It is beautiful. It could be in classical music or a madrigal from the middle ages or even made into jazz. It is timeless and a classic piece of good music.
You can thank Robert Fripp too, indirectly: he and Andy were making some knotty music and he got Andy practicing Bartók exercises - which the riff is derived from.
@@k0slizard389 sounds like you don't have good listening skills. Play the original song right now and listen to the exact notes sequence, then compare to this. The 5 first notes of the riff are right then he messes up. Just listen. It's there. You can't be this clueless man. Just LISTEN
@kswa-th7vr Really? One of the best lines ever written, period?!?! That's what's funny. Hundreds of great guitarists out there and this simple little riff is one of the best?! Are you even a serious musician?
I too honestly think it’s one of the most iconic guitar lines ever. The fact that it’s been resampled to such great success, as well as being so recognizable, is really something.
That guitar riff was the selling point. Many others bands immediate started adding similar suspended arpeggiating riffs to songs. Love the Snow Patrol mash up with this song.
Well, I'd say there were a few dozens of songs like that one, back in the day... The reggae/ska aftermath -check out the Graduate, per instance. "Elvis should play ska", et. a.
@@johnnypk1963 I think it nicely straddles their punk/ bar band start and their more sophisticated ending. It's a little chaotic and all over the place but that's what makes it special
@@mattmarkus4868 Not sure why you’re so butthurt over this. Relax mate. Yes he has a way, you don’t think his perfectionist personality crosses over to his choice of musicians he works with? Don’t be silly.
I remember when the synchronicity album came out I listened to it on a very nice Toshiba stereo system that was shipped from Germany . I played it on a cassette tape . It sounded amazing The recording was state-of-the-art...
I have fat short sausages for fingers and I somehow make it, my son has those long spider fingers that can play 5 even 6 fret stretches from index to pinky. Makes me sick.
Love Andy summers, brilliant guitarist, genius, had all there tapes when I was a kid, the first band I started listening, two, and every breath you take, is an unbelievable song, and yep it was #1
@@silver01stang yes it was and it won a Grammy award 💯🎸, even now ya listen to the song, it's one of the most beautiful songs ever written, sting is a genius 🙌
I saw a video once where Sting was complaining about playing live with Copeland because his meter was horrible. I've always thought Copeland's drumming was brilliant. I'd sooner have Copeland drifting a few bpm here or there than have a drummer with no soul.
It’s not being played differently. What you might be hearing is the tuning and the effects differentiated between the recording and here. The notes themselves are true to what he made in the studio.
This guy used to come into a place I worked at. One of the most arrogant people I’ve ever met. It’s amazing he can carry the weight of his ego around without his legs collapsing. But he has a great chorus pedal.
He's not arrogant. He's pissed off. REALLY pissed off from not being given writing credits to the most played song in the world, EBYT. On another video, he claims his lawyers are already working on a lawsuit.
what kind of place did you work that he came in arrogant? every time I've seen Andy he seems laid back and totally decent- for you to call him out like this we need more details- maybe he was having a bad day or there were other reasons I doubt hes a jerk like you claim and you probably just made this up- Sting I could see being pompous back in the day or maybe now some too behind the scenes- but andy always seemed to not care for any attitude and is just genuine
I never said he was a jerk. That’s your interpretation of what I said. He came into my work several times. It wasn’t a music related business. A matter of fact other successful actors and musicians used to come in too. They were almost all humble except Andy and Jean-Claude Van Damme. :)
Listen, all you would be rockers out there need to accept the fact that your entire life needs to revolve around writing riffs. I don't care if you can shread, if you can't write you are wasting your time.
Andy's earned the right, I think. Not many musicians out there can claim to have worked in one band for just six years, 40 years ago, and set him and his family up for life.
He's talking about a part HE wrote for arguably the most played song ever. I don't think there's been a single hour in the last 40 years when this song hasn't been playing on a radio station. If he isn't allowed to be full of himself then who is?
If you wrote that lick for nothing and got a #1 hit, you'd have every right to be full of yourself. Instead, you didn't. So you complain online about what you think someone you've never met is like.
That's right...as SOON as he finished playing that guitar riff, the song instantaneously appeared at the top of the Billboard chart, it was bizarre. They hadn't even released it yet.
Sting was still getting $2,000/day from that song 20 years after its release. That's a good song.
To be honest the years are 40 from release
No song written in the last 10 years will stand the test of time like this has.
That's brilliant! And that's a corny, tacky pop song, Andy and I don't like it.
I hope Andy is credited as coauthor
@@Ivuspp I think He is not
That 5 fret stretch looked effortless 😮
I have big hands and struggle to reach that far. He makes it look easy.
