Top 10 Best The Police Songs

The Top Ten
1 Every Breath You Take

This isn't my favorite, but it's definitely up there. I'd be fine with this at number one. The lyrics are a little creepy but not nearly as bad as some other songs today.

The first and the best song I've heard from this group. They are amazing! I think everybody should listen to this song. It's so good!

I can't think of anyone who wouldn't recognize the guitar riff… simply classic!

2 Message in a Bottle

I'm not a "The Police" fan, but this song is very, very good. And I'm not just talking about the lyrics (but the lyrics are good, too). It's the music. It's great. I heard this song in "Guitar Hero", a game on PSP. Also, one of my favorite movies is "Castaway". I think you know what I'm talking about.

This song deserves the number 2 spot in every way. It's an absolutely flawless song in all aspects. I never get tired of it. Perfection is only outdone by Every Breath You Take because EBYT has timeless lyrics.

Such a good band. For me, it was a toss between this, Regatta de Blanc, and Bring on the Night. Also, Voices. Damn!

3 Roxanne

The only song by The Police that I actually recognize. It's got a good hook, but the meaning is a little shady, since Roxanne is a prostitute. (Why do I like two songs about prostitution? I find the idea appalling, yet I love this and Bon Jovi's "Runaway". Weird.)

Edit: I do recognize Every Breath You Take.

Roxanne is a great song and has a lot of meaning to it. In my opinion, Roxanne is better than Every Breath You Take because everyone recognizes Every Breath You Take. I think that is the reason Roxanne is 3rd, below Message in a Bottle. It is less recognizable than the two above.

4 Every Little Thing She Does is Magic

This is the one. Everybody in their life has one... The song that helps bring you from adolescence to adulthood. The song that, when you hear the first note or two, or in this case Copeland's cymbal rhythm, you are going back to a time that was truly "Magic". First heard it when I was 19... I am now in my 50's and it still has the same effect.

A pretty but somewhat inoffensive song that kind of borders on Muzak for me. However, it is redeemed by one of the most terrific song endings. Still, it's too poppy for me. Ghost remains the most difficult listen.

5 Don't Stand So Close to Me

From the haunting bass chords at the beginning to the lyrics about jailbait, this song is the best from The Police (and rightfully so)!

I really love the tune for this song. I'm surprised this is only 5th on your list. I'd have it in my top 3!

I really enjoyed this song. Should make the top 3.

6 King of Pain

An extremely good song by a great band! In my opinion, this is The Police at their best. An amazing, dynamic, and relatable song. "That's my soul up there" – love it!

Terrific song. One of the best. Dark. Sad. Powerful. Beautiful. The second centerpiece of Synchronicity after EBYT.

This is one of the best songs from The Police. I love the lyrics and the melody. Great song!

7 Can't Stand Losing You

The lyrics are so accurate. You can tell that it's a great song, probably one of the greatest ever written on that topic.

"I guess this is our last goodbye,
You don't care, so I won't cry.
You'll be sorry when I'm dead
And all this guilt will be on your head."

These are such powerful lyrics.

One of their best songs for sure, it must be in the top 3. And for those who don't know, Sting wrote it in just 5 minutes!

8 So Lonely

This is the song you'd probably hear in Jamaica, Mauritius, or Goa... It's like those beach-side songs...

I love this song because I was brought up in a coastal region, and so this song naturally becomes your #1! Do listen to it once...
And try not to mind the lead singer's pitch.

This one is good, but Sting's pitch kind of deteriorates it.

Sting's high-pitched voice was just part of The Police.

9 Walking on the Moon

Stellar piece of Reggae pop combining a simple but clever bass line with delicious wails, a catchy chorus, top-notch multi-dimensional drumming, wonderful guitar textures, and a subliminal imagery of lightness. This is what I call a musical masterpiece, guys. 9 does not do this song justice. Try at least 3, please.

This is easily their best song. Every Breath You Take sounded more like Sting on his own as his solo career was moments away. Walking on the Moon sounded like a group song. A masterpiece in guitar.

10 Synchronicity 2

An interestingly bright and driven song about mental hysteria and breakdown. The guitar is excellent, the drumming is fierce, and the vocals are forceful. Perhaps not the best song from Synchronicity, but very good nonetheless.

Underrated! In my opinion, this is the best song by The Police. It's got a really dark riff and is great all the way through. There's so much experimentation put into it.

One of my favorites, this is such a fun and driving song from The Police, with a surprisingly dark message about the monotony of everyday life. It should be higher.

The Contenders
11 Wrapped Around Your Finger

This is a great, spiteful song that has just the right amount of turn-the-tables to be a great song. I was trapped in a personal problem for a while, and this song really helped as listening to it was a positive coping mechanism.

