Sting Sued For Millions By Police Bandmates Over “Every Breath You Take” Royalties

The Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” the minor key ballad from 1983’s Synchonicity, their final album, is the band’s signature song. It’s a Song Of The Year Grammy winner, the Police’s only US Hot 100 #1, and the best selling single of 1983. BMI has recognized it as “the most played song in radio history.” Guitarist Andy Summers came up with its iconic Béla Bartók-inspired arpeggiated riff, but Sting wrote the chord progression on organ, along with the lyrics, at Ian Fleming’s GoldenEye estate in Jamaica in 1982, and the singer/bassist retained sole writing credit.