If you have average sized male hands 5 frets shouldn’t be that bad
Agreed with Brown. If you have Angus Young hands, that stretch is probably tough lol.
These are major 9ths two strings above, so it's only 4 frets.
I learned this song specifically to get hand stretched out.
I can’t believe Andy is 81. He looks great and definitely still has the chops to play.
81?! Looks like 60.
81!!!!????
“If you love life, then stay awhile!”
Wow! He’s basically a different generation than Stewart and Sting. I guess that’s why they were so unique.
Wow! He's the youngest looking 81 yr old I've ever seen, he puts Dick Clark to shame...lol
That guitar lick MADE that song.
Yea but that is not a lick haha
A song is lyrics and melody, but I get your point on that fantastic guitar line.
It is beautiful. It could be in classical music or a madrigal from the middle ages or even made into jazz. It is timeless and a classic piece of good music.
Lick makes the sing..hope AS gets royalties...
@@TheWorld_2099There’s more to a song than just lyrics and melody 🤦🏻♂️ 😂
You can thank Robert Fripp too, indirectly: he and Andy were making some knotty music and he got Andy practicing Bartók exercises - which the riff is derived from.
well to be fair Andy was playing riffs like this as far back as Message in a Bottle
Real. Definitely had some help from father Fripp
Which Bartók exercises?
Good lord the technique
While we’re at it let’s thank Andy Summers parents for creating him
The echoes of that guitar riff are the most haunting part of the song
the lyrics are the haunting part
I LOVE that sound. Get under the skin and stays there. But it's also the notes he plays.
I always thought the most haunting part was how my wrist felt after playing that song more than twice a day for the first few weeks.
@@TommyWashowBoth are….
@@TommyWashowI’ll beeeee watchingggg youuuuu lol 😂😂😂
He still plays so precisely but delicately. Lovely to watch.
Precisely wrong
@@CestariartsHe played it correctly.
@@k0slizard389 sounds like you don't have good listening skills. Play the original song right now and listen to the exact notes sequence, then compare to this. The 5 first notes of the riff are right then he messes up. Just listen. It's there. You can't be this clueless man. Just LISTEN
@@CestariartsYes you’re correct, but honestly cut the man some slack; it isn’t a big deal, and he is 81 years old.
@@k0slizard389 No, he plays it correct but here without delay. Add the delay like in the recording and that delay changes everything (dotted 8th).
With the delay it sounds like its from another world
There is no delay, it’s a chorus.
Pure Roland JC 120
@@Fektthis exactly
Adding an actual delay on dotted 8th note might sound cool too
@@mikerophone7805Actually it was a Flanger.
All three are masters of their craft. One. Take. Lord have mercy.
"that was it. went straight to number one." FLEX
deserved tho
Can't believe he is 81
One of the best guitar lines ever written!!! Period
Lol!
@elmhurst86 whats funny?
@kswa-th7vr Really? One of the best lines ever written, period?!?! That's what's funny. Hundreds of great guitarists out there and this simple little riff is one of the best?! Are you even a serious musician?
I too honestly think it’s one of the most iconic guitar lines ever. The fact that it’s been resampled to such great success, as well as being so recognizable, is really something.
That guitar line MADE the dam song!
Damn ... Unless you want to flood the place.
Andy really put his own stamp on all those songs. A critical part of the magic.
After I played that guitar line, I mean, it went right to #1
That guitar riff was the selling point. Many others bands immediate started adding similar suspended arpeggiating riffs to songs. Love the Snow Patrol mash up with this song.
He's got a point but you gotta love the arrogance lol. With The Police, I don't know how the 3 of their heads fit in the same room.
@@jaake6019exactly
@@jaake6019I suspect its why the band was so incredible but just couldnt last. Message in a bottle?! More like Lightning in a bottle.
My blessing caused an instant chart rise to #1.
You’re welcome world.
Great guitarist, master rhythm player!
'Canary in a Coalmine' is just one example of his amazing sense of rhythm.
🤟🐻❄️
That is an awesome song
Well, I'd say there were a few dozens of songs like that one, back in the day... The reggae/ska aftermath -check out the Graduate, per instance. "Elvis should play ska", et. a.
What a beautiful riff
That riff will never stop being cool asf
The guitar added emotional depth and mystery to the pop song, making it immediately loved
Best trio in the world in personal opinion.
Rush
Really?
Cream anyone? Jimi Hendrix Experience anyone? Lots of great trio's out there including the Police ...
