“Roxanne” is a song by the British rock band The Police, released as a single in 1978. It was written by band member Sting and became one of the group’s most iconic tracks. The song was also featured on their debut album, Outlandos d’Amour.
“Roxanne” blends rock with elements of reggae, which was becoming a popular influence on Western pop music in the late 1970s.
The song features a distinct bassline and Sting’s emotive, high-pitched voice. The musical build-up creates a sense of urgency and emotional intensity.
Intro
Here’s what the guitar and bass sound like together:
Guitar
Each chord is performed with a staccato.
In music notation, a staccato is indicated by placing a small dot above or below a notehead, depending on the direction of the stem.
- If the note has an upward stem, the dot is placed above the notehead.
- If the note has a downward stem, the dot is below the notehead.
The staccato dot indicates that the note should be played short and detached, with a slight break between each note. It instructs the musician to shorten the duration of the note, giving it a crisp, clipped sound.
Bass
