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January 3, 2007

Police Mull Reunion Tour

We're unabashed Sting fans (deal), but last year's lute-laden Labyrinth collection had us rolling our eyes with everyone else. Do pop stars get any more pretentious? (Apparently they do ... when said lute is played on Studio 60). But, if the Police reunion '07 rumors are true, we will so forgive and forget. Via Harp:

The proverbial “informed sources” have suggested that a tour will be announced some time in January – presumably it would start in May or June, which is when the Police’s label, A&M, is reportedly planning to release a special 30th anniversary anthology.

The Police formed in 1977, and a spokesperson for A&M confirmed that the erstwhile band members had indeed been in discussions. A&M issued a statement late last month saying, “Next year is the 30th anniversary of the release of ‘Roxanne,’ the first Police single. It is our intention to mark the anniversary by doing something special with the band's catalogue of songs. Needless to say, everyone is hopeful the band will support our plans and while early discussions have taken place, nothing has been decided.”

We're downright giddy. Andy, Stewart, and Gordon haven't played together since .. well, 2003. But still. OMG, we hope Genesis open.

Here's the first live performance of "Message In A Bottle" ever...

What's your favorite Police song?

Posted at 12:44 PM in
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66 Comments

Canary in a coalmine !!!

Posted by: Ajee at 01/03/07 1:10 PM  | Reply
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voices inside my head

Posted by: colin at 01/03/07 1:13 PM  | Reply
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First of all, "Roxanne" is so NOT their first single. It was "Fallout". Get you press releases right, A&M!!

Second, favorite song...hmmm...I'm partial to the second album, so I'll say "No Time This Time". Stewart's drums are sick on that. "Does Everyone Stare" and "The Bed's Too Big Without You" are up there too. And I like the "So Lonely" live version from the first disc of the live album.

Posted by: Raz at 01/03/07 1:16 PM  | Reply
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the police were my first crush.....loved all that shit...every single album.....every single song.....ok, except those few that stewart & andy had to sing......i still have my VHS tape of POLICE AROUND THE WORLD....still not out on dvd...but, should be soon, right? CAN'T STAND LOSING YOU....EVERY LITTLE THING SHE DOES IS MAGIC are 2 great songs......(sigh)

Posted by: maya lucia at 01/03/07 1:28 PM  | Reply
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A&M probably meant that it was their first single that anyone gave a shit about.

I am stoked, to say the least. I'd love to see them back together, if only briefly. Still, I hope they haven't become too boring. I'd hate for it to be one of those really depressing reunions... in other words, like most reunions. I love the old punk outro on the original Message, though.

Posted by: Matthew at 01/03/07 1:39 PM  | Reply
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"Does Everyone Stare" is the best Police song not written by Sting!

"I Burn For You" is my favorite Sting tune today. Brimstone & Treacle, holla.

Posted by: scott at 01/03/07 1:45 PM  | Reply
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behind my camel, if only since primus covered it. If smashing pumpkins, van halen w/ david lee roth, and the police all tour this year I think 2007 might be the best year for reunions ever, and that I won't have any money left because I'll blow it all going to those three concerts.

Posted by: ian at 01/03/07 1:52 PM  | Reply
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regarding the roxanne first/second single business, record labels do that all the time. we just re-released a record in honor of it's tenth anniversary. the record came out 11.5 years ago... nobody's counting.

Posted by: jon at 01/03/07 1:55 PM  | Reply
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No Time This Time, The Bed's Too Big Without You, and Driven To Tears. I just finished Andy Summers' book and I hope this tour becomes a reality!

Posted by: Liz at 01/03/07 2:04 PM  | Reply
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Incredible news. Current favorite song = "Secret Journey", but most of their songs are great.

Posted by: Chuck at 01/03/07 2:09 PM  | Reply
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When The World Is Running Down You Make The Best of What's Still Around.

Fuck, I even like *typing* it.

Posted by: John at 01/03/07 2:15 PM  | Reply
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I second the nomination of "I Burn for You" as finest Police song but assert that "Darkness" is the best non-Sting Police song.

Posted by: Scott W. at 01/03/07 2:32 PM  | Reply
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ghost in the machine is one of my favorite 80's albums, and say what you want, but stewart copeland is one of the best living drummers around!

