Via Songfacts- "So Lonely" was written by Sting and is the second track on The Police's debut album Outlandos d'Amour. Lyrically, it's a sardonic broken-heart song; musically it has a reggae flavor, a sound they mixed with elements of pop and punk to give them a distinct signature. Sting wrote the lyrics while he was in his previous band, Last Exit, then "grafted them shamelessly onto the chords from Bob Marley's 'No Woman No Cry,'" he explained in Lyrics By Sting. "This kind of musical juxtaposition - the lilting rhythm of the verses separated by monolithic slabs of straight rock and roll - pleased the hell out of me. That we could achieve it effortlessly just added to the irony of a song about misery being sung so joyously."
The 70s were the peak of our civilization. Their next album was titled “Regatta de Blanc”. White Reggae. In the 70s experiments were everywhere. And many were amazing.
I know Google will translate it as the police album white reggae, but just think about the word Regatta. Look up the meaning of the word, Regatta. De Blanc = of white.
I saw the Police live in NYC 1983 Shea Stadium, 70,000 people, that summer they were the biggest band on the planet.. After the Syncronicity album. Also there was Joan Jett and REM.
Three incredible musicians from different musical styles who partied, fought and made some great music. I am always blown away by Stewart's drumming, he seems to be just staying in the pocket at first listen but there is so much he is throwing in there it is amazing. As a former bass player I also find Sting's bass playing to be fun and very out of the standard 4 bar rock patterns. And Andy Summers is a great guitarist. It is too bad they couldn't put differences aside and re-unite some time but that seems unlikely at the moment. Can you imagine them doing a residency at the Sphere in vegas?
This was the early 70s, and the Police were essentially just kids goofing around London. It was the early days of videos, and most of them were like this, just having the musicians lip synch in a randomly chosen setting outside the studio. Sting, who write the song, surely never meant for it to be taken seriously.
Discordant is the word for your term, "off-key". It was the unique trait for punk/new wave/alternative music of that era. XTC is another late-70s band that were masters of this technique.
1:40 think earrrrrly 80s - different time for sure, I was like 2 when this came out. I don't know if it's the 80's that felt different or the glow of childhood, but I lean toward it being the atmosphere of the decade because 92-99 had a whole different feel. Crazy thing is the feel of an era like that almost seems to be created by the feel of the music rather than the music feel being something that's produced by the era. It does feel off key a little but I think that's the backup vocal being at a weird interval, almost sounds like an augmented chord with a raised 3rd. Then sting has a unique voice too - Gotye sounds a ton like him if you remember the song "Somebody That I Used To Know" from like 2014 Edit - 11/1978 so I was 5 mos, damn
BTW - each of these guys are completely amazing on their instruments, listen back to this drummer. Gems: Synchronicity I (and II, both are sick), Walking On The Moon, far less known but complete awesome and a bit funky: Hole In My Life - it just has a perfect melody in the chorus, gives me a chill every time.
This was from the first album released in 1978. I got this and the second album, Regatta de Blanc, for Christmas in 1979. I played them both to death (still do). the late 70s through to the early 80s was my favourite time for music with so many new styles and movements to explore: Post Punk, New Wave, Synthpop, 2 Tone etc. Glad I was around to see it. You're right though. The early/mid 80s had a totally different vibe to the 90s.
The Police came from the late 70s English Punk scene. DJs started to play Regge and Ska between blocks of angry songs by punk bands, which is why English rock bands from that era had a lot of Regge influences. And they sound like that purposely.
This song was the butt of many jokes - besides people thinking he was mentioning Sue Lawley, there was the stuttering vocal hook on the album version, sounding like "hello 'ello 'ello" (an old joke referring to British police short-wave radio communication)
Hilarious reaction - when you say 'off beat' 'off key' I can't say your wrong but normally would say you could not be more wrong - but I have no idea what you meant - neither make any sense .. get your metronome and a digital tuner maybe listen to some jazz and you can figure out why this works.
Gotta laugh that a guy comes to comment on one of the worlds biggest bands, and their So Lonely track, 45 years after it was released. Wake up dude, talk about being late to the party. LOL
What a bizarre situation. A band who started out in relative obscurity in 1977 where the majority of adults under 25 in America had never heard of them. Within 5 years they were by far, THE biggest band in the world. Fast forward 40 years it’s back to where they started with the vast majority of under 25s having little to know knowledge of either the band or their music.
i hate that ALL THESE REACTORS ARE LISTENING TO A RADIO FRIENDLY ABBREVIATED VERSION OF THIS SONG AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA!!!!!!!!! THIS IS NOT THE ORIGINAL SONG.... GO GET THE CD AND LISTEN.... THIS IS A BOUT A MINUTE AND A HALF SHORT.... AT LEAST!!!!!!!!
