ROCK MOMENT – The Police ‘Wrapped Around Your Finger’

In 1983, The Police were at the height of their powers when they released Synchronicity, the album that would cement their legacy and ultimately become their swan song. Among its standout tracks was ‘Wrapped Around Your Finger,’ a moody, hypnotic piece that showcased Sting’s gift for combining literate lyricism with pop accessibility.

The song stands out for its lyrical complexity. Sting, a former schoolteacher, infused the verses with references to myth and literature, invoking figures like Mephistopheles and Scylla and Charybdis. At its heart, the song explores themes of manipulation and shifting power dynamics in relationships, painting a picture of someone who initially feels dominated but ultimately turns the tables. Musically, it is one of the band’s more restrained tracks, relying on Stewart Copeland’s precise percussion and Andy Summers’ atmospheric guitar textures to create a haunting mood.

‘Wrapped Around Your Finger’ was released as the fourth single from Synchronicity and became a Top 10 hit in both the U.K. and the U.S. The accompanying music video, directed by Godley & Creme, became one of the most striking visuals of the MTV era. Shot in black and white, the video features Sting weaving his way through a labyrinth of hundreds of tall, flickering candles. The imagery was symbolic and dramatic, visually echoing the song’s themes of entrapment, control, and transformation. The stark, minimalistic setting gave the video a timeless, almost gothic feel, and it received heavy rotation on MTV, further propelling the song’s popularity.

Behind the scenes, however, the video was anything but glamorous. The massive number of candles created intense heat on the set, making the filming physically uncomfortable for the band. Crew members had to constantly relight candles between takes, as the wax would burn down quickly under the hot lights. Sting later joked that he nearly singed his hair and clothing while moving through the maze, adding a layer of tension to what appears effortless on screen. The band also had to remain extremely still between takes, since even small movements could cause drafts that disrupted the carefully placed flames.

Despite the difficulties, the finished product became one of The Police’s most memorable videos. Its moody atmosphere perfectly matched the song’s lyrical depth, and its heavy rotation on MTV helped the single climb the charts. For fans, ‘Wrapped Around Your Finger’ remains both a visual and musical highlight of the band’s final chapter together.

Though The Police disbanded not long after Synchronicity, ‘Wrapped Around Your Finger’ remains a testament to the band’s ability to merge intellectual depth with pop appeal. Its mix of atmospheric sound and unforgettable visuals secured its place as one of the defining songs of their final chapter together.