ANALYSIS Don't Stand Close
ANALYSIS Don't Stand Close
ANALYSIS Don't Stand Close
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Background
The Police, one of the most talented acts of the 1980s, successfully fused elements of punk, new-wave, and reggae music to forge a new
direction for popular music. The groups early material didnt so much combine these elements as place them side by sidetheir first album,
Outlandos d'Amour (1979), includes not only such hard-edged punk-like songs as Next To You and Peanuts, but also the heavily reggaeinflected hits Roxanne and Cant Stand Losing You. During the course of their short recording career (their recorded their last studio
album, Synchronicity, in 1983), however, they would develop a sound that integrated elements of these and other musical idioms, unveiling
hit after hit, each offering its own unique blend of preexisting and new musical styles. In 2007, the band reunited its hiatus of more than
twenty years only increasing its appeal; most venues on its world tour sold out within hoursin some cases, minutesof tickets going on
sale.
Key Features
Unresolved lyrics about an unresolved situation.
Words and melody in the forefront.
Oscillating harmonyindicating oscillating emotions?
Reggae-inspired rhythms avoid the first beat.