One of The Police's most underrated songs. It takes their signature sound and adds a slight haunting feeling to it, making it one of their best. I definitely think this one should be higher.

This is a piece of art. It should be in the top 5 at least.

12 Do Do Do Do, de Da de Da

As silly as this song may sound, it's got a great guitar drive and distinctive plucking. Bands like Roxy Music probably later inspired themselves on it in Avalon. A good '80s nostalgia classic.

13 Invisible Sun

This is my favourite Police song by far, probably the only person in the world who thinks it, moody, atmospheric. I just love the synth line, the tom-tom, guitar all sound fantastic. Great video too. Quite eerie though, not surprising given the subject matter, but that aside, it will always be my favourite. You can keep your Every Breath You Take, laugh out loud.

I love the haunting sound of this song. It really invokes lots of emotion with this one. Should totally be higher!

This reminds me of the Beatles' "Rain". Thick, dense music that successfully colors the lyrics.

14 Synchronicity I

Obviously, I don't see this song the same way as anyone else: urgent, propelling, clever, mathematical, complex, perfectly paced, and elevating as it reaches out. By the way, this is actually a synthesis on Jung. Most of all, everyone is perfect here. Marimbas go wild and pound like juggernauts, drums are explosive, guitars ring to the ether, and harmonized voices reach to infinity. Have you ever heard an album opener manage to do rock and give you a lecture at the same time... and make science sound so alive and fascinating?

Synchronicity
Synchronicity
Synchronicity

Way better than Part II.
In your face live playing.

It's an absolute disgrace that it's so low. Bloody hell.

15 Driven to Tears

A good song, lacking perhaps some structure but still manages to do a good job because of its melody. The highly talented Andy and Stuart on guitar and drums can make the song engaging.

This is the song that got me into Stewart Copeland. If you are a drummer, listen to this song. Literally perfect drumming. Message in a Bottle and Reggatta de Blanc are good drumming songs too.

16 Murder by Numbers
17 Spirits in the Material World

With an instant synth hook, the catchiest song of Ghost remains the most brilliant song The Police has ever made. Who would have thought a guitar could have been replaced with synths to create an even better reggae sound, this time with a sophisticated neo-classical feel? The instrumental section is gorgeous and eloquent. The lyrics are quite intellectual as well, so all this makes it a very worthwhile piece to listen to. Why this is at 24 beats me, though. Maybe it's too subdued for some. Acquired taste perhaps, but anyone who knows music will feast on this gem.

18 Next to You

One of my favorites on Outlandos, this is the punkiest Police song with great energy, a great riff, and an uncompromising Sting.

19 Bring on the Night

Very pretty but somewhat unsettling piece with amazing serenade-like playing by Mr. Summers. Romantic melancholy.

20 The Bed's Too Big Without You

While Sting's pompous à la Jamaica West Indies accent does give a pompous impression of an educated White Man trying to sound cool, this is a very good attempt at experimenting with reggae. We essentially have an excellent piece with sparse instrumentation, exotic groove, timed and precise syncopation, and a super sexy feel. It's a delicate dark horse and definitely a winner.

What is this doing down here? Probably my favorite Police song ever (especially the mono version). The guitar rhythms are so cool and distorted, with a haunting yet upbeat instrumental to fit the song. Again, definitely should be higher.

21 No Time This Time

This is a fantastic song from one of the greatest B-side albums ever.

22 Reggatta de Blanc

Now, this is a plain insult. Any lover of The Police has got to listen to this at least once in a lifetime. In fact, anyone should listen to this at least once in a lifetime. This is such a classic Police song. You have just got to listen to it to understand why. It's got everything The Police are good at: improvisation, experimentation, jamming. It starts from a reggae dance, becomes an army march protest, then a series of calling waves before it takes you over, wipes you out, and rides you into oblivion like a speed train. And all it was was actually just the middle section of a song rendered live. Subliminal.

Only The Police could do that.

23 Canary in a Coalmine

This is one of the least interesting songs by The Police. It does have enough to keep it going but it's otherwise a very ordinary song with a standard beat and linear melody. It works in a kind of 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da' way, you know, with a catchy repetitive line. Monotony is not The Police's forte.

I love this song. There are so many great ones by one of the best bands ever!

24 On Any Other Day

As much as this is one of the most ridiculous songs you will ever hear, for some reason, and despite his awful vocals, Copeland does a great job at making a fun, catchy punk rock piece.

25 Contact

I don't get what they were trying to do with the weird sci-fi bass, spooky guitar, and a bit meaningless lyrics. Just having a bit of fun, maybe. Nothing wrong with that, because it's a pretty good song overall, and its change of pace from Darth Vader gloom to fast racing kart makes it catchy and engaging.

I think there's a bit of a side joke by the ever-cheeky drummer:

Contact the police

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