The Police 'Roxanne'

Discover the riveting narrative behind the iconic track "Roxanne" by The Police in this episode. Journey back to 1978 when the band was yet to make their mark, performing in dingy bars and cramped venues across Europe. From their memorable stint at Amsterdam's Paradisio to a serendipitous encounter in the seedy streets of Pigalle, Paris, lead singer Sting's escapade through the city sparks the genesis of a timeless song.

Witness how a chance encounter with streetwalkers, inspired by the literary character Cyrano de Bergerac's tragic love story, led to the creation of "Roxanne," an eclectic fusion of rock, tango, and reggae. Despite its initial flop in the punk-centric scene of England, the track found an unexpected ally across the Atlantic in the form of Oedipus, the DJ of Boston's WBCN radio. His passionate promotion of the song on his punk rock show set the stage for The Police's meteoric rise to fame.

Join us as we unravel the improbable connection between a French literary heroine, an American DJ, and a Pigalle prostitute within the extraordinary journey of a chart-topping hit that defied all odds.

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