Every Breath You Take = Stand By Me in a different key?

[DirtyMartini]

[quote="Wait and See"]Clearly, it would be Sting speaking to his mother. It's also interesting that Andy's song "Mother" appears on the same album...and could just as easily be interpreted the same way.[/quote]

Nice interpretation, W&S -- the two songs definitely make intriguing companion pieces when seen in this light. I like it.
(One could even complicate the issue by bringing in "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and linking it to the mother/girlfriend dichotomy in "Mother" -- but since this isn't a lit analysis forum, it's probably best if I don't geek out too too much.)

I think one of my fave interpretations is the song as a commentary on fandom/celebrity in which the speaker is seen as a fan talking to his/her idol/obsession.

As over-played as EBYT may be, Sting really did craft a wonder of simplicity and depth in the lyrics. Sometimes that man really has a way with words.

[cosplusisin]

[quote="DirtyMartini"]Thanks for the confirmation, tj7.

Not criticizing in the least -- you're absolutely right that it's one of the most common progressions. Hell, even I can play it. I just can't believe it took me 20 years to notice it. Thanks!

(In a similar vein: http://youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM )[/quote]



ha ha hah ah!!!!! that's really good! though it is more the D A Bm at the beginning than the whole chord progession. but still... i've always been annoyed with this being everywhere too. it's been in waaay too many "punk" songs. though somehow it's not so bad in "so lonely"

[Wait and See]

It's either Bob Marley (No Woman No Cry) or the Beatles (Let it Be) who's to blame for that one.

[Wait and See]

>>>ice interpretation, W&S -- the two songs definitely make intriguing companion pieces when seen in this light. I like it.
(One could even complicate the issue by bringing in "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and linking it to the mother/girlfriend dichotomy in "Mother" -- but since this isn't a lit analysis forum, it's probably best if I don't geek out too too much.)

I think one of my fave interpretations is the song as a commentary on fandom/celebrity in which the speaker is seen as a fan talking to his/her idol/obsession.

As over-played as EBYT may be, Sting really did craft a wonder of simplicity and depth in the lyrics. Sometimes that man really has a way with words.<<<


Right. I don't know about "Wrapped", but I do remember seeing a live version of "King of Pain" on YouTube from the Synchronicity tour where he pointed around at the audience while singing "I guess I always thought that you could end this reign". You could infer from all of the above that maybe he thought success would solve his problems, but it didn't, and maybe that realization was a major factor in his leaving the Police.

[georgygirl]

Uhhhh, guys and gals, your are going deeper with EBYT meaning.

Yes, sure the lyrics were about Sting´s mother.

I also know that my exhubby was always watching me, because he had inconcious problems with his mother image...



But the real obsession is on Mother's song from Andy Summers to The Police...



Anyway do you know Mother´s song what influences it had?

[aceface]

[quote="georgygirl"]Anyway do you know Mother´s song what influences it had?[/quote]
Modified 12-bar blues?

[DirtyMartini]

Too true, aceface.

[quote="Wait and See"]a live version of "King of Pain" on YouTube from the Synchronicity tour where he pointed around at the audience while singing "I guess I always thought that you could end this reign". You could infer from all of the above that maybe he thought success would solve his problems, but it didn't, and maybe that realization was a major factor in his leaving the Police.[/quote]

Oooh, intriguing -- the lit geek in me is all over that. And as Sting's biography goes, he has many times mentioned learning the hard way that money and success do not equal happiness.

[georgygirl]

About Dirty quote:

[quote]And as Sting's biography goes, he has many times mentioned learning the hard way that money and success do not equal happiness.
[/quote]

Do you think Sting was honest on that???

I mean, you think he really believes on that statement he mentioned...

[DirtyMartini]

Georgy, it's a question of whether or not people think Sting is sincere. I don't buy everything that he says certainly -- but then again, I don't buy everything anyone says -- but considering how miserable he felt toward the end of The Police despite the money and success, then yes, I'd say that in this case I think he was sincere in this comment.

[Oh -- n.b.: I've never ready Sting's biography (his book), so I don't know what it says in there. I meant his "biography" as in the account of his life in general. Thought I should clarify, just in case.]

I'm not saying that I don't think that he didn't *enjoy* the money or success; nor would I say that money and success don't perhaps make it easier to be happy. (I think I'd be pretty damn happy with oodles of leisure time and an Italian villa.) But back in the day, even with all that money and success, he and Stewart and Andy weren't getting along; he felt like his creativity was being stifled; he was going through a divorce; etc. The bubble that Stewart talks about in ES:TPIO sheltered them from the everyday labors of 9-5 jobs and shopping and paperwork, but it didn't shelter them from personal relationships (and the inevitable problems that result).

But again, I'd be pretty damn happy with leisure time and a castle.