Musical Monday - Every Breath You Take by the Police

#1 on the Billboard Hot 100: July 9, 1983 through August 27, 1983.

#1 on the Cash Box Top 100: July 16, 1983 through August 27, 1983.

#1 on the U.K. Chart: June 4, 1983 through June 25, 1983.

This is not only one of the signature songs of the Police, it is one of the signature songs of the decade. Even though they had at least a half-dozen other significant hits, this is the song that they will be remember for. Decades from now, when all of their other songs have been forgotten, this one will still be being inappropriately used for weddings and engagements.

Fundamentally, this is not a romantic song. This is not a sweet ballad about caring devotion. If you thought this was anything other than a song about creepy, stalker obsession, then you weren't paying attention. I have seen interviews with Sting where he expresses astonishment that anyone would use this song for their first dance or other significant moment with their spouse.

Creepy. Stalker. Obsession.

Previous Musical Monday: Flashdance . . . What a Feeling by Irene Cara

Subsequent Musical Monday: Baby Jane by Rod Stewart

Previous #1 on the Billboard Hot 100: Flashdance . . . What a Feeling by Irene Cara

Subsequent #1 on the Billboard Hot 100: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics

Previous #1 on the Cash Box Top 100: Electric Avenue by Eddy Grant

Subsequent #1 on the Cash Box Top 100: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics

Previous #1 on the U.K. Chart: Candy Girl by New Edition

Subsequent #1 on the U.K. Chart: Baby Jane by Rod Stewart

List of #1 Singles from the Billboard Hot 100 for 1980-1989
List of #1 Singles from the Cash Box Top 100 for 1980-1989
List of #1 Singles on the U.K. Chart for 1980-1989

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