I think maybe what you were trying to describe is that the beat is not unified, but a constantly syncopated beat, and the reggae flavor was intentional. Their other songs are equally distinctive and good.
The Police in their early days were the masters of minimalist music - very sparse instrumentation, but yet very rich. The writing credits all go to Sting, one of the true musical geniuses of his generation, with the Police, and in his long solo career. If you haven't yet, check out Walking on the Moon.
You could actually do killer moves to this, I absolutely promise you. It just takes a while to get the feel of the beat underneath it since it is implied. It starts to fill in more to the middle of the song but once you get it, it's just one of the coolest kind of reggae ska punk club funk chill grooves, and it is really high power.
I know exactly what you are experienced, now that I've listened a bit further. You are being thrown because the BackBeat is so prominent that it makes you feel it as the downbeat even though the downbeat is silent and implied and it really messes with your brain. It's a common trick and I've used it before, but they just exploit it to them maximum here but then it works because when it slams back to the real downbeat later in the song, it gives it such drive.
We had no problems grooving to this back when it was new. 😄 The rhythm guitar carries the count in the verses and the chorus is a straight up power jam. Check out The Police "Spirits in the Material World" for one of their songs with an elusive beat. For more of their early work, check out "Can't Stand Losing You", "So Lonely", "Message in a Bottle", "Bring On the Night", "Walking on the Moon", "Don't Stand So Close to Me", and "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" along with many others.
This was the first hit in America by the Police ('79). So most of their output was in the 80s, and they came onto the scene along with punk and new wave. All three of these guys were super musicians, though a lot of the band's credit goes to front man Sting (who merits the attention, to be honest).
I'm always curious if younger generations get the term "red light"-- if not, know that it was the open for business signal of a prostitute. This song, even though the beat is clipped (like a fast walk in high heels) and lacking the usual thrumming depth of a rock tune, is a deeply sincere keen for this woman to honor him by honoring herself. It's haunting, you just can't unhear, or ignore, his desperation. This genius delivery has had me singing along and asking Roxanne to knock it off for over 40 years! ❤❤❤🔥❤❤
Hahaha!!! You make me laugh... Hahaha!!! No, you're not stupid, you're discovering. But at the same time you're enriching your musical culture by listening to very good music. So no, you're not stupid, on the contrary you're opening your mind!
Not everybody wants to 'move' to a song, We just like to listen to the lyrics and move about a bit while sitting down'. It's a music rection after all.
I think maybe what you were trying to describe is that the beat is not unified, but a constantly syncopated beat, and the reggae flavor was intentional. Their other songs are equally distinctive and good.
All of that, and the stunning Stewart Copeland on drums. Heaven
The Police in their early days were the masters of minimalist music - very sparse instrumentation, but yet very rich. The writing credits all go to Sting, one of the true musical geniuses of his generation, with the Police, and in his long solo career. If you haven't yet, check out Walking on the Moon.
You could actually do killer moves to this, I absolutely promise you. It just takes a while to get the feel of the beat underneath it since it is implied. It starts to fill in more to the middle of the song but once you get it, it's just one of the coolest kind of reggae ska punk club funk chill grooves, and it is really high power.
I know exactly what you are experienced, now that I've listened a bit further. You are being thrown because the BackBeat is so prominent that it makes you feel it as the downbeat even though the downbeat is silent and implied and it really messes with your brain. It's a common trick and I've used it before, but they just exploit it to them maximum here but then it works because when it slams back to the real downbeat later in the song, it gives it such drive.
We had no problems grooving to this back when it was new. 😄 The rhythm guitar carries the count in the verses and the chorus is a straight up power jam. Check out The Police "Spirits in the Material World" for one of their songs with an elusive beat. For more of their early work, check out "Can't Stand Losing You", "So Lonely", "Message in a Bottle", "Bring On the Night", "Walking on the Moon", "Don't Stand So Close to Me", and "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" along with many others.
This was the first hit in America by the Police ('79). So most of their output was in the 80s, and they came onto the scene along with punk and new wave. All three of these guys were super musicians, though a lot of the band's credit goes to front man Sting (who merits the attention, to be honest).
I'm always curious if younger generations get the term "red light"-- if not, know that it was the open for business signal of a prostitute. This song, even though the beat is clipped (like a fast walk in high heels) and lacking the usual thrumming depth of a rock tune, is a deeply sincere keen for this woman to honor him by honoring herself. It's haunting, you just can't unhear, or ignore, his desperation. This genius delivery has had me singing along and asking Roxanne to knock it off for over 40 years! ❤❤❤🔥❤❤
Wow, well said!
You should also listen to some Debarge, rhythm of the Night, , el debarges solo hit Who's Johnny. That more 80s
King of Pain is one of my favorites. And Synchronicity I & II are amazing.
Thank you for seeing the genius of this fire song. The base❤
Hahaha!!! You make me laugh... Hahaha!!! No, you're not stupid, you're discovering. But at the same time you're enriching your musical culture by listening to very good music. So no, you're not stupid, on the contrary you're opening your mind!
Sting plays the bass syncopated, by playing on the 2nd or "up" beat.
It's art, not dance music. And carefully curated band members.
today i would call it fusion rock jazz and reggae.... lol
One of the greatest power trios of all time. Along with Rush, ZZ Top and the Jimi Hendrix Experience... anyone have more to add?
Elvis, Scotty, and Bill.
Not everybody wants to 'move' to a song, We just like to listen to the lyrics and move about a bit while sitting down'. It's a music rection after all.
For a great punk rock experience check out The Ramone’s Sheena is a punk rocker! 🔥🔥
sting called Roxanne a tango..
Fun new age-y Reggie beat and very poplar back in the day. Different style for sure
Wow you have done a lot of great songs tonight - woo hoo! It's storytelling.
Special, indeed.
You should listen to Dire straights. My favorite song is "money for nothing ". Sting the singer in Police does the opening.
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💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
Reggae infused punk rock Ace. Punk is styled in a repetitive way
Once you listen to more reggae music, you'll get the hang of being on the off-beat. It's not hard to groove to it.