I have a “greatest hits” appreciation of The Police. I own only Synchronicity but I’m very familiar with their most popular songs from the four albums that preceded it — ‘Roxanne,’ ‘Can’t Stand Losing You,’ ‘Message in a Bottle,’ ‘Every Little Thing She Does is Magic’ and so on.
1980’s Zenyatta Mondatta was The Police’s third album and, though the band itself dismisses it as half-good, it received some of the best reviews of their career.
The hits from this record were ‘Don’t Stand So Close To Me,’ ‘Driven to Tears’ and ‘De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da,’ and by my theory that it takes three great songs to make a great album, Zenyatta Mondatta should qualify. Throw in ‘When the World is Running Down, You Make the Best of What’s Still Around’ and the original ‘Shadows in the Rain’ (which Sting “covered” in jazzy fashion on his solo debut) and you definitely have a winner.
Of schoolgirl fantasy
She wants him so badly
Knows what she wants to be
Inside her there’s longing
This girl’s an open page
Book marking – she’s so close now
This girl is half his age
Don’t stand, don’t stand so
Don’t stand so close to me
Don’t stand, don’t stand so
Don’t stand so close to me
Her friends are so jealous
You know how bad girls get
Sometimes it’s not so easy
To be the teacher’s pet
Temptation, frustration
So bad it makes him cry
Wet bus stop, she’s waiting
His car is warm and dry
Don’t stand, don’t stand so
Don’t stand so close to me
Don’t stand, don’t stand so
Don’t stand so close to me
Loose talk in the classroom
To hurt they try and try
Strong words in the staff room
The accusations fly
It’s no use, he sees her
He starts to shake and cough
Just like the old man in
That book by Nabakov
Don’t stand, don’t stand so
Don’t stand so close to me
Don’t stand, don’t stand so
Don’t stand so close to me
Don’t stand, don’t stand so
Don’t stand so close to me
Meet Me In Montauk 
The other day, “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da” came on the radio and I found myself defending it as Amy argued the song was just another redundant Police song. At least Daniel in the backseat seemed to appreciate the reggae infused rhythm of this classic.
Of course, today’s SOTD is another classic, which, like “”Shadows in the Rain,” also received a reworking on a later begrudging Police greatest hits album. I actually thought the newer version was interesting, though it largely sucked the life, spirit and joy from the original. Given the dark subject matter of the lyrics, however, perhaps the reimagined version hits closer to the mark.