Message in a Bottle / Every Little Thing She Does is Magic

The Zoo Crew is spinning a classic double feature with The Police's "Message in a Bottle" and "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," pulled from their iconic catalog, though the "rody outro" reference seems to be a playful mix-up by the Zoo Freaks, as no such album exists. "Message in a Bottle," from the 1979 album Reggatta de Blanc, is a lyrical gem that Sting crafted as a metaphor for loneliness, inspired by a circular guitar riff he wrote in the back of a van on a German Autobahn in early 1979. In a 2025 quote shared on X, Sting noted, "‘Message in a Bottle’ is a good song. That can move me. I like the idea that while it’s about loneliness and alienation it’s also about finding solace and other people going through the same thing." The song’s outro, with its repetitive "sending out an SOS," stretches over a minute, echoing the desperation of a castaway, and was a nod to the Beatles’ "Hey Jude" in its fading grandeur. Guitarist Andy Summers called it the best track he ever played on, per Songfacts.

"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," from 1981’s Ghost in the Machine, has its own storied past. Sting wrote the song in 1976, pre-Police, demoing it solo in Mike Howlett’s London loft with an acoustic guitar, bass, and African drum, as detailed on Wikipedia. Guest keyboardist Jean Alain Roussel added layers of piano and synth, but when Sting brought him to re-record with The Police, it sparked tension. Andy Summers griped about Roussel’s “pushy” 12 piano parts, feeling they diluted the band’s raw trio vibe, while drummer Stewart Copeland found him more collaborative. The song’s inspiration was personal: Sting revealed in a 2025 interview that his now-wife, Trudie Styler, was the muse, a detail complicated by his then-marriage to Frances Tomelty, Trudie’s best friend. Posted on X in 2023, the song’s release marked a shift to a thicker, synth-driven sound for the band.

The Police began in London in 1977, emerging from the punk and new wave scene with a unique blend of rock, reggae, and jazz. Sting (Gordon Sumner), a former teacher and jazz bassist, linked up with drummer Stewart Copeland, who’d played in progressive rock band Curved Air. They initially formed a punk-leaning outfit with guitarist Henry Padovani, but the lineup solidified when Andy Summers, a seasoned player from Eric Burdon and the Animals, joined after a chance meeting with Sting and Copeland through Mike Howlett’s side project Strontium 90. Their first gig as a trio was in 1977, and by 1978, their debut album Outlandos d’Amour—featuring "Roxanne"—hit No. 6 on the UK charts, launching them globally. Copeland’s high-energy drumming, Summers’ textured guitar, and Sting’s emotive vocals and songwriting defined their sound, leading to five albums and hits like "Walking on the Moon" and "Every Breath You Take" before their 1986 split and 2007-2008 reunion tour.

Fans can connect with The Police through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, fan communities thrive online. The The Police Fan Club on Facebook is a vibrant spot for sharing memories and news, while PoliceWiki offers a fan-run archive of trivia, discographies, and tour details. These platforms keep the band’s legacy alive, perfect for any Zoo Freak vibing to the Crew’s spins.