@@rorykeegan1895 police got the greatest hits
@@tabonejohann Having hits means you're economically successful, not _necessarily_ great. The Police were both.
This is a fantastic piece of music
Damn, saw them on a bitterly cold winter night in 1983 Synchronicity Tour Cedar Falls, Iowa. They were brilliant
I was 15 when I saw the Police for my first concert in 1983. The best
The way he puts his right hand palm on and off the strings at very specific times is so nice, just like a piano sustain pedal
Monk loved playing pop songs - his own way.
This was the best interview of the three.
Outstanding musician. I enjoy his playing and storytelling.
Everything about that song was great, including the gorgeous guitar riff.
Oh mercy, that beautiful clean sound.
Synchronicity is a great album
It definitely is.
The final & best Police album.
@@sameold5050I have a soft spot for regatta de blanc
@@QuakerPop that’s my favorite album
@@johnnypk1963 I think it nicely straddles their punk/ bar band start and their more sophisticated ending. It's a little chaotic and all over the place but that's what makes it special
@@QuakerPop spot on
Sting has a way of ending up with amazing guitarists that compliment his style of songwriting
And make him millions of dollars because he wrote the words...amazing guitar players do not.
That’s up to them to negotiate the contracts
It's only because he's a phenomenal song writer. i mean, wth. Weird statement. "He has a way"?
@@mattmarkus4868 Not sure why you’re so butthurt over this. Relax mate. Yes he has a way, you don’t think his perfectionist personality crosses over to his choice of musicians he works with? Don’t be silly.
Lol!
Perfect. Awesome Guitarist.
Still can't imagine that this song is 40years old...!!!!!
Simply breathtaking 😮
One of the ultimate bands of all time. Have all of their music, have so many great memories listening to them
Had the immense pleasure to see Andy's trio in a very small jazz club while he was touring his Charles Mingus tribute album. Amazing.
His tone is incredible 👌👌
Such a simple yet iconic piece! I’m in awe of this man’s talent!
Nice job Rick having Andy Summers on!
What a GENIUS!!!! ❤ Love him!
His guitar albums are stellar.
Great song ! Great guitar playing on that song and many others.
The last chord ugh ...makes it sinister, love it
Andy’s such a great guitarist, he’s definitely in my top 10!! 😁👍
I remember when the synchronicity album came out I listened to it on a very nice Toshiba stereo system that was shipped from Germany . I played it on a cassette tape . It sounded amazing The recording was state-of-the-art...
☺ahhh, the 80's
Good ol' Hugh Pagdham! Loved his production in the 80s 👍👍
An excellent song and album.
The Police always rocked all the way back to Roxanne
that sound... Andy's playing is just mesmerizing.
He is an amazing guitar player. I could listen to him tell stories all day.
One of my favourite songs!
Have to have universal joints for fingers to make those stretches.
I have fat short sausages for fingers and I somehow make it, my son has those long spider fingers that can play 5 even 6 fret stretches from index to pinky. Makes me sick.
@@EnzoFerenczyo When someone tells me they can't reach. I show them a vid of an 8 year old Asian kid.
That guitar part is so longing and beautiful. The whole song is just amazing.
There you go, one of rocks most unsung and underrated guitarists - his use of jazz chords and positions are amazing. Come back to Virginia, please!!
I always thank Leo Sayer for writing 'Love you more than I can Say'.
Love Andy summers, brilliant guitarist, genius, had all there tapes when I was a kid, the first band I started listening, two, and every breath you take, is an unbelievable song, and yep it was #1
I agree, I recommend his book if you haven't already read it, great read.
If memory serves me right it was the #1 song for the year in 1983 on Billboard.
@@silver01stang yes it was and it won a Grammy award 💯🎸, even now ya listen to the song, it's one of the most beautiful songs ever written, sting is a genius 🙌
@DickMcCool True. Like most superlative words... Used too much, lose their meaning.
Well! Finally learned this lick. And from the master himself!
Pedazo de guitarrista!
That song wouldn't be the same without that iconic guitar part.
Timeless guitar line
and then it when straight to number One...... Legend !!!!
The split screen is a good idea
It's curious that he plays neither the original key (A major) nor the original order of the notes, it looks like an easier version.
Yes, I'm hearing that too. I'm left a little disappointed.
@@Dave---M I choose to believe that he's doing it to piss Sting off just in case he's listening ;P
That's got to be one of the most beautiful riffs ever.
One iconic song
He made one of the most complex riffs ever, something that sounds so easy, yet it breaks the arm when learning it…
Lol!
Great song and a great band. Stewart Copeland was so underrated. You could set a clock by his drumming. An unmistakable rhythm.
