The most timeless Police song, according to Sting: “Now we can do what we like”
The musician and activist, Sting was born on October 2nd in 1951 in Wallsend, Northumberland, England. British singer and songwriter, he is known previously as frontman for The Police. As well as his successful solo career which would follow the band’s breakup in 1986. As his sound has developed, his music includes elements of rock, jazz, classical, new-age and global influence in the way of worldbeat.
Of all previous tracks, this song is the most timeless due to its unfortunate relevance in the face of ongoing injustices that are occurring all over the world. He originally wrote the song in 1979 after seeing reports of suffering and starving children on television. Due to his international travels and experiences as a result of touring with The Police, he became witness to all kinds of aftereffects of extreme poverty and the horrors related therein.
Gordon Sumner originally planned to become a teacher one day, Sting is a self-taught musician having spent copious hours in local clubs where he initially received the nickname. In 1977 he decided to move to London, which is where he eventually collaborated with musicians Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers. The trio came together and created the band we all know and loved, The Police. After attaining huge levels of success quickly, it was not until they were almost at their peak in fame and accolades that they decided to disband.
It’s noted that he wrote the track whilst The Police were on their second American tour. Written in a motel room, he was compelled all at once to get his thoughts on paper as it was mentioned he thinks it’s the only song he wrote on the road. The song is a direct confrontation with our inner self and the hurt we see all around us, asking direct and blatant questions like “What are you left with when you’re faced with atrocities? All you can do is cry.” In the same lyric, he calls into question the simultaneous complacency and lack of control it seems we have in these matters as onlookers.
Sting is nothing if not vocal in the face of atrocity and wrongdoing of innocent people. Co-founder to The Rainforest Foundation with his wife Trudie Styler, the goal of the organisation is to help prevent deforestation in South America. Supporting many other charities like Amnesty International, Oxfam, Red Cross, Refugee Council, and American Cancer Society, among many others – he was able to translate his love of music into tactile efforts toward change.
Performing at benefit shows and vocalizing these concerns lyrically, this is why Driven to Tears, is The Police’s most timeless song. The track was initially played in 1980 before it was officially recorded, a few months later. It was played again in 1985 at Live Aid, a benefit concert which Bob Geldof organised to assist in the efforts to help ease starvation rates among global children.
As was noted in previous interviews, NME documented that the group felt “Zenyatta Mondatta was an experiment in commercialism” one that the group immersed themselves into “and it worked. Now we can do what we like, that’s the key”. Released in 1980, Driven To Tears is the second track on the album. The track was never released as a single, though it reappears on Sting’s solo album Bring on the Night, released in 1986.
