Can't Stand Losing You
Encyclopedia
"Can't Stand Losing You" is a song by rock
band The Police
, first released as a single and on their album Outlandos d'Amour
, both in 1978. The original single was banned by the BBC
because of the controversial cover (an alternative cover was released in some places). As Sting described: "The reason they[the BBC] had a problem with "Can't Stand Losing You" was because the photo on the cover of the single had Stewart
standing on a block of ice with a noose around his neck, waiting for the ice to melt." Despite this, it became the group's first single to break the charts, and has held a spot in their live sets ever since it was written.
The original single capped at number 42, but the June 1979 reissue nearly topped the UK Singles charts, held off only by "I Don't Like Mondays" by The Boomtown Rats
. In 1995, a live version of the song was also released as a single and reached number 27 in the charts.
The instrumental track "Reggatta de Blanc
" from the album of the same name originated from an improvisational stage jam played during live performances of "Can't Stand Losing You". This instrumental track went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance
in 1981.
Two music videos exist for the song. One features the group playing the song on a stage with Sting wearing huge glasses. Slow motion shots of the group live appear as well. The second features the group performing the song in front of a red backdrop. This was filmed on the same day as the red backdropped version of "Roxanne
".
have covered the song and played it live on a couple of occasions. It also appears on their B-sides album Picture of Perfect Youth
.
Belgium band Novastar
covered the song. The track appears on the B-side of their 1999 single "The Best is Yet to Come".
"Can't Stand Losing You" has appeared as downloadable content in the music video game
series Rock Band as in a 3-song pack along with The Police's other songs "Synchronicity II
" and "Roxanne
".
.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
, first released as a single and on their album Outlandos d'Amour
Outlandos d'Amour
The LP initially flopped, due to low exposure and an unfavourable reaction from the BBC to its first two singles, "Can't Stand Losing You" and "Roxanne" . As Sting describes:...
, both in 1978. The original single was banned by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
because of the controversial cover (an alternative cover was released in some places). As Sting described: "The reason they[the BBC] had a problem with "Can't Stand Losing You" was because the photo on the cover of the single had Stewart
Stewart Copeland
Stewart Armstrong Copeland is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the band The Police. During the group's extended hiatus from the mid-1980s to 2007, he played in other bands and composed soundtracks...
standing on a block of ice with a noose around his neck, waiting for the ice to melt." Despite this, it became the group's first single to break the charts, and has held a spot in their live sets ever since it was written.
The original single capped at number 42, but the June 1979 reissue nearly topped the UK Singles charts, held off only by "I Don't Like Mondays" by The Boomtown Rats
The Boomtown Rats
The Boomtown Rats were an Irish punk rock band that had a series of Irish and UK hits between 1977 and 1985. They were led by vocalist Bob Geldof.-Biography:All six members were originally from Dún Laoghaire, Ireland...
. In 1995, a live version of the song was also released as a single and reached number 27 in the charts.
The instrumental track "Reggatta de Blanc
Reggatta de Blanc (song)
"Reggatta de Blanc" is a 1979 musical composition by The Police, and the title track on their second album. The instrumental evolved from improvisational stage jams during early Police performances of the song "Can't Stand Losing You"...
" from the album of the same name originated from an improvisational stage jam played during live performances of "Can't Stand Losing You". This instrumental track went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance
Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance was an honor presented to recording artists for quality instrumental rock performances at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards...
in 1981.
Two music videos exist for the song. One features the group playing the song on a stage with Sting wearing huge glasses. Slow motion shots of the group live appear as well. The second features the group performing the song in front of a red backdrop. This was filmed on the same day as the red backdropped version of "Roxanne
Roxanne (song)
"Roxanne" is a hit song by the rock band The Police, first released in 1978 as a single and on their album Outlandos d'Amour. It was written from the point-of-view of a man who falls in love with a prostitute.- History :...
".
Covers
British rock band FeederFeeder
-Technology:* Feeder , any of several devices used in apiculture to supplement or replace natural food sources* Feeder , another name for a riser, a reservoir built into a metal casting mold to prevent cavities due to shrinkage...
have covered the song and played it live on a couple of occasions. It also appears on their B-sides album Picture of Perfect Youth
Picture of Perfect Youth
Picture of Perfect Youth is a limited CD and vinyl collection of approximately half of Feeder's B-sides. The official website sold out of the CD edition, though the album was re-released in March 2007...
.
Belgium band Novastar
Novastar
Novastar is a Belgian band, led by a born Dutch singer and pianist Joost Zweegers. The band is popular in Belgium and the Netherlands. Novastar is known for its deep, emotional ballads, and the pure, high voice of Zweegers.-Biography:...
covered the song. The track appears on the B-side of their 1999 single "The Best is Yet to Come".
"Can't Stand Losing You" has appeared as downloadable content in the music video game
Music video game
A music video game, also commonly known as a music game, is a video game where the gameplay is meaningfully and often almost entirely oriented around the player's interactions with a musical score or individual songs...
series Rock Band as in a 3-song pack along with The Police's other songs "Synchronicity II
Synchronicity II
"Synchronicity II" is a song by The Police, described by People Weekly as "aggressive" and "steely." It was recorded in 1983 and was included on the album Synchronicity. It was released as a single in the UK and the U.S. by A&M Records. The third single from the album, it reached number 17 in the...
" and "Roxanne
Roxanne (song)
"Roxanne" is a hit song by the rock band The Police, first released in 1978 as a single and on their album Outlandos d'Amour. It was written from the point-of-view of a man who falls in love with a prostitute.- History :...
".
Personnel
- Sting - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, lead vocals, backing vocals - Andy SummersAndy SummersAndy Summers is an English guitarist born in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, England. Best known as the guitarist for rock band The Police, he has also recorded twelve solo albums, collaborated with many other artists, toured extensively under his own name, published several books, and composed...
- guitar - Stewart CopelandStewart CopelandStewart Armstrong Copeland is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the band The Police. During the group's extended hiatus from the mid-1980s to 2007, he played in other bands and composed soundtracks...
- drums
B-Side
The B-side of "Can't Stand Losing You", is based on a riff Copeland wrote in high school. The song is composed in a punk rock format, and contains many expletives. Sting's lyrics mention being a teacher as a dead end job, which was his job before joining The Police. The song was only available on vinyl until the release of 1993's Message in a BoxMessage in a Box: The Complete Recordings
Message in a Box: The Complete Recordings is a four-CD boxed set by The Police, containing all of their studio albums in chronological order, as well as singles, B-sides, and tracks from various compilation albums and the Brimstone & Treacle soundtrack.Disc 1 includes live renditions of "Landlord"...
.