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Meaning and Lyrics of Every Breath You Take by The Police

Song Lyrics meaning of Every Breath You Take by The Police

About The Police

Sting
Sting, born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner in 1951, is a British musician known for his role as the lead vocalist and bassist of the iconic rock band The Police. Formed in the late 1970s, The Police gained international fame for their eclectic mix of rock, punk, and reggae influences. Sting’s distinctive voice and songwriting abilities played a pivotal role in the band’s success. After the band split in the mid-1980s, Sting pursued a successful solo career, producing hit singles such as “Every Breath You Take”. With his unique blend of rock, pop, and jazz, Sting continues to be a prominent figure in the music industry.

Meaning of Every Breath You Take by The Police

“Every Breath You Take” by The Police is a haunting and introspective song that delves into themes of obsession, possessiveness, and heartbreak. The lyrics convey a sense of surveillance and control, with the narrator expressing a deep sense of longing and loss for a past lover.

In the verses, the repeated phrases “Every breath you take, every move you make” create a sense of constant vigilance and attention to the person being addressed. The use of possessive language like “you belong to me” in the chorus further emphasizes the possessive nature of the narrator’s feelings.

The bridge reveals the vulnerability and pain the narrator feels after the departure of their loved one. The lyrics describe a sense of emptiness and longing, highlighting the intense emotional impact of the separation. The middle-eight section, with its nonsensical vocalizations, adds to the sense of emotional turmoil and confusion.

The refrain reinforces the idea of constant observation, with the narrator proclaiming that they will be watching every move and step their ex-partner takes. The outro, with its repetition of the chorus and verses, drives home the obsessive nature of the narrator’s feelings, creating a sense of unease and intensity.

Overall, “Every Breath You Take” can be interpreted as a portrayal of unreciprocated love, possessiveness, and the emotional turmoil that can arise from a relationship that has ended. The song’s melancholic melody and evocative lyrics make it a powerful exploration of complex emotions and human relationships.

Lyrics of Every Breath You Take by The Police

Verse 1
Every breath you take
And every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I'll be watching you

Verse 2
Every single day
And every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I'll be watching you

Chorus
Oh, can't you see
You belong to me?
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take

Verse 3
Every move you make
And every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you

Bridge
Since you've gone, I've been lost without a trace
I dream at night, I can only see your face
I look around, but it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold, and I long for your embrace
I keep crying, baby, baby, please

Middle-Eight
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm
Mmm, mmm, mmm

Chorus
Oh, can't you see
You belong to me?
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take

Verse 4
Every move you make
And every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you

Refrain
Every move you make
Every step you take
I'll be watching you

Outro
I'll be watching you
(Every breath you take)
(Every move you make)
(Every bond you break)
(Every step you take)
I'll be watching you
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play)
(Every night you stay)
I'll be watching you
(Every move you make)
(Every vow you break)
(Every smile you fake)
(Every claim you stake)
I'll be watching you
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play)
(Every night you stay)
I'll be watching you
(Every breath you take)
(Every move you make)
(Every bond you break)
(Every step you take)
I'll be watching you
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play)
(Every night you stay)
I'll be watching you
(Every move you make)
(Every vow you break)
(Every smile you fake)
(Every claim you stake)
I'll be watching you
(Every single day)
(Every word you say)
(Every game you play)
(Every night you stay)
I'll be watching you
(Every move you make)
(Every bond you break)
(Every step you take)
I'll be watching you

Discography The Police

Synchronicity - Super Deluxe Edition

Release: 2024-07-26

Label: UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)