I saw a video once where Sting was complaining about playing live with Copeland because his meter was horrible. I've always thought Copeland's drumming was brilliant. I'd sooner have Copeland drifting a few bpm here or there than have a drummer with no soul.
He rushes like crazy. I find it hard to listen to.
@@BoomerBends Sting was a known egomaniac.
@@Erotified He rushes on the albums I suppose?
Yes, he was so "underrated" that even Bonham was a fan.
The real magic of creativity
Is worth more than money
can buy
Thank you for doing that, what an amazing song !!
Andy wrote the riff and it’s the only part of the song that Puff Daddy used, but Sting gets all the royalties.
All this time I've been playing it wrong!
I get goose bumps listening to this.
That writing talent just leaves you breathless
Bro, why did He played that differently then he used to
Maybe copyright. Sounds different than the original so the algorithm won't find out
@@davetorres6028 probably yeah, or he just wanted to simplify the riff for instance
Because he can
Than
It’s not being played differently. What you might be hearing is the tuning and the effects differentiated between the recording
and here. The notes themselves are true to what he made in the studio.
I remember this guitar part differently, is he even playing it the right way?
He’s playing the picking pattern of the first two chords slightly differently, it’s not just you. Probably hadn’t practiced it in a while.
Probably how he played it gigging, so more in his muscle memory?
Andy is a Legendary Bad Ass with tone and iconic funk, chops and melodies you see here🙌🫡👏🌅
I love how haunting that sounds, especially on the last chord
This guy used to come into a place I worked at. One of the most arrogant people I’ve ever met. It’s amazing he can carry the weight of his ego around without his legs collapsing. But he has a great chorus pedal.
He really seems arrogant also in this short
probably super insecure
He's not arrogant. He's pissed off. REALLY pissed off from not being given writing credits to the most played song in the world, EBYT. On another video, he claims his lawyers are already working on a lawsuit.
what kind of place did you work that he came in arrogant? every time I've seen Andy he seems laid back and totally decent- for you to call him out like this we need more details- maybe he was having a bad day or there were other reasons I doubt hes a jerk like you claim and you probably just made this up- Sting I could see being pompous back in the day or maybe now some too behind the scenes- but andy always seemed to not care for any attitude and is just genuine
I never said he was a jerk. That’s your interpretation of what I said. He came into my work several times. It wasn’t a music related business. A matter of fact other successful actors and musicians used to come in too. They were almost all humble except Andy and Jean-Claude Van Damme. :)
It's actually quite a hard song to play.
That tone man! So precise and so beautiful. Also, his hands play a big part on it.
Master piece, Genius. Both
It went straight to number 1 because IT IS A CORNY POP SONG
Listen, all you would be rockers out there need to accept the fact that your entire life needs to revolve around writing riffs. I don't care if you can shread, if you can't write you are wasting your time.
Lol!
Sometimes you just know & this was one of those moments
That guitar is just legend. And the Message in a bottle riff too!
I thought he is playing the song "Titanium".
And without Andy Summers it would have been a corny pop song.
I believe he earned a writing credit (that he doesn't have) on this with that.
Amazing how hit hooks sound like hits❤
Great Song! Love it!
He seems very full of himself.
True... Got the same vibe from him, but song is fire still...
I think this probably has more to do with all of the members of the police kind of hating each other
Andy's earned the right, I think. Not many musicians out there can claim to have worked in one band for just six years, 40 years ago, and set him and his family up for life.
He's talking about a part HE wrote for arguably the most played song ever. I don't think there's been a single hour in the last 40 years when this song hasn't been playing on a radio station. If he isn't allowed to be full of himself then who is?
If you wrote that lick for nothing and got a #1 hit, you'd have every right to be full of yourself. Instead, you didn't. So you complain online about what you think someone you've never met is like.
Still a corny pop song but yeah 👍
Most underrated guitar genius, his contribution is so relevant...
That's right...as SOON as he finished playing that guitar riff, the song instantaneously appeared at the top of the Billboard chart, it was bizarre. They hadn't even released it yet.
Hypnotic. Pure musical genius.
So creative back then
Awesome intro
I love this song.
Very great player.
Andy I such a great guitar player
High school sweetheart every time I hear this ❤
I hope you remember them fondly. They love you too
That riff is perfection, just like all the other Police riffs he composed. Bloody genius!
This song won best song of the decade back as we approached 1990 i still remember while I lived in Orlando FL.
Thank you Andy! And the fact that you’re a Monk fan is another plus.
God, that tone and sound just made me feel a certain way 😩