Walking In Your Footsteps
"Walking In Your Footsteps" | |
---|---|
Recorded by The Police | |
Released: | 1983 |
Recorded: | December 1982 - January 1983 |
Length: | 3:35 |
Album(s): | Synchronicity |
Label(s): | A&M |
Writer(s): | Sting |
Producer(s): | The Police, Hugh Padgham |
Studio(s): | AIR Studios, Montserrat |
Released as single? | NO |
"Walking In Your Footsteps" is a song written by Sting and recorded by The Police in December 1982 / January 1983.
Contents
About the song
There is no Sting demo for this song. It was created at AIR Studios with a rhythmic OBX pattern that was previously used for O My God.
In "Studio Sound" from March 1984 producer Hugh Padgham remembers that this song was written by Sting on Montserrat and only took half a morning to do. Sting didn't bother to find unique sequencer sounds and used a factory setting he found suitable.
Alternate Version
An Alternate Version from AIR Studios was mixed by Hugh Padgham in December 1982. It features two additional verses, thus lasting 4:37 minutes and can be found on the Synchronicity box set (released on 2024-07-26).
After a longer intro Sting starts with "20 million years ago" which is way off from the 65-66 million years ago when dinosaurs became extinct. Another difference in the beginning is that Stewart constantly plays the "clicks" with his sticks (as it can be heard during the LP version's first chorus).
For the LP version Sting would "correct" the first line to "50 million years ago", which is still way off ...
Alternate Mix
An Alternate Mix was done by Hugh Padgham at Le Studio in January 1983. It features one additional verse, lasts 4:02 minutes and can be found on the Synchronicity box set (released on 2024-07-26).
It also starts with Stewart's continuous clicks and way more guitar screeching than the LP version.
After the fourth verse this version fades out much sooner than the LP version.
LP version
The LP version lasts 3:35 minutes.
Extended LP version
A longer version with the LP mix lasts 4:50 minutes and can be found on the Synchronicity picture disc that features a different running order (released on 2024-07-26). After the band agreed to put all the "fast" songs on side 1 of the LP and the "slow" songs on side 2 parts of this song were cut to reduce the length of side 1 - maintaining a good vinyl sound quality.
This longer version also features the fourth verse as does the Alternate Mix. It fades out a bit after the LP version's fade-out.
Derangement
For his movie Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out Stewart Copeland created a few derangements using unused parts from studio and live recordings. A 3:52 minute derangement of this song can be found on the Synchronicity box set.
Personnel
This section needs more information.
Release History
Albums
Walking In Your Footsteps appears on the following album releases:
Cover art | Album title | Release date | Release country |
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Synchronicity | 1983-06-01 | USA |
Singles
CD Singles
Cover art | Catalog no. | Songs | Release date | Release country |
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Catalog no. | "Song"(s) | YYYY-MM-DD | Country |
7" Singles
Cover art | Catalog no. | A-side song/B-side song | Release date | Release country |
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Catalog no. | "A-side song"/"B-side song" | YYYY-MM-DD | Country |
12" Singles
Cover art | Catalog no. | A-side song(s)/B-side song(s) | Release date | Release country |
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Catalog no. | "A-side song"/"B-side song" (add more songs as necessary) | YYYY-MM-DD | Country |
Video
"SONG TITLE" appears on the following video and dvd releases:
Cover art | Video title | Release date | Release country |
---|---|---|---|
Video or dvd title | YYYY-MM-DD | Country |
Awards, nominations, and certifications
Awards
This section needs more information.
Year | Winner | Award | Category |
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YYYY | WINNER (album, song, producer, etc.) | AWARD (Grammy, People's Choice, etc.) | CATEGORY |
Nominations
This section needs more information.
Year | Nominee | Award | Category |
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YYYY | NOMINEE (album, song, producer, etc.) | AWARD (Grammy, People's Choice, etc.) | CATEGORY |
Certifications
This section needs more information.
Country | Certifier | Classification | Certification |
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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.
- LP lyrics
Fifty million years ago You walked upon the planet so Lord of all that you could see Just a little bit like me Walking in your footsteps Walking in your footsteps Walking in your footsteps Walking in your footsteps Hey Mr. Dinosaur you really couldn't ask for more You were God's favorite creature but you didn't have a future Walking in your footsteps Walking in your footsteps Walking in your footsteps Walking in your footsteps Hey there mighty Brontosaurus don't you have a lesson for us You thought your rule would always last There were no lessons in your past You were built three stories high They say you would not hurt a fly If we explode the atom bomb would they say that we were dumb Walking in your footsteps Walking in your footsteps Walking in your footsteps Walking in your footsteps They say the meek shall inherit the earth They say the meek shall inherit the earth Walking In Your Footsteps Walking In Your Footsteps etc...
- original fourth and fifth verse
... distinction To laugh at our extinction But you really have to think hard When you're walking in your graveyard Twenty / Fifty million years ago They walked upon the planet so They live in a museum It's the only place you'll see 'em ... Tyrannosaurus Rex Do you think our turn is next Are we endangered species When we walk in our own ... feces
Quotations and trivia
The official lyrics for this song feature parts of the fourth verse that's not on the LP version:
Fifty million years ago They walked upon the planet so They live in a museum It's the only place you'll see 'em
Alternative and cover versions
An early mix from AIR Studios features a different vocal track starting with "20 million years ago".
See also
This section needs more information.
External links
This section needs more information.
References
- Police, The. Synchronicity. (1983) [Audio recording], A&M Records.
- Studio Sound - March 1984