Every Studio Album Released by The Police, Ranked

The Police broke through in the late 70s with a unique sound that blended reggae, new wave, post-punk, jazz and good old-fashioned rock-n-roll. Propelled by monster hits like “Roxanne,” “Message in a Bottle,” “Don’t Stand So Close to Me,” “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” and “Every Breath You Take,” the trio took the world by storm with infectious hooks, incredible musicianship and a punk attitude. Comprised of two Brits, bassist and vocalist Sting, aka Gordon Sumner and guitarist Andy Summers, along with American drummer Stewart Copeland, The Police’s career took off in the late 70s, and they became the biggest and most successful group of the early 80s.

The power trio only released five albums between 1978 and 1983. Each of them is loaded with classic songs that stand the test of time. From their post-punk and reggae-infused debut album Outlandos d’Amour to their pop juggernaut Synchronicity, here is every studio album released by The Police, Ranked.

5

‘Outlandos d’Amour’ (1978)

The Police’s debut album Outlandos d’Amour, is an unfiltered and raw post-punk effort with tinges of reggae, new wave, rock and jazz. The effort, which translates to “Outlaws of Love,” immediately struck a chord with hit singles “Roxanne,” “So Lonely,” and “Can’t Stand Losing You.” They found a formula of reggae infused versus combined with driving rock-n-roll choruses that tapped into the masses and influenced generations.

The power trio’s post-punk attitude and youthful energy is on full display on “Next to You” and “Peanuts,” and “Truth Hits Everybody,” which all have an aggressive spirit and a rock-and-roll edge. Their distinctive sound stood out from other popular music at the time yet seamlessly radiated the airwaves of rock radio in the late 70s. Outlandos d’Amour helped pave the way for the New Wave movement, along with The Cars, The Pretenders, The Talking Heads and Elvis Costello.

4

‘Zenyatta Mondatta’ (1980)

The Police’s third album, Zenyatta Mondatta, has a pop sensibility with succinct songs, well-crafted arrangements and sophisticated subject matter. Nigel Gray, who co-produced the first three Police albums, created a tight and punchy sound that created many radio hits with sing-a-long choruses including “Don’t Stand So Close to Me,” “Driven to Tears,” with its deliciously obnoxious guitar solo, “When the World is Running Down, You Make the Best of What’s Still Around” and “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da,”

The effort spawned two Grammy-winning tracks: Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group for “Don’t Stand So Close to Me,” and Best Rock Instrumental for the exotic “Behind My Camel.” Zenyatta Mondatta also boasts great deep cuts “Canary in a Coalmine,” “Voices inside My Head,” and the powerful instrumental “The Other Way of Stopping.” The album was recorded in just over four weeks and was finished the night before the band kicked off a European tour.

3

‘Reggatta de Blanc’ (1979)

Like its debut, The Police’s second album also boasts a French title, Reggatta de Blanc, which translates to “White Reggae.” The record was an immediate smash in the UK, topping the album chart and scoring two number one singles with “Message in a Bottle” and “Walking on the Moon.” “Message in a Bottle” is one of the band’s greatest songs perfectly combining Andy Summer’s signature guitar riff with Sting’s powerful vocals and Stewart Copeland’s intense drums with a memorable sing-a-long chorus.

The effort features stronger songwriting, better performances and more of Andy Summers’ inventive guitar work. “Reggatta de Blanc” highlights Stewart Copeland’s intricate hi-hat and drum work and scored the group its first Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Performance. “The atmospheric “Walking on the Moon” is guided by Sting’s bass and Andy Summers shimmering guitar work. “The Bed’s Too Big Without You” is a fan favorite and highlights the group’s modern reggae sound. The Police also showed they didn’t stray too far from their post-punk roots on “It’s Alright For You,” “No Time This Time,” and “On Any Other Day.”

2

‘Ghost in the Machine’ (1981)

1981’s Ghost in the Machine is a bit of a departure for the group. The trio began using keyboards, synthesizers and added saxophone to the mix. Hugh Padgham co-produced the effort along with The Police and captured a layered sound with a lot more instrumentation. It was recorded over nine months, a stark contrast to the four weeks spent recording Zenyatta Mondatta. “Spirits in the Material World” is a brilliantly crafted and slightly dark track that feels off kilter due to Stewart Copeland’s heavy syncopated focus on the upbeat. The chorus offers much needed relief before descending back into the uneasy verse.

“Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” was a huge hit in the US and got a lot of play on MTV, when the network launched in 1981. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the UK singles chart. The album is darker and more introspective than previous efforts and boasts great album cuts, including the underrated “Invisible Sun,” “Hungry For You” and “Demolition Man,” a driving rock song with a memorable riff and lengthy guitar solo which brings the track to an epic conclusion. Ghost in the Machine is a musical bridge between the group’s first three efforts, and its final album, Synchronicity, which changed everything.

1

‘Synchronicity’ (1983)

Synchronicity is the fifth and final album from The Police. It was released in 1983 and is by far the trio’s most successful album, topping the Billboard album chart and selling over eight million copies in the US alone. Everything came together with this album. The group’s perfectly crafted pop songs and music videos for “Synchronicity II,” “King of Pain,” “Wrapped Around Your Finger,” and “Every Breath You Take,” were on high rotation on MTV, rocketing the trio to the stratosphere.

With one breath, with one flow, you will know, Synchronicity. A sleep trance, a dream dance, a shared romance, Synchronicity.

“Every Breath You Take” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for eight consecutive weeks and is by far the most-successful track in the group’s history. The effort won Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group and “Every Breath You Take” won awards for Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Synchronicity has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, which doubles sales figures from the group’s next best-selling effort, Ghost in the Machine. It was released at the height of the band’s fame and is a triumphant conclusion to an extraordinary musical legacy.

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