parts and overall arrangement make it such a satisfying listen.
4] Message In A Bottle (1979)
A UK number 1 single. Not much to say about this that hasn't been said. It's a challenge to play on guitar with all that stretching and you can't really replicate it on drums because Stewart Copeland overdubbed a snare. "Love can mend your life but love can break your heart." Ain't that the truth.
3] Every Breath You Take (1983)
The number 1 anthem for all stalkers and surveillance types. Andy Summers' genius guitar part makes the song such an ear pleaser. Sting's lyrics and brooding vocal perfectly convey that post-breakup wanting. On some TV show it was voted the best no.1 single of the 1980s, and rightly so.
2] Secret Journey (1981)
It sounds like this gem emerges from the mist and then returns to the mist. It is a bit of a secret of The Police back catalogue. A rare song in the pop rock world about spiritual enlightenment. In just the first few bars of the song you can tell it's the work of the holy trinity that is Sting/Summers/Copeland.
1] So Lonely (1978)
The juxtaposition of an upbeat lively song about a sad subject makes it interesting as an artistic statement. Reggae verses going into a rock chorus. It's also fun cos of the "Sue Lawley" thing. As far as I can tell it has the longest guitar solo in any Police song so that's another reason it speaks to me. Above is from the last time The Police ever played it live, in 2008.
Here is the above countdown as a Spotify playlist:
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