Don’t Stand So Close to Me

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic track "Don’t Stand So Close to Me" by The Police from their 1980 album Zenyattà Mondatta, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its catchy yet edgy sound. This song, a UK number-one hit and the best-selling single of 1980 in the UK, dives into the uncomfortable tension of a schoolgirl’s crush on her teacher, layered with themes of temptation and guilt. One juicy piece of trivia comes from its lyrical nod to Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita, with the line “Just like the old man in that book by Nabakov,” which Sting cleverly included to deepen the song’s narrative. In a 2001 interview for the concert DVD ...All This Time, Sting denied the song was autobiographical, despite his past as an English teacher, adding a layer of mystery to its inspiration. Another fun tidbit: the song’s melody unexpectedly found its way into Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing” when Sting, who was in Montserrat at the time, ad-libbed the “I want my MTV” line, later earning a co-writing credit after legal discussions.

The song’s production has its own quirky story. The Police recorded Zenyattà Mondatta in just four weeks at Wisseloord Studios in the Netherlands, under a tight schedule during their second world tour. The band wasn’t thrilled with the rushed result, with Sting once saying he’d toss half the album in the trash due to its compromised quality. Despite this, “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” won a Grammy in 1981 for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The band even re-recorded it in 1986 as “Don’t Stand So Close to Me ’86” for Every Breath You Take: The Singles, but the original remains the fan favorite. Posts on X from @ThePoliceBand in 2023 celebrated the song’s 43rd anniversary, highlighting its lasting impact with fans sharing nostalgic memories.

The Police, formed in London in 1977, started as a trio blending punk, reggae, and new wave, a sound that set them apart in the late ’70s music scene. Sting (Gordon Sumner), a former teacher and jazz enthusiast, handled vocals and bass, bringing a poetic edge to their lyrics. Stewart Copeland, an American drummer with a knack for intricate rhythms, came from a progressive rock background, having played with Curved Air. Andy Summers, the guitarist, was a seasoned musician with a resume including stints with Soft Machine and Kevin Coyne, adding a textured, atmospheric quality to their sound. The trio met when Copeland, seeking to form a punk-inspired band, connected with Sting in Newcastle. Summers joined later, replacing original guitarist Henry Padovani, and their chemistry clicked. Their debut album, Outlandos d’Amour (1978), with hits like “Roxanne,” broke them into the mainstream, fueled by relentless touring and Sting’s charismatic stage presence.

The band’s early days were scrappy, with a DIY ethos that resonated with the punk scene, though their polished reggae-infused sound drew some “FM punk” criticism. Their ambitious 1980 Third World tour, hitting places like Japan, Hong Kong, and Egypt, cemented their global appeal before recording Zenyattà Mondatta. Despite internal tensions—legendary for their infighting—the trio’s elastic interplay made them superstars. They released five albums before a hiatus in 1984, disbanding in 1986 after Synchronicity (1983), though they reunited for a 2007-2008 tour. Fans can dive deeper into their world via the official website thepolice.com, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X, or check out PoliceWiki for detailed fan-curated content. The The Police Official Fan Club on Facebook is a lively spot for Zoo Freaks to connect with fellow devotees.