For me what made The Police so special is that they really understood the power of silence in music. Great records are as much about what isn’t played as what is. They were masters of dynamics and giving their songs the space to breathe.
Hi Rick Im from Mexico And I am a sound engineer I admire you for your passion in this profession it’s a blessing to have a person like you and make good things with the music and Learn from you thanks again
The Police’s drums have always been one of their most impressive elements to me. Not as much in this song as in something like Roxanne or Message in a Bottle but still, the drums are always totally on point and they often sound completely different from anything any other rock bands were doing at the time.
And that's one of the major reasons I'm really not a fan of this tune; it lacks Copeland's syncopated, distinctive beats. The vocal, ambient and melodic tracks are great, but that metronomic thump thump thump just rides my nerves. Shame.
@@KingKook totally agree. to me, this song is was sounded out of place with the rest of the rest album. his drums(music too) is a bit TOO tame compared to the rest of the album.
Sting was absolutely adamant that the drum track was kept simple. Hugh Padgham has an hilarious story of Stewart trying to add a high hat when Sting was out of the studio only for Sting to have Hugh erase it(while Sting stood over him to make sure he did in fact erase it)on his return. I think Sting was right.
Synchronicity II is my favorite on this album. That's the tune which introduced me to The Police back in '83-once I became a diehard fan, •Ghost in the Machine• became my favorite album, with "Secret Journey" as my favorite song by them.
You are correct Rick when you say the simplicity of the song makes it great. Sting was right on the money with this track when he chose to bind Copeland's wrists! (As much as I adore his usual technique) What also makes this song great, is by not allowing the bridge to be repeated. He really understood the "less is more" concept & applies it well. And of course the superb lyrics makes this song (in my opinion) one of the greatest ever written.
The way Andy set up his guitar, delays, using the Roland Jazz Chorus amp ..... is mind blowing. It's way not as simple as one may think, and you can hear the track isolated somewhere.
Not my writing, just passing this along.... This was a difficult one to get, because Sting wrote a very good song, but there was no guitar on it. He had this Hammond organ thing that sounded like Billy Preston. It certainly didn't sound like the Police, with that big, rolling synthesiser part. We spent about six weeks recording just the snare drums and the bass. It was a simple, classic chord sequence, but we couldn't agree how to do it. I'd been making an album with Robert Fripp, and I was kind of experimenting with playing Bartok violin duets and had worked up a new riff. When Sting said 'go and make it your own', I went and stuck that lick on it, and immediately we knew we had something special. - Andy Summers The recording process was fraught with difficulties as personal tensions between the band members, particularly Sting and Stewart Copeland, came to the fore. Producer Hugh Padgham claimed that by the time of the recording sessions, Sting and Copeland "hated each other", with verbal and physical fights in the studio common. The tensions almost led to the recording sessions being cancelled until a meeting involving the band and the group's manager, Miles Copeland (Stewart's brother), resulted in an agreement to continue. Keyboard parts were added from Roland guitar synthesizers, a Prophet-5 and an Oberheim synthesiser The single-note piano in the middle eight was recommended by Padgham, inspired by similar work that he had done with the group XTC. The drum track was largely created through separate overdubs of each percussive instrument, with the main back beat created by simultaneously playing a snare and a gong drum. To give the song more liveliness, Padgham asked Copeland to record his drum part in the studio's dining room in order to achieve some "special sound effects". The room was so hot, that his drum sticks had to be taped to Copeland's hands to make sure they didn't fly off. According to Stewart Copeland
It's sad that they couldn't get along, and that's why they broke up. They were a great band, and none of them including Sting ever achieved the same level of greatness afterwards.
Sometimes when I click on your videos I feel like a child, that just walked into the library. I have ten thousand bits of information at my fingertips....but I only have five minutes to choose. All I can say is Thanks Mr. Beato! More Police please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So glad I found this channel!.. the virtuoso video led me here. I've been a fan of the Police since about '79 or '80 and I never imagined I would get to see one of their tracks expanded from 16 colours into 16 million colours (so to speak). We'll never get to see footage from the studio or fully know the personal dynamic of the band when this was recorded but a deconstruction of the multitrack together with additional info in comments makes for wonderful viewing. Thank you so much for your expert ear and analysis Rick! (& others) Subbed :)
They're not really scratch. They were used in a remixed version for a rather uncharacteristically serious ending to a series of the satirical Spitting Image show. It was basically about the troubles & the Irish wake line is not at all funny in that context.
I agree it doesn't sound like a scratch vocal but rather something close to the version of the song that was used in "Spitting Image - Every Bomb You Make" Every bomb you make And every job you take Every heart you break Every Irish wake I’ll be watching you… Every wall you build And everyone you've killed Every grave you've filled All the blood you've spilled I’ll be watching you… Oh, can't you see? You belong to me There’ll be a bill to pay On that judgement day... For every empty plate And every word of hate Those who violate I’ll be watching you…
I think this might be the perfect song. Whenever you can make a piece of art that can portray infinite meanings like this song and how it holds so much meaning for so many. Simple concept. Everyone can relate to this song. Someone who might be an angel, while this may bring you comfort.
