Andy Summers: How The Police wrote 'Message in a Bottle'

In this clip, Andy Summers breaks down the structure of The Police's hit song "Message in a Bottle", and how he came up with the iconic guitar riff.

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[bobosputnik]

Andy Summers is 81. EIGHTY ONE! Listen to the way he talks and plays. Music is the only time machine out there. It can take you back to such a specific place and time. And by the look of Andy, it keeps you young as well. So awesome!

[oldguycraggy]

I grew up thinking there was an endless conveyor belt of superb music. In my 7th decade I realise I was living through a never to be repeated golden era.

[Alun]

Andy Summers gave The Police a unique sound. A brilliant guitarist!

[tres]

Don’t ever quit doing this YouTube thing. These interviews will live forever!

[GizmoBeach]

Mr. Summers is one of those rare guitarists who, when he begins playing a song or lick but you’re not actually watching him, you immediately think “That’s Andy Summers.” Love his talent.

[matkamoon]

Hard to believe he is 81 years old, still looks good. Still got it ..

[larshowen]

Andy, Gordon and Stewart are three superbly gifted musicians. It was so great that they found each other.

[vinylrulesok]

Nothing sounds like the guitar on Message in a Bottle. Totally unique sound. That's why it's one of my favourite songs still, 45 years on

[DrGonzo]

Andy Summers...a guitarist who truly plays what is right for the song and thinks very much outside the box. Have always admired his work with The Police.

[paxonearth]

In '79? I was 13 and I was listening to a radio show late at night and Geddy Lee was talking about the Police- "There's this band I've been listening to a lot lately. I think they're just great, " or something similar. Then they played Message in a Bottle. It was the first time I had heard of the Police. My thinking was "If Geddy says they're good, then they must be good." My God, this song is absolutely haunting still.

[reedsawyer]

Rick, what I love about your channel is that you are not a "fan boy". You are a musician. You can talk mechanics with these great musicians, and make it accessible to the audience. Andy Summers is a very literate and articulate musician. You bring out the absolute joy that is inside of these guys. Which makes us enjoy it even more enjoyable to us.

[paulbangash]

I met Andy once. Long ago (76) when he was playing with Kevin Ayers at Manchester university.
Time flies 💫

[barrievee]

Nice to see Andy Summers interviewed.. He remains as humble as he ever was.. Andy Summers is a hugely underrated guitar player (and composer!) The Police would never have happened but for his exquisite playing and composing.
N.B. He never received full credit, neither artistically (or financially!) for the work he put in to The Police.
Sting owes him.. Bigtime..

[dorjem.]

It’s interesting that Andy Summers was talking about his love for Bartòk’s violin concerts, and in Rick Beato’s Sting interview Sting was talking about how Bach was the musical GOAT and is a constant and ongoing source of musical inspiration for him. These guys were musically educated and outstanding artists.

[IztokGolob-Naklo]

Saw them live in 2008. In Munich. Loved a very simple stage. No distractions. Just three veterans working their socks off. And Andy, better than on recordings. Brilliant guitarist.

[RodCornholio]

Sonically, what those three did was nothing short of mind-blowing. With or without studio engineering, they had a huge sound.

[teresamichelangeli]

I still cannot believe Sting got up at The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball and played this song absolutely flawlessly, singing with that incredible voice at the same time. There was serious talent in that band.

[DukeStarbuckle]

"The power of music." Exactly.

[NOcode]

Forget about fame/money
The moment you & band mates & coworkers sitting listening to playback of eventual smash hit must be the greatest feeling ever, my god.

[jaycharlton]

Andy Summers is a genius on the guitar. Wildly creative, completely unique, one of the best guitarist on the planet.