Yesterday I speculated that one reason we haven’t seen a song repeat at #1 in the last 22 years is that modern artists are more likely to sample an old hit than cover it.
Perhaps the most notorious (pun intended) example of that is Puff Daddy’s 1997 release ‘I’ll Be Missing You,’ written about and released a couple of months after the murder of The Notorious B.I.G. Puff Daddy’s tribute to his late friend debuted at #1 on the Hot 100 and spent 11 weeks there, a record for a rap song until Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’ topped it in 2002.
This song is built on the sturdy bones of The Police’s 1983 single ‘Every Breath You Take,’ from the hypnotic guitar lick that plays throughout to the melody of the chorus, given new lyrics and performed by Biggie’s widow Faith Evans on this track.
‘Every Breath You Take’ spent eight weeks at #1 for The Police, giving them their only #1 hit in the United States. Given how liberally ‘I’ll Be Missing You’ cribs from The Police song, you can kinda sorta call this the 10th song to reach #1 by two different artists.
Shockingly, Puff Daddy did not ask the song’s sole credited writer, Sting, for permission to use his song. Sting wound up suing and reportedly receives 100% of the royalties.
Lost in the shuffle was Police guitarist Andy Summers, who came up with the guitar part heard throughout ‘Every Breath You Take’ and ‘I’ll Be Missing You’ but wasn’t credited as a writer on the original song and therefore didn’t earn a dime from the lawsuit.
Yeah, this right here (Tell me why)
Goes out to everyone that has lost someone
That they truly loved (C’mon, check it out)
[Verse 1: Puff Daddy]
It seems like yesterday we used to rock the show
I laced the track, you locked the flow
So far from hangin’ on the block for dough
Notorious, they got to know that
Life ain’t always what it seem to be
Words can’t express what you mean to me
Even though you’re gone, we still a team
Through your family, I’ll fulfill your dream (That’s right)
In the future, can’t wait to see
If you open up the gates for me
Reminisce some time, the night they took my friend
Try to black it out, but it plays again
When it’s real, feelings hard to conceal
Can’t imagine all the pain I feel
Give anythin’ to hear half your breath (Half your breath)
I know you still livin’ your life after death
[Chorus: Faith Evans & Puff Daddy]
Every step I take
Every move I make
Every single day, every time I pray
I’ll be missin’ you
Thinkin’ of the day
When you went away
What a life to take, what a bond to break
I’ll be missin’ you (I miss you, B.I.G.)
[Verse 2: Puff Daddy]
It’s kinda hard with you not around (Yeah)
Know you in Heaven, smilin’ down (Ha)
Watchin’ us while we pray for you
Every day we pray for you
‘Til the day we meet again
In my heart is where I’ll keep you, friend
Memories give me the strength I need to proceed
Strength I need to believe
My thoughts, B.I.G., I just can’t define (Can’t define)
Wish I could turn back the hands of time
Us in the six, shop for new clothes and kicks
You and me takin’ flicks
Makin’ hits, stages they receive you on
Still can’t believe you’re gone (Can’t believe you’re gone)
Give anything to hear half your breath (Half your breath)
I know you still livin’ your life after death
[Chorus: Faith Evans]
Every step I take
Every move I make (I miss you)
Every single day, every time I pray
I’ll be missin’ you (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Thinkin’ of the day
When you went away
What a life to take, what a bond to break
I’ll be missin’ you (Somebody tell me why)
[Interlude: Faith Evans]
One glad morning
When this life is over
I know I’ll see your face
[Outro: 112, Puff Daddy & Faith Evans]
Every night I pray, every step I take
Every move I make, every single day
Every night I pray, every step I take (Every day that passes is a day that I get closer)
Every move I make, every single day (To seeing you again)
Every night I pray, every step I take (We miss you, B.I.G., and we won’t stop ’cause we can’t stop)
Every move I make, every single day (That’s right)
Every night I pray, every step I take
Every move I make, every single day (We miss you, B.I.G)
Every step I take
Meet Me In Montauk 
To crib something- I always learn something new from you. Love your historical and musical contexts. Rolling Stone would be lucky to have you.
I didn’t know this was about Biggie nor that Biggie’s widow sang the chorus.
I too always learn something new from your blog and agree with my sister that Rolling Stone (or any publication) would be lucky to have you.
Thank you for the kind words!