If I remember at the time Sting said he played his electric upright overdubbed with the Steinberger or Precision on a number of songs. I believe King Of Pain was another.
I remember when this song came out and was topping the charts in Ottawa, Canada. The popular AM station at the time let the listeners call up and dedicate songs, presumable to their lovers and crushes. I was only in grade 6 or 7 at the time, and really liked this tune, but thought it was hilarious that people were dedicating it like it was a romantic expression of affection haha. Anyways, thanks for decoding this wonderful song, and the trip down memory lane!
As much as I really like your WMTSG episodes, this one makes me appreciate edited versions. An hour is just a little long when there's much else to do with the day.
The scratch lyrics are just haunting, instant chills and after 30 more years of hearing this song, this blows me away. Every Bomb you make Every job you take Every heart you break Every Irish wake I’ll be watching you Every war you build Every one you’ve killed Every grave you’ve filled All the blood you’ve spilled I’ll be watching you. Plus Sting's vocal expression just makes this song so much more eerie. Thank you so, so much Rick for your breakdown. You are genius.
yeah i'm gonna disagree with rick's calling them nonsense lyrics, it's pretty clearly about (or at least referencing) the troubles and they also clearly aren't made up on the spot. would be quite a different song
+1 to that - I think it was the last ever show. And in the context of the politics of the time, "every Irish wake" is not in least bit funny, referencing as it does the Troubles in Northern Ireland that afflicted both sides of that community, as well as the wide UK. NOT funny at all!
@@Finishyoursong - I think it was the last show of that series rather than the last ever. Every other episode ended with a satirical sing-along, but this one was a bit different. Set to a slow-motion sunset, it wasn't supposed to be funny - notably the "Every Irish wake" line with illustrated with the puppet of Ian Paisley.
@@turricanedtc3764 In addition to the fact the bbc didn't play the other song about ireland , invisible sun.. so he was probably very keen to slip the comment through as satirical
@@Finishyoursong Hi Paul, I love your channel and tutorial videos of Cubase. It taught me everything! Best ever videos on YT. I am glad to see that you like Rick's videos too and the Police/Sting. Cheers!
Talented people like this man are the ones who discover real talents in others , The police were a unique band and very smart musicians , and it shows in this great breakdown of their songs .
The drums for the whole of the Synchronicity album we recorded in the dining room at Air Montserrat hence that wooden room ambient sound. Also they had an Oberheim drum machine, sequencer and keyboard for this album. Fun fact...Murder By Numbers was recorded in one take and it was the FIRST time they'd played it! (source Hugh Padgham Produce Like A Pro)
That scratch vocal is now available as Every Bomb You Make. Spitting Image, a satirical UK show, asked Sting to record it for them back in the 80s. The video is on UA-cam. This year for Record Day, a double 7 inch of Every Breath was released with Every Bomb You Make on the second disc.
both bass tracks made it into the final mix, Sting often double tracked his bass parts, either a fretless/double bass + a picked bass or even a clean muted guitar, to give more definition. At least that's what he said.
Actually, I hear it as both bass tracks are used in the final mix (listening on hifi headphones to the finished track). I think that's part of the magic of the deceptively simple groove.
Thanks! One of the greatest songs out there! As to the lyrics, I've heard that Sting was actually trying to get across the idea that a love song could also be construed in a more, shall we say, menacing way. Have you ever seen that black & white picture where some people see 2 faces looking at each other (usually in black silhouette) - while other people see the white vase in the middle? It's a bit like that; you could take it one way or the other. I take it to mean *_both_* simultaneously. I often think that one of the problems women face is that they really *_do_* want a guy to 'pursue' them - in a nice, romantic way, of course - but for them, it always seems to be the *_wrong_* guy, & then it's just creepy. Anyway, that's my take. Thanks again. Rikki Tikki.
I believe my dad’s guitarist is able to do this. He’s got his own professional studio. However 🤷🏻♀️if that program can be picked 🆙 in my dad’s non-pro studio using an app on the ⌨️🖥. I’ll have2ask. Cause that’s 1 prog. I’d❤️2have myself!
@@n8vsprt315 No, he's even got different layers of the same instrument, or lyrics or parts that weren't included in release. So he has access to original studio tracks.
Rick love the channel. I run a life concert production company and I have all of my employees watching your videos. Always great when you post new material, keep up the great work!
Man, that was absolutely mind blowing! Had no idea about the triplets on the piano before; wild hearing that isolated. Also, one of tracks with the guitar arpeggios was not at all what I was expecting, almost "downward" in tone where the rest were rising... Those along with the synth low notes I won't be able to un-hear and this is why I love your videos so much! It helps me understand the mechanics of these songs on a much more initiate level. I enjoy going back and hearing the older ones!