Popularity: 👏👏

1. Synchronicity I – Remastered 2023
2. Walking In Your Footsteps – Remastered 2023
3. O My God – Remastered 2023
4. Mother – Remastered 2023
5. Miss Gradenko – Remastered 2023
6. Synchronicity II – Remastered 2023
7. Every Breath You Take – Remastered 2023
8. King Of Pain – Remastered 2023
9. Wrapped Around Your Finger – Remastered 2023
10. Tea In The Sahara – Remastered 2023
11. Murder By Numbers – Remastered 2023
12. Truth Hits Everybody – Remix
13. Man In A Suitcase – Live At The Variety Arts Theatre, Los Angeles, USA / 16th January 1981
14. Someone To Talk To
15. Message In A Bottle – Live At The Gusman Cultural Center, Miami, USA / 26th October 1979
16. I Burn For You
17. Once Upon A Daydream
18. Tea In The Sahara – Live At The Omni, Atlanta, USA / 3rd November 1983
19. Every Breath You Take – Backing Track
20. Roxanne – Backing Track
21. Wrapped Around Your Finger – Live At The Omni, Atlanta, USA / 3rd November 1983
22. Every Bomb You Make
23. Walking On The Moon – Live At The Omni, Atlanta, USA / 3rd November 1983
24. Hole In My Life – Live At The Omni, Atlanta, USA / 3rd November 1983
25. One World (Not Three) – Live At The Omni, Atlanta, USA / 3rd November 1983
26. Invisible Sun – Live At The Omni, Atlanta, USA / 2nd November 1983
27. Murder By Numbers – Live At The Omni, Atlanta, USA / 2nd November 1983
28. Walking In Your Footsteps – Derangement
29. Tea In The Sahara – Derangement
30. Synchronicity I – Demo
31. Synchronicity I – Alternate Mix
32. Synchronicity I – Instrumental
33. Walking In Your Footsteps – Alternate Version
34. Walking In Your Footsteps – Alternate Mix
35. O My God – Demo
36. O My God – Out-Take
37. O My God – OBX Version
38. O My God – Alternate Mix
39. Mother – Alternate Version
40. Mother – Instrumental
41. Miss Gradenko – Alternate Mix
42. Synchronicity II – Demo
43. Synchronicity II – Out-Take
44. Synchronicity II – Extended Version
45. Synchronicity II – Alternate Mix
46. Synchronicity II – Instrumental
47. Every Breath You Take – Demo
48. Every Breath You Take – Out-Take
49. Every Breath You Take – Alternate Mix
50. King Of Pain – Demo

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Certifiable - Live in Buenos Aires

Release: 2008-01-01

Label: UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)

Popularity: 👏👏

1. Message In A Bottle – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
2. Synchronicity II – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
3. Walking On The Moon – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
4. Voices Inside My Head / When The World Is Running Down You Make the Best Of What’s Still Around – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
5. Don’t Stand So Close To Me – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
6. Driven To Tears – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
7. Hole In My Life – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
8. Truth Hits Everybody – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
9. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
10. Wrapped Around Your Finger – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
11. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
12. Invisible Sun – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
13. Walking In Your Footsteps – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
14. Can’t Stand Losing You/Reggatta De Blanc – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
15. Roxanne – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
16. King Of Pain – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
17. So Lonely – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
18. Every Breath You Take – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires
19. Next To You – Live From River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires

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Live!

Release: 2003-01-01

Label: Universal Music Group International

Popularity: 👏👏

1. Next To You – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
2. So Lonely – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
3. Truth Hits Everybody – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
4. Walking On The Moon – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
5. Hole In My Life – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
6. Fall Out – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
7. Bring On The Night – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
8. Message In A Bottle – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
9. The Bed’s Too Big Without You – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
10. Peanuts – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
11. Roxanne – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
12. Can’t Stand Losing You – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
13. Landlord – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
14. Born In The 50’s – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
15. Be My Girl – Sally – Live In Boston / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
16. Synchronicity I – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
17. Synchronicity II – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
18. Walking In Your Footsteps – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
19. Message In A Bottle – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
20. O My God – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
21. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
22. Wrapped Around Your Finger – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
23. Tea In The Sahara – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
24. Spirits In The Material World – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
25. King Of Pain – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
26. Don’t Stand So Close To Me – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
27. Every Breath You Take – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
28. Roxanne – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
29. Can’t Stand Losing You – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version
30. So Lonely – Live In Atlanta / 2003 Stereo Remastered Version

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