Album Information:
Album ID: 10219
About The Police:
The Police were a British rock band formed in London in 1977. The trio consisted of Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland. The band's sound was a unique blend of reggae, punk rock, and pop, which helped elevate them to become one of the world's most successful bands in the 1980s.
Sting, originally known as Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, was born in Newcastle, England. He started playing bass guitar in local bands while working as a teacher before moving to London in the mid-1970s to pursue his music career.
Andy Summers, born Andrew James Somers, was born in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England. He had a background in jazz and rock music and had played with several bands before joining The Police.
Stewart Copeland, born in Alexandria, Virginia, USA, was the son of a CIA agent who was stationed all over the world. His diverse upbringing exposed him to various styles of music and helped him develop his unique drumming style.
The Police rose to fame with their debut album, 'Outlandos d'Amour,' released in 1978. The album featured the hit single 'Roxanne,' which became the band's signature song. The following year, their second album, 'Reggatta de Blanc,' won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.
Throughout the 1980s, The Police continued to release successful albums, including 'Zenyatta Mondatta,' which featured the hit singles 'Don't Stand So Close to Me' and 'De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da.' Their next album, 'Ghost in the Machine,' featured the hit single 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,' which became an instant classic.
In 1983, The Police released their final studio album, 'Synchronicity,' which featured their biggest hit, 'Every Breath You Take.' The song won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and remains one of the most played songs on radio today.
Despite their enormous success, The Police disbanded in 1986 due to personal and creative differences. Sting went on to have a successful solo career, earning numerous awards and accolades, while Summers and Copeland continued to work on various projects.
In 2007, The Police reunited for a world tour, which became one of the highest-grossing tours of all time. The band's influence on popular music cannot be overstated, and they continue to inspire new generations of musicians to this day.
About the album Zenyatta Mondatta:
Zenyatta Mondatta is the third studio album by British rock band The Police, released in 1980. The album is well-known for its unique blend of punk rock, reggae, and new wave sounds, as well as its politically charged lyrics.
The album opens with the hit song 'Don't Stand So Close to Me,' which explores the themes of crushes and forbidden love. The song's fast-paced drum beat, catchy guitar riff, and Sting's distinctive vocals make it an instant fan favorite.
The second track, 'Driven to Tears,' is a reggae-influenced song that discusses the issue of poverty and homelessness. Sting's passionate singing and Andy Summers' guitar solo add to the intensity of the track.
The third song, 'When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around,' begins with a catchy bassline and features an upbeat melody that belies the lyrics' message of societal decay and disillusionment.
Another standout track on the album is 'De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da,' which is famous for its repetitive chorus and catchy melody. The lyrics, however, are more complex, exploring the overuse of meaningless words in communication.
Other notable tracks on Zenyatta Mondatta include 'Canary in a Coalmine,' a song that reflects on the dangers of environmental pollution, and 'Man in a Suitcase,' which tells the story of a man trying to escape his past.
Overall, Zenyatta Mondatta is a unique and memorable album that showcases The Police's diverse musical influences and thought-provoking lyrics. It earned critical acclaim upon its release and remains a favorite among fans of alternative rock.
Members:
The Police were a British rock band that was formed in 1977 and consisted of three key members: Sting (vocals/bass guitar), Andy Summers (guitar), and Stewart Copeland (drums).
Sting (Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner) was born in Newcastle, England, in 1951. He started playing bass guitar in his teenage years and worked as a teacher before joining the band Last Exit, which would later become The Police. Sting was the primary songwriter for the band and his unique voice and bass playing style were key elements in The Police's sound. After the band disbanded in 1986, Sting launched a successful solo career and has since released multiple albums, won numerous awards, and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Andy Summers (Andrew James Somers) was born in Lancashire, England, in 1942. Before joining The Police, he played with several bands including The Animals and Soft Machine. Summers brought a unique sound to the band with his use of effects pedals and skilled playing. After The Police disbanded, Summers continued to work as a musician and released several solo albums. He has also worked as a photographer and has authored several books.
Stewart Copeland was born in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1952, but grew up in the Middle East and England. He played in several bands before joining The Police, including Curved Air and Gong. Copeland's dynamic and rhythmic drumming style was essential to The Police's sound. After the band parted ways, Copeland composed music for movies and television shows and continued to play with bands such as Oysterhead and Gizmodrome.
Together, these three musicians created a sound that blended elements of reggae, punk, and pop to become one of the most successful and influential bands of the late 1970s and 1980s.
Track List for Zenyatta Mondatta:
Sure, here are all the tracks in the album 'Zenyatta Mondatta' by The Police in order with their play time and description:
1. 'Don't Stand So Close to Me' (4:03) - The first track is a song about a teacher-student relationship that leads to temptation and forbidden desire.
2. 'Driven to Tears' (3:21) - This song is about the frustration and despair that arise from societal problems and environmental issues.
3. 'When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around' (3:38) - A commentary on the decay and decline of modern society, with a reminder to focus on the positive aspects that remain.
4. 'Canary in a Coalmine' (2:26) - A fast-paced song about a miner's warning of danger in a coal mine, used as a metaphor for detecting and avoiding danger in everyday life.
5. 'Voices Inside My Head' (3:53) - This track features layered vocals and a repetitive guitar riff, creating a hypnotic and introspective atmosphere.
6. 'Bombs Away' (3:09) - An energetic and upbeat song that mocks the idea of war and violence.
7. 'De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da' (4:09) - A catchy and upbeat song that comments on the banality and meaningless nature of communication in modern society.
8. 'Behind My Camel' (2:54) - An instrumental track featuring a unique guitar riff and a nod to Arabic musical influences.
9. 'Man in a Suitcase' (2:17) - A song about feeling trapped and controlled by societal expectations and obligations.
10. 'Shadows in the Rain' (5:02) - A moody and introspective song about the ups and downs of romance and relationships.
11. 'The Other Way of Stopping' (3:23) - The final track is a fast and frenetic instrumental song that showcases the band's tight musical chemistry.
Discography for The Police:
Here is the complete discography for The Police in chronological order:
Albums:
1. Outlandos d'Amour - November 2, 1978
2. Reggatta de Blanc - October 2, 1979
3. Zenyatta Mondatta - October 3, 1980
4. Ghost in the Machine - October 2, 1981
5. Synchronicity - June 1, 1983
Singles:
1. 'Fall Out'/'Nothing Achieving' - May 1977
2. 'Roxanne'/'Peanuts' - April 7, 1978
3. 'Can't Stand Losing You'/'Dead End Job' - August 1978
4. 'So Lonely'/'No Time This Time' - November 1978
5. 'Message in a Bottle'/'Landlord' - September 21, 1979
6. 'Walking on the Moon'/'Visions of the Night' - November 30, 1979
7. 'Don't Stand So Close to Me'/'Friends' - September 19, 1980
8. 'De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da'/'A Sermon' - November 20, 1980
9. 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic'/'Flexible Strategies' - September 3, 1981
10. 'Invisible Sun'/'Shambelle' - September 3, 1981
11. 'Spirits in the Material World'/'Low Life' - 1981
12. 'Every Breath You Take'/'Murder by Numbers' - May 20, 1983
13. 'Wrapped Around Your Finger'/'Someone to Talk To (live)' - November 1983
14. 'Synchronicity II'/'Once Upon a Daydream' - October 17, 1983
Other Releases:
1. 'Six Pack' (EP) - 1980
2. 'Flexible Strategies' (compilation) - November 1981
3. 'Every Breath You Take: The Singles' (compilation) - September 1986
4. 'Police Academy' (live album) - 1997
5. 'Live!' (live album) - November 1995