Omega Man

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Omega Man" by The Police from their 1981 album Ghost in the Machine, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this apocalyptic rock track. Written by guitarist Andy Summers, the song was inspired by the 1973 dystopian film Soylent Green, starring Charlton Heston, which depicts a world ravaged by poverty and climate change. Summers crafted a narrative around a lone figure, the "Omega Man," navigating a desolate urban landscape, reflecting themes of isolation and existential struggle. Interestingly, some fans, like Jim from the USA on Songfacts, speculated it might connect to the 1971 film The Omega Man, another Heston-led post-apocalyptic story, but Summers confirmed Soylent Green as the primary influence. The song’s early working title was "I’m So Tired," and an initial version recorded at AIR Studios featured a different chorus and a unique guitar solo by Summers using his Gibson ES-335, as noted on PoliceWiki. This solo was later reworked with a Multivox effects pedal and Roland guitar synth, creating a wild, experimental sound that Summers described as “ten cats being strangled,” thrilling the studio crew.

Another piece of trivia comes from the song’s near-miss as a single. According to Reddit discussions on r/ThePolice, A&M Records considered "Omega Man" as the lead single for Ghost in the Machine, but Sting vetoed the choice in favor of "Invisible Sun," followed by "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and "Spirits in the Material World." Fans on the subreddit praise its driving rhythm, with user Orpheus1996 calling it “a little psychedelic” due to its harmonizing vocals and guitar work. The song’s lyrics, like “The sky’s alive with turned on television sets / I walk the streets and seek another vision yet,” evoke a futuristic yet alienated world, resonating with the Zoo Freaks’ love for eclectic, thought-provoking tunes. An early version also included spoken lyrics by Summers, “Always Talking to Myself,” adding a raw edge before the final fade-out was crafted, as detailed on PoliceWiki.

The Police, formed in London in 1977, began as a trio of Sting (Gordon Sumner), Stewart Copeland, and Henry Padovani, with Andy Summers replacing Padovani later that year. Sting, a former teacher and bassist, met drummer Copeland, who had played in progressive rock band Curved Air, through the vibrant London punk scene. Their early sound blended punk’s raw energy with reggae influences, as heard in their debut single “Roxanne.” Copeland’s initiative was key, booking gigs and pushing the band into the spotlight, while Summers, a seasoned guitarist from the 1960s scene, brought a sophisticated edge. According to their official biography, their first album, Outlandos d’Amour (1978), recorded on a tight budget, broke through with hits like “Roxanne” and “Can’t Stand Losing You.” The band’s relentless touring, especially in the U.S., built a grassroots following, setting the stage for their global success with albums like Reggatta de Blanc and Zenyatta Mondatta.

The Police’s rise wasn’t without challenges. Their early days involved scraping by, with Copeland often funding their gigs, as noted in fan discussions on The Police Official Fan Club on Facebook. Their unique sound—merging Sting’s jazz-inflected vocals, Summers’ textured guitar, and Copeland’s polyrhythmic drumming—set them apart in the post-punk era. By the time Ghost in the Machine was released, they were stadium-filling stars, though internal tensions, particularly between Sting and Copeland, began to surface, as Summers recounted in interviews on Songfacts. The band dissolved in 1986 after Synchronicity but reunited for a 2007-2008 world tour, cementing their legacy. Zoo Freaks can dive deeper into their story on the band’s official website, follow updates on Facebook, Instagram, and X, or join fan communities like The Police Official Fan Club and PoliceWiki for trivia and rare insights.