Can't Stand Losing You (The Police); drum cover by Sina

Stewart Copeland is still regarded as one of the great drummers in Rock, more than 4 decades after the debut album of The Police was launched. This song is taken from The Police's debut album and it features some typical elements of Stewart's highly dynamic style.

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[darrencady]

She certainly is very good. Stewart Copeland would be very proud of her performance. Very talented young lady.

[jacquesmertens]

I've been a life long fan of Stewart Copeland. Never thought anyone would be able to match his style so perfectly. And that's just what you did. I'm blown away.

[julietp.]

After three years Sina calls the police again! What a way to start Black Friday...

THE SONG - "Can't Stand Losing You" was written and sung by Police bassist Sting (Gordon Sumner). It was recorded between January and June 1978 at Nigel Gray's Surrey Sound Studios along with the other songs for the band's debut album 'Outlandos d'Amour'. The album was recorded on a GBP 1500 budget provided by drummer Stewart Copeland's brother Miles.

After hearing "Roxanne", Miles persuaded A&M Records to release it which they did on Apr 7, 1978 but it failed to chart. The label gave the band another chance with "Can't Stand Losing You" which was released for the first time on Aug 14, 1978. It was a hit, reaching #48 on the UK charts in late 1978 and A&M then released the 'Outlandos d'Amour' album on Nov 2, 1978. In the US, the album entered the Billboard 200 chart at #139 on Mar 3, 1979, peaked at #23 on May 5, and was last seen at #184 on Sep 1, 1979 with 27 weeks on the chart.

Following the album release, both "Roxanne" and "Can't Stand Losing You" were reissued. "Can't Stand Losing You" didn't chart in the US but reached #2 in the UK."Roxanne" was a hit in the US, peaking at #32 of the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1979 and reached #12 in the UK.

"Can't Stand Losing You" deals with teenage suicide, a touchy subject, and some were put off by the light treatment and the initial cover artwork that showed a hooded Stewart Copeland hanging himself. The BBC banned the song. According to Sting, it was due to the artwork but some writers say it was the morbid content. As is often the case, the ban enhanced the song's popularity and may have helped it become the band's first charting single.

THE DRUMMER - Stewart Copeland was born in Alexandria, Virginia USA but spent much of his youth abroad in the Middle East and the UK. His father worked for the CIA and his mother was an archeologist. In his early teens, while in Lebanon, he started playing on his older brother's drums. His father, who had played jazz trumpet for Glenn Miller, arranged lessons with an Armenian who played in a hotel jazz band. When Stewart moved to the UK, he studied with Max Abrams. He told 'Modern Drummer', in Oct 1982, that he tuned his drum heads very tight, "The only thing I actually do myself is tune the heads, which I do rock hard all the way around. The entire drumset is about to pop; I have them as tight as they’ll go." He used an Imperial Star TAMA set with 9-ply rather than 6-ply shells to handle the additional tension.

His playing style is unique as well. He's a very physical, hard-hitting drummer and uses a slightly altered traditional grip, often hitting the drum rims at the same time as the heads in a semi-rimshot for a percussive effect. Although his early influences included Middle-Eastern music and jazz, he was into Mitch Mitchell and Ginger Baker and drew inspiration from their playing in a trio. The freedom to improvise led to bringing jazz elements into rock playing like syncopation, complex fills and jazz rhythms on the cymbals.

Stewart Copeland was inducted into the 'Modern Drummer' Hall of Fame in 2005, the 'Classic Drummer' Hall of Fame in 2013 and was ranked #10 in 'Rolling Stone's' "100 Greatest Drummers of All Time".

Sina has two previous Police covers. Look for "Roxanne" (Aug 27, 2015) and "Message In A Bottle" (Dec 18, 2015) so she is familiar with Copeland's style. Rosanna, as usual, had a few questions -

RO: Considering his various influences, what elements of Copeland's style did you want to emulate?

SINA: I think Stewart Copeland added many reggae elements in this song. I copied what he did without thinking about the genre, but of course I also played the song in a reggae and rock style.

RO: I believe you're using the butt-end of the left stick. Was that for more power or to emphasize the rim clicks?

