Studio Album · No. 2

Reggatta de Blanc Songwriting Credits by The Police

1979 A&M Records 11 tracks 41 min

Produced by Nigel Gray, The Police  ·  Engineered by Nigel Gray

A&M Records New WaveReggae RockPost-PunkRock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 11 of 11 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 11 / 11 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether The Police carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
11 trackswritten by The Police 0 tracksoutside writers
The Police's roles on this album

Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist91%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

11
Tracks
3
Lyricists
2
Producers
2
No.1 Singles
1979
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Best Rock Instrumental Performance (1981)
Data Insight

Sting wrote the large majority of Reggatta de Blanc, including the hit singles 'Message in a Bottle' and 'Walking on the Moon.' Stewart Copeland contributed three songs of his own ('On Any Other Day,' 'Contact,' and 'Does Everyone Stare'), while the instrumental title track 'Reggatta de Blanc' is credited to all three members and won the Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 1981 ceremony. The album was co-produced by Nigel Gray and The Police, with Gray also engineering. It marked the band's commercial breakthrough, topping the UK albums chart.

A&M wanted the second album made in a bigger studio with a name producer. The Police went back to Surrey Sound and Nigel Gray instead, covering the bill out of the debut's profits so the label had no leverage over it. They were short on new songs and patched the gap with old material: 'Bring On the Night' and 'The Bed's Too Big Without You' came out of Sting's pre-Police band Last Exit, 'Does Everyone Stare' grew from a piano piece Stewart Copeland wrote in college, and the closing 'No Time This Time' had already been released as a B-side. It became the band's first UK number one album and carried their first two UK number one singles, 'Message in a Bottle' and 'Walking on the Moon.' The instrumental title track won them their first Grammy.

Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Message in a Bottle #1
Sting Sting Nigel GrayThe Police Sting (Lead Vocals)
2
Reggatta de Blanc
Not documented Andy SummersStingStewart Copeland Nigel GrayThe Police -
3
It's Alright for You
Stewart CopelandSting Stewart CopelandSting Nigel GrayThe Police Sting (Lead Vocals)
4
Bring On the Night
Sting Sting Nigel GrayThe Police Sting (Lead Vocals)
5
Deathwish
Andy SummersStingStewart Copeland Andy SummersStingStewart Copeland Nigel GrayThe Police Sting (Lead Vocals)
6
Walking on the Moon #1
Sting Sting Nigel GrayThe Police Sting (Lead Vocals)
7
On Any Other Day
Stewart Copeland Stewart Copeland Nigel GrayThe Police Sting (Lead Vocals)
8
The Bed's Too Big Without You
Sting Sting Nigel GrayThe Police Sting (Lead Vocals)
9
Contact
Stewart Copeland Stewart Copeland Nigel GrayThe Police Sting (Lead Vocals)
10
Does Everyone Stare
Stewart Copeland Stewart Copeland Nigel GrayThe Police Sting (Lead Vocals)
11
No Time This Time
Sting Sting Nigel GrayThe Police Sting (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 5 contributors

S
Sting
Writer · Vocals
On this album8 written
SC
Stewart Copeland
Writer
On this album6 written
AS
Andy Summers
Writer
On this album2 written
NG
Nigel Gray
Producer
On this album11 produced
TP
The Police
Producer
On this album11 produced

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Frequently Asked Questions Reggatta de Blanc

Did Sting write all of Reggatta de Blanc?
Sting wrote the large majority, including 'Message in a Bottle,' 'Walking on the Moon,' and 'Bring On the Night.' Stewart Copeland wrote three songs on his own: 'On Any Other Day,' 'Contact,' and 'Does Everyone Stare.' The instrumental title track and two other tracks are credited to all three band members.
Who wrote the song Reggatta de Blanc?
The instrumental title track is credited jointly to Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland. It grew out of a jam the band used to extend 'Can't Stand Losing You' live. The piece won the Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 23rd Annual Grammy Awards in 1981.
Did Reggatta de Blanc win a Grammy?
Yes. The instrumental title track 'Reggatta de Blanc' won Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the 23rd Annual Grammy Awards, held in February 1981. The award was credited to all three members of The Police. It was the band's first Grammy win.
How did Message in a Bottle by The Police chart?
'Message in a Bottle' reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart, the band's first UK chart-topper. In the United States it peaked at number 74 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is one of The Police's most enduring songs.
Did Walking on the Moon reach number one?
Yes, 'Walking on the Moon' hit number 1 on the UK Singles Chart in late 1979. It was the album's second UK number-one single. Sting wrote the song, which features a distinctive reggae-inflected bass line.
Who produced Reggatta de Blanc?
The album was co-produced by Nigel Gray and The Police. Gray, who had also worked on the band's debut, engineered the sessions as well. It was recorded quickly in 1979 between touring commitments.

Sources

Wikipedia: Reggatta de Blanc Wikipedia: Message in a Bottle (The Police song) Wikipedia: Walking on the Moon MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: Reggatta de Blanc by The Police