FWIW! This was the first demo Sting ever played for his bandmates. Jean Roussel was the arranger of this song. Andy Summers did not approve of Roussel's inclusion in the track. Summers also stated that Roussel must have played 12 keyboard parts on that song alone. In January 1981 Jean Roussel recorded the demo version of Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic with Sting at Le Studio in Morin Heights near Montreal. They played all of the instruments, basses, guitars, synths, marimbas pianos , clavinets etc... & Sting sang. The song was destined for Sting's first solo album. Several months later Jean Roussel got a call in Montreal (where he was still living at the time) from Sting and Miles Copeland to fly ASAP to Monserrat, to re-record the title with Sting & the rest of The Police They worked on the song for about a week. None of the versions recorded were anywhere as good as the demo... The decision was taken to use the original demo. The version that is on the group's album, is the exact original demo which Sting & Jean Roussel recorded, with Stewart's drums added, replacing the drum machine used on the demo.... The other hit that Roussel was used for was his arrangement on Spirits in the Material world …. which would be another good song to break down.
I always enjoy your videos and analogies of tracks, thank you for posting this stuff. I dissected spandau ballet true isolated tracks and was blown away how they put it all together
About the song being in Ab: The original recording is actually out of tune, between Ab and A. I read (somewhere I can't find now) that Sting had recorded a part on a keyboard/piano that he wanted to use but the instrument was out of tune. So, he tuned the rest of the instruments to match. The Police play(ed) it live in A, which seems to be the original intended key.
Glad it didn’t get taken down. Have any actually gotten taken down? Anyway, I was hoping for Spirits in the Material World but I’m happy for a breakdown of just about any Police song.
Nicely handled! Amazing insight! I love seeing music dissected, revealed, and explained like this! Thank you for posting this one! Great way to handle the unruly punks by the way.
Probably Sting knew about and cherished Rick's UA-cam activity as an educator and music expert. I believe he gave the permission and then, more recently, followed the renown interview together. That's some rare material to put hands on. And still some bands go on blocking Rick's videos which are a tribute for them...
Some bands upload or allow uploading of what today are called “stems”, which I believe are tracks. Not my field at all, but I follow James Hargreaves Guitar & he often isolates every track from famous Britpop songs.
Rick... how do you get all these master tracks to evaluate these songs? Is this something you can buy? I would love to be able to dig into a song the same way with Pro Tools
I've been wondering too. I would have imagined that master tracks are typically closely guarded by the original recording artists to prevent unauthorized mixes from being released.
Actually those scratch vocals are the alternate lyrics used for "Every Bomb You Make", a parody on the British TV show Spitting Image. Sting as a fan of the show re-recorded new lyrics over the original recording and that's what featured on the show. I guess you're lucky enough to have found the multitracks with both vocal parts.
This is exactly what I do in Protools w my own music! So cool to hear the breakdown of all the intricuit parts to Stings song, solo'd, certain sections isolated- shows people just how much work goes into making a sonic masterpiece like this
I like the non live format better, but still very informative. The keyboard sound seems to be the same one used in Twin Peaks and by the band Berlin. As someone has already mentioned, the original lyric clearly was referring to the Troubles in Ireland.
One of the best scratch vocals to listen to is David Lee Roth's "Yankee Rose". It took me a while to figure out some of the stuff he was sayin' and a good portion of it is him reading stuff from a box of Cheez-Its. 😆
Watching your videos blows my mind! One of my fave songs of the 80s, which was hard won because I wasn't a Police fan but my sister was (because my sister was?). I don;t understand half of what you're explaining and it could all be bullshit but I doubt it and it makes the songs seem even more sensational!
@scottharrisohn6972 Thank you for your comment. I wish I had noticed this video as well as your tremendous words at the time.... Best wishes, Andrea S.
Wonder if Andy Summers realizes that his guitar part put together with his keyboard/synth/piano part sounds like music from heaven above... I can't describe the feelings that wakes in me.... Really, no words ;)
I remember hearing Sting say that he woke up at night a wrote this song in a very short time. But it's very interesting to hear that he was batting around alternate lyrics in the studio- I wonder if he was considering alternate lyrics and then went back to his original lyrics or if he was still working out what the lyrics would be..... fascinating!
The fact that Sting had just had a very messy break up with Frances Tomelty the belfast actress is very revealing regarding the guide vocal ,"every Irish wake ,every bomb you make ,every grave you filled ,all the blood you spilled"....it's like an antidote to Invisible Sun.
The Police have been known to use the Oberheim OB-X synthesizer. Since direct audio isn't used in this video (sound is coming from Rick's monitor speakers into the camera mic), it's had for me to clearly hear the kick drum. But if it is programmed, it's most likely an Oberheim DMX and possibly also used the DSX sequencer with the OB-X. MCI 24 track used for recording of the album.
The Police were the greatest 80s rock band!! No one else in the 80s really mattered (well maybe King Crimson, but even then, they've been around since 69').
Hi Rick, those scratch vocals are probably an original version of the song. It sounds like it was about the 'Troubles' conflict in Northern Ireland, which were at a particularly low point the year this was released. Sting was also living in Ireland around that time. Very interesting.