Posted by: Julio Enriquez at 01/03/07 2:46 PM  | Reply
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king of pain

Posted by: Chris at 01/03/07 3:02 PM  | Reply
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There are almost too many to count. Stewart's "Miss Gradenko" off of Synchronicity is right at the top of my list, as is his "Does Everyone Stare". The Police are one of those bands where I don't feel stupid if some of my favorite songs are the mega-singles, and I could pretty much listen to every single song they ever recorded (with the possible exception of "Mother") and be content.

Posted by: jervo at 01/03/07 3:50 PM  | Reply
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I'm not much of a Sting fan...the Police were fantastic! I agree they had so many great songs. Not including the obvious hits, my favorites are "Bring On The Night", the b single to "Every Breath You Take", "Murder By Numbers", "Driven to Tears", "When The World is Running Down...", "Next To You".

Police Reunion? I'm there...hell yeah!

Posted by: decker at 01/03/07 4:13 PM  | Reply
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Holy crap. Too bad the tickets are going to be insanely priced.

I've always been partial to the double-time part of "Wrapped Around Your Finger" but I love many Police songs.

I concur on Stewart Copeland, my drumming idol.

Posted by: Brian at 01/03/07 4:20 PM  | Reply
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Jeez, the Police are one of those bands where over half of their songs would show up as one or another person's favorite. Just consistent quality throughout their career.

"Voices Inside My Head"

Posted by: Milt at 01/03/07 4:39 PM  | Reply
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"Born in the 50's"!

Missed a big chance to see the Fuzz back around '78 when they played (unknownst to me) the Last Chance saloon in my hometown Poughkeepsie. Apparently there were about 4 people in attendance - and that included the bar staff.

News article about that show here:
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061112/LIFE/611120305

Posted by: drewo at 01/03/07 5:14 PM  | Reply
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Invisible Sun

Posted by: Belle at 01/03/07 5:23 PM  | Reply
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not to rain on anyone's parade, but yawn... the police were great twenty five years ago - a quarter of a freaking century. i'm with pete townsend, who says if he was twenty he wouldn't go see the who. these guys were okay in their prime, but (lutes!) that was a long, long, time ago. save the money to go to SXSW instead.

Posted by: rocky at 01/03/07 5:31 PM  | Reply
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If this does happen, it'll be interesting to hear them play without taking mountains of cocaine, a key component to the ferocity of their live shows at the time.

anyway, Truth Hits Everybody, Omegaman, Walking on the Moon, I Burn for You, the list goes on.

Posted by: Paul at 01/03/07 5:51 PM  | Reply
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Walking on the Moon
Driven to Tears
King of Pain
Wrapped Around Your Finger
So Lonely
Synchronicity I & II
Invisible Sun
Bombs Away
Voices in My Head

Posted by: zensay at 01/03/07 6:29 PM  | Reply
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Why must I be...
WHY MUST I BE!!!

(I love it when Sting psychs out the crowd with it-- "So Lonely" that is--on the drumstick-blister-bursting-ly-fast live version of "Man In Suitcase" from the box set, which in and of itself, studio or live, stands as a close, close, micrometer-close, second-place finisher).

Yeah yeah yeah Married/Tantric/Happy Sting sans blow, death in the family or divorce can be a freaking drip sometimes, I know, and lord knows, Andy and Stewart probably can't stand his giant ego anymore now than they could back in the day (I still giggle thinking of the MTV interview footage from the Synchronicity tour of Stew's "Want to see me kick Sting's ass?" and then chasing his ass off camera with Andy just sitting there like an embarassed prom date.)

All that being said...holy crap. I trade in my college loan money in just to hear sound check.


Posted by: edf at 01/03/07 9:36 PM  | Reply
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sweet

Posted by: MrBartell1 at 01/03/07 10:05 PM  | Reply
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BACK IN THE HOLE!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Cameron at 01/03/07 11:20 PM  | Reply
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"so lonely" live

Posted by: strider at 01/03/07 11:24 PM  | Reply
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I'll Be Missing You

Posted by: spencer at 01/04/07 3:02 AM  | Reply
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No contest: Murder By Numbers

Posted by: volume-addict at 01/04/07 3:06 AM  | Reply
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I LIKE EVERY SONG RECORDED BY THE P0LICE. I LIKE VERY MUCH LIVE CONCERTS.......

