O My God

The Zoo Crew is spinning "O My God" by The Police from their iconic album Synchronicity, and the Zoo Freaks are vibing to its quirky, introspective energy. This track, one of the lesser-known gems from the 1983 album, has a fascinating backstory. Originally penned by Sting for his earlier band Last Exit, the song’s lyrics were repurposed for The Police, but the final version diverged significantly from its initial form. A 1982 demo recorded at Utopia Studios in London featured a different melody and saxophones, echoing the rhythm of "Walking In Your Footsteps." By December 1982, the band laid down an early funky version with a saxophone part, but the final 4:25-minute track, mixed by Hugh Padgham at AIR Studios, ditched the sax for the distinctive OBX synth sounds that define Synchronicity’s soundscape.

Fans on Reddit have recently rediscovered "O My God" through the Synchronicity 40th Anniversary Editions, which include alternate takes that highlight its evolution. One Redditor noted the demo’s “Average White Band vibes,” while another praised the album version’s “ethereal” quality, crediting Andy Summers’ sonic imprint and Stewart Copeland’s funky beat. The song also weaves in lyrics from two earlier tracks: “Three O’Clock Shot” from Sting’s pre-Police band Strontium 90 and “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” from The Police’s 1981 album Ghost in the Machine. Lyrically, it’s a raw reflection of Sting’s skepticism toward religion, with lines like “Oh my God, you take the biscuit” blending frustration and wit, possibly echoing themes from the Bible’s Book of Lamentations.

The Police—comprising Sting (Gordon Sumner), Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers—formed in London in 1977, riding the punk and new wave wave. Sting, a former teacher and jazz enthusiast, had been gigging with Last Exit in Newcastle when he moved to London. There, he met American drummer Stewart Copeland, who was playing with progressive rock outfit Curved Air. Copeland, inspired by the raw energy of punk, convinced Sting to form a band, and they recruited guitarist Henri Padovani, later replaced by Andy Summers, a seasoned player with stints in The Animals and Soft Machine. Their debut single, “Roxanne,” released in 1978, blended reggae with punk and put them on the map, leading to their first album, Outlandos d’Amour. By Synchronicity, their fifth and final album, they were global superstars, though internal tensions led to their 1984 breakup.

For more on The Police, check out their official website for news on reissues like the Synchronicity deluxe box set. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwback posts, like their 2024 clip of “O My God” live from the 1983 Synchronicity Tour. Fans can dive deeper at PoliceWiki, a comprehensive fan-run site with detailed song histories, or join discussions on the The Police Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks might find kindred spirits sharing trivia and rare tracks.