Sting wrote the track in 1982 while staying at , the Jamaican estate formerly owned by James Bond creator Ian Fleming. At the time, his personal life was in turmoil; he was undergoing a painful divorce from his first wife, Frances Tomelty, and beginning a widely condemned affair with her best friend, Trudie Styler.
Despite its polished sound, the recording was marked by extreme tension between the band members, particularly Sting and drummer Stewart Copeland. The Police - Every Breath You Take
Although often mistaken for a love song, Sting has described it as "sinister and ugly," rooted in jealousy and the concept of "Big Brother". He has often expressed amusement—and some concern—that couples frequently choose it for their weddings. A Fractious Recording Process Sting wrote the track in 1982 while staying
Producer Hugh Padgham used a minimalist approach to heighten the tension. To avoid physical fights, the band often recorded their parts separately: Copeland’s drums were placed in a dining area, Summers in the main studio, and Sting in the control room. Although often mistaken for a love song, Sting