In spite of the weird contraversy about this song and the eerie stalking idea in the lyric, this song is a great song and a monument to Sting's writing
I theorised that they were 2 bass tracks for this song while trying to learn it on bass, one doing straight 8th notes and another one more rythmic. Glad to see that I was right !
Interesting story about that drum sound you had discussed. In 78-79 The Police were on the road with XTC because Stu Copland's brother Ian was XTCs manager. They recorded Drums and Wires at the Townhouse where Hugh Padgham had developed that big drum sound. It was all stone. Sting heard Making Plans for Nigel and loved the drums. Collins also recorded In the Air Tonight there in 81. At least that's how Andy Partridge tells it.
For me what made The Police so special is that they really understood the power of silence in music. Great records are as much about what isn’t played as what is. They were masters of dynamics and giving their songs the space to breathe.
I completely agree with this
The Police had a great formula and style! Each musician added so much to the whole.
Reggae, Rock, Punkish, Pop styles!
Hi Rick Im from Mexico And I am a sound engineer I admire you for your passion in this profession it’s a blessing to have a person like you and make good things with the music and Learn from you thanks again
Thanks Rick, You are my "Hubble" Telescope into the music universe , and it's beautiful out there ! Thanks again.
You have written one of my favorite comments ever.
Beautifully put
Well put. Yes, he is the telescope to the universe of music
A wonderful reminder of how such huge dynamics come from craftsmanship and not necessarily by adding more tracks.
The Police’s drums have always been one of their most impressive elements to me. Not as much in this song as in something like Roxanne or Message in a Bottle but still, the drums are always totally on point and they often sound completely different from anything any other rock bands were doing at the time.
thats mr stewart copeland, mate !
Just listening Copeland's hi-hat work with the Police is fun alone. His drumming is has always been a joy to listen to.
And that's one of the major reasons I'm really not a fan of this tune; it lacks Copeland's syncopated, distinctive beats. The vocal, ambient and melodic tracks are great, but that metronomic thump thump thump just rides my nerves. Shame.
@@KingKook totally agree. to me, this song is was sounded out of place with the rest of the rest album. his drums(music too) is a bit TOO tame compared to the rest of the album.
Sting was absolutely adamant that the drum track was kept simple. Hugh Padgham has an hilarious story of Stewart trying to add a high hat when Sting was out of the studio only for Sting to have Hugh erase it(while Sting stood over him to make sure he did in fact erase it)on his return. I think Sting was right.
Yay, another Police song! They were one of my favorite bands in the 80s. Andy's guitar was beautiful on this.
Synchronicity II is my favorite on this album. That's the tune which introduced me to The Police back in '83-once I became a diehard fan, •Ghost in the Machine• became my favorite album, with "Secret Journey" as my favorite song by them.
Ghost and Jurney, same here.
Same here! 💜💙💜💙
A *very* underrated album. Intense, driving and hypnotic
Me too!
Mine would be a toss up between Ghost & Regatta De Blanc.
The synth and piano in the bridge sound epic on their own. Like something from the final credits of a Hollywood blockbuster.
Who played the piano and the keyboards on this?
It's awesome that few years later after this video Rick is the greatest music channel and all Police guys were in the channel
You are correct Rick when you say the simplicity of the song makes it great. Sting was right on the money with this track when he chose to bind Copeland's wrists! (As much as I adore his usual technique)
What also makes this song great, is by not allowing the bridge to be repeated. He really understood the "less is more" concept & applies it well. And of course the superb lyrics makes this song (in my opinion) one of the greatest ever written.
Agree100%
The way Andy set up his guitar, delays, using the Roland Jazz Chorus amp ..... is mind blowing. It's way not as simple as one may think, and you can hear the track isolated somewhere.
I love when you treat us to the workings of a great song , Thank you Rick .
Not my writing, just passing this along....
This was a difficult one to get, because Sting wrote a very good song, but there was no guitar on it. He had this Hammond organ thing that sounded like Billy Preston. It certainly didn't sound like the Police, with that big, rolling synthesiser part. We spent about six weeks recording just the snare drums and the bass. It was a simple, classic chord sequence, but we couldn't agree how to do it. I'd been making an album with Robert Fripp, and I was kind of experimenting with playing Bartok violin duets and had worked up a new riff. When Sting said 'go and make it your own', I went and stuck that lick on it, and immediately we knew we had something special.
- Andy Summers
The recording process was fraught with difficulties as personal tensions between the band members, particularly Sting and Stewart Copeland, came to the fore. Producer Hugh Padgham claimed that by the time of the recording sessions, Sting and Copeland "hated each other", with verbal and physical fights in the studio common. The tensions almost led to the recording sessions being cancelled until a meeting involving the band and the group's manager, Miles Copeland (Stewart's brother), resulted in an agreement to continue. Keyboard parts were added from Roland guitar synthesizers, a Prophet-5 and an Oberheim synthesiser The single-note piano in the middle eight was recommended by Padgham, inspired by similar work that he had done with the group XTC. The drum track was largely created through separate overdubs of each percussive instrument, with the main back beat created by simultaneously playing a snare and a gong drum. To give the song more liveliness, Padgham asked Copeland to record his drum part in the studio's dining room in order to achieve some "special sound effects". The room was so hot, that his drum sticks had to be taped to Copeland's hands to make sure they didn't fly off. According to Stewart Copeland
Mervin Griff This is completely not surprising haha!
