The Police were my favorite band growing, but I couldn’t help but think of Eddie Murphy singing in his jail cell whenever the song comes on for the past 40 years. Lol
Drummer Stewart Copeland is the backbone of this band. He’s so incredibly talented, and The use of odd time signatures with the Latin jazz beats is incredible with the use of a splash symbols, so cool Huge drum influence on me Yeah Sting & Andy are good too
During recording, Sting accidentally sat down on a piano keyboard in the studio, resulting in the atonal piano chord and laughter preserved at the beginning of the track. As a nod to the gaffe, Sting is credited in the liner notes for playing "butt piano." The Police were initially diffident about the song, but Miles Copeland III was immediately enthusiastic after hearing it; he became their manager and got them their first record deal with A&M Records. (Wikipedia)
Roxanne was originally released as a single in April 1978 and did nothing. They re-released it in April of 1979 and it peaked at #12 on the UK Singles Chart. Rolling Stones #388 of 500 Top Rock Songs of all. times and #85 on the VH1 list of it's top 100 of all time. The Police, there will never be a band like them again, so unique, so much talent!!
Just heard Stuart Copland on Sirius radio (guest DJ) and he was talking about this song, one of his favorites, and out of his own voice.....no reggae influence.
The late ‘70s had a sound called “ska” that combined reggae beat (3/4) with punk influence. The Police turned it into a pop / rock sound and they soared up the charts!
“IF YOU LOVE SOMEONE, SET THEM FREE” is a great follow up song. It’s a great hit, is very loose and jazzy. I like all the different styles of the Police. Another good one is “EVERY LITTLE THING SHE DOES IS MAGIC”. I love watching you guys rock out to these bangers.
If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free is from Sting's first solo album, so technically not from The Police catalog. That being said, I always love hearing these tiny snippets of Police songs in Sting's solo work. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic is one of the songs he did that with. If you want something completely different, I really liked Synchronicity, pt. II, but it wasn't as big as a lot of their other songs.
The Police are so different and talented . You have only scratched the surface with these guys . Such a lot of hits from this band and im sure you will get around to hearing them .Thanks Guys
"Don't stand so close to me" is a great song of theirs. And then from Sting's solo career, check out "Desert Rose", it was a massive hit. He said at one of the concerts I went to that writing standard love songs is boring, so he always puts some twist into them.
Thanks for reacting, anyway, this song is actually about a lady putting a red light in her window. Meaning, she was ready for business lol... Darealdeal
My karaoke song of choice and I ruin it everytime lol. Sting's vocals are so raw and real in this. Most top tier songs have this contrast. With this it starts off all casual and simple with the some reggae influenced percussion. But then that chorus hits and we all rock out. Superb song. Great reaction.
Jamaica was colonized by the England as a result much Reggae became popular in the 70's and many UK rock bands incorporated the Reggae one drop. The Police Elvis Costello The Jam and many many more
The fact that Sting was a literature teacher explains the unexpected little references to literary, (and other intellectual,) sources in his lyrics. He's a very smart and well educated man and even the simplest of his songs can be surprisingly clever. Rostand's play "Cyrano De Bergerac" is a very important piece of literature and dozens of movies have taken off on the plot. But mixing the character Roxanne, a pure hearted but naive young woman, with images of street walkers is kind-of different.
Another great reggae song by The Police is The Bed’s Too Big Without You. The bass is insane, the drums are insane, guitar, and Stings voice to put the icing on the cake. Everything just Gels. 🤘😎🎸💀👊
Many years ago, when I was helping build bridges around the city doing concrete work, they were moving a bunch of base material around to build up the road to bridge level. As the trucks were driving by and stopping by at the yard martial to confirm the loads I told the one driver to tell the other truck driver ahead of him, that just drove away ahead of him, "Tell him he doesn't have to put on the red light." They all looked at me like I was drunk. Then I pointed to the back of the truck that was driving away. The all had this lettered on the swing gates of the dump trucks: Rock Sand
The Police are one of the best and most unique bands to come out of the 80's. For more of their signature early sound listen to "Can't Stand Losing You".
This was a huge song for them, everyone knew it. It was so big that Eddie Murphy's character in 48 Hours sings it in his jail cell. That also became an iconic scene because of Eddie+Roxanne+ Eddie's delivery=Gold.
Sting, Summers and Stewart are masters of the repetitive ending because of how they can each change it up on each cycle. This song was sung by Eddie Murphy in the movie "48 Hours" 🎧 💓 🎶
It was one of their biggest hits. It was on the radio all the time. It was so popular to dance to at parties and clubs and wherever. And all three of those guys were stellar multitasking musicians. They make it sound simple but what they're doing is really not simple at all.
This song was performed in "URGH a music war" which was a combinarltion of many punk and alternative groups and performers that took place in I think 3 different city's all edited together. Featuring The police, the Gogo,s, Oingo Boing, Devo, OMD, Klous Nome and many others. Well worth the watch. Other really good songs by the Police you may want to check out would be. Don't stand so close to me, Synchronicity 2 and Every little thing she does is magic. Glad you like them Sting also sang in Do they know it's Christmas by Band Aid.
This song is one of their earliest, but it didn’t go to number one. I believe it was a top 40 hit. walking on the moon and message in a bottle both reached number one on billboard. I highly recommend both of them.
