Roxanne (Live 1982)

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as we spin "Roxanne (Live 1982)" by Sting from The Secret Policeman's Other Ball here at THE ZOO! This live rendition, performed at the 1981 Amnesty International benefit show in London, captures Sting’s raw energy and soulful delivery. One far-out fact about the original 1978 studio version of "Roxanne" is that its iconic opening piano chord and Sting’s laughter were totally unplanned—Sting accidentally sat on a piano in the studio, and the band kept the happy accident in the track, with liner notes crediting him for “butt piano.” That’s the kind of spontaneous magic we love, Zoo Crew style!

The song itself was inspired when Sting, wandering the red-light district of Paris in October 1977, saw prostitutes near The Police’s seedy hotel while they were in town to play the Nashville Club. He imagined falling in love with one of them, drawing the name “Roxanne” from a poster of Cyrano de Bergerac in the hotel foyer. Originally written as a bossa nova, drummer Stewart Copeland flipped it into a tango rhythm, giving it that sultry, danceable groove we’re digging today. Sting once shared in a 1981 NME interview, “I thought, Blimey, I’ve done it!” when he heard a painter whistling “Roxanne” in a hotel corridor, a sign the song had truly hit the cultural zeitgeist.

Another cool tidbit: the BBC initially refused to play “Roxanne” due to its subject matter—a man pleading with a prostitute to leave the streets—which The Police cleverly spun into a punk-rock badge of honor, boosting their rebel cred. This live 1982 version, recorded at the Drury Lane Theatre, was part of a star-studded Amnesty International gala that also featured Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Phil Collins. Sting’s performance, alongside his solo take on “Message in a Bottle” and leading an all-star band on Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released,” marked the start of his lifelong activism, as he noted in a later interview: “Before [the Ball], I did not know about Amnesty, I did not know about torture in the world.”

Now, let’s groove into how Sting, born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, kicked off his legendary career. Growing up in Wallsend, England, Sting was a dreamer in a working-class family, his sights set beyond the shipyards. His nickname “Sting” came from a black-and-yellow striped sweater he wore while playing jazz gigs, making him look like a bee. Before music took over, he was a teacher and a ditch-digger, but his passion for playing bass and singing led him to form The Police in 1977 with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers. Their blend of punk, reggae, and rock exploded with Outlandos d’Amour, and “Roxanne” became their breakout hit, peaking at No. 12 in the UK after a 1979 re-release.

Sting’s solo career took flight in 1985 with The Dream of the Blue Turtles, showcasing his jazz influences and knack for introspective lyrics. His work with The Police earned them a 2003 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, and Sting’s solo journey has spanned albums, activism, and even acting in films like Brimstone and Treacle. He’s always been about pushing boundaries, whether through music or his human rights work, which began with that fateful 1981 Secret Policeman’s Ball performance.

For all you Zoo Freaks wanting to connect with Sting’s world, check out his official website for tour dates and news. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes vibes. Fans can also join the community at Sting’s official fan club or dive into discussions on the Sting Fans Facebook group. Keep it groovy, Zoo Crew, and let’s keep the love for “Roxanne” spinning!