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In 1981, The Police’s most socially conscious album was released, titled Ghost In The Machine. I was in 10th grade. I was very much into this band already by then, and they were popular on the radio. I purchased the vinyl LP and began listening to it religiously.

I still listen to the songs, and I still am taught by them, and influenced in my political views by them.

Sting represents what to me is the highest purpose of music, whether it is religious or secular in nature: impacting the world for the better. Rock is generally not known as a style of music that is capable of influencing people positively and morally. But when musicians manage to do it, as I believe U2 has been doing for some time now, I stand up and applaud.

Rock is a genre that strongly resonates with me, and I would describe The Police as such for the sake of categorizing. But they don’t sound to me very much like any rock band that preceded them or followed them (so far). Other genres I’ve heard attached to Police include world music and new wave. Jazz and reggae are obvious influences of theirs. Whatever.

The five studio albums of the Police are high on my list of “most important” listening. Having played in two local-only bands, I’m asked what my influences are. The Police are in my top three of deepest influence. If I was to try to make music seriously myself, I would follow most closely in the footsteps of Sting and The Police.

Why? They accomplished the very difficult task of encapsulating very important themes and messages in music that was both chart-topping for their moment of glory, and yet sophisticated enough to be long-lasting in the “years-later” listening experience. This music is still very cool! And still so relevant.

Here’s the first of several entries I’ll make in the category of quotes using lyrics from works by Sting and the Police.

Enjoy, and think about these words. If you can, hear them performed by The Police.

One World (Not Three) Lyrics
I edited out the repeats which mean more when listening to it than reading the words

One world is enough, for all of us

It’s a subject we rarely mention
But when we do we have this little invention
By pretending they’re a different world from me
I shelve my responsibility
One world is enough, for all of us

The third world breathes our air tomorrow
We live on the time we borrow
In our world there’s no time for sorrow
In their world there is no tomorrow
One world is enough, for all of us

Lines are drawn upon the world
Before we get our flags unfurled
Whichever one we pick
It’s just a self deluding trick
One world is enough, for all of us

I don’t want to bring a sour note
Remember this before you vote
We can all sink or we all float
‘Cause we’re all in the same big boat
One world is enough for all of us

It may seem a million miles away
But it gets a little closer everyday