Stewart Copeland is probably one of the best drummers of the last 40 years his snare drum pop's soo loud combine that with sting's vocal's and bass playing it is a magical thing.. love everything the police has done.
Yes Guys...You're are Right about first hearing this tune in a Movie...That would Be "48 Hours" which Starred Eddie Murphy & Nick Nolte...Actually, Eddie was a Jailed convict & was "singing" the Tune to Himself wearing a headset.. The Movie came out in 1982! *****
Stewart Copeland is arguably one of the top 10 drummers of all time. Mesh that with Sting's bass, vocals and lyrics, and the talent that Andy Summers on guitar brought, it's no wonder these three were one of the biggest bands of the 80's selling out stadiums. Roxanne is from their debut album and was the starting point to their careers. Their fusion of Reggae and Rock gave them a unique sound that no other band was doing at the time. If you liked Roxanne, you will also be interested in reacting to Can't Stand Losing You, Message in a Bottle, Walking on the Moon, Driven to Tears, Don't Stand So Close To Me, Spirits in the Material World and Every Little Thing She Does is Magic. If you listen to those in that order you will hear their progression, as a group, to incorporating other instruments into their music.
I guess I'd classify the Police as progressive rock with classical and reggae influences. In Sting's solo career, I'd guess it's more popular music with classical and jazz influences, not so much reggae, though I guess there's some in "Love is the Seventh Wave" (written while vacationing in Barbados) and probably a couple other spots.
"Roxanne" (the name) came from the French play "Cyrano de Bergerac" . The probably saw a poster for it. It was also an American movie that followed (loosely) the events of the play starring Steve Martin.
To your defense also, I know Every Breath You Take by The Police, owned it, etc. but I have no idea what song sampled it that you are referring to that was #1 in 13 countries, lol. Maybe if I heard it I could say I've heard it before.
As far as people commenting on the fact that you only know the "remake" or the newer songs that have sampled older songs: my gosh, The Police are probably from your parents era. I certainly knew very little from my parents era. (that which I knew of it, I didn't really enjoy). I'm just super happy that you young people are digging our old music!
This song was big. Gotta tell you back in the day once you heard you would randomly shout out ROXANNE throughout the day. It gets so stuck in your head. And maybe you bounce around the house…
Sorry guys wanted to help It's not the one but this is legend. Look for ....Roxanne live 1979. You will see band walk too stage and go and lead you to variations that mock the peeps that think than do justice. Not saying they bad but this is a song all should know. Fu Shakespeare 😂😂😂😂
It's always qorth mentioning that Stewart Copeland's drumming is just off the chain. His playing is very unique, and really makes this song. Sting always gets most of the attention as the front man, but The Police would not have been as huge as they were without him.
And the play is Cyrano de Bergerac from french writer Edmond Rostand. One of the most popular theater play in France. You may have seen the movie play made from it.
Guys I already tell you love yer. But. Wish you santa these diamonds would look a few minutes and look up same song but live stage 8-10 minute version. Omg.. that is real emotion to this song. Not hard to find. It's just them and you will see magic. You too are still amag. Always. Please find and when do message. Trust me cows is wild. Thx both... ps. When UK guy says guys to two its a group of all.
Before these guys hit the big time, they used to play in gnarly little punk venues like CBGB in NYC. They paid their dues in front of some pretty rough crowds.
Hi guys! Great reaction on The Police rabbit hole. Maybe next try Synchronicity (I) live where Sting is wearing the coat of many colors. If you want the full Monty, Synchronicity (II). Now for folks living in Los Angeles, there is a tall office building in Beverly Hills. At the very top in big red lit up letters are ROX and directly under those letters SAN. So every time I drive by that’s what I think Sting saw on a visit here. When you pass by the building at the corner of ROXbury and SANta Monica Blvd. LOL It predates the band by many years. Great reaction and oh so cool, as usual. Joe
Here's a little trivia for you. At the beginning of the song, the reason you hear him laugh is during recording, Sting accidentally sat down on a piano keyboard in the studio, resulting in the atonal piano chord that they kept in. So right around 2:24, that was played with Sting's ass. How many people can you name that have made a hit with their ass? 🤔 Now that I think about it, maybe I should rephrase that question.
I would imagine that the Roxanne in question is the Roxanne from The film play and book Cyrano de Bergerac . Later made into a film with the title, Roxanne. although at no point is she considered a” lady of the night”
Eddie Murphy's first shot in a movie had him singing this song. (It was in _48 Hrs.)_ The name of the song comes from "Cyrano de Bergerac". Sting said he wrote the song because he wondered about who the hookers he saw in the street went home to. What would a boyfriend say to this situation? "Roxanne" is his answer. ETA: The Police's early pattern was reggae verses with a rock chorus. You'll see that pattern in every one of their early hits, up to the album "Zenyatta Mondatta", when they branched out into other musical ideas.
I happened to be dating a girl named Roxanne when this song came out. I am 100% positive The Police did not get the name from her😂. By the way she was not amused with this song ha ha ha.
Sting was in Paris when he saw a poster for a play ( Théâtre) , he notice the name of the main female character of the play , who was Roxanne , from the french novel Cyrano de Bergerac
I remember when this first hit the airwaves. This was our first taste of the Police and we all loved it. They composed 4 albums not including greatest hits and such. Too short of a career from this trio.
