Every Breath You Take Chords By The Police

Released 20th May 1983, Every Breath You Take is a remarkable song that is recognized worldwide as both the Police’s and Sting’s signature song.

In May 2019, Music publishing giant BMI performance statistics confirmed “Every Breath You Take” as being the most played song in radio history.

So what makes this song so special?

Was it Andy Summers Béla Bartók inspired guitar part?

Could it be Gordon Sumner’s (Sting) lyrics?

Was it Drummer Stewart Copeland’s contribution or producer Hugh Padgham’s suggestions?

Of course all of the above helped create this very successful song.

For example, the lyrics could be interpreted as making reference to Big Brother surveillance and control.

In fact, that’s the fun with music every listener can have their own interpretation of what the song is about.

For instance, what is Don McClean’s’ song American Pie about?

The more the songwriter insists it’s “just a song” the more people read into it.

Every Breath You Take Chords: Chord Progression

Well to answer that question as to why this song resonates with so many people a good place to start is with the basics.

Start with a classic chord progression.

The primary chord progression for Every Breath You Take is based on the 1 – 6 – 4 – 5 progression.

The 1 – 6 – 4 – 5 is also known as the doo-wop progression and was a very popular progression used in many songs in the ’50s and early ’60s.

The doo-wop progression, represented in Roman numerals looks like this: I–vi–IV–V.

In the key of C, the chord progression would be C – Am – F – G

When I said this progression was popular in the ’50 and ’60s the interesting thing is that it is still popular today.

A shortlist of songs that use this progression or a variation of the progression would include:

Blue Moon, True Blue, Last Kiss, Ti Amo, Stand By Me, Should I Do It, Hungry Heart, etc.,

And the list goes on and on.

While not as common today as a chord progression template whenever it is used people love it.

It has the effect of a comfortable old pair of shoes.

People just like it.

So when you start to write a song with a time tested and proven chord progression you are halfway there.

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Basic Doo-wop chord progression templates

Equally important as knowing the chord sequence in a given chord progression is the ability to recognize the form (number of bars) in the progression.

To demonstrate here are three of the most common doo-wop chord progression templates.

Four bar doo-wop form: template 1

Eight bar version: template 2

Another eight-bar variation: template 3

The four-bar template 1 works for songs like Last Kiss (Pearl Jam)

Template 2 is the main chord progression for Let’s Twist Again (Chubby Checker).

The eight-bar template 3 is the primary chord progression for Every Breath You Take.

If you listen closely and absorb the sound of each of these chord progression templates you will begin to hear them in other songs.

For example, template 3 is also the same progression as Stand By Me (Ben E. King).

Originally recorded in the key of Ab here is the basic chord progression for the first 8 bars of Every Breath You Take.

Ab Ab Fm Fm Db Eb Ab Ab

You could play this progression in either bar chords or power chords however I want to show you another way to play the Every Breath You Take Chords as open chords using a capo at the first fret.

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Every Breath You Take Chords: A Guitar Arrangement

Remember: Capo at first fret

I’m using G shape chords with the capo at the first fret to produce the sound of Ab without using bar chords.

Every Breath You Take Chord Shapes

I have listed a set of sample chord shapes that will work for this arrangement.

Of course, these are just some of the possible chord shapes you could use.

The chord shapes are presented without a capo.

To play the song at the same pitch as the original recording use a capo at the first fret.

I have also included a chord shape for G add2 this is a good chord to substitute for the G chord.

It will give you a more authentic Andy Summers sound.

Also, the chord shape I substitute for F in the bridge is F add 2.

Bridge Chords

Chord function comments

Here are a few notes on some of the chords in this arrangement to help you understand their application in other songs.

C/D substitute for D7

C/Bb functions as C7

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