BUT I FI HAVE TO CHOOSE ONE SONG... IT WOULD BE:

"ONCE UPON A DAYDREAM"

Posted by: JAVIER at 01/04/07 5:52 PM  | Reply
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does every stare

Posted by: Jonathan at 01/05/07 1:31 AM  | Reply
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Bring On The Night...I couldn't stand another hour of daylight.

Summers was a great guitarist. I still have a bit of difficulty getting my hand to create the chord shapes for Message in Bottle, Every Breath You Take, and such...

Oh, and Walking on the Moon.

I hope my leg don't break.

Posted by: Brian at 01/05/07 10:57 PM  | Reply
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Omegaman

Posted by: mosca at 01/10/07 8:29 AM  | Reply
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The reunion is a go!!!!!

Posted by: Ichangemyclothes10X at 01/15/07 11:05 AM  | Reply
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Truth hits everybody
Darkness
So lonely

Like the doors, I think the police owed everything to the backing band, namely copeland's silky touch and summers'chorus-flanger laden fill-ins which U2's the edge borrowed without asking. Listen to any pre-rattle and hum u2 album especially the track 'seconds' on War if you don't believe me.

Sting no doubt pens great tunes, I adore his solo stuff pre-soul cages, but after then came the holy trinity of shite - mercury falling, sacred love and this new classical vomit labrynth album.

Having said all that, I'd sell the farm to see them on stage again.

Posted by: shehan at 01/15/07 12:50 PM  | Reply
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They won't do it- unconfirmed reports says P Diddy is recutting the whole catalog with an emo-post nu metal feel.

Big up's P - you'll really ad class to those dry old songs!


Sting? What-evea...

Posted by: AlphaDog at 01/15/07 3:58 PM  | Reply
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Loved the Police.... still do. Can't wait!

The best song is the best of the 80's and my second favourite of all time. It can only be the majestic Every Breath You Take. Oh and Don't Stand So close to me is right up there

Posted by: Gazza at 01/16/07 7:38 AM  | Reply
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Tea in the Sahara people!

Posted by: H at 01/22/07 5:30 PM  | Reply
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I can't chose just one song...there is so many good tracks...it's impossible for me !

... Maybe, " Message in a Bottle " seems to be a universal message, and for ever !

Posted by: Tchobil at 01/26/07 5:33 PM  | Reply
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I'm greatly looking forward to this reunion.Best songs? So many....Bring on the Night, Tea in the Sahara, Bed's Too Big Without You, Secret Journey, Wrapped Around Your Finger, Miss Gradenko.

Posted by: Shakermaker at 01/27/07 6:31 PM  | Reply
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NEXT TO YOU - love the glasses in the video

Posted by: brian at 01/27/07 10:55 PM  | Reply
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I just dropped big cash for Clapton tix yesetrday, a Police Reunion would put me over budget for the year.

Posted by: Rocky at 01/28/07 5:30 PM  | Reply
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I can pick just one from "Ghost In The Machine". It's like one long incredible song". Definitely in my top 3 albums by anyone...ever.

"Bring On The Night" is awesome too. Love listening to it on the way home from work.

Wherever and whatever the cost. If they play, I'll be there.

Posted by: Bob at 01/29/07 5:02 AM  | Reply
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The Best police song has to be "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" or "Spirits In The Material World". I hear the Police will be playing at the Grammys on Sundeay, Feb 11, 2007, possibly the opening act. What a kickass reunion of all reunions. If I have to buy tix from a dealer i will. Once in a lifetime show. I think the reference to A&M's 30 year anniversary release was the 1st US single.

Posted by: Jason L at 01/29/07 6:00 PM  | Reply
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Pretty sure the last public performance they did was 1986 at Live Aid. Couldn't say just one police tune is best, but Tea In The Sahara is amazing, and the groove from Every Little Thing is bananas.

Posted by: j-ro at 01/29/07 9:33 PM  | Reply
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Pretty sure the last public performance/tour they did was 1986 at Live Aid/Amnesty - then 2003 Hall of Fame performance. Couldn't say just one police tune is best, but Tea In The Sahara is amazing, and the groove from Every Little Thing is bananas.

