by Mark Nobes, chief editor
Penned by Sting, and released on Sept 19th 1980 as the lead single from band's third studio album Zenyatta Mondatta, "Don't Stand So Close to Me" became the band's third UK Number 1 and also the best-selling single of 1980.
Original UK 7" vinyl sleeve (1980)
The lyrics were written by Sting and describe a Lolita style relationship between himself (who was once a teacher) and a 15 year old female pupil, although Sting ha since claimed that the lyrics were not based on a real life experience.
The song also reached No.1 in Ireland, No.2 in Canada and New Zealand, No.3 in Australia, No.4 in Italy and South Africa, No.5 in Spain, No.7 in France, No.10 in the U.S. and No.23 in Germany.
The single sold around 900,000 copies and won a 1981 Grammy award for "Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Group".
Stewart Copeland broke his collar band following a fall from a horse, the night before they were due to record their sixth album, which was never completed. He was unable to play the drums, and a row broke out over whether he should use a Synclavier or Fairlight CMI to program the drums.