SINA: Yes, I use the butt-end of the left stick. That's because of the rim clicks. My dad isn't pleased when I play the loud snare hits too loud, because that makes it difficult to hear the more quiet ones. So I try to avoid doing these very loud snare hits like Copeland did.

RO: Stewart often does complex rim click patterns. You do this at around 1:40. Is that something you've done before or just adapted from his playing for this song?

SINA: We practised that in Drummer's Institute when we learned about Brazilian music, so it was not difficult for me to do it in this song. But I'm sure I would find rim click patterns in Police songs that I would have to practise a few minutes before I could play it.


Tell 'em Niki sent you... that really won't help but Niki insisted! :D

[johngray]

Stewart Copeland would be proud! Amazingly talented young drummer and so great to new new generations of musicians playing their music 40 years later!

[СергейТерешонков-еы]

I don't have a musical ear, but when I see a drum or a cymbal that produces a particular note for me, this song, listened to many times before, now sounded in a new way with a richer sound palette of percussion instruments.
Thank you for the new sensations

[waltermameli]

This is a drummers song and This girl is without a doubt a display of

[ryanpekarchuk]

People who thumbs down this video are just jealous of the talent on display here! Way to go keep it up you rock Sina! More police!

[jollyroger]

my two favorite drummers of all time are Neil Peart, and Stewart Copeland. You do them both justice!
awesome! keep it going!!!!

[MrFeuerFux]

Steward Copeland is one of my favorite drummers because his technique is absolut unique and progressive. So in my eyes it's really difficult to do a drum cover like this that satisfies the claim. But as always you nailed it, Sina. My highest respect for this! 🥁👍

[thecorbies]

Hi Sina. Stewart Copeland was/is one of the great technical drummers of the 70's and 80's. His timing and precision is hard to copy, but I have to say, you absolutely nailed this tune.
I've been playing drums since I was about 11yrs old, and let's just say that I don't need to work anymore, but there's no way that I would like to take this track on. Really, REALLY well done.
Regards Mark in the UK

[albertogiuffrida]

One of my favourite songs .... Good interpretation!!!

[jyrivirtanen]

Sina is master at work here. I see and hear that Sina does the best job you can ask for this piece, technically as well as emotionally. And that’s not a little.Very immersive, immaculate and respectable cover. It’s not easy to realize how hard challenges she beat even as a teenager. To get it just right💯

[aldrinalteza]

Stewart Copeland is one of my favorite drummer. This is tough.

[fnfstudiosetters]

Juliet P.. NO, we dont want the Police called on Sina, just yet... Wait till she really does something naughty !!! But Sina, nicely done again. I never thought of the Police being reggae but there it was. Here is what I learn from you. The drum part seems easy but behind the scenes I know better. Seems like quick changes in tempo or speed and more difficult than anyone could imagine. I like the variety you feed us on Friday.. Its all so fresh and entertaining . I watched a Bee Gees concert on YT the other night and the drummer, believe it or not, was in a cage..darkened screen sides.. I could scream!!! Why keep the tempo setter of the group in a cage, hidden. I told Fred.. if you had been sitting there watching with us... surly you would have thrown a boot at my nice TV and broken it. (I am glad you were in Germany) Great performance Sina.. as always.. BRAVO

[Olvenskol]

Had a chance to see Copeland during the Police reunion tour. His solo was amazing! You did an excellent job capturing the sound Sina.

[SignOfCross]

You’re 10 years younger than me, and still you show me many awesome songs I didn’t knew 😄
Love your job, you’re my favourite female drummer!

[docteurslump]

Thank you so much for making me remember having so much fun everytime I play police songs on drums.
You're very talented and you definitely got so close to Steward Copeland's spirit. White Reggae rules ! 💙

[pauldunlea]

Haven't seen this one before Sina. Great to see a young girl playing along to REAL Music.

[keithacalu]

OutStanding. Great song and beautiful cover. I'm with Ray Haynes. So thankful for what you do and the many great folks you have brought on your journey. The song choices are dang perfect. I've been listening to Your SongBook II and what fun to re-visit these gems again. You and your basement clan are amazing. Have a blessed weekend.

[ConstantineBassCovers]

I really enjoyed this cover. Excellent playing and the audio sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing with us.