Posted by: j-ro at 01/29/07 9:46 PM  | Reply
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Pretty sure the last public performance/tour they did was 1986 at Live Aid/Amnesty - then 2003 Hall of Fame performance. Couldn't say just one police tune is best, but Tea In The Sahara is amazing, and the groove from Every Little Thing is bananas.

Posted by: j-ro at 01/29/07 9:46 PM  | Reply
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Can't Stand Losing You - Live
who am I kidding, I love them all

Posted by: Zach at 01/30/07 5:35 PM  | Reply
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I last saw them on the "Ghost in the Machine" tour back in 1982.

I remember on "Behind the Music" when Stewart suggested that they tour again to say goodbye to all the loyal fans and then give all the money to charity.

Hopefully Sting woke up and realized the best music he ever made was with Stewart's band and coming back to when he actually ROCKED will be the best thing for him. Take a gander at the live version of "Close to You" from Stewart's documentary and then fire up "Fields of Gold" to actually witness how far this guy has fallen since his first couple of solo albums.

Posted by: Keith at 01/30/07 6:56 PM  | Reply
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THE BED'S TOO BIG WITHOUT YOU

Posted by: James Mott at 01/31/07 9:07 AM  | Reply
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VOICES INSIDE MY HEAD & BORN IN THE 50'S

Posted by: DERON C at 01/31/07 3:55 PM  | Reply
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Be My Girl (Sally)

Posted by: james at 02/01/07 1:31 PM  | Reply
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Wow ! Once and for all Bring on the POLICE !!!
They are intelligent musicians, very creative, everytime !!! Stewart Copeland's drumming is extraordinary, unlike any drummer in the world, past or present, may be even future !!!
Loved these guys more than anything !!!

Posted by: William Alphonso at 02/01/07 2:05 PM  | Reply
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Who can pick just one w/ a songwriting genius like Sting?

I Burn for You
Tea in the Sahara
Demolition Man
Bring on the Night
Every Breath You Take

I'd sell my house to see The Police live. I was 13 when they broke up so I never got to see them back then, although I've seen Sting in all but one of his live tours since. I'm a huge fan. This would mean the world to me.

Posted by: Kimberly at 02/01/07 2:45 PM  | Reply
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Any song with "Eeeyoooo" or "CHA!" in it!

Posted by: Tom at 02/02/07 8:27 AM  | Reply
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The Police just rock. I would love to see them live, yeah? Can't choose a favorite song - but Reggatta De Blanc hasn't scored a mention.... so there, now it has.
Man, I'd love to see them tour my part of the world. I was 13 when they broke up, too. Love to see them live.

Posted by: Luke at 02/05/07 7:35 AM  | Reply
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Sleeper favorites: Omegaman, Bring on the Night, Secret Journey, Tea in the Sahara.

Posted by: Adam at 02/07/07 4:01 PM  | Reply
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Sleeper favorites: Omegaman, Bring on the Night, Secret Journey, Tea in the Sahara.

Posted by: Adam at 02/07/07 4:03 PM  | Reply
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bring on the night
cant stand losing you
so lonely
wrapped around your finger
murder by numbers
canary in a coalmine

Posted by: Jp at 02/10/07 2:38 AM  | Reply
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i was lucky and saw the police two times. first show was the ghost in the machine tour, opening act was the gogo's. and then the synchronicity tour. a reunion tour would be fantastic if its just the 3 of them, no back-up singers. just the 3 of them tearing it up like they did in the old days. sting has no idea that its stewarts explosive drumming that spurs him to play at his best.

favorite songs (in no particular order)

driven to tears ~ a drumming tour de force for stewart. i love the studio version, the version on the box set and the 3 other bootleg versions i have
so lonely ~ the first band i was in covered this song and it remains a favorite on my ipod
landlord ~ without question stings funkiest bass line
bring on the night ~ andys guitar work on disc 1 of the live police cd, and stewarts hypnotic octoban drum work
darkness ~ a beautiful melody and tasteful keyboard work, i love the thunder clap at the very end
no time this time ~ another drumming high point for stewart, the triplets around the toms during the outro of the song had me wearing the vinyl off the album trying to figure that out

i just decided to stop, i could go on like this for almost every song. bottom line is...this band needs to reunite and give us all what we've waited over 20 years for. a new album wouldn't hurt either. hope to see you at the shows.

