# In 1978, Sting felt “completely destroyed” by a hit song. By the end of 1979, The Police had three number ones

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1978-sting-felt-completely-destroyed-by-a-hit-song-by-the-end-of-1979-the-police-had-three-number-ones/
- Published: 2026-10-24T15:31:18+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-24T16:53:54+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1978-sting-felt-completely-destroyed-by-a-hit-song/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- “Baker Street” made Sting yearn for a chart hit.
- The Police scored three UK number ones by the end of 1979.
- Raphael Ravenscroft’s £27 cheque for the sax solo bounced.

## Summary

While living in a modest bedsit in Bayswater after moving to London, Sting heard Gerry Rafferty’s “Baker Street” on the radio and was overwhelmed by its saxophone solo. The song’s success made him long for a hit of his own, a feeling that highlights the uncertainty of The Police’s early days before their rapid rise.

Within two years, The Police had reached the top of the UK charts: “Message in a Bottle” became a number one in late 1979, followed weeks later by the album *Reggatta de Blanc*, which stayed there for four weeks. The band closed the year with “Walking on the Moon” also topping the singles chart. The article also notes that saxophonist Raphael Ravenscroft said he was paid only with a £27 cheque that bounced.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.