Song Anatomy of the Day

Writer: Sting Recorded: Late 1982/early 1983 in Montserrat Released: May 1983 Players: Sting — vocals, bass Andy Summers — guitar Stewart Copeland — drums Album: Synchronicity (A&M, 1983) “Every Breath You Take” was the Police’s most successful single, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks. Singer-bassist Sting says he always knew that the song…

Writer: Paul McCartney Producer: Paul McCartney Recorded: A side: July 1979 at McCartney’s farmhouse in Scotland; B side: December 11, 1979 at the Glasgow Apollo, Scotland Released: April 1980 Players: Paul McCartney–vocals, bass (A- and B-side), all other instruments on the A-side Linda McCartney–vocals, keyboards (B-side) Denny Laine–guitar, vocals (B-side) Lawrence Juber–guitar (B-side) Steve Holly–drums…

Writers: Timothy B. Schmit, Don Henley and Glenn Frey Producer: Bill Szymczyk Recorded: 1978 and 1979 at Bayshore Recording Studio in Coconut Grove, Florida Released: October 20, 1979 Players: Timothy B. Schmit — vocals, bass Don Henley — drums, vocals Glenn Frey — guitar, piano vocals Don Felder — guitar, vocals Joe Walsh — guitar,…

Writers: Eric Clapton and George Harrison Producer: Felix Pappalardi Recorded: December 1968 at IBC Studios in London, England Released: March 1969 Players: Eric Clapton — vocals, guitar Jack Bruce — bass Ginger Baker — drums George Harrison — guitar Felix Pappalardi — piano, mellotron Album: Goodbye (Atco) “Badge” was one of just three new studio…

Writer: Steve Perry Producer: Roy Thomas Baker Recorded: Late 1978 and early 1979 Released: March 1979 (album), July 1979 (single) Players: Steve Perry — vocals Neal Schon — guitar, vocals Gregg Rolie — keyboards, vocals Ross Valory — bass Steve Smith — drums Album: Evolution (Columbia, 1979) The Evolution album marked the Journey debut of…

Writers: Tony Banks, Phil Collins, and Mike Rutherford Producers: Genesis and Hugh Padgham Recorded: Summer 1985 through early 1986 at The Farm in Surrey, England Released: March 1986 Players: Phil Collins — vocals, drums Tony Banks — keyboards Mike Rutherford — guitar, bass Album: Invisible Touch (Atlantic, 1986) “Invisible Touch” was Genesis’ first Number One…

Writers: David Porter and Isaac Hayes Producer: Bill Ham Recorded: 1979 in Memphis, Tennessee Released: Late 1979 Players: Billy Gibbons — vocals, guitar Dusty Hill — bass Frank Beard — drums Album: Deguello (Warner Bros.) “I Thank You” was a rare cover song for ZZ Top, who have written the vast majority of their songs…

Writers: Mick Jones and Lou Gramm Producers: Keith Olsen, Mick Jones and Ian McDonald Recorded: Early 1978 in Los Angeles and New York City Released: Summer 1978 Players: Lou Gramm—vocals Mick Jones–guitar, keyboards, vocals Ian McDonald–guitar, keyboards, vocals Al Greenwood–keyboards Ed Gagliardi–bass, vocals Dennis Elliott–drums Album: Double Vision (Atlantic, 1978) The title track of Foreigner’s…

Writers: Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony Producers: Andy Johns, Ted Templeman, and Van Halen Recorded: Early 1991 at 5150 in Hollywood, California Players: Sammy Hagar — vocals Eddie Van Halen — guitar, keyboards, vocals Michael Anthony — bass, vocals Alex Van Halen — drums Album: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge…