Walking on the Moon

Zoo Freaks, get ready to float through space with The Police and their cosmic hit "Walking on the Moon," spinning now on THE ZOO! This 1979 track, from the album Reggatta de Blanc, has a vibe that’s perfect for our hippie DJ crew. One stellar piece of trivia comes from guitarist Andy Summers, who shared in his book One Train Later that the song’s iconic intro—a shimmering D minor 11th chord—was a nod to a psychedelic anthem he played back in his days with Zoot Money’s band. Summers described it as a “big shining” chord that sets the stage for Sting’s infectious melody, like a fanfare to the stars. The Zoo Crew can’t help but love how this chord lifts us all into orbit!

Another out-of-this-world story comes from the song’s music video shoot, filmed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on October 23, 1979, as noted in a post by @NASAhistory. The band strutted in front of a Saturn V rocket, channeling retro sci-fi vibes. Summers recalled in The Police: A Visual Documentary how the experience reminded him of comic book hero Dan Dare and his nemesis, the Mekon. The band’s NASA pass, stamped with an expiration date of that very day, added a surreal touch to the shoot, making it feel like a real space odyssey. Zoo Freaks, imagine our DJs spinning this tune under a moonlit sky with that kind of energy!

The song’s creation also has a groovy tale. Sting, the band’s lead singer, revealed in interviews that “Walking on the Moon” was inspired by a late-night walk home after a gig, feeling light as air—like he was bouncing on lunar soil. The lyrics, with lines like “Giant steps are what you take,” capture that weightless, lovesick strut. Drummer Stewart Copeland once quipped in a Songfacts interview that the song’s sparse, reggae-infused sound was a happy accident, born from jamming in the studio. The Zoo Crew digs how this track blends chill island rhythms with a spacey edge, perfect for our free-spirited listeners.

Now, let’s rewind to how The Police got their start. Formed in London in 1977, the trio—Sting (Gordon Sumner), Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers—came together with a punk-rock spark but quickly carved out a unique sound blending reggae, jazz, and new wave. Sting, a former schoolteacher and bassist, was playing in jazz bands when Copeland, a drummer with a diplomatic family background, spotted him and proposed forming a punk outfit. Summers, a seasoned guitarist who’d played with acts like The Animals, joined later, bringing a richer texture to their music. Their DIY ethos and relentless gigging led to their debut album, Outlandos d’Amour, in 1978, which put them on the map with hits like “Roxanne.” The Zoo Crew loves how their eclectic roots vibe with our own freewheeling spirit!

Stay connected with The Police through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where you can catch updates and throwback content. Fans can also dive into communities like the The Police Official Fan Club on Facebook, a hub for Zoo Freaks and beyond to share their love for the band. For more fan-driven vibes, check out The Police Fan Club on their official site, where you can join the global tribe celebrating this legendary trio. Keep grooving, Zoo Freaks!