That offbeat you’re talking about, in the musical world that’s called dissonance and it’s used intentionally, and that’s what makes it a fun street song you feel like anyone can sing this, and sure enough you begin to sing it. It’s so catchy so fucking contagious love it forgot how good this song is
What a bizarre situation. A band who started out in relative obscurity in 1977 where the majority of adults under 25 in America had never heard of them. Within 5 years they were by far, THE biggest band in the world. Fast forward 40 years it’s back to where they started with the vast majority of under 25s having little to know knowledge of either the band or their music.
I heard them live in a place with 300 people, when i was 16 years old, nobody knew those guys.
Incredible concert, i was deaf for two days.
In 2000, Sting said this song was 100% inspired by No Woman, No Cry.
They're a reggae band. 💯 But they're also a punk band. And a jazz band. There's NO doubt about their style.
and also a rock back! (depending on which album) somehow these guys just made it all work.
SKA
Yes they are...to all of it! Love this band!
Via Songfacts-
"So Lonely" was written by Sting and is the second track on The Police's debut album Outlandos d'Amour. Lyrically, it's a sardonic broken-heart song; musically it has a reggae flavor, a sound they mixed with elements of pop and punk to give them a distinct signature.
Sting wrote the lyrics while he was in his previous band, Last Exit, then "grafted them shamelessly onto the chords from Bob Marley's 'No Woman No Cry,'" he explained in Lyrics By Sting. "This kind of musical juxtaposition - the lilting rhythm of the verses separated by monolithic slabs of straight rock and roll - pleased the hell out of me. That we could achieve it effortlessly just added to the irony of a song about misery being sung so joyously."
That's how u know our guy here is actually into the music, he said something very similar to that description you posted.
Definitely No Woman No Cry in there!❤
Theres always a time and place in ones life for the music of these fantastic majestic souls.
"In this theater that I call my soul, I always play the starring role."
My favorite line from the Police from any of their songs!!
The 70s were the peak of our civilization. Their next album was titled “Regatta de Blanc”. White Reggae. In the 70s experiments were everywhere. And many were amazing.
The Bed's to Big Without You.
Reggatta de Blanc actually means a group of sailboats with white sails.
I know Google will translate it as the police album white reggae, but just think about the word Regatta. Look up the meaning of the word, Regatta. De Blanc = of white.
@@yarsivad000.5 I understand. White Reggae is what THEY called it.
Music was great, but society and the economy sucked. Pollution, dirt. double digit inflation, double digit interest rates, double digit unemployment.
Yes that was back in the 70’s best time
In my opinion this is one of their best songs...becuz...combines punk, rock, and reggae in YOUR FACE attitude.
Sting is a genius, right up there with the other great songwriters and musicians.
Copleand, Andy were also geniuses at the drums, guitar. The SOUND of the Police was Stewart.
I saw the Police live in NYC 1983 Shea Stadium, 70,000 people, that summer they were the biggest band on the planet.. After the Syncronicity album. Also there was Joan Jett and REM.
You were part of rock history!
Try "Walking on the moon" or "Every little thing she does is magic".
Ah, Sue Lawley! I remember her...
That's not off key bro that's creativity and musical brilliance..
Does he listen to Jazz?
Just very tight and close harmonies. Really cool.
Actually they were not off key…the guitar added dissonant notes..sting’s voice was pitched perfectly
1976 to 1986 best time ever for music
First problem is the song has been edited/cut - it has been shortened and that is a shame. The full song has elements that should be heard.
For real!
Sting (blonde lead singer) wrote and arranged it. Backing vocal is him as well and hes the bassist
"Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" goes farther into Reggae with steel drums
The 70’s were a great time to be young and dumb! 🔥
Absolutely! 😁 We are so lucky to have grown up then!
👋🇨🇦
Copeland is playing just ahead of the downbeat. It gives the song its snap. It's his signature style.
Three incredible musicians from different musical styles who partied, fought and made some great music. I am always blown away by Stewart's drumming, he seems to be just staying in the pocket at first listen but there is so much he is throwing in there it is amazing. As a former bass player I also find Sting's bass playing to be fun and very out of the standard 4 bar rock patterns. And Andy Summers is a great guitarist. It is too bad they couldn't put differences aside and re-unite some time but that seems unlikely at the moment. Can you imagine them doing a residency at the Sphere in vegas?
When this came out in England, there was a news presenter called Sue Lawley. I thought it was about her. I was only 11.
This was the early 70s, and the Police were essentially just kids goofing around London. It was the early days of videos, and most of them were like this, just having the musicians lip synch in a randomly chosen setting outside the studio. Sting, who write the song, surely never meant for it to be taken seriously.
'78
Oops! I meant *late* 70s.@@dianajemison105
Location Hong Kong 1978
I think the harmonies they are singing are fifths apart which tends to create tension, so intentional for sure..(but probably kinda pitchy too! LOL)
This was 78-
Not all their songs are like this
Wait....
Did you just do the Molly Ringwald dance?!?! 🤣🤣😎💯
Best Band Ever
nice line whit respect
Please review "Roxanne" by The Police
Discordant is the word for your term, "off-key". It was the unique trait for punk/new wave/alternative music of that era. XTC is another late-70s band that were masters of this technique.
