Stewart Copeland humorously admitted that he was probably “too much of an asshole” to keep Sting happy during their time working together in The Police.
But, in a more serious tone, Copeland explained that their frequent tensions stemmed from differing opinions on how their songs should sound and function.
In a recent video for Drumeo, the drum channel, Copeland was asked to play along with Limp Bizkit’s song “Rollin’,” despite having never heard it before. During the video, Copeland was asked about his approach to unfamiliar music. He responded, “I don’t — I just make this shit up. I kinda look for an alternative.”
He demonstrated a standard four-on-the-floor beat, acknowledging that if the song required such a rhythm, he could provide it. However, he humorously added, “But I’m an asshole, so I’m probably gonna not provide that!”
Reflecting on his time with The Police, Copeland shared, “I did try very hard to make my band happy. And when Sting had an idea for something, I absolutely would listen, because he’s actually pretty good at this stuff.”
He further explained, “I would listen – but then I’d forget. Instinct takes over and I did my best. I only wished to please, and I wasn’t being obstinate or anything when I didn’t do what he asked. It was just that I forgot!”
Stewart Copeland and Sting in ‘The Police’
Copeland continued, recalling a humorous internal struggle he had each day: “Every morning I’m sure Sting would look at the mirror … saying, ‘Just let Stewart be Stewart!’
And he would try his best. But then pretty soon I’d start playing all kinds of bullshit over his great song. And every morning I would look in the mirror … saying, ‘Just give him what he wants! Today I’m going to make Sting happy!’ Didn’t last.”
He elaborated on the challenges he and Sting faced, acknowledging that despite their good intentions, their differing musical approaches often led to conflict. “The reason for that is we make music for different reasons. We listen to music for different reasons. We listen out for different things in the music.”
Copeland shared his own perspective on what makes a song work, noting that few would likely agree with him. “I don’t listen to the words,” he said. “I don’t listen to the singing. I listen to the riff. As I’m fond of saying, I don’t know the words to any Beatles songs, but I can sing you every Ringo [Starr] drum fill.”
For Copeland, the song is “in service of the riff,” and, as he explained, “the whole song and riff are in service of the band,” an approach he knows is unconventional. He added, “Which is ass-backwards – I understand that; I appreciate that … the world would disagree with me.”
Finally, Copeland summed up his role as a drummer by saying, “Sing your goddamn song, but I’m banging shit here!”
