When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What’s Still Around

The Zoo Crew is spinning the hypnotic track When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What’s Still Around by The Police from their 1980 album Zenyatta Mondatta, and it’s got the Zoo Freaks vibing. This song, built on a mesmerizing three-chord progression, stretches nearly four minutes with Sting’s evocative vocals, Andy Summers’ reverberating guitar, and Stewart Copeland’s clipped, danceable beat. According to a 1980 Rolling Stone review by David Fricke, the track creates a “melodic mirage of music and mood” that lingers long after it fades. Its repetitive groove was transformed into a club hit in 2000 when production duo Different Gear remixed it, credited as “Different Gear vs. The Police,” peaking at number 28 on the UK Singles Chart. Fans on Reddit often call it an overlooked gem, with one user noting its “outstanding” quality and another tying it to nostalgic memories of rocking out to Zenyatta Mondatta on a school cassette player in 1988.

Behind the song’s creation, there’s a story of tension and ingenuity. Recorded during a rushed four-week session at Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands, the band was exhausted from their second world tour. Stewart Copeland, in a 1980 interview with Musician’s Only, described the album as an “experiment in commercialism” that paid off, allowing them creative freedom later. The song’s lyrics reflect a laid-back resilience, which some, like a Washington Post review from 1980, criticized for lacking the political edge of reggae roots, calling it a “stoned sensibility.” Yet, fans like Paul Aparicio on Lyrics Depot praise its uplifting counterpoint to the album’s darker Driven to Tears, highlighting Copeland’s unmistakable snare. A quirky fan theory on Lyrics Depot suggests the lyric “M.C.I.” refers to an early multi-track recorder, tying into Sting’s line about making records on his own, a nod to his DIY demo days.

The Police began in London in 1977, born from the punk and reggae-infused energy of the New Wave scene. Sting, a former teacher and jazz bassist named Gordon Sumner, linked up with drummer Stewart Copeland, who’d played in progressive rock band Curved Air. Guitarist Andy Summers, a veteran of the British rock scene with stints alongside Kevin Coyne and others, completed the trio. Their early gigs in dingy punk clubs, blending raw energy with reggae rhythms, caught attention with Sting’s standout vocals and charisma. Their debut single, Roxanne, released in 1978, initially flopped but exploded after a U.S. tour, cementing their global rise. By the time Zenyatta Mondatta dropped, they were superstars, despite internal clashes that fueled their creative spark.

Stay connected with The Police through their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for updates and throwbacks. Fans can dive deeper at PoliceWiki, a detailed fan-driven site packed with discography and history. Join discussions with fellow Zoo Freaks in the The Police Fan Group on Facebook or explore r/ThePoliceBand on Reddit for lively debates and rare finds. Whether you’re spinning vinyl or streaming, this track and the band’s legacy keep the good vibes rolling.