De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da

Zoo Freaks, get ready for some righteous vibes as we spin De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da by The Police from their stellar album Zenyatta Mondatta! This track, released as a single in December 1980, is a total earworm, and there’s some groovy trivia to share. Sting, the band’s lead singer and bassist, wrote this song as a playful jab at how people are drawn to simple, catchy tunes. He explained in a 1980 interview that the title and lyrics are deliberately nonsensical, mimicking baby talk to show how even meaningless words can hook listeners when paired with a killer melody. The song’s lighthearted vibe masks its deeper point about the power of music to connect, no matter the message. Fun fact: the band re-recorded it in 1986 as De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da '86, but that version didn’t see release until 1995 on the DTS version of Every Breath You Take: The Classics. The original music video, shot in the snowy Canadian mountains during their 1980 North American tour, shows the band rocking out in ski gear—total 80s cool.

Another tidbit from the The Police’s X account highlights the single’s release on November 20, 1980, as the second single from Zenyatta Mondatta. Fans on The Police’s Facebook page often rave about how the song’s infectious rhythm and quirky guitar riffs, courtesy of guitarist Andy Summers, make it a standout. Stewart Copeland, the drummer, once shared in a Rolling Stone interview that the band’s tight interplay on tracks like this came from their relentless touring, which honed their ability to make complex arrangements sound effortless. The song hit number five on the UK Singles Chart, proving its universal appeal. Zoo Freaks, you can feel the energy of this track radiating through the airwaves, connecting us all in that Zen-like groove!

Let’s rewind to how The Police got their start, pulling from their bio. Formed in London in 1977, the trio—Sting (born Gordon Sumner), Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers—came together during the punk rock explosion but carved out a unique sound blending reggae, pop, and rock. Stewart Copeland, an American drummer raised in the Middle East, had been playing in the progressive rock band Curved Air when he spotted Sting, a schoolteacher and bassist gigging in Newcastle’s jazz scene. Copeland was blown away by Sting’s voice and charisma and convinced him to join forces. They initially recruited guitarist Henri Padovani, but the lineup solidified when Andy Summers, a seasoned musician who’d played with acts like The Animals and Soft Machine, replaced Padovani later that year. Their early days were scrappy, with the band dyeing their hair blond for a chewing gum commercial to fund their first single, Fall Out.

The Police’s big break came with their 1978 hit Roxanne from their debut album Outlandos d’Amour, which caught the attention of A&M Records. Sting’s songwriting, often infused with literary and social themes, paired with Copeland’s intricate rhythms and Summers’ textured guitar work, set them apart in the New Wave scene. By the time Zenyatta Mondatta dropped in 1980, they were global stars, with Sting’s magnetic stage presence (he’d also starred as Ace Face in the 1979 film Quadrophenia) and the band’s innovative sound propelling them to superstardom. Though they disbanded in 1986 after five studio albums, their 2007-2008 reunion tour proved their timeless appeal. Zoo Freaks, this is a band that took risks and redefined rock!

Stay connected with The Police’s official website for the latest news, tour archives, and merch. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for throwback photos and fan interactions, and check out their X account for updates and nostalgic posts about tracks like De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da. Fans can dive deeper at sites like PoliceFans.com, a hub for discographies and fan stories, or join the The Police Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can geek out over setlists and rare vinyl finds. Keep the vibes high, and let’s keep spinning those records!