Next to You

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with The Police as we spin "Next to You" from their killer debut album Outlandos d'Amour! This track’s a high-energy love song with a punk edge, but did you know it almost didn’t make the cut? Drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers initially thought Sting’s lyrics weren’t aggressive or political enough for their raw punk vibe. Sting, however, stood his ground, insisting on keeping the song’s romantic core. Good call, Sting! That slide guitar solo by Summers? Copeland wasn’t feeling it at first, calling it “old wave,” but it became a defining touch. Oh, and here’s a gem: the band recorded the album on a shoestring budget of £1,500, borrowed from Copeland’s brother Miles, using second-hand tapes in late-night sessions at Surrey Sound Studios. As Sting shared in a 2022 post on X, they were moonlighting after other bands left to score a cheaper studio rate.

Another cool tidbit about "Next to You" is its raw, live feel. The band laid down basic tracks—bass, drums, guitar, and guide vocals—as live takes, then overdubbed vocals and harmonies. This approach gave the song its gritty, urgent energy, perfect for our Zoo Crew’s hippie spin. The album itself, released in November 1978, was a bold mix of punk, reggae, and pop, but "Next to You" stands out as a straight-up rocker. Fun fact: some CD reissues of Outlandos d’Amour have a glitch where the first drum beat of "Next to You" is cut off due to a mastering error. Check your vinyl, Zoo Freaks, for the full experience! The song’s punky opening beats set the tone for an album that BBC Music called upbeat despite its dark themes like suicide and loneliness.

Now, let’s rewind to how The Police got rolling. The trio—Sting (vocals, bass), Stewart Copeland (drums), and Andy Summers (guitar)—formed in London in 1977, right in the thick of the punk explosion. Copeland, an American drummer with a jazz and prog background from his time in Curved Air, had a vision for a band that could blend punk’s raw energy with more complex sounds. He met Sting, real name Gordon Sumner, in Newcastle while gigging with Curved Air. Sting, a former schoolteacher nicknamed for his black-and-yellow-striped sweater, was playing in a jazz-rock outfit. Copeland urged him to hit him up in London, and when Sting moved there, they clicked. Early on, they teamed up with guitarist Henri Padovani, dropping a punky single “Fall Out” on Copeland’s Illegal Records. But the lineup shifted when Summers, a seasoned guitarist who’d played with The Animals and Kevin Ayers, joined after a jam session. Padovani stepped out, and the classic trio was born.

The Police’s early days were scrappy. They gigged relentlessly, often with no label or manager, and even toured the U.S. in a van when Outlandos d’Amour first flopped. Miles Copeland stepped in as manager, betting big on “Roxanne” to secure a deal with A&M Records. Their mix of reggae, jazz, and punk, plus Sting’s catchy lyrics, set them apart from the three-chord punk crowd. By 1979, “Roxanne” and “Can’t Stand Losing You” were climbing charts, and The Police were on their way to global stardom, later dropping iconic albums like Synchronicity. Connect with the band’s legacy on their Facebook, Instagram, and X pages, where they share throwbacks and updates. Sting’s also active on his own website, Facebook, Instagram, and X, while Copeland posts about his projects on X.

For you Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, check out fan hubs like PoliceWiki, a treasure trove of band history and trivia. The Police Fans Facebook group is buzzing with devotees sharing rare pics and concert stories. Another great spot is the The Police Fans page, where fans post about everything from vinyl finds to dream setlists. These communities keep the band’s spirit alive, just like we do here at THE ZOO. So, crank up "Next to You," let those punky beats hit, and keep rocking with the Zoo Crew!