With Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs facing serious legal charges, Sting has offered his thoughts on the enduring legacy of The Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” a track famously sampled by Diddy in his 1997 hit “I’ll Be Missing You.” The charges against Diddy include allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering, leading some fans to wonder if Sting now feels differently about the track’s history.
In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Sting dismissed any concerns, saying, “No. I mean, I don’t know what went on [with Diddy]. But it doesn’t taint the song at all for me. It’s still my song.” Despite the ongoing scandal, Sting made it clear that the song remains untouched for him, retaining the impact it’s had since its 1983 release.
The relationship between the two artists has also seen its share of public banter. Last year, Diddy claimed he was obligated to pay Sting $5,000 a day for the sample rights, a statement he later clarified as “facetious,” emphasizing their friendly relationship. “He never charged me $3K or $5K a day for ‘Missing You.’ He probably makes more than $5K a day from one of the biggest songs in history,” Diddy joked.
Now awaiting trial, Diddy remains in federal custody, with a potential 15-year sentence if convicted. He’ll next appear in court on December 18, with the trial set to begin in May 2025. Yet, even as Diddy faces serious accusations, “Every Breath You Take” remains firmly anchored in its original, unblemished legacy according to Sting.
Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