It's sad that they couldn't get along, and that's why they broke up. They were a great band, and none of them including Sting ever achieved the same level of greatness afterwards.
Paul McCartney's advice to Johnny Marr when he told him about the breakup of the Smiths: 'Well... that's bands for ya.'
MY FRIEND, I'VE WATCED YOUR CHANNEL SEVERAL TIMES, OVER THE PAST OR LAST YEAR AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE IS OFF THE CHAIN MAN. WOW!
Every time I think i cant be more appreciative of this channel there is always something new and amazing to learn
Sometimes when I click on your videos I feel like a child, that just walked into the library. I have ten thousand bits of information at my fingertips....but I only have five minutes to choose. All I can say is Thanks Mr. Beato! More Police please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is an EXCELLENT break down of the track - and the guide / dummy vocal is a surprise! THANKS !!!
So glad I found this channel!.. the virtuoso video led me here.
I've been a fan of the Police since about '79 or '80 and I never imagined I would get to see one of their tracks expanded from 16 colours into 16 million colours (so to speak). We'll never get to see footage from the studio or fully know the personal dynamic of the band when this was recorded but a deconstruction of the multitrack together with additional info in comments makes for wonderful viewing. Thank you so much for your expert ear and analysis Rick! (& others)
Subbed :)
The scratch lyrics are awesome.
They're not really scratch. They were used in a remixed version for a rather uncharacteristically serious ending to a series of the satirical Spitting Image show. It was basically about the troubles & the Irish wake line is not at all funny in that context.
I agree it doesn't sound like a scratch vocal but rather something close to the version of the song that was used in "Spitting Image - Every Bomb You Make"
Every bomb you make
And every job you take
Every heart you break
Every Irish wake
I’ll be watching you…
Every wall you build
And everyone you've killed
Every grave you've filled
All the blood you've spilled
I’ll be watching you…
Oh, can't you see?
You belong to me
There’ll be a bill to pay
On that judgement day...
For every empty plate
And every word of hate
Those who violate
I’ll be watching you…
@@gonefishing2006 think man that was later … people are so dim
I think this might be the perfect song. Whenever you can make a piece of art that can portray infinite meanings like this song and how it holds so much meaning for so many. Simple concept. Everyone can relate to this song. Someone who might be an angel, while this may bring you comfort.
Waiting for Synchronicity II
literally their best song ever is synchronicity 2.
Yeah! me too!
It has the best video as well
Waiting for Regatta de Blanc 2
MY FAVORITE POLICE SONG!
If I remember at the time Sting said he played his electric upright overdubbed with the Steinberger or Precision on a number of songs. I believe King Of Pain was another.
May I ask where you get the copies of the multi-tracks? It's awesome. Really lets us hear the parts broken down Thanks!
Pretty sure you can buy them but this stuff is crazy expensive.
I like it when you do something that us “old” folks have heard of. Some of us grew up in 50’s and 60’s. Loved police.
"We were born... Born in the FIF-ties"
I remember when this song came out and was topping the charts in Ottawa, Canada. The popular AM station at the time let the listeners call up and dedicate songs, presumable to their lovers and crushes. I was only in grade 6 or 7 at the time, and really liked this tune, but thought it was hilarious that people were dedicating it like it was a romantic expression of affection haha. Anyways, thanks for decoding this wonderful song, and the trip down memory lane!
As much as I really like your WMTSG episodes, this one makes me appreciate edited versions. An hour is just a little long when there's much else to do with the day.
How cool are those piano triplets. Never even knew they were there, but wouldn't be the same without them!
This is a fantastic breakdown. What a fun exercise in music appreciation! Thank you so much for sharing your passion with us!
The scratch vocals are haunting. Invisible Sun off Ghost in the Machine is also about the Irish Troubles.
The scratch lyrics are just haunting, instant chills and after 30 more years of hearing this song, this blows me away.
Every Bomb you make
Every job you take
Every heart you break
Every Irish wake
I’ll be watching you
Every war you build
Every one you’ve killed
Every grave you’ve filled
All the blood you’ve spilled
I’ll be watching you.
Plus Sting's vocal expression just makes this song so much more eerie. Thank you so, so much Rick for your breakdown. You are genius.
yeah i'm gonna disagree with rick's calling them nonsense lyrics, it's pretty clearly about (or at least referencing) the troubles and they also clearly aren't made up on the spot. would be quite a different song
@@boeing_opal absolutely about early 80s NI mate. Very telling Sean
Its about the military industrial complex
The "Every Bomb You Make" vocal is one Sting did for the Spitting Image UK TV show.