Posted by: Jojo at 02/11/07 9:15 PM  | Reply
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My favorite song is Tea in the Sahara,
But I like all of them.
Love police !!!!!!!!
See you in Boston!!!!

Posted by: Ana Lutenberg at 02/11/07 10:46 PM  | Reply
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First off, I am glad to see so many true Police fans that know what songs are their best. As a diehard Police fan - to this day they are my favorite 'rock' band, as my tastes have grown quite diverse since the 1980s, so I stipulate 'Rock'. This is the only reunion tour that I am excited enough to travel for. I'd fly to Europe to see them if it came to this. At the same time, I realize that Sting might ruin the whole thing by not being able to keep up with Stewart and Andy, and also by choosing songs that do not befit what the REAL Police fans will want to hear.

I think that picking a favorite song is like choosing a favorite Police album, which is equally impossible. I know that the hardcore Police fans almost never mention Syncronicity as their favorite/best work, but this was an incredible album in itself with the exception of the only tolerable 'Mother' tune. From Syncronicity, I'd have to go with Miss Gradenko or Oh My God.

Then from Ghost, forget it, its a toss up between about 6 songs. Zenyatta would go with either Canary in a Coalmine or Driven To Tears. Earlier than this....

Let's estimate there are 55 songs in all from their 5 albums. About 12 or 14 were hits to some degree. In all likelihood, they'll play 10 of the hits if/when they tour, so we'd be left with about 10, perhaps 12 of these types of (non-hit) tracks if we're lucky. If that's the case, I guess that would be fair. Even their hits are pretty awesome songs when it comes down to it. I just can't imagine seeing Stewart Copeland in person with the Police, this is getting me all wound up!!!

One more thing. You diehards SERIOUSLY DEFINITELY need to check out a band called the Embarrassment (use the ASIN on Amazon: B0000048EC). They are the most similar band I have ever found and does provide very good replacement of the sound that we would have loved to have gotten more of in the 80s.

Posted by: Paul Thompson at 02/11/07 11:28 PM  | Reply
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I was always a big Police fan, and after they broke up, I gave Sting my loyalty (read, $$$) for quite a while. Even joined the Fan Club, shelling out even more freaking $$$ for the privilege of getting to read bulletin boards by other fans. Fan Club members were supposed to get advance notice of ticket sales. Didn't happen.
This time the Sting machine has created the Police Tour Fan Club, for which you can pay $100 for the chance (yeah, like Deal or No Deal) to maybe get a ticket. Forget it. I still have all my albums, the duplicate CDs, the box sets, videos, and a few bootlegs. I'll have my own little reunion party right in my den.
I did think that Stewart looked like the only one having fun at the Grammys. Go Stewart!

Posted by: MT Pockets at 02/12/07 10:14 PM  | Reply
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Their firsts tours would include cities where no rock band would go. They played in Cairo, Bombay, etc. I'm from El Salvador and I had the chance to attend the Ghost tour in Montreal as well as the two shows of the Synchronicity tour, also in Montreal. By I had to move back to my country where rock bands rarely come. I wish they could make an exception this time and include my country for a concert. If wishes came true...

Posted by: O.Ruiz at 02/16/07 3:53 PM  | Reply
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5 favourite Police songs

1. Darkness
2. The Bed's Too Big Without You
3. Rehumanize Yourself
4. Walking on the Moon
5. Driven to Tears

Posted by: Jay at 03/22/07 2:24 AM  | Reply
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My own personal chart nowadays (changes very often...):
1) Synchronicity I
2) Bring on the Night
3) Hole in my Life
4) O My God
5) Does Everyone Stare
6) Wrapped Around Your Finger
7) Omegaman
8) Secret Journey
9) Synchronicity II
10) Roxanne

BTW: NO SONGS FROM 'ZENYATTA'. I don't particularly like that one.

Posted by: Gianmaria Framarin at 05/28/08 11:31 AM  | Reply
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