Interview with Stuart Copeland: The Stories Behind Two Iconic Number One Hits

TLDRIn this interview, legendary drummer Stuart Copeland shares the fascinating stories behind two of the biggest hits from the rock band The Police. He reveals how 'Walking on the Moon' came to be and the inspiration behind the song. Copeland also discusses the iconic guitar riff in 'Message in a Bottle' and his regrets about the drum fills in the song. Get an exclusive look into the creative process of one of the greatest rock bands in history.

Key insights

🌚Sting wrote 'Walking on the Moon' when he was drunk, but the song title changed when he was sober and it became an even worse title.

🥁The atmospheric intro of 'Walking on the Moon' was created using a repeat echo device typically used in dub reggae music.

🌙The song 'Walking on the Moon' is a metaphor for how Sting felt while on tour, confined to hotel rooms and stages.

🎸The iconic guitar riff in 'Message in a Bottle' was instantly captivating and contributed to the song's success.

🥁Stuart Copeland added overdubs at the end of 'Message in a Bottle', which he now regrets.

Q&A

How did Sting come up with the title 'Walking on the Moon'?

—Sting originally came up with the song title 'Walking Around the Room' when he was drunk, but he changed it to 'Walking on the Moon' when he was sober.

What is the inspiration behind the song 'Walking on the Moon'?

—The song 'Walking on the Moon' is an allegory for how Sting felt while on tour, confined to hotel rooms and stages.

What device was used to create the atmospheric intro in 'Walking on the Moon'?

—The atmospheric intro in 'Walking on the Moon' was created using a repeat echo device often used in dub reggae music.

What is the significance of the drum fills in 'Message in a Bottle'?

—Stuart Copeland added drum fills at the end of 'Message in a Bottle', which he now regrets.

Why is 'Message in a Bottle' considered a classic rock standard?

—The iconic guitar riff and memorable lyrics contribute to the enduring popularity of 'Message in a Bottle'.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Stuart Copeland shares the stories behind two iconic number one hits from The Police.

02:56'Walking on the Moon' was inspired by Sting's feelings of being confined on tour.

06:24The atmospheric intro in 'Walking on the Moon' was created using a repeat echo device.

10:58Sting originally came up with the song title 'Walking Around the Room', but changed it to 'Walking on the Moon'.

12:57Stuart Copeland added drum fills at the end of 'Message in a Bottle', which he now regrets.

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