Andy Summers Names The Police Song That Earns The Most In Royalties

Former Police guitarist Andy Summers was recently asked about the band’s song that brings him the most money, thanks to royalties. According to Summers, their legendary track entitled ‘Every Breath You Take‘ has a never-ending income with several zeroes.

When the Police released their fifth and final studio album, ‘Synchronicity’ on June 17, 1983, they also put out their most successful song as well. Written by Sting, ‘Every Breath You Take’ was the biggest US and Canadian hit of 1983, topping the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two months while reaching the Top 10 in numerous other countries.

The accolades of the song when it was first released were endless as it was nominated for three Grammy Awards and won two at the 26th Annual Grammy Awards. Furthermore, Sting received the 1983 Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors.

While the song was also regarded as the best song of the year by numerous respectable magazines at the time of its release, ‘Every Breath You Take’ is still considered a timeless hit since it is the most played song in radio history. As proof of its excellence, Rolling Stone listed the song in the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

Naturally, such a triumphant song brings commercial success to its creators. Sting receives nearly all the income from the track due to being the songwriter as the musician is receiving $2000 every single day. However, it was recently revealed that the former Police frontman isn’t the band’s only member who receives royalties from the song.

During a recent interview with the Telegraph, Andy Summers was asked about the Police song that makes him the most money in royalties. While many would think it wouldn’t be ‘Every Breath You Take’ due to Sting’s big share of income, the guitarist actually said that there are several zeros in its royalties that ‘never end.’

If you ask Summers, there aren’t many bands with songs whose income is quite endless. To name a few, the Police guitarist said that maybe the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Who, or Pink Floyd accomplished such a success throughout their career other than Sting.

About the song that earns the most money, Summers said:

“Probably Every Breath You Take. It’s the song that’s had the most plays in American radio history. As for how much we’ve made from it, I think there’d be several zeros there, and it’s still going on. It never ends.

There are only about five bands that have done this: us; The Beatles; The Rolling Stones; maybe The Who, not certain; maybe Pink Floyd.”

You can listen to ‘Every Breath You Take’ below.