Every Breath You Take
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"Every Breath You Take" is a song, written by Sting and originally performed by The Police. It was originally released on 1983's Synchronicity (see 1983 in music), a blockbuster album. The single was one of the biggest singles of 1983, topping the Billboard Music Charts (North America) for eight weeks. While the song sounds like a sedate and seemingly harmonious love ballad, it was actually written during the collapse of Sting's marriage; the lyrics describe not well-meaning love but the motivations of a stalker, who is watching "every breath you take/every move you make".
The song's hook was the basis for Puff Daddy's collaborative tribute to slain rapper The Notorious B.I.G., entitled "I'll Be Missing You," recorded with Faith Evans and 112. The song was performed with Sting himself at the MTV Video Music Awards. As with many of Puff Daddy's releases, his song was criticized for a perceived over-reliance on the original.
The song is an example of compound AABA form. Steve Huey of allmusic.com (http://www.allmusic.com) says:
- "Guitarist Andy Summers picks a nearly identical arpeggio pattern on each chord he plays, and Sting's bass line keeps a steady eighth-note pulse without much rhythmic variation."
The song had a music video (directed by duo Godley & Creme) that was highly praised for its evocative black and white cinematography that many thought enhanced the song's lyrics.