+1 to that - I think it was the last ever show. And in the context of the politics of the time, "every Irish wake" is not in least bit funny, referencing as it does the Troubles in Northern Ireland that afflicted both sides of that community, as well as the wide UK. NOT funny at all!
@@Finishyoursong - I think it was the last show of that series rather than the last ever. Every other episode ended with a satirical sing-along, but this one was a bit different. Set to a slow-motion sunset, it wasn't supposed to be funny - notably the "Every Irish wake" line with illustrated with the puppet of Ian Paisley.
@@turricanedtc3764 In addition to the fact the bbc didn't play the other song about ireland , invisible sun.. so he was probably very keen to slip the comment through as satirical
@@ashleywhiteman2684 - Well, "Spitting Image" was on ITV, not the BBC... :)
@@Finishyoursong Hi Paul, I love your channel and tutorial videos of Cubase. It taught me everything! Best ever videos on YT. I am glad to see that you like Rick's videos too and the Police/Sting. Cheers!
Talented people like this man are the ones who discover real talents in others , The police were a unique band and very smart musicians , and it shows in this great breakdown of their songs .
I just sang the notes of that piano part and it sounded like an angelic choir sound. That is beautiful.
The drums for the whole of the Synchronicity album we recorded in the dining room at Air Montserrat hence that wooden room ambient sound. Also they had an Oberheim drum machine, sequencer and keyboard for this album. Fun fact...Murder By Numbers was recorded in one take and it was the FIRST time they'd played it! (source Hugh Padgham Produce Like A Pro)
That scratch vocal is now available as Every Bomb You Make. Spitting Image, a satirical UK show, asked Sting to record it for them back in the 80s. The video is on UA-cam. This year for Record Day, a double 7 inch of Every Breath was released with Every Bomb You Make on the second disc.
both bass tracks made it into the final mix, Sting often double tracked his bass parts, either a fretless/double bass + a picked bass or even a clean muted guitar, to give more definition. At least that's what he said.
That piano part sounds clearly like it played with the sustain on all the way through, so that the harmony is really rich.
Actually, I hear it as both bass tracks are used in the final mix (listening on hifi headphones to the finished track). I think that's part of the magic of the deceptively simple groove.
Thanks! One of the greatest songs out there! As to the lyrics, I've heard that Sting was actually trying to get across the idea that a love song could also be construed in a more, shall we say, menacing way. Have you ever seen that black & white picture where some people see 2 faces looking at each other (usually in black silhouette) - while other people see the white vase in the middle? It's a bit like that; you could take it one way or the other. I take it to mean *_both_* simultaneously. I often think that one of the problems women face is that they really *_do_* want a guy to 'pursue' them - in a nice, romantic way, of course - but for them, it always seems to be the *_wrong_* guy, & then it's just creepy. Anyway, that's my take. Thanks again. Rikki Tikki.
Where does he get the separated tracks for these tunes? Best series on UA-cam, btw.
I wonder for a long time, how he does that. Maybe he just got the original multitracks?
I believe my dad’s guitarist is able to do this. He’s got his own professional studio. However 🤷🏻♀️if that program can be picked 🆙 in my dad’s non-pro studio using an app on the ⌨️🖥. I’ll have2ask. Cause that’s 1 prog. I’d❤️2have myself!
@@n8vsprt315 it is Digidisegn (now Avid) ProTools programme.
@@n8vsprt315 No, he's even got different layers of the same instrument, or lyrics or parts that weren't included in release. So he has access to original studio tracks.
He's a producer. He isolated the tracks himself
Rick love the channel. I run a life concert production company and I have all of my employees watching your videos. Always great when you post new material, keep up the great work!
Thanks BG!
I could do with a King of Pain breakdown
I've just been listening to that song. Wonderful song.
William James Durant was an American writer, historian, and philosopher. He became best known for his work The Story of Civilization
Yes - I'd love a "King of Pain" dissection, as well as "Ring Around My Finger".
Synchronicity is my favorite Police album with Ghost in the Machine as a very close 2nd
That bVI - bVII in the bridge is just magic! The sustain in those guitar strums!!
Man, that was absolutely mind blowing! Had no idea about the triplets on the piano before; wild hearing that isolated. Also, one of tracks with the guitar arpeggios was not at all what I was expecting, almost "downward" in tone where the rest were rising... Those along with the synth low notes I won't be able to un-hear and this is why I love your videos so much! It helps me understand the mechanics of these songs on a much more initiate level. I enjoy going back and hearing the older ones!
FWIW! This was the first demo Sting ever played for his bandmates. Jean Roussel was the arranger of this song. Andy Summers did not approve of Roussel's inclusion in the track. Summers also stated that Roussel must have played 12 keyboard parts on that song alone. In January 1981 Jean Roussel recorded the demo version of Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic with Sting at Le Studio in Morin Heights near Montreal.
