Sting and the Police Message in a Bottle Lyrics and Song Meaning
When The Police released “Message in a Bottle” in 1979, it became their first number one song in the UK. From there, it became easily the most famous message in a bottle song of all time (though Taylor Swift’s song is not far off!). Not only is the song musically catchy, but, much like Jim Croce‘s “Time in a Bottle,” the lyrics get at something deeply human and universal. This is why the song resonates with so many people, whether they’ve sent real messages in bottles or not. Sting and The Police were the first to use a message in a bottle as a metaphor in a pop song. Aside from the music and lyrics, the video for Message in a Bottle also portrays our collective loneliness. This is the heart of the song: We are not alone at being alone.
Concert with “The Police” at Madison Square Garden, New York 2007. Photo: Wikipedia user: Lionel Urman.
“Message in a Bottle” seems to be set on an island where a castaway lives alone. But we never know for certain if the setting is a real island, or if the character is an actual castaway. Of course, that, right there, is the genius of the story in this song: it works on multiple levels. Check out the lyrics below, then read the discussion afterward for further analysis and thoughts on the meaning of the song.
By the way, did you know that Sting owns a winery in Italy that produces a line of wines called “Message in a Bottle“? Well, now you do! Moving on…
Message in a Bottle Lyrics & Solo Performance by Sting
The version of “Message in a Bottle” everyone knows is the one originally recorded by Sting and The Police. The original video for Message in a Bottle is worth watching, since it shines some light on the lyrics as discussed below. But for now, here is my favorite solo performance of Message in a Bottle by Sting, at a school for deaf children and adults. Students at Mill Neck Manor sign the lyrics to Message in a Bottle, and it’s just awesome.
Just a castaway, an island lost at sea
Another lonely day with no one here but me
More loneliness than any man could bear
Rescue me before I fall into despair
I’ll send an SOS to the world
I’ll send an SOS to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle
Message in a bottle
A year has passed since I wrote my note
But I should have known this right from the start
Only hope can keep me together
Love can mend your life
But love can break your heart
I’ll send an SOS to the world
I’ll send an SOS to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle
Message in a bottle
Message in a bottle
Message in a bottle
Walked out this morning, don’t believe what I saw
A hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore
Seems I’m not alone at being alone
A hundred billion castaways looking for a home
I’ll send an SOS to the world
I’ll send an SOS to the world
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a bottle
Message in a bottle
Message in a bottle
Message in a bottle
Sending out an SOS
Message in a Bottle Lyrics & Meaning
Hopefully, none of us has ever been an actual castaway–I mean, a survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a desolate shore. But we all understand feelings of loneliness, isolation. That’s why the desolate image of “an island lost at sea” works: when we are very lonely, we feel so cut off, so distant, that we can look around and see an empty world–an uninhabited island where we are doomed to shout into the void, like Tom Hanks’s character in Castaway. The lyrics of Message in a Bottle start us off in that desolate space. This character feels not just lonely, but so lonely that he’s begging for rescue.
Many of us, when we feel lonely, look for ways to reach out, to connect with someone, anyone. That is where the message in a bottle comes into play for Sting’s character.
In this song, the biggest revelation comes when the central character discovers “a hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore”. He takes this as evidence that many other people also feel lonely and cut off. He realizes that he is “not alone at being alone”. And here’s the magic part: The moment Sting’s character realizes that he is not alone at being alone, we realize that we are not alone at being alone, either. Some see this as consolation; others see it as mystifying and sad. Perhaps it is all of these things.
But it leaves us to wonder: why is everyone so alone? Is it in our very nature? An unavoidable part of being human? Is this loneliness, “More loneliness than any man can bear,” inevitable? A timeless human trait?
Or is it something new? Does the song – aided by the video – suggest that people today are somehow more alone, lonely, and cut off from each other than ever before?
The music for this song is compelling, sure. But ultimately, it is Sting’s lyrics for “Message in a Bottle” that leave the listener to ponder these questions instead of giving us an easy answer. But one thing is certain: The message in a bottle in this song represents an ardent desire for connection in a lonely, isolating world (see “Why Send a Message in a Bottle?” for more on this).
A Brief Analysis of the Original Video for The Police’s Message in a Bottle
It is worth noting that the original video for “Message in a Bottle” does not feature a desert island. Instead, we see scenes of crowds: a bustling city, an audience at a Police concert.
Well, haven’t we all walked through throngs of people in large cities, surrounded by people yet feeling cut off from them? Haven’t we all wondered: Are they as lonely as I am? In a concert crowd, have we not all felt small, anonymous? How can we feel lonely when we are surrounded by others? “Message in a Bottle” ponders these questions.
It’s intriguing, too, that the video for Message in a Bottle never shows an image of a message in a bottle. That’s a little surprising when you consider how visually appealing a message in a bottle can be – perfect for something like a music video. This artistic choice – or omission – may seem odd at first, but the truth is that it makes the song stronger.
The Police’s Message in a Bottle is not about an actual message in a bottle. Rather, the idea of a message in a bottle is simply the central metaphor of the song. Why distract listeners / viewers with images of bottled messages when what you really want them to grapple with is their place in the world, their loneliness, their need for society? In fact, it was absolutely necessary for The Police to avoid using images of messages in bottles, if they wanted the song to “land” properly.
The video for “Message in a Bottle” by Sting and the Police never shows an image of a message in a bottle. Why?
Summary of Message in a Bottle Lyrics and Meaning by Sting and the Police
Many times, Sting has cited “Message in a Bottle” as his favorite song that he’s written – or at least, his favorite with The Police. He discusses writing Message in a Bottle here, for instance.
Ultimately, the power of Message in a Bottle by Sting and The Police comes from the lyrics, which hold up a mirror to our loneliness and longing.
We are each a castaway on an island alone, looking desperately across the water, hoping to connect meaningfully with our fellow humans before we lose our damn minds. A message in a bottle might just be our only hope.
Other songs featuring messages in bottles include:
***If you liked this post, click here to find me on Facebook and like my page for more message in a bottle stories! You never know when YOU could be the one to solve a message in a bottle mystery! Also, click here for more songs about messages in bottles. Click here to learn more about messages in bottles, and you can always contact me with questions, ideas, or stories.