Police's 'Synchronicity' Album Turns 40 with 40 Surprising Facts

From roadies to fist fights to James Bond, UCR looks back at the making of the Police's classic album.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Police's fifth studio album, "Synchronicity," was an incredibly complex and intense process that nearly broke up the band. Despite the turmoil, the album became their first #1 in the US and sold over 8 million copies. This article reveals 40 surprising facts about the making of "Synchronicity," including details about the recording sessions, the album cover, and the lasting impact of the hit single "Every Breath You Take."

Why it matters

"Synchronicity" marked a pivotal moment in the Police's career, as the band's internal tensions and individual idiosyncrasies nearly led to their breakup during the recording process. However, they persevered and created one of the most successful and influential albums of the 1980s, cementing their status as one of the era's most iconic groups. The album's enduring popularity and cultural impact make these behind-the-scenes stories particularly fascinating for music fans.

The details

The Police returned to George Martin's AIR Studios in the Caribbean to record "Synchronicity," but the sessions were plagued by infighting and nearly resulted in the band breaking up. Producer Hugh Padgham recalled that they had "nothing on the tape that we could call a song" for the first two weeks. Tensions between the members were so high that there were both verbal and physical fights, with Sting and drummer Stewart Copeland "hating each other" according to Padgham. Guitarist Andy Summers sought advice from producer George Martin, who told them to "sort it out" themselves. Ultimately, they were able to complete the album in just 8 weeks, with Copeland noting there was "a lot of tension" but they "weren't fighting" openly. The album went on to become the Police's first #1 in the US, selling over 8 million copies.

  • The Police spent 6 weeks recording "Synchronicity" and an additional 2 weeks mixing it.
  • For the first 2 weeks of the recording sessions, the band had "nothing on the tape that we could call a song."
  • "Synchronicity" became the Police's first #1 album in the US, topping the charts for 17 weeks in 1983.
  • By March 1984, "Synchronicity" had sold over 5 million copies in the US alone.
  • The Police played their final classic era concert less than a year after "Synchronicity"'s release, on March 4, 1984 in Melbourne, Australia.

The players

The Police

An English rock band formed in 1977, consisting of Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland. They were one of the most successful rock groups of the 1980s, known for hits like "Every Breath You Take" and "Roxanne."

Hugh Padgham

The co-producer of "Synchronicity" along with the band members. He recalled the intense tensions and conflicts between the band members during the recording sessions.

George Martin

The legendary producer who owned the AIR Studios in the Caribbean where the Police recorded "Synchronicity." When the band's tensions reached a breaking point, guitarist Andy Summers sought Martin's advice on how to move forward.

Stewart Copeland

The drummer for the Police, who acknowledged the "a lot of tension" within the band during the "Synchronicity" sessions, but said they "weren't fighting" openly.

Sting

The lead vocalist and bassist for the Police, who was the primary songwriter for "Synchronicity." He drew inspiration from the writings of Carl Jung and Arthur Koestler for the album's themes and lyrics.

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What they’re saying

“When we went out to Montserrat to record this album, we were there for two weeks before we had anything on the tape that we could call a song. It was that bad.”

— Hugh Padgham, Producer (Playing Back The 80s: A Decade of Unstoppable Hits)

“We were in paradise, creating our own hell. But in the bitter despond of that trench warfare, we could all hear that this music was fucking great.”

— Stewart Copeland, Drummer (Classic Pop)

“I consider it a fairly nasty song; it's a song about surveillance and ownership and jealousy. A lot of people thought it was a very sweet love song. But what I'm saying is that songs can work on as many levels as possible – and should. That's the magic of music.”

— Sting (Rolling Stone)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Despite the intense internal conflicts during the making of "Synchronicity," the Police were able to create one of the most iconic and successful albums of the 1980s. The album's enduring popularity and cultural impact, including the lasting success of "Every Breath You Take," cemented the band's legacy as one of the era's most influential groups.