They played all of the instruments, basses, guitars, synths, marimbas pianos , clavinets etc... & Sting sang.
The song was destined for Sting's first solo album.
Several months later Jean Roussel got a call in Montreal (where he was still living at the time) from Sting and Miles Copeland to fly ASAP to Monserrat, to re-record the title with Sting & the rest of The Police
They worked on the song for about a week. None of the versions recorded were anywhere as good as the demo...
The decision was taken to use the original demo. The version that is on the group's album, is the exact original demo which Sting & Jean Roussel recorded, with Stewart's drums added, replacing the drum machine used on the demo.... The other hit that Roussel was used for was his arrangement on Spirits in the Material world …. which would be another good song to break down.
It's not all a demo. It has Andy Summers' guitar part that was recorded in the studio with Hugh Padgham.
@@simianmoonstudios Indeed. That was added later.
I always enjoy your videos and analogies of tracks, thank you for posting this stuff. I dissected spandau ballet true isolated tracks and was blown away how they put it all together
This is an amazing masterclass. Love this UA-cam channel. Cheers from Italy 🇮🇹
About the song being in Ab: The original recording is actually out of tune, between Ab and A. I read (somewhere I can't find now) that Sting had recorded a part on a keyboard/piano that he wanted to use but the instrument was out of tune. So, he tuned the rest of the instruments to match. The Police play(ed) it live in A, which seems to be the original intended key.
Glad it didn’t get taken down. Have any actually gotten taken down? Anyway, I was hoping for Spirits in the Material World but I’m happy for a breakdown of just about any Police song.
Timothy Reeves fleetwood mac You can go your own way is blocked in the netherlands....
@@metallicafan114 blocked also in Scotland
+Robin Jansen It's even blocked in the United States as well.
Great video. Love the sound of those 80s analogue synths.
The multi-tracks are available from any song that is on Rock Band, people hack it to reveal all the separate tracks of a song.
Please do message in a bottle..
In the meantime, check out the version by Matisyahu. It's a good one....
Thanks for sharing this wonderful breakdown of this haunting song.
Nicely handled! Amazing insight! I love seeing music dissected, revealed, and explained like this! Thank you for posting this one! Great way to handle the unruly punks by the way.
What a fantastic show! Thanks Rick. Glad I got to see, and hear blow by blow
How did Rick get his hands on the master from “Every Breath You Take”? Man, this guy is connected...
I'm pretty sure he asked Sting for it.
@@BossDM-2 Stewart Copeland would totally do something like this though
Probably Sting knew about and cherished Rick's UA-cam activity as an educator and music expert. I believe he gave the permission and then, more recently, followed the renown interview together. That's some rare material to put hands on.
And still some bands go on blocking Rick's videos which are a tribute for them...
Some bands upload or allow uploading of what today are called “stems”, which I believe are tracks.
Not my field at all, but I follow James Hargreaves Guitar & he often isolates every track from famous Britpop songs.
Rick... how do you get all these master tracks to evaluate these songs? Is this something you can buy? I would love to be able to dig into a song the same way with Pro Tools
I've been wondering too. I would have imagined that master tracks are typically closely guarded by the original recording artists to prevent unauthorized mixes from being released.
@@michaelhey4039 he's a pretty well known producer so it's possible he's got them through other well known producers
What a brilliant video! Thank you Rick! Made my day! Sting is one of my favourite singwriters, such powerful songwriting!
Actually those scratch vocals are the alternate lyrics used for "Every Bomb You Make", a parody on the British TV show Spitting Image. Sting as a fan of the show re-recorded new lyrics over the original recording and that's what featured on the show. I guess you're lucky enough to have found the multitracks with both vocal parts.
Ah- that's very interesting- I made a comment up above about that.... good to hear an explanation! Thanks
Must have foreseen the age of Trump
Could you imagine if there was reboot of Spitting Image or DC Follies during this current political climate? The material just writes itself....
This is exactly what I do in Protools w my own music! So cool to hear the breakdown of all the intricuit parts to Stings song, solo'd, certain sections isolated- shows people just how much work goes into making a sonic masterpiece like this
In the scratch vox, Sting was stalking a serial killer lol. Wow, that's a whole different song entirely 😆
The lyrics don t say that listen again it more about totalitarianism and war
Thank You for this breakdown.
I saw the Police and U2 at Gateshead Nr Newcastle UK many years ago
They both are just assume live.
I like the non live format better, but still very informative. The keyboard sound seems to be the same one used in Twin Peaks and by the band Berlin. As someone has already mentioned, the original lyric clearly was referring to the Troubles in Ireland.
Thanks, Rick! I love the juxtaposition of the hopeful music with the tortured lyrics in the bridge.
Awesome video! Please analyse bohemian rhapsody! It would be a great breakdown!
basic
Queen are blockers
I would love to hear your take on "So Lonely", such a great tune with a lot of good stuff going on.
absolutely! i love that song,
I love this guitar line
Rick, absolutely spell binding watching you work with the tracks, do tons more of that!
