Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (song)
| "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" | |
|---|---|
| Recorded by The Police | |
| Released: | 1981-10-DD (UK)
1981-10-21 (Japan) |
| Recorded: | January 1981 - 1981-07-26 |
| Length: | 4:20 |
| Album(s): | Ghost In The Machine |
| Label(s): | A&M |
| Writer(s): | Sting |
| Producer(s): | Hugh Padgham |
| Studio(s): | AIR Studios, Montserrat |
| Released as single? | YES |
"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" is a song written by Sting and recorded by The Police in 1981.
Contents
About the song
According to the liner notes of the CD "Strontium 90: Police Academy" Sting already recorded his "solo" demo version at Mike Howlett's house in the autumn of 1976.
In the winter of 1980 / 1981 Sting recorded another demo version at Le Studio in Morin Heights, Canada - together with keyboarder Jean Roussel. In August 2009 Jean mentioned that some studio guy interrupted the recordings and asked if anybody wanted some tea. He is sure that his question can be heard on the demo and probably on the Ghost recording as well. While recording his vocal takes Sting played a cymbal (after the 3 minute mark). As the demo would eventually become the basis for the LP track that cymbal can actually still be heard on Ghost In The Machine (as well as the vocal tracks and the keyboards from that demo) - only hidden by Stewart's drums.
The Police eventually recorded the definitive version of that song at AIR Studios. The police-ified versions that they tried over the course of five days didn't quite work.
An alternate slightly faster version features Stewart counting in. The song's structure and main arrangement are similar to the LP version, but the drums are way different, as are the vocals in the chorus and the few keyboards. Andy repeatedly plays a few new guitar tones in the long extended end - which also features various vocal takes and way more lines of Sting's "Do I Have To Tell A Story..." repetition. When you think the song is almost done at 4:44 minutes the drums pick up speed again, bringing this early take to a whopping 5:25 minutes !
The beginning of this alternate version can be heard in Stewart Copeland's movie Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out.
The only way the song would really shine was to use the actual Sting / Jean Roussel demo as a guideline and adding overdubs. A step towards that version we all know is the alternate version that can be heard on DTS releases (with different guitars & drums). The "Ghost demo" that's in circulation seems to be another step into the right direction as it features many parts from the original Sting demo but also includes Andy Summers' Roland GR-300.
Personnel
- Sting - Van Zalinge Bass, vocals, cymbal
- Andy Summers - guitar
- Stewart Copeland - drums
- Jean Roussel - keyboards
Release History
Albums
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic appears on the following album releases:
| Cover art | Album title | Release date | Release country |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ghost In The Machine | 1981-10-02 | UK |
|
Message In A Box: The Complete Recordings | 1993-MM-DD | UK |
|
Every Move You Make: The Studio Recordings | 2018-11-16 | UK |
|
Ghost In The Machine (picture disc) | 2022-11-04 | worldwide |
Singles
CD Singles
| Cover art | Catalog no. | Songs | Release date | Release country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Catalog no. | "Song"(s) | YYYY-MM-DD | Country |
7" Singles
| Cover art | Catalog no. | A-side song/B-side song | Release date | Release country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AMS 8174 | "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"/"Flexible Strategies" | 1981-10-DD | UK |
|
AMS 8174 | "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"/"Shambelle" | 1981-MM-DD | USA |
12" Singles
| Cover art | Catalog no. | A-side song(s)/B-side song(s) | Release date | Release country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Catalog no. | "A-side song"/"B-side song" (add more songs as necessary) | YYYY-MM-DD | Country |
Video
"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" appears on the following video and dvd releases:
| Cover art | Video title | Release date | Release country |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Every Breath You Take: The Videos | 1986-MM-DD | Country |
|
Every Breath You Take: The DVD | 2003-04-07 | Country |
Awards, nominations, and certifications
Awards
This section needs more information.
| Year | Winner | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| YYYY | WINNER (album, song, producer, etc.) | AWARD (Grammy, People's Choice, etc.) | CATEGORY |
Nominations
This section needs more information.
| Year | Nominee | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| YYYY | NOMINEE (album, song, producer, etc.) | AWARD (Grammy, People's Choice, etc.) | CATEGORY |
Certifications
This section needs more information.
| Country | Certifier | Classification | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| COUNTRY | CERTIFIER (RIAA, IFPI...) | CLASSIFICATION (Album, singles, foreign artist...) | CERTIFICATION (Gold, Platinum, Diamond...) |
Lyrics
Lyrics are property and copyright of their owners, and provided here for educational purposes only.
Though I've tried before to tell her Of the feelings I have for her in my heart Every time that I come near her I just lose my nerve As I've done from the start Every little thing she does is magic Everything she do just turns me on Even though my life before was tragic Now I know my love for her goes on Do I have to tell the story Of a thousand rainy days since we first met It's a big enough umbrella But it's always me that ends up getting wet Every little thing she does is magic Everything she do just turns me on Even though my life before was tragic Now I know my love for her goes on I resolve to call her up a thousand times a day And ask her if she'll marry me in some old fashioned way But my silent fears have gripped me Long before I reach the phone Long before my tongue has tripped me Must I always be alone? Every little thing she does is magic Everything she do just turns me on Even though my life before was tragic Now I know my love for her goes on Every little thing she does is magic Everything she do just turns me on Even though my life before was tragic Now I know my love for her goes on Every little thing Every little thing
Quotations and trivia
In the movie "Conspiracy Theory" Mel Gibson's character tells Julia Roberts' character that he loves her by quoting this song's lyrics: video.
Alternative and cover versions
Alternative versions
- Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - Sting's demo from 1976/1977
- demo from January 1981
Cover versions
Cover versions of Every Breath You Take appear on the following album releases:
| Cover art | Artist | Album title | Release date | Release country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chaka Demus & Pliers | Reggatta Mondatta | 1997-MM-DD | The Netherlands |
|
Anadivine | Policia! A Tribute To The Police | 2005-MM-DD | USA |
See also
This section needs more information.
External links
References
- Police, The. Ghost In The Machine. (1981) [Audio recording], A&M Records.
- 1992-04 Bass Player (use of the H van Zalinge Electric Stand-Up Bass)
- Hugh Padgham
- Juke - December 5, 1981 (recording over five days)