More albums the police please
1:40 think earrrrrly 80s - different time for sure, I was like 2 when this came out. I don't know if it's the 80's that felt different or the glow of childhood, but I lean toward it being the atmosphere of the decade because 92-99 had a whole different feel. Crazy thing is the feel of an era like that almost seems to be created by the feel of the music rather than the music feel being something that's produced by the era.
It does feel off key a little but I think that's the backup vocal being at a weird interval, almost sounds like an augmented chord with a raised 3rd. Then sting has a unique voice too - Gotye sounds a ton like him if you remember the song "Somebody That I Used To Know" from like 2014
Edit - 11/1978 so I was 5 mos, damn
BTW - each of these guys are completely amazing on their instruments, listen back to this drummer.
Gems: Synchronicity I (and II, both are sick), Walking On The Moon, far less known but complete awesome and a bit funky: Hole In My Life - it just has a perfect melody in the chorus, gives me a chill every time.
This was from the first album released in 1978. I got this and the second album, Regatta de Blanc, for Christmas in 1979. I played them both to death (still do). the late 70s through to the early 80s was my favourite time for music with so many new styles and movements to explore: Post Punk, New Wave, Synthpop, 2 Tone etc. Glad I was around to see it. You're right though. The early/mid 80s had a totally different vibe to the 90s.
The Police came from the late 70s English Punk scene. DJs started to play Regge and Ska between blocks of angry songs by punk bands, which is why English rock bands from that era had a lot of Regge influences.
And they sound like that purposely.
This song was the butt of many jokes - besides people thinking he was mentioning Sue Lawley, there was the stuttering vocal hook on the album version, sounding like "hello 'ello 'ello" (an old joke referring to British police short-wave radio communication)
Great reaction, you should check out “Demolition Man” by The Police .
Think of the time. These bands were required to give some of that punk energy to what is still a pop song for the late 70s
1978\79❤
Punk+Reggae=The Police
Thank you for another great reaction✌🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Pls react to their "Everything little thing she does is magic", it's even better!
"Off key" - did someone in the chat tell you to say that?
Up tempo to a sad song is called Irony.
Have that person in the chat explain that to you.
You should review their live version at Hatfield Polytechnic.
Not off key, but dissonant jazz harmonies.
It does not matter if they were off key. They were authentic and a bit rough around the edges.
Reggatta de blanc..best album of the late seventies
6:04 I’m late to the game. Right here, the song you’re talking about, It Wasn’t Me by Shaggy. He remade the song with Sting and it’s awesome!
Actually shot in Hong Kong
They are Reggae/ New Wave, Punk. Off of what key?
Keep on "interpretating". Lol
Hilarious reaction - when you say 'off beat' 'off key' I can't say your wrong but normally would say you could not be more wrong - but I have no idea what you meant - neither make any sense .. get your metronome and a digital tuner maybe listen to some jazz and you can figure out why this works.
Same chord sequence as No Woman, No Cry
Did no one tell u he played fretless bass
Gotta laugh that a guy comes to comment on one of the worlds biggest bands, and their So Lonely track, 45 years after it was released. Wake up dude, talk about being late to the party. LOL
Their vocals are in no way off key
It is more regue tan Reguetón, Even sound similar to some mexican rock bands like mana
Very much Copeland's band
What a bizarre situation. A band who started out in relative obscurity in 1977 where the majority of adults under 25 in America had never heard of them. Within 5 years they were by far, THE biggest band in the world. Fast forward 40 years it’s back to where they started with the vast majority of under 25s having little to know knowledge of either the band or their music.
My favourite Police tune!
But possibly the worst promo vid ever.
That was 80s money so that was a $6.50 vedio
Not off key, dude...it's dissonance harmonies on the voice and a slow chorus effect on the guitar that makes the notes waver.
Edited version. Wrong one.
i hate that ALL THESE REACTORS ARE LISTENING TO A RADIO FRIENDLY ABBREVIATED VERSION OF THIS SONG AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA!!!!!!!!! THIS IS NOT THE ORIGINAL SONG.... GO GET THE CD AND LISTEN.... THIS IS A BOUT A MINUTE AND A HALF SHORT.... AT LEAST!!!!!!!!
the police is not kiss ok kkkkkkkkkkkkkkk, teenage band
This man talks off key
That offbeat you’re talking about, in the musical world that’s called dissonance and it’s used intentionally, and that’s what makes it a fun street song you feel like anyone can sing this, and sure enough you begin to sing it. It’s so catchy so fucking contagious love it forgot how good this song is
What a bizarre situation. A band who started out in relative obscurity in 1977 where the majority of adults under 25 in America had never heard of them. Within 5 years they were by far, THE biggest band in the world. Fast forward 40 years it’s back to where they started with the vast majority of under 25s having little to know knowledge of either the band or their music.
Brought a lot of DIsco people back to sanity. lol
Millennials are air-headed...they don't know about *anything* and they think it's "cute" to be air-headed
Even crazier to think how, just after their most successful album, they just broke up. Shows how much tension was in the band throughout that time.