One of the best scratch vocals to listen to is David Lee Roth's "Yankee Rose". It took me a while to figure out some of the stuff he was sayin' and a good portion of it is him reading stuff from a box of Cheez-Its. 😆
King of Pain is also my favorite song on the album. Amazing song!
Watching your videos blows my mind! One of my fave songs of the 80s, which was hard won because I wasn't a Police fan but my sister was (because my sister was?). I don;t understand half of what you're explaining and it could all be bullshit but I doubt it and it makes the songs seem even more sensational!
Woe. I love this tune and I didn't know how well elaborated it is.
I LOVE Stew Copeland's snare sound!
ya we all do 😁 it goes without saying
Sting one of the greatest lyricists and songwriters in rock history.
A great songwriter for sure, but I do not care for the lyrics of this song. It's a creepy stalker song that masquerades as a love ballad.
@@michaelhey4039 that's the point of the song!
@scottharrisohn6972 Thank you for your comment. I wish I had noticed this video as well as your tremendous words at the time.... Best wishes, Andrea S.
Wow. So detailed and just full of amazing components of a song that you call so simple. But it's so developed.
Awesome stuff Rick!!!
Wonder if Andy Summers realizes that his guitar part put together with his keyboard/synth/piano part sounds like music from heaven above... I can't describe the feelings that wakes in me.... Really, no words ;)
Same here...
I remember hearing Sting say that he woke up at night a wrote this song in a very short time. But it's very interesting to hear that he was batting around alternate lyrics in the studio- I wonder if he was considering alternate lyrics and then went back to his original lyrics or if he was still working out what the lyrics would be..... fascinating!
Rick, you are the Master. Thank you so much.
I would love to hear all of the scratch vocals. They are so strong and really tell a story
The improvised lyrics make the song MUCH better. LOL!
And you don't even need to play it backwards.
Much less creepy and "Every wall you build" quite prophetic!
Those scratch lyrics blew my mind. It completely changes who the song could be actually directed towards.
It's too bad they all hated each other by this time. They had so much more to give and I was never all that bowled over by Sting's solo stuff.
Supercool multitrack session - thanks Rick (and The Police of course), keep em comin'!
just bought your book.. :)
If you ever feel like doing Tool again, try Right In Two. It's a very different type of song compared to their usual style.
This has to happen!
Thanks so much for doing this Rick. I did read in a review somewhere that that kick drum is a linn drum ... amazing to see the break down
Snare on " Fortress Around Your Heart " will never be duplicated... best ever..
The fact that Sting had just had a very messy break up with Frances Tomelty the belfast actress is very revealing regarding the guide vocal ,"every Irish wake ,every bomb you make ,every grave you filled ,all the blood you spilled"....it's like an antidote to Invisible Sun.
The Police have been known to use the Oberheim OB-X synthesizer. Since direct audio isn't used in this video (sound is coming from Rick's monitor speakers into the camera mic), it's had for me to clearly hear the kick drum. But if it is programmed, it's most likely an Oberheim DMX and possibly also used the DSX sequencer with the OB-X.
MCI 24 track used for recording of the album.
*I think you would do a great analysis for "The Bed's Too Big Without You"!*
Police song
Jared Joneli the Police! Fantastic tune, give it a listen!
The best!
The Police were the greatest 80s rock band!! No one else in the 80s really mattered (well maybe King Crimson, but even then, they've been around since 69').
I'd like to hear your opinion on the best albums to listen to start to finish. I'd like to hear Pink Floyds animals record through your ears.
or "wish you were here"
Animals is masterful in every way. Best album to listen to from start to finish ever.
Achtung Baby
Love it ! Good analysis Rick, Way to bring crucial info to the masses! A little compression with a hint of detune on the guitar.
Hi Rick, those scratch vocals are probably an original version of the song. It sounds like it was about the 'Troubles' conflict in Northern Ireland, which were at a particularly low point the year this was released. Sting was also living in Ireland around that time. Very interesting.
What a blast digging into these tracks....Very cool!
In spite of the weird contraversy about this song and the eerie stalking idea in the lyric, this song is a great song and a monument to Sting's writing
Hi Rick. I haven't watched the full video yet but I can assure you that in the final mix I can here both the bass tracks.
I theorised that they were 2 bass tracks for this song while trying to learn it on bass, one doing straight 8th notes and another one more rythmic. Glad to see that I was right !
You may be correct. I didn't want to check with the original because of blocking issues.
Both bass tracks are definitely in the mix.
Interesting story about that drum sound you had discussed. In 78-79 The Police were on the road with XTC because Stu Copland's brother Ian was XTCs manager. They recorded Drums and Wires at the Townhouse where Hugh Padgham had developed that big drum sound. It was all stone. Sting heard Making Plans for Nigel and loved the drums. Collins also recorded In the Air Tonight there in 81. At least that's how Andy Partridge tells it.
I think he was originally thinking about the IRA when he did the scratch track! The original 'Zombie' lol
I love your channel, thanks for all your hard work